New Yorkers In Times Square Billboard Talk Solar Jobs

Posted on June 19, 2011 by quest

Times Square is about to get a little bit sunnier: starting today, a digital billboard will feature photographs of real New Yorkers calling for state lawmakers to make the Empire State a solar energy powerhouse by passing the New York Solar Jobs Act of 2011 (S.4178/A.5713). Legislators have until the session ends on June 20 to pass the bill and bring the many economic and environmental benefits of a strong solar industry to New York.“There’s no better place to show New York lawmakers, and the world, that solar is ready for primetime than iconic Times Square,” said Shaun Chapman, Director of East Coast Campaigns for Vote Solar. “We have the power to create tens of thousands of jobs in New York, boost the state’s economy with billions in increased wages and revenue, and help clean up its air – all with solar energy,” said Pierre Bull, Energy Policy Analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “New Yorkers want the jobs, economic, and health benefits that solar power can deliver. With New Jersey currently number two nationwide in solar energy, there’s no reason the Empire State can’t give them a run for their money. ”

The featured New Yorkers are winners of the Empire State Solar Generation Photo Contest. The contest was led by Vote Solar and the Natural Resources Defense Council with participation from a coalition of grassroots organizations to demonstrate public support for the New York Solar Jobs Act. The groups used social media and other online outreach tools to encourage New Yorkers to submit photos showing their support for solar energy in the state. The contest drew entries from across the state, from Long Island to Lake George. Pictures featured solar businesses, customers and fans posing in front of panels, holding signs and finding other ways to illustrate New York’s solar potential. In addition to the photos, the broader grassroots campaign elicited more than 10,000 emails and 31,500 letters to lawmakers in support of the New York Solar Jobs Act.

The New York Solar Jobs Act would build a robust, competitive new solar energy marketplace in New York by requiring the state’s electricity providers to obtain an increasing portion of their electricity from solar power until they achieve 3% in 2025. The bi-partisan legislation is sponsored by Assemblymember Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) and Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane). In addition to other benefits the bill would develop 5,000 MW of solar photovoltaics in New York by 2025, which would provide enough safe, reliable renewable electricity to power 500,000 average households.

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US Marines Building Solar Airfield Lighting Systems

Posted on June 11, 2011 by quest

The United States Marine Corps announced that ADB Airfield Solutions and Carmanah Technologies have been awarded a contract to supply a rapidly deployable solar hybrid airfield lighting system. The solar hybrid lighting system will be shipped to Afghanistan and installed by the Marine Wing Support Squadron in support of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The total value of the award is over $1 million. The solar hybrid lighting system of Medium-Intensity Runway Lights (MIRL) have photometrics compliant to FAA AC 150/5345-46D, and can be operated wirelessly using a handheld controller or a ruggedized tablet PC. Powered using either the light’s integral photovoltaic panels, or cables connected to an on-base power network, the solar airfield LED lights reduce or eliminate energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels. This hybrid lighting approach provides security in the event of grid failure and supports the US Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Energy Strategy objectives.

According to Ted Lattimore, Carmanah’s CEO, “Our hybrid lighting system offers a unique portable lighting solution that will ensure safe, efficient and reliable aviation operations.” Lattimore also commented on the ADB/Carmanah partnership which has produced a series of aviation lighting contracts and energy efficient products. “This installation is an ideal project for the Carmanah/ADB partnership – each company will contribute unique skill sets and experiences to provide Marine Corps Aviation with a practical, robust, energy efficient solution,” said Lattimore.

Steve Rauch, ADB’s CEO, said, “We are excited to provide the Marines with a tough and resilient aviation lighting solution that will support them in their ‘Bases-to-Battlefield’ expeditionary energy strategy for decades to come. The project is consistent with ADB’s commitment to continued innovation in the development of products that save energy, reduce maintenance costs, minimize waste and offer renewable solutions.” ADB Airfield Solutions and Carmanah Technologies Corporation entered into a partnership in 2009 to combine expertise in solar power systems and aviation lighting and to develop energy-efficient visual navigation aid technologies.

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Yingli Solar To Sponsor World Cup Brazil

Posted on June 8, 2011 by quest

“Yingli Green Energy” a leading solar energy company and one of the world’s largest vertically integrated photovoltaic (“PV”) manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand “Yingli Solar”, today announced the sponsorship of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil on the occasion of the 2011 Intersolar show in Munich, Germany. During a joint press conference, both FIFA and Yingli Green Energy’s top management addressed journalists and guests from around the globe. A special attraction was the display of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy and introductory speeches by Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy, and Mr. Thierry Weil, Marketing Director of FIFA.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th edition of world football’s flagship event and is scheduled to take place in June and July 2014 in Brazil. Yingli Green Energy is convinced that the FIFA World Cup™ is one of the best marketing platforms. This particular FIFA World Cup™ will ensure not only brand exposure into Brazil, one of the largest consumers of energy in South America, but all around the world. Brazil, with an estimated cumulative solar PV capacity of currently 20MW, has long been referred to as the “pais do future” – the country of the future. Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy, said: “After our 2010 FIFA World Cup™ sponsorship, we saw a tremendous increase in our brand awareness and inquiries for our products. We were also very happy to see how our products brought smiles to the children in need by supplying our solar solutions for FIFA’s Football for Hope program. Thus, we are thrilled to continue our sponsorship with FIFA by becoming an Official Sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and to be an important renewable energy partner to the world’s most-watched single-sport event. We are excited to once again join hands with FIFA, to build a greener FIFA World Cup™ and a more sustainable future with affordable clean energy provided by the sun.”

Mr. Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director said, “We could not have organized the FIFA World Cup on the scale that we saw in 2010 without the support of sponsors such as Yingli Solar. Yingli Solar’s activities have had a wide geographical impact, from raising the awareness of the FIFA World Cup™ in their home market China, to providing solar expertise and products in rural parts of Africa as part of the “Football for Hope” program. We view our agreement as a strategic long-term cooperation and I am delighted to welcome Yingli Solar on board as a committed sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.”