World’s Largest Electric Bus Fleet Expanding In China

Posted on February 27, 2012 by quest

Solar and electric company BYD already with the largest zero-emissions fleet in serviceworld-wide will add 1500 pure electric K9 buses and e6 taxis to the public transportation fleet in Shenzhen City. Commenting on these successes, Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission Director Xiangzhen Lu said, “Shenzhen is the first city in China to implement a subsidy for new energy vehicles and the first city to launch consumer sales of the BYD e6.” The zero-emissions Taxi fleet has already given many consumers their first experience with the BYD all-electric, 5-passenger e6, China’s first long-range, pure-electric car. SDRC cited rising oil prices and growing environmental pressures as key reasons to transform the public transportation system. Shenzhen City believes electrified transportation offers the most effective way to simultaneously stimulate economic recovery while restoring the environment by lowering CO2 emissions.

Shenzhen City will also establish new policies in hopes of encouraging private EV use. The SDRC announced that Shenzhen is formulating measures to impose fees on emissions from gasoline cars while rewarding alternative energy vehicle drivers based on distance traveled. Other incentive policies include allowing pure electric drivers to use the public bus lane during rush hour, insurance privileges, and free annual maintenance checks. The city of Shenzhen is also trying to manage its 200,000 plus electric bikes and has recently introduced restrictions which are to go into effect in April.

China’s Southern Power Grid Company has agreed to install free-of-charge, two electric vehicle charging poles for each Shenzhen EV driver — one at the home or apartment of the driver and another near the EV driver’s place of business. Shenzhen City continues to offer extremely affordable peak and off-peak electricity prices for new energy vehicle users, reducing nightly charging costs. The SDRC predicts that private alternative energy vehicle use in Shenzhen will increase by 3000 units in 2012 and plans to install and support over 6,000 new charging pedestals accordingly. BYD’s North American headquarters are in Los Angeles.

The Pied Piper of Solar

Obama Calls For Extending US Solar Programs

SF Green Festival Is Lights! Camera! Action Steps!

Posted on February 1, 2012 by quest

Back for round two, The San Francisco Green Film Festival announced today their film program and special events line up for the Festival’s 2nd annual film fest, taking place March 1-7, 2012. SFGFF is the Bay Area’s only festival dedicated to films and new forms of media that explore green issues and sustainable living. This year’s films include local premieres of 40 films from around the globe, with 50 visiting filmmakers and guest speakers. The festival will also feature special events, parties, panels and educational programs, inviting festival attendees to get involved and take action with environmental causes important to them. This year’s festival will take place at the San Francisco Film Society Cinema, with additional events at the Superfrog Gallery, both located at 1746 Post St. “We are thrilled to be bringing some of the world’s most innovative and inspiring films about green issues and sustainable living back to the Bay Area for the 2nd Annual San Francisco Green Film Festival,” says Rachel Caplan, the Festival’s Founder and Director. “With thousands of attendees at our inaugural festival last year, we are excited to be able to have the opportunity to bring an even more provocative and compelling line up of programming, panels and parties to an even wider audience this year.”

It was President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives who electrified attendees at the United Nations climate Conference in Copenhagen. The Maldives President also a proponent of solar energy, is being featured in The Festival’s Opening Night Film Premiere of “The Island President.” It was the winner of the Audience Award at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival. Local filmmaker Jon Shenk’s latest critically acclaimed film is about President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives as he confronts a problem greater than any other world leader has faced – the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. Due to rising sea levels, his country could end up under water. The film follows the president’s journey as he fights to get the voice of his small nation heard within the global climate change debate. The film features fourteen songs by Radiohead as well songs from indie band Stars Of The Lid. Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the film theatrically in San Francisco at Landmark Theatres on April 6th. The film will be followed up with the opening night party featuring local organic food and drinks.

Each SFGFF screening includes compelling post-film programs where audiences engage in discussions with filmmakers and activists and meet sponsors and partners. This year SFGFF is launching “Lights! Camera! Action Steps!” linking festival attendees with leaders in local environmental causes to get involved. The program will provide attendees with take-away action steps, web resources, a video story booth at the venue, and group activities that promote tangible ways to stay involved in the issues of environmental justice presented in the festival’s films.The Closing Night film is a sneak preview of Emily James’s energetic “Just Do It: A Tale of Modern-Day Outlaws” which takes a fresh and animated look at illegal activism and civil disobedience through engaging characters fighting capitalism and trying to raise awareness about the environment…a nod for sure to the ongoing Occupy movement activities taking place throughout the world today. Closing night party will follow the film. The Closing Night film is a sneak preview of Emily James’s energetic “Just Do It: A Tale of Modern-Day Outlaws” which takes a fresh and animated look at illegal activism and civil disobedience through engaging characters fighting capitalism and trying to raise awareness about the environment…a nod for sure to the ongoing Occupy movement activities taking place throughout the world today. Closing night party will follow the film.

Energy is a Human Right Says Solar Electric

SunPower Acquires French Solar Company

Posted on January 31, 2012 by quest

San Francisco bay area based SunPower a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced it has completed its acquisition of the wholly-owned Total SA subsidiary Tenesol SA, a global solar provider headquartered in La Tour de Salvagny, France for $165.4 million in cash. Concurrently with the closing of this acquisition, Total purchased 18.6 million shares of SunPower common stock in a private placement at $8.80 per share. Total now owns approximately 66 percent of SunPower’s common stock.”SunPower is well positioned to gain share during the current market transition with the addition of Tenesol’s established European and global customer channels and strong manufacturing base in Europe and Africa,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “Tenesol’s well-established engineering and sales channels and strong team will complement SunPower’s world-leading high efficiency, high reliability solar panels and systems global footprint.”

Tenesol has been designing, engineering, manufacturing, installing and managing solar energy systems for its global customer base since 1983. It is a leading solar energy operator in Europe with a strong pipeline in the French market for large industrial and commercial photovoltaic rooftop solutions. The company has installed more than 15,000 solar systems worldwide totaling approximately 500 megawatts (MW) dc. In addition, Tenesol is a leader in the global off-grid market sector and expects to record revenue of approximately EUR 200 million in 2011. Post acquisition, SunPower will have deployed more than 2,500 MW dc of solar technology globally.

“With SunPower’s industry-leading technology, attractive long-term cost roadmap, our joint collaboration on research and development and Tenesol‘s established downstream presence, the combined company is well positioned to open new, largely untapped markets for solar,” said Arnaud Chaperon, senior vice president, Total Gas and Power Division.

Where is your water?

Future Engineers Using Solar And Renewable Energy

Posted on January 18, 2012 by quest

Hundreds of future engineering students from all across New Jersey flocked to Rutgers’ University this past Saturday to gain insight and encouragement from New Jersey American Water engineers as they competed in the 5th Annual New Jersey Engineers Future Cities Competition. The competition, held at the Rutgers University Livingston Campus, featured students’ models of future cities designed to meet energy needs and maintain a healthy planet.“The innovation of their cities and the detailed though that went into their design showed that these students are wise beyond their years. New Jersey American Water is proud to have supported this year’s Future Cities Competition and we look forward to coming back for another year.”

Throughout the university’s student center, student vied for more than two dozen awards with models of cities made from recycled materials that showcased different forms of alternative energy such as wind mills, solar power, and magnets. New Jersey American Water sponsored two of the awards: 5th place overall, which was awarded to Iselin Middle School for their city named “Verison City,” and the specialty category of Healthiest City, given to St. Paul Interparochial School for their city named “Findiger City.”Iselin Middle School received a $500 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Grant for materials used in their school’s classrooms as well as the opportunity to be the special guests of the company at the American Water Works Association’s New Jersey (AWW-NJ) chapter’s annual conference held in Atlantic City . St. Paul Interparochial School in Ramsey, NJ will also take a behind the scenes tour of a New Jersey American Water treatment plant.

In between presenting their designs, students stopped by the New Jersey American Water booth to seek academic and career advice, as well as to marvel at the company’s “magic floating faucet” and collect giveaways.“It is so important to encourage students at this early age to explore engineering and technology as a career interest,” said Suzanne Chiavari, New Jersey American Water Vice President of Engineering, and Future Cities Competition judge. “The innovation of their cities and the detailed though that went into their design showed that these students are wise beyond their years. New Jersey American Water is proud to have supported this year’s Future Cities Competition and we look forward to coming back for another year.”

OBAMA TO TURN DOWN XL PIPELINE

SunPower Expands Its Global Solar Shine

Posted on December 27, 2011 by quest

SunPower Corp the Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, just recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tenesol SA, a global solar provider headquartered in La Tour de Salvagny, France. Tenesol, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total SA, has operations in 18 countries and solar panel manufacturing facilities in France and South Africa.

“Our acquisition of Tenesol is another step toward differentiating ourselves in the competitive solar market, further expanding our downstream presence and benefiting from the strong backing of Total,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “We said on day one that the partnership with Total would provide strength to our balance sheet, access to new markets and investment in research and development. In six short months, we have seen these benefits accrue to SunPower.””Combining the activities of Tenesol with SunPower is a step forward in Total’s strategy to become a world player in the promising solar industry,” said Philippe Boisseau, president, Total Gas and Power Division. “SunPower brings the world’s highest efficiency, highest reliability technology to market with guaranteed performance. Tenesol’s well-established channels, manufacturing base and complementary global footprint will help expand SunPower’s market reach and accelerate its share gain during market consolidation.”

Under the terms of the agreement, SunPower will acquire Tenesol from Total for $165.4 million in cash. Concurrently with the closing of the acquisition, Total has agreed to purchase 18.6 million shares of SunPower common stock in a private placement at $8.80 per share, a 50 percent premium to SunPower’s December 22, 2011 closing price. The transaction has been approved by an independent committee of SunPower’s board of directors and is expected to close early in 2012 following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. SunPower expects the acquisition will positively affect its financial position in 2012. After the sale of Tenesol, Total will own approximately 66 percent of SunPower’s common shares.

Eco Friendly New Years Eve

Climate Change 2011 Year in Review

Solar Energy To Power UN Climate Conference

Posted on November 29, 2011 by quest

A newly built 500 kW solar-energy facility will power the United Nations Climate Change COP17 global gathering, and will be officially inaugurated by South African President Dr. Jacob. G. Zuma on December 4. Soitec a world leader in generating and manufacturing for the electronics and energy industries, has built a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) power plant next to Durban, South Africa, as the flagship project for the 17th annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held November 28 to December 9. More large scale commercial and utility scale projects are being started or switched on around the globe. Bloomberg New Energy Finance is reporting,”that for the first time in history, investments in renewable energy installations surpassed investments in fossil fuel plants. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, last year $187 billion was invested in renewable energy installations, which exceeded the $157 billion that was invested in new natural gas, oil and coal plants.”

“CPV offers South Africa huge potential for its natural resource and climate protection,” said André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, president and CEO of Soitec. “After proving our Concentrix™ technology’s performance in the region with last year’s installation of a 60 kW power plant at the Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touwsrivier, we are proud to continue supporting the country’s young but growing renewable-energy sector. Sustainable energy, as we all know, is a prerequisite for a sustainable future.”

Soitec worked closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa and the local eThekwini Municipality to build the CPV solar plant, which feeds into the area’s power-supply grid. The CPV plant was constructed in just one month using the combination of Soitec’s international expertise and the local work force. Group Five, an integrated construction services, materials and infrastructure investment group operating in Africa, was the local construction partner for the project.