Solar Solutions The Bright Spot In The Economy

Posted on August 31, 2011 by quest

“The U.S. solar energy market continues to be a bright spot in an otherwise bleak economy. As the global solar industry continues to grow and evolve, the U.S. is seen more and more as a leading market – both in installations and in exports. Solar is a showcase industry of U.S. ingenuity. In 2010, we grew by over 100 percent, we achieved a significant positive trade balance, and we exported more goods and services to China than we imported,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. “Solar energy is an industry invented in the U.S. that is helping our country reclaim our manufacturing leadership and creating tens of thousands of jobs. But to maintain our competitive advantage, we need innovative, proactive solutions from policymakers to match the investments being provided overseas to grow robust solar supply chains. Doing so will result in new jobs and opportunities for communities that have seen their factories close up shop in recent years.” A new report shows that the U.S. is central to the global solar supply chain according to SEIA and GTM Research’s U.S. Solar Energy Trade Assessment 2011. Photovoltaic (PV) components accounted for more than 99 percent of the year’s exports, with solar heating and cooling (SHC) claiming the remainder of the positive balance.

“Until now, the finished module was the industry’s benchmark for judging the health of the PV manufacturing sector,” said Shayle Kann, Managing Director of Solar at GTM Research. “However, the PV market is more complex than meets the eye. To completely understand solar trade flows, this report looks both at earlier steps in the value chain and at the non-panel components of a solar PV system. As our research shows, the U.S. remains a focal point in global PV manufacturing, thanks largely to the domestic manufacturing of feedstock and manufacturing equipment.”

According to the U.S. Solar Energy Trade Assessment 2011, a significant portion of the domestic value generated by the PV industry resides beyond manufactured components; site preparation, labor, permitting, financing and other industry ‘soft costs’ comprised nearly 50 percent of total solar revenue in 2010. The report found $4.4 billion of domestic revenue accrued last year from U.S. solar installations. This domestic value originated from both local and foreign firms employing U.S. resources on the ground for solar goods and services. According to the report, for every dollar spent on a U.S. solar installation in 2010, $0.75 accrued to the U.S.

Game Pioneering Ideas In Solar Energy & Business

Panda Poop A Source For Making Renewable Biofuels ?

Posted on August 30, 2011 by quest

Panda poop contains bacteria with potent effects in breaking down plant material in the way needed to tap biomass as a major new source of “biofuels” produced not from corn and other food sources, but from grass, wood chips and crop wastes, scientists reported today at the 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

“Who would have guessed that ‘panda poop‘ might help solve one of the major hurdles to producing biofuels, which is optimizing the breakdown of the raw plant materials used to make the fuels?” said study co-author Ashli Brown, Ph.D. “We hope our research will help expand the use of biofuels in the future and help cut dependency on foreign oil. We also hope it will reinforce the importance of wildlife conservation.”

Brown pointed out that bacteria from the giant panda are particularly promising for breaking down the super-tough plant material known as lignocellulose in switch grass, corn stalks and wood chips. That advance could speed the development of so-called cellulosic biofuels made from these tough plant materials in a way that doesn’t rely on precious food crops such as corn, soybeans and sugar now used for making biofuels, she noted.

Scientists have long known that giant pandas — like termites and cattle — have bacteria in their digestive systems to break down the cellulose in plants into nutrients. Bamboo constitutes about 99 percent of the giant panda’s diet in the wild. An adult may eat 20-40 pounds of bamboo daily — leaves stems, shoots and all. Until the energy crunch fostered interest in biofuels, however, scientists never thought to parse out exactly what microbes in the giant panda gastrointestinal system were

Volkswagen Plans $1.45 Billion Renewable Energy Investment

Hertz To Rent Electric Vehicles With BYD In China

Posted on August 30, 2011 by quest

BYD, the largest Chinese domestic auto brand and The Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest general use car rental brand, recently announced a strategic partnership to promote new energy applications to propel the development of the EV markets in China. In addition, as part of the partnership, Hertz will rent BYD’s e6 electrical vehicle (EV) to Chinese consumers, municipalities and government agencies. Mark Frissora, Chairman and CEO of Hertz stated, “Hertz is once again first to market with innovation. We are the first global car rental company to offer EVs in China for businesses and consumers to rent. With our partnership with BYD, we can offer a complete solution including rental and sales – another first for our industry.” Chuanfu Wang Chairman and CEO of BYD stated, “Innovation is a consistent theme for Hertz and innovation is also the core of BYD’s continuous fast growth — pure EVs for car rental in China is an innovative step for new energy industry development. This joint innovation for our two large enterprises in the field of pure EVs will certainly bring ‘green’ transportation to the forefront for the world to admire.”

“Hertz is once again first to market with innovation. We are the first global car rental company to offer EVs in China for businesses and consumers to rent. With our partnership with BYD, we can offer a complete solution including rental and sales – another first for our industry.”

As part of this agreement, the BYD’s e6, a 5-seat, pure-electric vehicle with the driving range of more than 186 miles (240 km) will be introduced into the Hertz China’s rental fleet making BYD’s e6 the first pure EV for rent in China. The core technology of the e6 FE battery boasts the highest safety, longest service life and most environmentally-friendly rechargeable chemistry (containing no heavy metals or toxic/flammable electrolytes). BYD’s e6 will serve in Hertz’s fleet for multiple groups of Hertz consumers including urban drivers, university students, travelers, and corporations, while bringing them a brand-new environmentally-friendly, EV driving experience.

Solar to Power Leading Wind Power Maker

Solar Solutions In Effect at LA’s Walter J Towers

Posted on August 28, 2011 by quest

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) General Manager Ronald O. Nichols and other city officials today celebrated the completion of one of the largest infill solar panel projects in central Los Angeles. Located at the Walter J Towers at 1930 Wilshire Boulevard, the project is managed by LA Building Management and was designed and built by LA-based ReGreen Corporation, with design input from both LADWP and the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Dr. Walter Jayasinghe (j’eye-ya-SING-ha), a Los Angeles physician who emigrated from Sri Lanka as a young man, owns the Walter J Towers.

Dr. Walter Jayasinghe is an enthusiastic supporter of employing technology to reduce energy consumption, as well as costs. “I’ve dedicated my life to helping people restore and maintain their health,“ said Dr. Jayasinghe. “In a sense, these solar panels and other steps we’ve taken to reduce energy consumption at Walter J Towers are small but tangible actions toward helping maintain the health of this neighborhood and the planet.” The Walter J Towers solar panel project uses 1,185 photovoltaic panels, elevated above the building’s surface parking lot, which will reduce the building’s annual energy costs by 30%. “Going solar was the right thing to do for our business, our tenants and this community,” stated Dilan Jayasinha, President of LA Building Management. “Putting such a large project in such a relatively small space that’s outfitted with older infrastructure required substantial planning and expertise. ReGreen delivered and everybody wins.

“Dr. Walter Jayasinghe‘s story highlights how investing in solar isn’t just good for the environment, it is good for a business’s bottom line,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “We are working with our business community for more innovative and forward-thinking companies to reap the environmental and economic benefits of DWP’s Solar Incentive Program.” “This is a great example of using local renewable energy to reduce energy costs. The collaboration between LADWP, ReGreen Corporation and Mr. Jayasinghe on this solar project will reduce energy costs for the Walter J. Towers and support the LADWP’s efforts to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols. “With the September 1 re-launch of our popular solar incentive rebate program, we look forward to working with many other City businesses and residents interested in achieving similar benefits through solar power.”

Solar power in California

Berkeley and Stanford Racing in 2011 World Solar Challenge

Posted on August 26, 2011 by quest

Panasonic Corporation of North America has announced their support for student teams in the Darwin-to-Adelaide, 3,021-kilometer 2011 World Solar Challenge in Australia this October. Panasonic is providing the latest Lithium Ion battery technologies for use with solar-powered vehicles engineered by undergraduate teams from the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University in the seven day drive through the Australian Outback. Yesterday’s announcement came at Infineon Raceway’s first Accelerating Sustainable Performance Summit, a day-long forum for innovators and thought-leaders to explore prospects for sustainable automotive development and performance-oriented marketing of green cars. Peter Fannon, Vice President, Technology Policy, Panasonic Corporation of North America was on hand to wish the two teams the best of luck in proving their innovative solar car designs in the grueling Australian Outback environment.

“These teams are truly proving the power of nature’s most ubiquitous fuel, the sun, and helping advance the time when sun power can be a routine part of transportation, and more in our daily lives,” said Mr. Fannon. “Panasonic is pleased to be part of realizing this vision.”In addition to the Lithium Ion batteries that will power the vehicles, Panasonic will also equip the two teams with ruggedized LUMIX digital cameras and Full HD camcorders to enable them to record their performance in the 1,877 mile vehicle endurance test. Although the cars competing in the World Solar Challenge are powered by solar energy, the sun’s rays are converted to electricity, which must be stored when not used immediately. This excess energy is stored in high-efficiency Lithium Ion batteries and is then used to power the vehicles when solar power is not feasible, for example, when it is cloudy or at night.

A prestigious event that attracts the world’s best technical universities and colleges, the World Solar Challenge aims to help discover new automotive technologies that rely on the power of the sun by engaging student teams to develop electric vehicles for a week-long race across the Australian Outback. Currently in its 11th year, the 2011 event will host teams from all over the world to participate in the 3,021-kilometer journey. Dedicated to the goal of becoming the number one green business innovation leader in the electronics industry by 2018, Panasonic pledges to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs.

Japan Energy Law To Cut Nukes, Boost Solar, Wind

Protesters Call For More Solar, Fewer Wind Projects

Posted on August 25, 2011 by quest

Protesters turned out on the Statehouse lawn on Wednesday to oppose a wind energy project in Lowell and others planned around the state. The critics of large-scale wind say solar power is the better way to meet Vermont’s energy needs.

VPR’s John Dillon reports: Listen In

(Host) Protesters turned out on the Statehouse lawn on Wednesday to oppose a wind energy project in Lowell and others planned around the state. The critics of large-scale wind say solar power is the better way to meet Vermont’s energy needs.
VPR’s John Dillon reports: Text

(Dillon) They came by bus, many from the Northeast Kingdom, the region of the state that’s now in the bull’s eye of ridgeline wind development. Luke Snelling is with Energize Vermont, a group that opposes the projects. He told the crowd that solar energy is getting cheaper and is the better, less environmentally damaging alternative.

(Snelling) “We’re here fighting for our energy liberation. We can no longer expect that corporations in this state will set the tone for our energy future. We can’t allow it. So we’re here today to say to say no more! No more to GMP setting the agenda!” Crowd cheers.

(Dillon) Green Mountain Power is the developer of a 21 turbine project planned for the Lowell Mountain ridgeline. The project would be the largest wind development in the state, and it’s won almost all the permits it needs from state regulators. But the protesters want Governor Peter Shumlin to drop his support for large-scale wind. Organizer Steve Wright from Craftsbury delivered a letter to Shumlin’s office. He says a four-mile long road planned for the Lowell ridgeline will be 405 feet wide at each of the 21 turbine sites.

(Wright) “That’s a crime against the landscape of Vermont. We don’t need to do it, we’re smarter than that. Vermonters know how to stay warm without burning the furniture in their own house.” Read on