Even The Water Commutes To LA

Posted on March 28, 2012 by quest

Robert Redford a longtime pioneer in the environmental movement joins his son Jamie Redford to narrate Watershed, a new documentary produced by Jamie Redford who resides in Northern California. The film focuses attention on the human demands being placed on the 250 mile Colorado River. Watershed was recently featured at the D.C. Environmental Film Festival.

Watershed

Advancements in Solar Energy Efficiency

Sometimes breakthroughs in technology are inch by inch. Think of the early days of the personal computer industry when new simply meant faster processors and more disk space. Such is the case with solar panels today. SunPower Corp, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced that its third generation SunPower Maxeon solar cell is now in commercial production. This world-record efficiency solar cell delivers sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency of up to 24 percent.

$artist Sven Geier fractal art work breakthrough 300x225 Even The Water Commutes To LA$ “We’re pleased to move our world-record breaking efficiency solar cell from the lab into commercial production,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “With the new Maxeon solar cells, offering efficiencies of up to 24 percent, SunPower continues to lead the industry in technology innovation, delivering to its customers the highest efficiency, most reliable solar panels for guaranteed performance.”The new Maxeon solar cells are currently being integrated into select SunPower solar panels that deliver efficiencies exceeding 20 percent. These panels contain up to 128 solar cells per panel and will be availability in limited quantities in 2012.

The new cell has low reverse-bias breakdown voltage to deliver better performance in shady and dusty conditions, and better temperature coefficient for increased energy harvest in hot environments. The new Maxeon solar cell offers improved aesthetics with a consistent, homogenous, sleek black look.

Solar Powering Viking River Cruises Longships

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

Electric Vehicles Zipping Around Chicago

Posted on March 23, 2012 by quest

Zipcar, Inc. the world’s leading car sharing network, today announced the launch of the company’s first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) pilot program in Chicago. Beginning today, five Chevrolet Volts are available to members by the hour, with up to 20 additional EVs to be added into the Chicago fleet during the course of 2012. The new Zipcar EVs will be placed in pods located throughout the city, including locations on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, as well as in the Loop, South Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Lincoln Park, and Albany Park. Zipcar is working with a number of partners on this program, including 350Green, which is installing the EV charging stations where the Zipcar EVs will be located. Other partners include the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Tishman Speyer, LAZ Parking and Cityfront Place Apartments, all of which are providing locations for the Zipcar EVs and charging stations in commercial and residential buildings, private parking lots and along the CTA rail system.

The first EVs to join the Zipcar Chicago fleet are five Chevrolet Volts, which are now available at Cityfront Place Apartments 400 N. McClurg Ct. and 260 E. Chestnut St. in Streeterville, 210 N. Wells St. in the Loop, and in University Village at the University of Illinois-Chicago at 915 S. Paulina St. and 701 W. Maxwell St. These vehicles are available for reservation by Zipcar members starting from just $10 per hour. The Chevrolet Volt is a full-performance and full-speed electric vehicle with extended range, which can travel gas-free up to an EPA-estimated 35 miles, after which it shifts a gas generator which produces electricity to keep it going an additional 375 miles on a full tank of gas. Because many trips taken by Zipcar members are fewer than 35 miles, these trips taken in the Volts will be powered solely by electricity rather than fuel.

“We are looking forward to providing our Chicago Zipsters with increased opportunities to reduce their environmental impact and drive some of the most technologically-advanced vehicles on the road as we roll out this EV program over the coming months,” said Charles Stephens, general manager, Zipcar Chicago. “Freedom has always been a hallmark of the Zipcar experience, and now members can have the best of both worlds – the low carbon experience of an electric car with the back-up security of a gas engine – as we introduce the new Volts into our fleet this week.” Zipcar is working with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition to launch the EV program in support of the Chicago Climate Action Plan. Over the course of 2012, the City of Chicago is installing hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations for public use to help expand the EV infrastructure throughout the city. Along with this effort, the Zipcar EV program will help provide increased access to EVs and emission-free driving to car sharing members throughout the Chicago community.

Rosario Dawson On Fracking

$rosario dawson fracking 300x169 Electric Vehicles Zipping Around Chicago$ Solar Trees Powering New Las Vegas City Hall

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

U. S. Issues Findings On Solar Trade With China

Posted on March 21, 2012 by quest

The U.S. Department of Commerce has just issued a preliminary finding that Chinese state sponsorship of its solar industry is anti-competitive under U.S. and international trade law and ordered preliminary duties on the industry’s U.S. exports of crystalline silicon solar cells and panels to offset the effects of China’s illegal subsidies. Commerce will require importers of record to post deposits or bonds toward anti-subsidy margins of 2.9 percent for cells and panels made by Suntech, 4.73 percent Trina Solar and 3.59 percent for all other Chinese manufacturers.“We commend the Department of Commerce for its preliminary decision today, which is the first step in a process that will roll out over the next several months,” said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc., member of the seven-manufacturer Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) and petitioner in anti-subsidy and anti-dumping cases against the Chinese industry. “We need both the domestic manufacturing and installation businesses to participate in fair competition to advance our solar industry’s reach for greater national energy, economic and environmental security.”

“If fair international trade can be re-established, the solar-pioneering U.S. industry will once again compete on legitimate market factors such as product performance, production efficiency and unsubsidized pricing,” Brinser said. “We need both the domestic manufacturing and installation businesses to participate in fair competition to advance our solar industry’s reach for greater national energy, economic and environmental security.”CASM contends that China’s broad portfolio of subsidies spurred its producers to build huge excesses of manufacturing capacity, export more than 95 percent of production and sell product at artificially low prices to unfairly seize U.S. market share at the expense of domestic producers. At least 12 U.S. manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar cells and panels have closed plants, gone bankrupt or staged significant layoffs since 2010.

On Dec. 2, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) made a unanimous preliminary determination that China’s trade practices were harming the domestic industry. On Jan. 30, Commerce found that Chinese importers had mounted a massive, evasive surge ahead of the preliminary determination. As a result, today’s ruling on duties applies to Chinese solar imports not just hereafter but also retroactively 90 days. Commerce is expected to issue a preliminary ruling on anti-dumping duties on May 16 (announced May 17). Final determinations on the duties would take place in the summer. To close the case in the fall, the ITC would need to make a second, final ruling on whether Chinese trade practices have harmed the domestic industry.