First Zero Net Solar Energy Classrooms Now In LA

Posted on December 5, 2011 by quest

Constructed entirely from recycled materials and powered by roof-mounted solar panels, Brentwood School‘s newest classrooms will generate enough energy every year to cover 100% of their electricity usage, making them Los Angeles’ first Zero Net Energy classrooms on a school campus. Because the solar panels are shipped in place, the classrooms will begin generating energy the same day they’re installed. Gen7′s proprietary energy management system will monitor each classroom to ensure performance over time. Four Gen7 green modular classrooms are, making renewable energy a reality for the sustainability-conscious K-12 independent school. Designed to pursue LEED Gold certification, the state-of-the-art classrooms will provide a new wing of permanent, high-performance learning space expected to deliver 70% in energy savings for the school.

Brentwood School‘s Head of School Dr. Mike Riera said, “True to our mission of embracing high standards of character, commitment, and achievement, with Gen7 we set a new standard for ourselves in terms of environmental responsibility and the use of learning space as teaching tool,” Brentwood School’s Parents Association hosted a pancake breakfast for Middle and Upper Division students, allowing them to watch and learn as their new classrooms are installed. Gen7 classrooms are designed for both health and comfort, making them the ideal learning environment. Each Zero Net Energy classroom is also a hands-on teaching tool, equipped with its own interactive SMART board. An Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard is being developed that displays the building’s performance data and demonstrates sustainable initiatives, such as energy production and consumption, LEED scorecard, green features and student tutorials.

Gen7′s energy efficiency combines renewable energy with features that reduce the need for electricity. Each Gen7 Zero Net Energy classroom includes an ultra-tight, high R-value building envelope, high-efficiency mechanical system, smart lighting system with the latest LED technology, large low-E view windows and skylights, light and occupancy sensors along with a dedicated outdoor ventilation system.

The father of vertical farming

Green Jobs Forecast

Posted on December 4, 2011 by quest

By Kellé Lynch McMahon – Green Jobs, Green Jobs, Where are all the jobs?…In looking at the news one would believe that the world is coming to an end with all the talk of unemployment and the export of jobs to overseas competition. But if we scratch below the surface we will see that there is a huge trend surfacing that is creating an enormous amount of opportunity for retooling and growth in technological innovation and the re-birth of a manufacturing in the United States.

According to the US Department of Labor there are 1.2 million jobs that are unfilled right now in the marketplace. These jobs are unfilled because there are too few skilled applicants that apply for them. There are foreign companies, American companies, small companies, large companies, startups and mid-size companies all of which contribute to the growth and development of a new established emergent industry coined “the green economy”. The green economy encompasses many different aspects of the energy market sector. The United States has seen the largest growth in the solar market sector over the past two years. The industry has seen growth over 120% since 2006 (Engineering Magazine July 2010) and is experiencing a explosion of growth in the commercial residential sectors.

Next we have watched the growth of the slow food movement, which has the cropping up of small local family farms and urban farms that are supporting sustainable organic farming methods that yield a variety of foods that are in high demand in local markets. The growth, process, and distribution of these foods has created a cottage industry that has become boutique in nature.Third, we have the automotive industry that has seen a growth spurt in the development, manufacturing and innovation of a new breed of cars that will revolutionize the way we commute, transport merchandise and travel in the world. Electric cars will become the norm within the next five (5) years, and all major automobile manufacturers have at least one auto that is either electric or hydrogen fuel cell powered on the market today. Read the full article by Kellé Lynch McMahon

Solar Energy To Power UN Climate Conference

US Solar Energy Gets United Steelworkers Backing

Posted on December 3, 2011 by quest

The back and forth between US and Chinese solar companies continues with Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers (USW) issuing a statement , commenting on a letter sent by 59 members of Congress to President Obama calling for action on Chinese clean energy protectionism.”Today’s congressional letter to President Obama highlights the imperative of confronting China’s predatory, protectionist and illegal trade practices in the alternative and renewable energy sector. The time for dialogue has come to an end — now is the time to put an end to their efforts to dominate this vital sector of our economy.

“Ten years ago, China ascended to the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a promise to abide by free and fair rules of trade. China continues to massively subsidize their industries, to exclude others from exporting competitive products to their markets, to require transfers of technology and engage in countless practices to the disadvantage of other trading nations. “Ten years is long enough to know that they have no intention of playing by the rules unless we challenge them and utilize the leverage of our market to provide a level playing field.

“Alternative and renewable energy can provide an enormous opportunity not only to promote energy security, but to also enhance environmental protection while promoting the revitalization of manufacturing and job creation. America has been a leader in developing these technologies, but not in manufacturing the resulting products due to China’s actions.”That’s why the Steelworkers filed a comprehensive trade case under Section 301 of our trade laws last year. President Obama and his Administration should end their review of that petition and act on the comprehensive set of issues identified in that case. Coupled with acting on the solar products trade case, we can begin to restore the promise of green energy as an engine of economic growth and job creation here in the U.S.”

A Solar House Divided

Eco-Friendly Marley ‘One Love’ Sponsors Jingle Ball

Posted on December 3, 2011 by quest

With its expanding line of eco friendly products, The House of Marley is sponsoring two of the biggest concerts of the year and the most anticipated music events of the holiday season. The KIIS-FM’s Jingle Ball will be held on Dec. 3 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live and Z100′s Jingle Ball will take place on Dec. 9 at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The House of Marley also carries its message of peace, love, and unity to Ski Dazzle 2011: The Los Angeles Ski Show and Snowboard Expo, December 1 – 4, 2011, helping to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the world’s largest consumer ski & snowboard show and sale. The House of Marley delivers premium quality, eco-friendly products that embody the Marley family’s values of equality, unity, authenticity, sustainability, and charity. MARLEY is comprised of three collections – Jammin’, Freedom, and Destiny – and features noise isolating in-ear and on-ear headphones, active noise canceling over-ear headphones, docking stations, and portable audio systems. The MARLEY headphones are currently available at Becker Surf, Karmaloop, CCS, Beachworks and many other snow, surf and skate shops nationwide. Docking stations and speakers will be available in early 2012.

One Love

Working together for a better world, The House of Marley was created from the belief in Bob Marley’s vision of “One Love,” offering a range of eco-friendly, innovative audio electronics products that adhere to the Marley family core values: equality, unity, authenticity, sustainability and charity. The House of Marley donates five percent (5%) of its annual profits to 1Love.org. The epicenter of a global movement, 1Love.org is dedicated to spreading Bob Marley’s message of unity and peace by lifting up a new generation of “young gongs” to strike the hammer for charities, causes and ideas that can change the world.

“Action sports has always been important to us, because that’s where the roots people hang out,” said Rohan Marley, Bob Marley’s son, on behalf of the family. “Through his music, my father spread messages of love, hope, unity, and peace, and it is our family’s responsibility and mission to bring his vision to a new generation. MARLEY audio products make perfect sense and are created with a focus on using sustainable products and providing exceptional sound that our family is proud to call our own.”

World’s Tallest Solar Tower Set To Rise In Arizona

Solar Embedded Fashions Energizing Mobile Devices

Posted on December 1, 2011 by quest

The solar industry is shining its light on just about every part of society.This time a company called Silvr Lining is impacting the solar and fashion industry. The Los Angeles based clothing designer has introduced a line of solar powered outerwear called the Go Collection, which is all hand made, individually cut & sewn garments. The garments are ethically made clothing from organic & recycled fibers and allow you to charge your phone with your pants, jacket or vest. The GO Collection is an urban sportswear line featuring integrated solar charging for personal mobile communication devices.

In addition to GO Collection Silvr Lining offers multi-functional, high-tech fashion and lifestyle brands. The Dugwear, Modbox lines are progressive and green, and pursue sustainability and renewability of materials and processes. Fully and independently functioning solar power supply panels are provided for the front pockets of the of the GO Director’s Jacket, GO Utility Vest, GO Myer’s Topper,and side cargo pockets of the GO Cargo Pant. Output power is highly precise and conditioned for automatic charging of personal devices. These panels can also be used as self‐contained, carry – anywhere chargers and are USB 2.0 compliant.

Sandra Garratt—Design Director of Silvr Lining describing Silvr Lining said,”Too many of us believe that a “rich, creative life” belongs to a chosen few select people who “do that sort of thing. Wrong, creativity is in everything we all do daily. Beauty is a choice, creating it for any circumstance is an initiative for designers. We all want a happy, healthy, well-balanced lifestyle, not just more clothes. SilvrLining is making a design statement about an emerging Green lifestyle that is techwise and embraces active living in the Sun. We try to integrate Nature & Technology with Style while breathing beauty into busy modern everyday life.The designers and “science guys” at SilvrLining believe that there is new Green inspiration, a focus on energy independence that is moving us forward with progressive, new ideas that help us know that it is time to leave the past behind.”

UN Climate Conference In Durban South Africa

Solar Powers Mongolians: Cyclists & Education

Posted on November 30, 2011 by quest

Kyocera Corporation received Japan’s 2011 Minister of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming in recognition of the comprehensive environmental activities undertaken with the community by the company’s Shiga Gamo & Shiga Yohkaichi manufacturing plants. This is the second year running that Kyocera has been a recipient, following last year’s award in the technology development. product category for its high-output multicrystalline solar module for industrial and commercial applications. In the summer of 2010 Kyocera in cooperation with the World Bank’s Renewable Energy for Rural Access Project two Mongolian villages Gobi-Altai and Bayantooroi, which are both located in the western Gobi Desert region went solar. The project was handled by Kyocera because of the company’s years of experience in the solar energy business in Mongolia, and the durability of its high-quality modules in harsh weather conditions.

Mongolians Up In The House

For this year’s award, Kyocera was recognized for the comprehensive work done by its two Shiga-based facilities to help combat climate change — including work done with the local community and government, and its implementation of solar energy applications. Specific programs were, Development and sales of the “Solar Cycle Station, Operation of environmental education facilities and Providing “Eco-Lessons” at local schools. The Minister of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming was established in 1998 by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The award is given every year in December to coincide with Global Warming Prevention Month, and is presented to individuals and groups that have shown remarkable achievements in the prevention of global warming.

Kyocera began manufacturing solar modules in San Diego in the U.S in 2010. The company’s initial production target is 30 megawatts per year; to begin with the line will include solar modules ranging from 210 watts to the company’s latest 235-watt modules. Kyocera stated that it developed the line in order to meet “the U.S. market’s growing demand for clean, sustainable solar electric generating systems.” In October of 2011 Kyocera Solar and the Associated Students of San Diego State University announced the completion of a 355.9 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic energy system on the school’s campus, part of a student-approved plan to build a new LEED Platinum student union building.