Flat Earth Society In The Dark On Solar Energy

Posted on March 22, 2012 by quest

President Obama continued his west coast tour yesterday with a stop in Boulder City, Nevada which is home to one of the largest solar power plants in the United States. Obama praised the accomplishments of local workers, federal and state officials who helped bring the plant into reality. The speech comes on the heels of new tariffs the Department of Commerce has imposed on Chinese solar manufacturers who’ve been accused of dumping low priced solar panels in the United States in order to undercut American solar makers and gain dominate market share.

The Obama Administration continues to promote what it calls an “All of the above” national energy policy which includes further oil exploration and innovation in renewable energy sources such as hydro power, wind, biomass and solar. The President said, “You know the promise that lies ahead because this city has always been about the future. Eight decades ago, in the midst of the Great Depression, the people of Boulder City were busy working on another energy project you may have heard of. Like today, it was a little bit ahead of its time; it was a little bit bigger than this solar plant — it was a little louder, too. It was called the Hoover Dam. And at the time, it was the largest dam in the world. Even today, it stands as a testimony to American ingenuity, American imagination, the power of the American spirit — a testimony to the notion we can do anything.”

Responding to some of his critics in Congress and elsewhere Obama said, “Some of these folks want to dismiss the promise of solar power and wind power and fuel-efficient cars. In fact, they make jokes about it. One member of Congress who shall remain unnamed called these jobs “phony” — called them phony jobs. I mean, think about that mindset, that attitude that says because something is new, it must not be real. If these guys were around when Columbus set sail, they’d be charter members of the Flat Earth Society. We were just talking about this — that a lack of imagination, a belief that you can’t do something in a new way — that’s not how we operate here in America. That’s not who we are. That’s not what we’re about.”Remarks by the President on Energy

Matt Damon: World Water Day

The Heroes of Solar

Posted on March 9, 2012 by quest

When it comes to business, where are the commemorative plaques to the ones that sweat, labored, and innovated to help the small guys? In a world where big business takes all the attention, glory, jobs, and market share – what is to become of small business? Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the small guy – businesses like you or me – amidst a sea of Boss Tweeds.From the roster of these unsung heroes comes CEGA – a Solar Power engineering/consulting company from California, a figurative Robin Hood who has made it its mission to save small business in an industry slated for complete corporate domination.

The booming Solar Industry, quite reminiscent of the dot com boom in the 90s, is quickly pervading the energy market through major mergers, corporate partnerships and government subsidies. One notes the heavily publicized deal between SolarCity and Walmart, or SunPower’s partnership with Nissan last November. On the ground floor of this situation are the independent contractors – licensed professionals who have made a living throughout the years doing construction and installations – plumbing, electric, heating, roofing – these professionals added a personal touch to the otherwise impersonal utilities industry.The boom of the solar industry though, however positive, has been moving the utilities industry away from the public and into the private sector – challenging the future business of these contracting companies who have up until now primarily depended on the symbiotic relationship between themselves and the utility companies.CEGA, an acronym for ‘Clean Energy Group Alliance’, pronounced “sAY-Ga”, is noteworthy in this regard for creating a shield for these small contracting businesses and acting as their liaison into the Solar Industry.

CEGA effectively handles the administrative, engineering, and marketing side of things, leaving the contractor companies the freedom to operate independently and pursue their interests. CEGA is benefitted with a staff featuring DWP and Ebara Corp. backgrounds, as well as a centralized location in Encino, Los Angeles – serving communities from Fresno to San Diego. Through this powerful vision of a small guy winning in a big guy’s world CEGA has accumulated a strong network of over 50 contractor companies, many of whom CEGA saved from the brink of extinction.

Energy From Solar Panels Building Electric Vehicles

SunPower & GRID Alternatives Community Connected

Posted on March 7, 2012 by quest

SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced that it is an official 2012 solar panel provider for GRID Alternatives, a Bay Area-based non-profit solar installer. SunPower and GRID Alternatives celebrated this new agreement on March 2, 2012, by installing a SunPower rooftop system on a low-income home in San Francisco with the help of SunPower employee volunteers and local solar job trainees. Under terms of the supplier agreement, SunPower will provide GRID Alternatives with its high efficiency solar panels through a combination of donations and fair market value sales, bringing the power of solar energy to low-income households in 2012. SunPower has worked with GRID Alternatives for the past six years to help hundreds of families in need, providing more than 1,000 employee volunteer hours, philanthropic gifts, equipment donations and sales. This partnership is expected to generate a combined $10 million in electricity savings for these families over the life of the systems.

Powering The Grid And People

“Partnering with GRID Alternatives aligns perfectly with SunPower’s commitment to building clean-powered communities around the world, and in this case, right here in our backyard.” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “By providing GRID with the highest efficiency, highest-reliability solar panels commercially available today, SunPower is helping families in need to reduce their electricity costs over the life of each system, while our employees support local volunteerism.” SunPower Corp. , a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced that it is an official 2012 solar panel provider for GRID Alternatives, a Bay Area-based non-profit solar installer. SunPower and GRID Alternatives celebrated this new agreement on March 2, 2012, by installing a SunPower rooftop system on a low-income home in San Francisco with the help of SunPower employee volunteers and local solar job trainees.

“We’re often trying to make solar work on modest homes with small roofs,” said GRID Alternatives Program Director and Co-Founder Tim Sears. “SunPower’s high efficiency panels can make the difference for those families being able to go solar.” “SunPower is one of our longest-running solar sponsors and has helped us support families, job trainees and the environment since 2006,” said Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives Executive Director and Co-Founder. “We’re excited to welcome SunPower as an official solar module provider this year.”

Green Jobs Growing in Los Angeles

Eagles Green Solar Leaders in American Sports

Posted on March 5, 2012 by quest

NRG and the Philadelphia Eagles today announced a new sustainable energy partnership to make the Eagles’ vision of clean power for Lincoln Financial Field a reality. When construction is completed late in December 2012 the Eagles’ home in Philadelphia will be among the greenest major sports facilities in the U.S. and in the world. NRG will design, build and operate a unique, integrated sustainable energy solution including solar panels and micro wind-turbines that together will provide annually about six times the power used during all Eagles home games. In addition, NRG will be the official supplier of grid power to Lincoln Financial Field and a major sponsor of the Eagles to go.

“The Eagles were pioneers in embracing sustainability when they launched their Go Green! campaign back in 2003, now we are pleased to be their partner in making on-site renewable energy the centerpiece of their commitment to a sustainable future,” said David Crane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Princeton, N.J.-based NRG. “The new clean energy facilities in and around Lincoln Financial Field will make it clear to all that renewable energy makes sense, economically, aesthetically and environmentally, for businesses and individuals in and around Philadelphia.”“The Philadelphia Eagles are proud to announce this new partnership with NRG, a respected leader in the energy field,” said Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie. “We believe that companies everywhere can find ways to Go Green with business practices that help the environment and the bottom line. Together with NRG, we’re eager to use this project at Lincoln Financial Field to continue our leadership role on environmental issues.”

Added Christina Weiss Lurie, “This is another example of our comprehensive, integrated approach to running the greenest business we can. Adding clean energy sources to our existing recycling and energy conservation efforts is the right way for the Eagles to go

NASA Finds Sea Ice Decline Driving Rise in Arctic Air Pollutants

Michael Picker To Keynote San Diego Solar Symposium

Posted on March 1, 2012 by quest

In an effort to continue the San Diego region’s rapid deployment of residential and commercial solar power installations, CleanTECH San Diego and the Solar Electric Power Association are co-hosting the San Diego Solar Energy Symposium on March 6 at the University of San Diego . The symposium will feature a number of distinguished guests from the solar industry to discuss the future of solar power in San Diego.”No matter how much has been done, we’ve only just tapped into the full potential of rooftop solar solutions and mass adoption,” said Jim Waring, President and Chief Executive Officer of CleanTECH San Diego. “The lessons learned are the platform from which the region can grow to reach its full solar energy potential.”

Michael Picker, Senior Advisor to California Governor Jerry Brown for Renewable Energy Facilities, will keynote the symposium, discussing the region’s solar market and how to build a foundation for sustainable solar energy growth. A host of industry experts including representatives from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Kyocera Solar, REC Solar, Xtreme Power Solutions, Soitec, UC San Diego and the Clean Coalition will bring perspective to today’s trends and challenges as well as outline a San Diego vision for solar power generation over the next decade. Scott Anders, USD Energy Policy Initiatives Center Director, and Andrew McAllister, Director of Policy and Strategy for the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE), will moderate the panel discussions.

“Transforming solar from a niche technology to a mainstream resource is a complicated undertaking. Our San Diego event brings together a productive mix of viewpoints that can serve as a model for the conversations that must take place across the nation,” said Bob Gibson, SEPA Vice President of Market Intelligence. SDG&E echoed the need for collaboration as the region continues to move forward and distinguish itself as a solar power leader. “SDG&E is fully committed to the development of solar power and entered into 12 contracts with developers for 897 megawatts of new solar energy in 2011,” said James P. Avery, SDG&E Senior Vice President of Power Supply. “The Solar Energy Symposium is a key part of our ongoing effort to collaborate with leaders in the solar industry, policy makers and our customers as we progress in transitioning SDG&E to a clean energy future.

Apple Using Solar Power To Power Itself

SolarCity Raises $81 Million In Growth Capital

Posted on February 29, 2012 by quest

SolarCity today announced that it has raised $81 million in equity financing. SolarCity allows homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations to buy renewable energy for less than they currently pay for electricity from utilities. The company has more than 30,000 clean energy projects completed or underway. The round was co-led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Valor Equity Partners, and included investments from Nicholas J. Pritzker, partner at Tao Ventures and senior development advisor for Hyatt Hotels Corp., and Shea Ventures, an affiliate of SolarCity partner Shea Homes. SolarCity Chairman Elon Musk and existing SolarCity investor DBL Investors also participated. The new financing will fund SolarCity’s expansion of sales, marketing and operations, technology development and potential acquisitions.

“Individuals and organizations of all shapes and sizes are fed up with the growing cost and consequences of traditional energy,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “This investment provides SolarCity the resources to explore new products and services and identify new geographies and potential acquisitions as we seek to deliver better energy choices to more customers.”Silver Lake Kraftwerk (SLK) is an investment strategy of Silver Lake, the global leader in private investments in technology and technology-enabled industries. SLK was created to provide growth capital to innovators in the energy and resource sectors.

“SolarCity is the leader in its space,” said Raj Atluru, co-founder of Silver Lake Kraftwerk. “The company’s unique, vertically-integrated model, paired with incentives and falling technology costs, allows it to provide solar electricity to customers at lower rates than they pay for utility power. We’ve thoroughly analyzed SolarCity’s full-service approach to solar and energy efficiency and we believe it has the ability to deliver superior customer experience and service across multiple sectors.”Valor Equity Partners pursues investments in leaders in their respective markets. Valor is also an investor in Tesla Motors.