Yingli Solar and Grid Alternatives Powering People

Posted on February 28, 2012 by quest

Yingli Solar a sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil today announced it has renewed its strategic partnership throughout 2012 with the Oakland-based nonprofit solar installer, GRID Alternatives. Yingli Americas’ 2012 agreement with GRID Alternatives builds on a 1MW partnership launched in 2011 that brought clean power to over 400 low-income homeowners across California, saving them an estimated US$11 million over the systems’ lifetimes, while giving hands-on solar installation experience to thousands of workers. GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. It has provided no or low-cost solar electric systems for more than 1700 families since 2004 while serving as a “classroom in the field” for solar job trainees.

“Yingli’s continued support for GRID Alternatives’ mission means millions more in long-term savings for low-income families that need them most, thousands more learning opportunities for green job seekers and a win for the environment,” said Erica Mackie, Executive Director and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives. “We’re thrilled that they decided to renew their commitment, especially as we begin replicating our model beyond California.”

“Supporting our local communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives is something we care deeply about, and we are very proud to be official partners with GRID Alternatives,” said Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Americas. “Our combined teams were a great fit from the start given our common goals for protecting the environment and helping those in need.”Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing, Yingli Americas said, “Listening to the stories of these families and job seekers that we’ve helped and participated alongside has been remarkable, and we are excited to be expanding the program even further this year. Renewable energy is inherently about helping people who need energy most, and with more than 800 financially challenged families powered by the end of this year, we’ve gone beyond what we imagined possible at the onset of this program.”

Right To Know Genetically Modified Organisms

World’s Largest Electric Bus Fleet Expanding In China

Posted on February 27, 2012 by quest

Solar and electric company BYD already with the largest zero-emissions fleet in serviceworld-wide will add 1500 pure electric K9 buses and e6 taxis to the public transportation fleet in Shenzhen City. Commenting on these successes, Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission Director Xiangzhen Lu said, “Shenzhen is the first city in China to implement a subsidy for new energy vehicles and the first city to launch consumer sales of the BYD e6.” The zero-emissions Taxi fleet has already given many consumers their first experience with the BYD all-electric, 5-passenger e6, China’s first long-range, pure-electric car. SDRC cited rising oil prices and growing environmental pressures as key reasons to transform the public transportation system. Shenzhen City believes electrified transportation offers the most effective way to simultaneously stimulate economic recovery while restoring the environment by lowering CO2 emissions.

Shenzhen City will also establish new policies in hopes of encouraging private EV use. The SDRC announced that Shenzhen is formulating measures to impose fees on emissions from gasoline cars while rewarding alternative energy vehicle drivers based on distance traveled. Other incentive policies include allowing pure electric drivers to use the public bus lane during rush hour, insurance privileges, and free annual maintenance checks. The city of Shenzhen is also trying to manage its 200,000 plus electric bikes and has recently introduced restrictions which are to go into effect in April.

China’s Southern Power Grid Company has agreed to install free-of-charge, two electric vehicle charging poles for each Shenzhen EV driver — one at the home or apartment of the driver and another near the EV driver’s place of business. Shenzhen City continues to offer extremely affordable peak and off-peak electricity prices for new energy vehicle users, reducing nightly charging costs. The SDRC predicts that private alternative energy vehicle use in Shenzhen will increase by 3000 units in 2012 and plans to install and support over 6,000 new charging pedestals accordingly. BYD’s North American headquarters are in Los Angeles.

The Pied Piper of Solar

Obama Calls For Extending US Solar Programs

Los Angeles Growing Green & Cleantech Businesses

Posted on February 22, 2012 by quest

Not only is LA becoming a hub for electric vehicle companies, in October 2011 Los Angeles launched its new cleantech business incubator (LACI) to accelerate development of cleantech start-ups by offering flexible office space, CEO coaching and mentoring, and access to a growing network of experts and capital. LACI is the business equivalent of baseball’s farm system: it identifies local talent, nurtures it, and helps it get to market, resulting in more jobs and a bigger green economy in Los Angeles.The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) announced the acceptance of California Lithium Battery (CALiB) into its Portfolio Company Program making it the sixth start-up in LACI’s portfolio. CALiB has licensed new technology from the Argonne National Labs that improves the performance of lithium batteries by 3X. CALiB’s goal is to be the leading United States-based developer and manufacturer of high performance Very Large Format lithium batteries for utility energy storage, EVs and specialized industrial applications.

Fred Walti, Executive Director of LACI said,“Developing game changing technology in energy storage is a key requirement for wider adoption of sustainable energy. We’re impressed with California Lithium’s technology, which has been developed and validated by the Argonne National Labs, and its business strategy to enter the utility scale energy storage market. While it’s too early to declare victory, CALiB’s batteries could effectively lower the Li-ion battery cost by 70%,”

“LA is emerging as the new global test center for advanced energy technologies and we thank Mayor Villaraigosa and the LADWP for their stewardship of the LACI” said Phil Roberts, CEO of CalBattery. He continued, “as a great example of public private partnership that is helping small businesses do big things for their community. The help and connections of the LACI it will enable CalBattery to create good manufacturing jobs stemming from our new energy storage and EV lithium silicon-graphene battery made in LA for export to the entire global community.” It was just this past October Mayor Villaraigosa welcomed solar and electric vehicle maker, BYD to its North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, and In November 2011 Electric maker Coda also set LA as its global headquarters.

Apple Using Solar Power To Power Itself

Posted on February 21, 2012 by quest

Apple isn’t the first, Google is already there and it’s a pretty safe bet other big, medium and smaller companies will follow and go solar. The Solar Foundation an industry trade organization has reported that there are now over 100,000 people employed in the U. S . solar industry, and that figure is expected to rise dramatically. To meet its energy needs the company, Apple has announced new energy efficiency initiatives at its North Carolina Maiden data facility and have embarked on an industry-leading renewable energy program.

Apple is building the nation’s largest end user–owned, onsite solar array on the land surrounding the data center. When completed, this 100-acre, 20-megawatt facility will supply 42 million kWh of clean, renewable energy annually. In addition the computer maker is is building a fuel cell installation that will be the largest non-utility fuel cell installation operating anywhere in the country. The 5-megawatt facility, located directly adjacent to the data center, will be powered by 100 percent biogas, and provide more than 40 million kWh of 24×7 baseload renewable energy annually.

With these developments one has to wonder what impact Apple might have on the solar industry if it began manufacturing solar panels. Apple says it’s “committed to pursuing energy-efficient growth by increasing our renewable energy participation to match the growing needs of our data center—through our own projects as well as partnerships with utilities and renewable energy providers.”

Warren Buffet A Major Solar Energy Investor

South Pacific Resort An Eco Innovator

Posted on February 21, 2012 by quest

Paul Gauguin Cruises operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, has announced the completion of a $7 million renovation. The renovation took place during the ship’s 10-night crossing from Tahiti to Brisbane, Australia, as well as during the 11-night drydock that followed, when extensive enhancements were made to both the interiors and exteriors of The Gauguin. Renovations throughout the ship include new flooring and replaced carpeting, elegant new furniture, new window treatments and decorative wall panels, and new signage, providing a lighter, brighter feel. Additionally, all suites and staterooms feature new teak railings on the balconies and new bathroom flooring

On the culinary front, La Veranda offers guests a redesigned entrance, refinished indoor and outdoor furniture, and solar shades throughout. Le Grill boasts new decorative partitions and divider walls, as well as a new buffet area and new lighting. L’Etoile also features a redesigned entrance in addition to video equipment for conferences. Promenade Deck 5 boasts a new built-in banquette and expanded casino in Le Casino, and Deck 6 received a new integrated display case for books and art. La Palette features a decorative stone band along the front of the bar and an updated lighting system, as well as new outdoor furniture. Le Grand Salon and La Palette offer refurbished dance floors to provide the perfect venue to dance the night away.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., the leader in French Polynesia luxury destination resort who has over 25 years of experience in the French Polynesian tourism market, Pacific Beachcomber is the country’s largest luxury hotel and cruise operator in the region. Pacific Beachcomber is also currently developing a luxury eco-resort, The Brando, located on the actor’s private island and slated to open in 2012. Pacific Beachcomber operates five award winning hotels which are all sustainable and Green Green Globe - EARTHCHECK Certified, including the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is pioneer in use of sea and water air-conditioning (SWAC) technology.

PV WEST HEADING TO SAN JOSE

Right To Know Genetically Modified Organisms

Posted on February 19, 2012 by quest

By Susan Rigali - Today I went to Starbucks to pick up ballot initiatives to collect signatures for the labeling of GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) also known as GE (genetically engineered). The same location that I was passing out leaflets against GMO’s 10 years ago with my daughter when security and police arrived and asked us to leave. We complied. But our efforts have persisted. As Americans we felt it our right to have this information, so do a vast majority of our fellow citizens.

The fact that biotech foods have remained unlabeled for nearly 20 years in the US reveals a deliberate refusal by regulatory agencies to serve the will of the people and instead occupy federal agencies in government to further corporate interests globally. An attempt by the biotech industry to OWN the worlds food through intellectual property has wrought the biggest global food fight against consumer, farmer, conventional and organic systems of farming while the cases are reeling in courts worldwide. Reluctantly allowing labeling in most of the developed world where activism in government is recognized, yet scuttling any attempts of groups and organizations for 20 years in this country speaks volumes about our so called democratic principles.

The lack of labeling is a concession to the U.S., it also declared that it “is not intended to suggest or imply that foods derived from modern biotechnology are necessarily different from other foods.” This is a legal contradiction! Either foods produced through mutation are substantially equivalent and therefore cannot be deemed intellectual property, or they are novel invention in which case are different due to constructs and should be labeled accordingly. We will work hard to insure consumers the right to vote on this matter. Not only with their pockets as organic industries soar, but with our voices and votes. Help reach the 850,000 signatures needed to get this on the ballot in California. Visit Label GMO or Label Genetically Engineered Food.