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

Cali Gets More Solar Power More Solar Jobs

Posted on July 1, 2011 by quest

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu has just announced offers of conditional commitments for loan guarantees, of approximately $4.5 billion, to support three alternating current Cadmium Telluride (Cd-Te) thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar generation facilities. The Department is offering a conditional commitment for a $680 million loan guarantee to support the Antelope Valley Solar Ranch 1 project, conditional commitments for partial loan guarantees of $1.88 billion in loans to support the Desert Sunlight project, and conditional commitments for partial loan guarantees of $1.93 billion in loans to support the Topaz Solar project. First Solar, Inc., with headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, is sponsoring all three projects and will provide Cd-Te thin film solar PV modules for the projects from a new manufacturing plant that has begun construction in Mesa, Arizona, as well as from its recently expanded manufacturing plant in Perrysburg, Ohio, which serves as its primary hub for engineering, research and development. The company expects that the projects will create a combined 1,400 jobs in California during peak construction.

“These projects will bring immediate jobs to California in addition to hundreds more across the supply chain,” said Secretary Chu. “Together the projects will power hundreds of thousands of homes with clean, renewable power and increase our global competitiveness in the clean energy economy.” DOE is offering a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee to AV Solar Ranch 1, LLC to support the Antelope Valley Solar Ranch 1 project. The 230 megawatt (MW) project will be located in the Antelope Valley area of the Western Mojave Desert, approximately 80 miles north of Los Angeles, California. The project is expected to generate 350 construction jobs and will feature a utility-scale deployment of innovative inverters with voltage regulation and monitoring technologies that are new to the U.S. market. The inverters enable the project to provide more stable and continuous power, increasing the efficiency and reliability of large-scale solar power plants greater than 100 MW. The facility is expected to generate over 622,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year, equivalent to powering over 54,000 homes, and will avoid over 350,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Power from the Antelope Valley Solar Ranch 1 project will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

DOE is offering conditional commitments for partial loan guarantees to Desert Sunlight 250, LLC and Desert Sunlight 300, LLC to support the Desert Sunlight project. The 550 MW project is expected to generate 550 jobs during construction and will be located on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in eastern Riverside County, California. The Desert Sunlight project is expected to use 8.8 million Cd-Te thin film solar PV modules, which are commercially proven and have been deployed since 2001. The facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 110,000 homes and will avoid over 735,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. The DOE is also offering conditional commitments for partial loan guarantees to Topaz Solar Farms, LLC to support the Topaz Solar project. The 550 MW project is expected to generate 500 jobs during construction and will be located in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California. The Topaz Solar project will use over 8.5 million Cd-Te thin film solar PV modules and is anticipated to generate enough electricity to power approximately 110,000 homes and avoid nearly 725,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The project’s power will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

BUTTE COLLEGE POWERED BY 100% SOLAR ENERGY

Top Artists To Perform For Solar and Renewable Energy In Japan

Posted on June 28, 2011 by quest

Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Jason Mraz, The Doobie Brothers, Tom Morello, John Hall, Kitaro, Jonathan Wilson, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and special guests are coming together for a special benefit event on Sunday, August 7, at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Proceeds from the concert will be distributed to Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) to support Japan disaster relief efforts, and organizations worldwide working to promote safe, alternative, non-nuclear energy. The presenting sponsor VantagePoint Capital Partners is the leading global investor in energy innovation and efficiency. The show will begin at 3 PM. Children 10 and under admitted free on the lawn with an adult ticket. Tickets are on sale at Livenation

“The disaster in Fukushima is not only a disaster for Japan. It is a global disaster. We come together now across cultural boundaries, political and generational boundaries, to call for changes in the way we use energy, and in the ways we conduct the search for solutions to the problems facing humanity,” says Jackson Browne. “We join with the people of Japan, and people everywhere who believe in a non-nuclear future.” “From solar power plants and next-generation wind turbines to energy-efficient LED lighting and electric vehicles, we see technology innovations solving our most important energy needs,” says Alan Salzman, Managing Partner of VantagePoint Capital Partners, a global leader in funding the transformative energy companies of the 21st century. “We join with the many artists involved in this concert to raise funds for the Japan disaster relief efforts and call for sensible and clean energy solutions.”

It was shortly after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered multiple meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan that the decision was made to coordinate a benefit. Shoreline Amphitheatre was chosen because of its close proximity to the Pacific Rim, Northern California’s history and deep association with Japan. “The MUSE concert will not only be a great show, it will hopefully entice the public to become better informed of the tremendous dangers of nuclear power,” says Graham Nash. “We have to keep real and true information flowing so that people can act on it.” “We’re so lucky to have been able to bring back some of the original MUSE team to collaborate with some new and younger artists for MUSE 2, so that we can immediately help with the Japan relief effort and raise funds and awareness for the no nukes issue,” says Bonnie Raitt. “I’m excited to be a part of this important and truly collaborative effort. It’s going to be a very special, one of a kind event.”

The concert stage will be powered by an integrated system of clean, alternative energy sources, using solar, biodiesel, and wind technologies. The energy-saving GRNLite LED lighting rig for the show has been donated by Bandit Lites, and Schubert Systems has donated the sound rig. In addition, Shoreline is the largest Green certified concert venue in the United States and is a founding member of the Green Music Group. One goal is that the concert will inspire musicians in other areas to organize shows that both employ and promote safe energy alternatives, and that raise funds for disaster relief efforts and for groups—local, regional, national, and international alike—advocating non-nuclear programs and initiatives.

ENERGY FROM THE WIND AND WAVES

Clinton Global Initiative Recognizes Standard Solar

Posted on June 27, 2011 by quest

Standard Solar, Inc., today announced it has been recognized by theClinton Global Initiative (CGI) as a featured example of a new domestic business venture that has succeeded at becoming a fast-growth solar service company. Standard Solar and its Founder Neville Williams are participating in the invitation-only CGI America on June 29-30 in Chicago. Standard Solar is one of six organizations highlighted by the CGI, which was founded by President Bill Clinton to solve world problems.“Solar energy is the world’s fastest growing business,” said Williams. “Last year the solar power industry grew 96 percent with $6 billion in PV installations. Nearly 4 gigawatts of solar power now feed the U.S. electric grid, from small home systems to multi-megawatt solar farms. Solar energy offers the biggest growth opportunities and the brightest prospect for jobs and economic prosperity in America today.”

“We are honored to be recognized by this prestigious organization for our commitment to bringing solar energy to thousands of residents and businesses,” said Tony Clifford, CEO, Standard Solar. “This recognition further establishes Standard Solar as a successful organization dedicated to helping solve global issues, one solar energy system at a time.”

Standard Solar has grown from two employees in 2006 to 81 today, with plans to hire another 20 to 25 workers by the end of the year. The company also supports employee efforts to bring solar power to economically distressed areas. Plans for this year include projects in distressed neighborhoods in Washington, DC and in developing countries including Haiti, Tanzania and South Africa.These achievements and others will be recognized at CGI America, the first CGI event dedicated completely to U.S. issues. CGI America will bring together more than 600 leaders from businesses, nonprofits, and all levels of government to develop and highlight ideas for spurring economic growth and creating jobs in the United States. CGI America is focused on seeking ways to unleash innovation, spur entrepreneurship, reshape core American industries, and build the infrastructure for a clean energy economy.

CLIMATE CHANGE: VIDEO BHUTAN

Infineon Raceway Goes Solar Cuts Energy Usage

Posted on June 26, 2011 by quest

Infineon Raceway, in partnership with Panasonic, has completed a major milestone in energy conservation with the successful installation of 1,652 solar panels at the famed Northern California raceway. The project, part of Infineon Raceway’s long-standing sustainability initiative, was unveiled to the racing world. The event offered members of the media the opportunity to examine the installation, meet key Infineon Raceway and Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company executives, and learn more about Panasonic’s plan to become the number one green innovation leader in the electronics industry by 2018 and Infineon’s goal of becoming one of the most energy-efficient raceways in the world.

The high-efficiency solar panels, manufactured by Panasonic’s Sanyo division, will cover 41-percent of the raceway’s energy usage. In a further move designed to reduce energy consumption, Panasonic has also provided the raceway with a low-energy LED video board, replacing the current installation on Highway 37. To emphasize the importance of energy conservation, Infineon Raceway had the solar panels installed so that they would be visible to the majority of fans attending events at the facility. Panels have been placed above the Turn 10 Sound Wall, the Main Grandstand, the administration office and the Raceway Cafe, as well as the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School building. Race fans will have an opportunity to see them during this weekend’s Toyota/Save Mart 350.

Separate from the energy savings achieved by the solar panel arrays, Panasonic’s new full-color, dual-sided LED video board will use less energy than the previous sign, which was powered by 7,000 traditional light bulbs. Easily visible from Highway 37, the new board measures 5.77’ high by 17.32’ wide, and uses 57,600 LEDs to create messages brighter than the older technology. Yet, it consumes just 50% of the energy of the board it replaces. As part of its commitment to achieving a sustainable future, Infineon Raceway has already introduced low/no carbon racing, boasts a comprehensive recycling program and even uses 3,000 sheep to trim the grass around the track and grounds. The photovoltaic cells in Panasonic’s solar panels are manufactured in the United States in Salem, Ore. The aggregate impact of the installed panels is generation of 353 kilowatts of power. It is estimated that the installation will save 34,000 barrels of oil over 30 years.

QUESTPOINT SOLAR ON YOUR MOBILE

Pythagoras Solar Window Wins GE ecomagination

Posted on June 24, 2011 by quest

Pythagoras Solar, provider of Photovoltaic Glass Unit (PVGU) technology, the industry’s first solar window to simultaneously deliver energy efficiency, high power density and transparency, has been selected as a winner of GE ecomagination Challenge, which recognizes the most promising building energy innovations. Winners were selected from nearly than 5,000 entrants based on originality, feasibility and potential impact. Pythagoras Solar’s window technology, an innovation for the real world, revolutionizes the design and construction of buildings, and answers market demand for aesthetically appealing architectural solutions that offer sustainability benefits and fast return on investment. With commercial installations underway, a growing project pipeline, and this prestigious award, Pythagoras Solar is well positioned for success in the global marketplace.

“After one year and $134 million committed to new partners, we delivered on our goal to scale and commercialize the best new ideas through open innovation,” said Beth Comstock, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, GE. “The power of networked ideas, collaboration and partnerships to accelerate innovation represents a gathering force whose impact will be a significant driver in the future of business.” “GE sets high standards and we are proud that our technology has been recognized as a distinctive solution, ready for the real world and set to enable a market shift towards net zero energy buildings,” said Udi Paret, VP Marketing and Business Development, Pythagoras Solar. “This award, along with its $100,000 prize, validates our proposition and supplements the increased interest we are seeing from successful pilots, first commercial projects and growing product demand.”

The Challenge, a collaboration of venture capital firms RockPort Capital, KPCB, Foundation Capital, and Emerald Technology Ventures is part of GE’s ecomagination initiative, a global commitment to build innovative clean energy technologies. The other innovation award winners include PlottWatt, Suntulit, Viridity and Xergy.