Hydroponics Leaders Merge To Serve Urban Farming

Posted on April 20, 2012 by quest

Terra Tech Corp. a leader in controlled agricultural products, announced that it has merged with GrowOp Technology Ltd., a cultivation equipment manufacturer focused on the rapidly emerging medical Cannabis market and maker of “The Big Bud.” Derek Peterson, CEO of GrowOp Technology and newly appointed CEO of parent company Terra Tech Corp., says that traditional urban agriculture shares many of the same technologies and processes that are utilized in the cultivation of medicinal cannabis. Much of the technology that exists today has been funded by commercial cannabis cultivation.“Urban agriculture is a remarkable solution for effectively and efficiently feeding our global population, while delivering a product that is significantly more healthy for both the consumer and the planet,” said Peterson. “If not for cannabis being one of the largest cash crops of this country, the industry would be years behind in technological advancements.”

“Farming is going both urban as well as vertical, and tools like ours are going to be the staples of this new city-centric approach to agriculture,” said Peterson. “We are excited about the opportunity in this market, especially in terms of consolidation, and we plan to implement an aggressive acquisition campaign now that we are a public company.” “As more cultivation moves indoors, urban farmers need a new set of tools to regulate and manage these operations. The global population is growing exponentially, forcing us to seek out and adopt alternative methods for food production. Indoor, vertical and greenhouse cultivation are potential answers to many of our existing agricultural limitations,” suggests Russell Winnett, COO and lead design engineer of GrowOp Tech.

With a global population of approximately 7 billion, scarcity of food and the resources to produce it are rapidly becoming a concern. This increased need to sustain our population puts a strain on other global resources as the production and transportation of food significantly increases greenhouse gas emissions. Terra Tech believes this coupled with greater access to information and understanding that locally grown produce is not only better for the environment but also has a higher degree of nutrition has led to this current surge in hydroponically grown crops. Terra Tech intends to position itself to capitalize on this “growing” market. Locally grown produce is not only better for the environment but also has a higher degree of nutrition has led to this current surge in hydroponically grown crops.

Solar Power Has Ripple Effect On Job Creation

Solar Panels “Photosynthesis” Art In Milan Exhibit

Posted on April 16, 2012 by quest

Developers of solar technology are turning to nature to better understand how plants use the sunlight to store and use energy. The concept of solar trees is showing up all over the world. In Italy. Panasonic will showcase its total solutions for creating, storing, saving and managing energy at the Milano Salone del Mobile 2012 exhibition, which will be held in Milan this April. At this year’s exhibition, Panasonic will present an energy cycle, comparing it to an ecological cycle that begins with photosynthesis, starting with energy creation (through solar panels), and continuing to energy storage (through storage batteries) and energy saving (through LED and organic LED lights), with each stage of the cycle being controlled by an energy management system. The installation, which is the first outdoor exhibit for Panasonic, was designed by noted young architect Akihisa Hirata, whose organic vision of a living, breathing architecture reflects the open yet interdependent symbiotic cycles in nature.

“Based on the dynamic of photosynthesis, I envisioned the leaves, fruit and flowers of a tree linking the entire corridor space in a cyclical network of creating, storing and saving energy. A new image of human endeavor open to the limitless energy of the sun, to the energy channels we have built and to the cycles of the biosphere. I wanted to shape a new interpretation of nature at this historic juncture,” said Akihisa Hirata.

In response to the common goal of “shifting to sustainability,” Panasonic is working to make our lives more pleasant and reduce our impact on the environment. The 2012 installation “Photosynthesis” exemplifies this dual ecology approach in a controlled-cycle energy management “tree” with solar panel “leaves”, energy-storing battery “fruit” and energy-saving LED/OLED “flowers”. It’s a new experience and a new world of possibilities for these greening times.This installation takes place at INTERNI LEGACY, University of Milan.

Solar Fresh Alberta Ferretti Fashions Hits Macy’s

Posted on April 16, 2012 by quest

Beginning tomorrow, style seekers nationwide can line-up to purchase Alberta Ferretti’s exclusive, limited-time collection for Macy’s, the next designer capsule launching in the retailer’s “Impulse” department. An effortlessly chic spring assortment, the capsule is composed of feminine silhouettes and delicate fabrications, acting as an allusion to the designer’s main line collection. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to give a solar, fresh and joyful Italian dream to the customers of Macy’s and I believe that these items will become staple dresses in their wardrobe.”

“This collection for Macy’s captures the essence of the Italian summer lifestyle and is at the same time true to my style,” said Alberta Ferretti. “I imagine a sensual woman that was joyfully elegant and unequivocally Italian. I am happy that Maria Carla’s unique style, Ellen Von Unwerth’s modern eye, and the fairy-tale atmosphere of Positano made my imagination become real.”

The “Alberta Ferretti for Impulse only at Macy’s” collection exudes effortless style and elegance, heavily influenced by Ferretti’s Italian heritage and the relaxed lifestyle of the Amalfi coast. Reflecting the designer’s signature aesthetic, the capsule is a balance of delicate fabrications, feminine silhouettes and romantic prints. With bohemian and garden party styling taking center stage, the collection offers looks to satisfy a variety of personal tastes ranging from playful maxi dresses to sophisticated cropped pants. The Alberta Ferretti presence continues to strengthen worldwide with boutique openings in every fashion capital from New York to Los Angeles, Milan to Paris, Moscow to Tokyo, and London to Dubai. A first for the Italian-based designer, this new capsule collection will be sold while supplies last in 185 Macy’s stores nationwide and on macys.com beginning April 17.

Organic farmer Steven Schwen plows a different path

Maui Brewing Hops Solar Powered

Posted on March 27, 2012 by quest

Conegra Solar the renewable energy company backed by Khosla Ventures recently partnered with Maui Brewing Co. to install Hawaii’s first PV and solar thermal system to power brewing process. “We were searching for a way to maximize the space on our roof. Cogenra’s solar cogeneration technology was the perfect match, producing both electricity and hot water in one compact design,” said MBC founder Garrett Marrero. “Cogenra’s solution helped us maximize our ROI and minimize our environmental impact.”Cogenra’s solar cogeneration array will provide MBC with solar hot water and electricity, enhancing the brewery’s sustainability leadership while reducing energy costs.

The 24-module, 60-kilowatt (kW) rooftop system will occupy less than 2,400 square feet and support the brewery’s existing 100kW solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, supplying renewable electricity for pumps, packaging and cooling. The solar hot water generated will feed directly to the facility’s Clean-in-Place (CIP) and brewing processes.The first of Cogenra’s installations in the State of Hawaii, constructed together with Green Global Communities, the installation will be commissioned in the second half of 2012. The dual energy benefits of Cogenra’s solar cogeneration solution provides a cost-effective solution for Hawaii businesses looking to combat the region’s high operating, labor and energy costs.

“Any business that uses a lot of hot water can profit greatly from solar cogeneration, whose hybrid technology provides two benefits: solar hot water and solar electricity. Customers in Hawaii, with ample sun exposure and high energy costs, are at a special advantage,” said Gilad Almogy, CEO of Cogenra Solar. “Maui Brewing has recognized the unique benefits and cost advantages of our hybrid technology and we are thrilled to provide our solution as part of their sustainability plans.” Conegra also supplies electricity for The Sonoma Wine Company.

The Heroes of Solar

Solar Press Presenting At Clean Equity Monaco 2012

Posted on March 26, 2012 by quest

Solar Press will present at CleanEquity Monaco 2012; the conference is on March 29th & 30th at the Sporting d’Hiver, Monaco. Solar Press was included, by expert selection, as one of the world’s most inspiring cleantech companies, to present to industry-specific, senior financial and strategic investors, policy makers,legislators, end users and media.Solar Press (www.solar-press.com) is an early stage company whose vision is to be the world’s leading provider of Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) process technology to enable the low cost reliable manufacture of solar panels in high volume in all regions of the world. Solar Press works in partnership with coating equipment manufacturers and materials suppliers to deliver a unique turn-key manufacturing solution for OPV solar cell production. Solar Press’ customers are companies in all regions of the world wishing to manufacture OPV solar panels to address local market needs.

The Company’s development laboratory and corporate headquarters are in London, UK. Solar Press has received seed funding from Carbon Trust Enterprises Limited.Innovator Capital, the London specialist investment bank, hosts the annual invitation-only event with, this year, the Nobel Sustainability Trust. The Nobel Sustainability Trust is a Nobel family initiative taken by visionaries and global socially responsible Nobel family members, to encourage the research, development, commercialisation and implementation of products and procedures within the field of renewable and sustainable energy.

Other local partners and sponsors include Prince Albert II of Monaco’s Foundation, the Monte-Carlo SBM and the Monaco Chamber of Economic Development.Collaborators on the 2012 event include the Hinduja Foundation, Qualcomm Halo, PR Newswire, Covington & Burling, Ministry of Science and Innovation New Zealand, Auckland UniServices, Clark Langdon Partners, Carbon Trust an the United Nations UNEP Fi.

$120 Million Settlement to Fund Electric Car Charging Stations Across California

Mars Opens Solar Garden At Chocolate Factory

Posted on February 24, 2012 by quest

Mars Chocolate North America, makers of Las Vegas’ own Ethel M Chocolates, announced today the grand opening of a new solar garden at its Henderson chocolate factory. The state-of-the-art solar installation provides 100 percent of the electrical energy to the Ethel Ms plant during peak operating hours.The project’s completion was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting event attended by state and local government officials, executives from NV Energy, juwi solar Inc. (JSI), and Mars Chocolate North America leaders. “At Mars Chocolate North America, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world,” said Mike Wittman, vice president of supply. “We are proud of the investments we are making to ensure we are using the earth’s resources responsibly. This newest solar garden moves us closer to our goals of eliminating our carbon footprint at our sites by 2040 and using 100 percent renewable energy.”

Mack Phillips site director of the Henderson plant said, “Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ Principles in Action, our core business values.Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.””This is the second solar PV project built by juwi solar on Mars-owned property,” said Michael Martin, CEO of JSI. “We are proud to play a role in advancing environmental and sustainability goals by replacing the grid’s brown power with green power generated onsite.” The solar garden is adjacent to the chocolate factory and Ethel M’s Botanical Cactus Garden. A vista point located within the Botanical Cactus Garden will allow the more than 700,000 annual visitors to view the new solar facility.”We are fortunate to have been a part of the Henderson and Las Vegas community for more than 30 years,” said Phillips. “We hope the completion of our solar garden demonstrates our continuing commitment to be an environmentally friendly citizen. Our goal is that every business decision we make will have a positive effect on people and the planet through our performance. This project achieves all three.”

The new Ethel M factory solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres, and is the largest solar installation by a food manufacturer in Nevada. The installation generates 1,258 megawatt hours of zero-emission electricity each year, offsetting 867 metric tons of greenhouse gas – the equivalent of removing approximately 170 vehicles from the road. The project will generate as much energy as 115 Nevada households use annually. Mars will purchase all of the energy generated by the solar garden and JSI will own the project and its associated energy credits. Mars worked closely with NV Energy to ensure that the new installation met net metering requirements, enabling Mars to receive energy offsets from the utility based on the amount of energy their solar panels will produce.