Solar Powered Education On the Move In South Africa

Posted on November 6, 2011 by quest

Samsung recently unveiled its first Solar Powered Internet School in South Africa to help students in their studies without having to worry about electricity or Internet connectivity. The environmentally-friendly, transportable classroom is a perfect fit for Africa as it addresses one of the region’s biggest challenges – providing stable supply of electricity in rural areas.Despite differing views on the industry’s outlook, Samsung continues to believe solar energy can always be put to good use – not just generating electricity for residential or commercial utilization, but also for something really meaningful that can positively impact people’s lives.

A prime example of this is the use of solar power in education. Of course, solar-powered calculators, notebooks or other educational resources all contribute to improving the learning environment for young students. But what about an entire school or classroom that’s powered by solar energy? The 12-meter renovated container has solar panels installed on the roof that can generate nine hours of electricity a day, powering the electronic equipments inside the classroom. The classroom is equipped with a 50-inch electronic board, Internet-enabled solar-powered notebooks, Samsung’s Galaxy tablet computers as well as Wi-Fi cameras – all of which help enrich the learning experience. Up to 21 students can use the classroom, and the entire curriculums until grade 12 are stored in a central computer server enabling two-way learning by connecting to the Internet. The school can also be moved easily with a truck so that students in even the remotest of areas can continue their education.

The Solar Powered Internet School is just one of Samsung’s efforts to contribute to the local community with its innovative technologies and plans to expand these schools to other regions throughout Africa. Samsung last year identified solar as one of its new growth businesses, aiming to invest 6 trillion won ($5.4 billion) until 2020 to generate 10 trillion won in annual revenue by that year. Samsung SDI Co., which makes rechargeable batteries for mobile devices, is responsible for their solar business, currently has a capacity to produce 150 megawatts, with plans to increase production to 3 gigawatts by 2015.

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Solar Energy Leader SunPower Reorganizes

Posted on November 4, 2011 by quest

Silicon Valley solar manufacturer SunPower Corp. today announced a reorganization to align its businesses and cost structure with expected market conditions in 2012 and beyond. These changes will be effective immediately. Several of the company’s longest-tenured executives will adjust their areas of responsibility, including Howard Wenger, who will assume the title of President, Regions and Jack Peurach, who will assume the title Executive Vice President, Products, and Marty Neese, will remain Chief Operating Officer with expanded responsibilities. In addition, the company announced today on its earnings call that its Chief Financial Officer, Dennis Arriola, will be leaving the company in March of 2012 and that Jim Pape, its President, Residential and Commercial, will be leaving the company later this month. Earlier this year SunPower partnered with French oil producer, Total in a transaction that gives Total a $2.3 billion equity stake in SunPower. The companies announced that the broad strategic relationship would shape the future of the solar industry.

New Solar Global Power Makers

“SunPower’s differentiated technology and vertically integrated, diversified channel strategy has established our company as a leader in the industry and positioned us well to address the challenges of the current solar market environment,” said Tom Werner, SunPower CEO. “As we look to 2012, we plan to align our business structure “Everybody loves the sunshine”

to accelerate our product and technology innovation, increase the efficiency of our processes and reduce our costs. We are reorganizing the company to a regional business focus, a products group with product line profit and loss responsibility, and we will extend the responsibility of our upstream group to incorporate the research and development of our world-leading efficiency solar cell and panels.

“I thank Howard, Jack and Marty for stepping up to new or expanded roles at SunPower,” continued Werner. “Over the last three years, Dennis has established a culture of strong controls, continual process improvements and high quality standards in the finance and accounting teams, and built up a strong set of leaders around him. After the recent successful series of financings and credit facilities that he and his team have completed, I accepted his request to transition out of the company to pursue new opportunities and thank him for his leadership and contributions during tremendous growth at SunPower. Similarly, Jim Pape has grown the residential and commercial business in scale, footprint and efficiency during his tenure and we thank him for his contributions and leadership.”

Solar Powered Mobile School

Floating Solar Project Announced In Singapore

Posted on November 4, 2011 by quest

The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and national water agency PUB today announced Singapore’s first floating photovoltaic (PV) pilot project at Tengeh Reservoir. The S$11 million pilot is estimated to have a system size of 2 mega-watt (MW), and will be the first of its kind in the region.The pilot project aims to assess the feasibility of installing floating solar PV systems on water, as an alternative to rooftops. In partnership with private sector companies, EDB and PUB will examine the cost effectiveness of these floating PV systems and ascertain the improvement in performance of the solar modules, due to the expected cooling effect from the water. PUB will also study potential secondary benefits of these installations, such as reduced water evaporation and algae growth in our reservoirs.

Said Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of EDB, “This pilot project exemplifies Singapore’s continuing efforts to overcome our resource constraints through innovative renewable energy solutions. The project also enables cleantech companies to address a sophisticated need, which if successful, can be scaled up and commercialised globally.”

The announcement was made at the Solar Pioneer Awards Ceremony, held at the inaugural PV Asia Pacific Expo, as part of the Singapore International Energy Week 2011. At the ceremony, the inter-agency Energy Innovation Programme Office (EIPO), co-led by EDB and the Energy Market Authority (EMA), awarded a third wave of five private sector projects with the Solar Pioneer Award. The award recognises solar installations in Singapore that are pioneering in terms of system design, size and installation techniques, and help to build solar system integration capabilities.The five projects are Keppel DHCS’ District Cooling Systems Plant at Changi Business Park, Hyflux’s Innovation Centre, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals’ plant, OUB Centre Limited’s One Raffles Place Tower 2 and UOL Group’s Upper Pickering Hotel & Office Development.

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Dreamliner Solar Powered Plant Flying High

Posted on November 3, 2011 by quest

Boeing’s South Carolina 787 fabrication and assembly facility ranks 14th on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA’s) Fortune 500 list of the largest renewable power purchasers in its Green Power Partnership, according to the agency’s most recent ranking released Oct. 24. The North Charleston, S.C., site ranks 33rd overall among green energy consumers, including local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.Boeing South Carolina purchases nearly 130 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable power annually from South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), enough to meet 100 percent of the site’s energy needs. A percentage of that power will be generated onsite by a thin-film solar laminate installation on the roof of the Boeing South Carolina 787 Final Assembly building.

Flying on 787′s first flight to Japan

“This shows our commitment to drive environmental thinking into the way we operate our company,” said Mary Armstrong, Boeing vice president of Environment, Health and Safety. “Boeing South Carolina’s commitment to renewable energy, coupled with its zero waste to landfill program and LEED certification targets for all new construction, demonstrates that what’s good for the environment is also good for business.”The site’s solar generation system, owned and maintained by SCE&G, is the largest in the southeastern U.S. by production capacity and by itself could power approximately 250 residential homes.

“EPA’s Green Power Partners consistently raise the bar for using clean, renewable electricity,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy. “Boeing South Carolina’s commitment to using green power serves as an example of leadership for others to follow.”

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Solar Green Careers Occupy The Future of Cali Biz

Posted on November 3, 2011 by quest

According to nonprofit organization the Solar Foundation, over 93,000 workers spent more than 50% of their time on solar-related projects in August of 2010 alone. In California, the increasing demand for solar panel technicians is even more evident; the sun-soaked state maintains the single largest solar power capacity in the United States (as of 2009, 1101 megawatts). Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. This is indisputably a growth industry.

As a leading vocational schools in Los Angeles the Coast Career Institute, offers vital training for solar panel installation, an industry on the rise as America invest more in alternative energy sources. If you are looking for a trade school in Los Angeles that provides cutting-edge training that will prepare you for the burgeoning green revolution, you may not have to look no further than the Coast Career Institute, a career college in Los Angeles (and Colton) that has a solid track record of placing graduates in secure, well-paid jobs.

California Leading America In Solar Technology

In addition to its track record of placing graduates, Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. So it’s no wonder many people are eager to find a career college in Los Angeles that can give them the skills and experience they need to get in on the ground floor of this exciting new frontier. In business since 1969 he Coast Career Institute has added new training programs to its curriculum to stay at the leading edge of changes in the job market. In May of 2010, the Coast Career Institute began its rigorous and comprehensive training program for solar installer jobs. From the very beginning, this program was an obvious favorite.

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New Yorkers Have Affordable Solar Energy Options

Posted on November 2, 2011 by quest

Mercury Solar Systems, one of the leading solar integrators on the East Coast, today announced that the Company has been selected by SunRun to bring affordable home solar to New Yorkers. The companies have enabled hundreds of homeowners in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to go solar for a fraction of the normal cost.”The number one concern for homeowners today is controlling their electricity cost as it continues to rise on average 6 percent every year,” commented David Sugrue, Director of Residential Sales at Mercury Solar Systems. “SunRun offers the optimal solution as they enable homeowners to lock in their electricity rate with minimal upfront investment. In today’s economic climate, SunRun has proven to be the best choice for homeowners looking to save money.”

As a solar energy service provider, SunRun owns and maintains solar systems on homeowners’ roofs and works with Mercury Solar Systems on the installation. Homeowners avoid the high upfront costs and pay a low monthly rate for clean power, fixing their energy costs to save thousands of dollars over time on their energy bills. “In today’s economy homeowners need to put their finances first, and we’ve found a way to make solar something that’s good for homeowners’ wallets and the planet,” said SunRun President and Co-founder Lynn Jurich. “We’re excited to bring this offering to New York and to work with trusted partners like Mercury Solar Systems to make solar more affordable throughout the state.”

“I’ve been thinking about putting solar on my house for awhile and SunRun was the deciding factor. The lease option means I save a lot on upfront out-of-pocket costs plus I don’t have to worry about maintaining and insuring the system. I’m excited to begin working with Mercury Solar Systems on the installation,” said Matt Browne, a Westchester homeowner and one of Mercury Solar Systems and SunRun’s first New York customers.

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