Solar Technology Lifts Energy Options In Rural Kenya

Posted on September 4, 2011 by quest

South Korean electronics maker Samsung has launched a solar powered laptop in the Kenyan market with the capacity to run for 15 hours, nearly double the seven to eight hours lasting power of rivals. Korean electronics giant Samsung has launched a solar powered laptop in the Kenyan market targeting thousands of potential consumers currently locked out of the computer revolution by lack of electricity. Kenya, with a large rural population that is not connected to the national power grid, is among the few countries Samsung picked for the global launch that began last week. The Samsung Netbook NC215S lap top is priced at Sh35,000 and is also targeting consumers who are connected to the national electricity grid but suffer erratic power supply.

The solar-charged laptop is loaded with a front cover panel that captures energy from the sun and automatically recharges the battery. When fully charged, the lap top can run for up 15 hours – nearly double the capacity of its closest competitors that have seven or eight hours stand-by capability. “With Netbook NC 215S Samsung is demonstrating its capacity to bring to the consumers technology that satisfies their needs and takes care of the environment,” said Samsung Electronics East Africa Business Leader Robert Ngeru. The Korean firm is building consumer electronics and mobile technology for sub-Sahara Africa where it set a $10 billion revenue target by 2015. Samsung’s sub-Saharan Africa market is currently worth $1.23 billion.

Massai Traditional Dances

Launch of the Netbook NC 215S comes as Kenya’s four mobile telecoms firms, Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom’s Kenya Orange and Essar’s Yu have intensified their activities in the data market and are looking for affordable internet enabled devices such as laptops and mobile phone handsets to expand the number of data users. Growth of the data market is particularly critical to the long term survival of the telecom operators who have had to contend with steep decline in voice revenue in the past couple of years. Samsung is among the hardware vendors who have partnered with Safaricom in the laptops market. Available only in black, the netbook’s solar panel can also be used to charge a smartphone, MP3 player and other devices via its USB port, even when the PC is switched off or in power-saving mode. The Netbook NC 215S also features an ultra-portable and stylish design, weigh–ing just 1.3kg and featuring a slim display rim that is as thin as a finger.

South America Its Green Is On

SunShot Shines $145 Million On Solar Technologies

Posted on September 2, 2011 by quest

Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $145 million for projects to help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies and ensure that the United States remains a leader in this global market. Sixty-nine projects in 24 states will accelerate research and development to increase efficiency, lower costs and advance cutting-edge technologies. Funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the projects will also improve materials, manufacturing processes and supply chains for a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and components of solar energy systems. Some of these investments also support efforts that will shorten the overall timeline from prototype to production and streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar energy systems.

“America is in a world race to produce cost-competitive renewable energy that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create manufacturing jobs across the nation, and improve our energy security,” said Secretary Chu. “The projects announced today under DOE’s SunShot Initiative will spur American innovation to help reduce the costs of clean, renewable solar energy and re-establish U.S. global leadership in this fast growing industry.”

The SunShot Initiative seeks to make solar energy systems more cost-competitive, without long-term subsidies, by reducing the cost of these systems about 75 percent by the end of the decade. The achievement of the SunShot Initiative goals will encourage rapid, widespread adoption of solar energy systems across the United States. The six categories of projects announced today are: Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions – Nine projects to receive $42 million.Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency – Eighteen projects to receive $35.8 million. Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems: Advanced Concepts – Eight projects to receive $25.9 million.Transformational PV Science and Technology: Next Generation Photovoltaics II – Twenty-three projects to receive $22.2 million. Reducing Market Barriers and Non-Hardware Balance of System Costs – Seven projects to receive $13.6 million. SunShot Incubator – Four projects to receive $5.8 million.

Beyond Irene: The Future Of Hurricanes

Solar Icon Eicke Weber Envisions Worldwide Solar Power Network

Posted on July 13, 2011 by quest

Eicke Weber German physicist, former UC Berkeley professor and Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems of Freiburg was among high profile “A” listers, green leaders and attendees who opened this year’s Intersolar Show in San Francisco. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Ramamoorthy Ramesh of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative and Solar Energy Technologies Program, Katherina Reiche of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Mignon Marks, Executive Director of California Solar Energy Industries Association kicked off this year’s session among the realities that the solar industry is now the fastest growing industry in the US.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee underscored San Francisco’s commitment to the solar industry and environmental leadership noting that San Francisco is home to over 30 solar companies and was recently named North America’s “greenest city” by a unique study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and commissioned by Siemens, which assesses and compares 27 major U.S. and Canadian cities on environmental performance and policies across nine categories – CO2 emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air quality and environmental governance. The conference which opened yesterday will attract 22,000 visitors representing 62 countries and 800 exhibitors are from 30 countries.

Katherina Reiche spoke of a need for a Trans Atlantic Dialog of ideas between between Germany and the US in order to create a low carbon society. Ramamoorthy Ramesh from SunShot Initiative outlined the DOE’s strategies to increase effeiciencies and manufacturing throughout the solar industry, as California Solar Energy Industries Association’s Executive Director, Mignon Marks called on attendies to join the organization and take advantage of the organization’s resources and services.

Eicke Weber closed out the morning session predicting that the solar industry will grow to be a $100 billion market by 2020. Professor Weber envisions a worldwide solar powered network capable of distributing solar power across vast distances similar to the Desertec Project already underway in northern Africa. Intersolar runs until July 14th, 2011.

DESERTEC

EcoPlusHome Solar Powered Emission Free

Posted on July 8, 2011 by quest

Can a family of six live their everyday life without dependence on fossil fuels for an entire year? By integrating its leading efficient geothermal, solar and home appliance technologies, Bosch helped Canada’s EcoPlusHome demonstrate that today’s modern family can live a net zero existence without compromising comfort or cost. Through the use of both passive and active eco-friendly efforts, the 285-square-meter (3,067-square-foot) home in Bathurst, New Brunswick provided comfortable and affordable living year-round. In order to prove that an average consumer’s home can achieve net zero status at a reasonable price of about $275,000 USD, Bosch designed the EcoPlusHome in partnership with Tight Lines Productions, Maple Leaf Homes and local partners in New Brunswick, Canada. Between December 2009 and December 2010, a family of six – while living in the EcoPlusHome consumed approximately 14,000 kilowatt hours (kwh). At the same time, the home generated roughly 15,000 kwh – more electricity than it consumed. Reducing reliance on fossil fuel, EcoPlusHome emitted few emissions and helped promote a healthier living space and cleaner air.

“By providing a highly efficient geothermal heat pump, solar thermal system, photovoltaic panels and home appliances for the EcoPlusHome, we have demonstrated that climate protection pays off and that net zero living can be achieved comfortably and affordably,” said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the Bosch Board of Management. “As a leading technology company, Bosch is committed to supplying innovative solutions that help conserve resources and protect the environment.”To generate the needed electricity to run home appliances, to power lights and other plug-in units, Bosch Solar Energy supplied 52 mono-crystalline photovoltaic solar modules for the EcoPlusHome, providing high yields even when the intensity of solar radiation is minimal. Bosch offers high-grade photovoltaic products to generate electricity from sunlight, which protects the environment and combat climate change. In addition, Bosch Siemens Home Appliances supplied the home with its ENERGY STAR Home Appliances, including a washer and dryer, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and even a coffee maker, which are all highly efficient and reduce water and energy consumption significantly. Known for raising standards in appliance efficiency and quietness, Bosch is the only U.S. appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration.

Earlier this month, EcoPlusHome was presented with Scotiabank’s EcoLiving 2011 Innovation Award. Supported by Green Living Enterprises, the awards program recognizes businesses, innovators and students across Canada for excellence in the development of home energy efficiency products, services and solutions. The EcoLiving Awards are Canada’s premier prize for home energy innovation.

San Francisco leads the U.S. in environmental sustainability

Independence Day…Solar Panels Charge Electric Vehicle

Posted on July 2, 2011 by quest

George Parrott All Cars Electric: Almost every Tesla Roadster owner is probably a car enthusiast, but Mike Koenigs is also a true clean-power activist. First, he set up a “Life with Tesla” website when he got his car. Now he’s doing the final editing of an extended video meant to spread the word about the fun and freedom that comes with owning an all-electric car, in his case a Tesla Roadster. Mike should copyright the phrase he has highlights on his website–the “Tesla Grin”–which he illustrates on the faces of his passengers on demonstration rides. It’s something very special. Mike’s message is that the Tesla Roadster is a great thrill to drive, even to ride in as a passenger, and that with photovoltaic solar panels on one’s home, driving can be free of day-to-day fuel costs.

As highlighted in a recent Consumer Reports piece, the strategy that really pays off in owning an electric vehicle is to have a significantly large photovoltaic system at your home. It should be noted, however, that even with solar panels to provide all your energy (or energy credits) to charge a Tesla Roadster, that car’s required regular “tune-ups” are around $1000 per year! This synergy between electric vehicles and solar electric panels is updated daily at Christof Demont-Heinrich’s website which is devoted to exactly this topic.

Basically even if we don’t have the discretionary funds to afford a Tesla Roadster, many of us can live as Mike does. The Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi “i,” and other plug-in-cars cost far less than the Tesla did. Adding solar panels to a home gives us the equivalent of our own oil well and oil refinery together. Mike says that between the electricity he uses in his home and to power his Tesla, he’ll pay back the five-figure cost of his solar panels in less than five years. Perhaps few of us can enjoy the “Tesla grin,” but Mike’s broader message doesn’t require a Tesla–just a car that plugs into the wall for its power. By george parrott

THE TESLA GRIN

Van Jones Kicks off American Dream Movement

Marin County Real Goods Solar To Merge With Alteris

Posted on June 23, 2011 by quest

by Jeff Quackenbush, Business Journal Staff Reporter: Real Goods Solar Inc , a solar energy systems integrator started in the North Bay, and Alteris Renewables Inc. today announced a deal to merge, giving Real Goods a large foothold in the Northeast. In the deal, Real Goods would issue 8 million shares, or more based on performance, to purchase all the stock of Wilton, Conn.-based Earth Friendly Energy Group Holdings, LLC, which does business as Alteris. The deal is set to close in the third quarter, pending approval of Real Goods shareholders, of which the majority is Boulder, Colo.-based Gaiam Inc. Gaiam intends to vote in favor of the merger, according to the announcement.

Real Goods Solar President John Schaeffer, who started the company in 1978 in Hopland, would become president of the residential division of the merged company.“Together, we are a much stronger company with a better ability to compete in the market that we established when Real Goods Solar sold the very first solar panel to the public in 1978,” Mr. Schaeffer said. “We can leverage our complementary expertise and geographies to accelerate the adoption of clean energy across the country. With the U.S. solar market projected to grow fivefold from 2010 to 2015, our company has plenty of opportunity ahead of it.”

The new chief executive officer of Real Goods Solar is Colorado resident and renewable energy advocate Bill Yearsley. A veteran of 40 mergers and acquisitions deals, he negotiated the Alteris merger, according to Real Goods Solar. Previously, he was chairman and CEO of the Construction and Aggregate Group and an executive director of Redland PLC. Real Goods Solar Chief Financial Officer Erik Zech would stay in that role. Ron French, head of Alteris’ commercial division would become president of the commercial division of the merged company. Alteris CEO Steven Kaufman would move to a board role, as would Alteris’ board Chairman David Belluck of Riverside Partners, Alteris’ controlling investor. Gaiam Chairman Jirka Rysavy will continue as Real Goods Solar’s chairman. “The Northeast and the West represent the two fastest growing markets for solar installations in the country, driven by high energy prices and government incentives in each region,” said Mr. Kaufman. Real Goods Solar has installed more than 7,300 home photovoltaic systems, as well as arrays for commercial, winery, education, government and institutional clients, in California and Colorado. Alteris has installed more than 4,000 systems in the past three decades in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.