Solar Energy Production Shines On Brazil

Posted on September 18, 2011 by quest

GE and MPX, a division of EBX Group have announced an agreement that will double the output of MPX’s first solar power plant in Brazil. The announcement signifies an important step for both MPX and GE in helping provide clean, renewable energy to the people of Brazil and marks GE’s entrance into the Brazilian solar energy market. Currently the plant in Taua, Fortaleza, Ceara state, has 4,680 solar panels capturing sunlight and turning it into 1 megawatt (MW) of clean energy, which MPX estimates is enough to power 1,500 households in the region. With this new expansion, GE will provide an additional 1-MW solar power plant, which includes the company’s thin film panels, Brilliance inverters, transformers and SunIQ monitoring and control system.

“MPX is a pioneer in solar energy in Brazil and has invested in developing solar energy for the medium and long term. Working with GE, we plan to grow our business at this plant to 50 MW,” said Eduardo Karrer, the CEO of MPX. “Today’s announcement with MPX signals our entry into the Brazilian solar industry,” said Marcelo Soares, president and CEO of GE Energy Latin America. “GE is committed to providing innovative solutions for our customers’ challenges, and we look forward to working with MPX in the solar arena.”

Shine On

Approximately 360 kilometers from Fortaleza, MPX Taua is connected to Brazil’s national electrical grid through a local substation. For the second phase, the Taua solar plant has been authorized by the National Electrical Energy Agency (ANEEL) and licensed by the Ceara state Environment Department (SEMACE) to expand its capacity up to 5 MW. The project developed by MPX for the solar power plant is expected to reach 50 MW, and the partnership between GE and MPX is expected to continue with this future expansion.

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High Desert Cali City To Go Net Zero Using Solar Power

Posted on September 1, 2011 by quest

The City of Lancaster, California has taken a historic step towards becoming one of the first “Net Zero Cities” in the world. The Lancaster City Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Beautiful Earth Group for the development of a partnership to establish Lancaster as a Net Zero City. Net Zero Cities produce as much energy from sustainable sources, such as solar energy, as they consume. This dramatically reduces their carbon emissions. New technologies such as energy storage, supply and demand management and the “smart grid” are used to save energy and money — all good news for consumers as prices for oil and energy continue to rise.

Lancaster, known as the “Alternative Energy Capital of the World,” is well situated to benefit from the rapid increase in solar energy investment throughout the area. Applications for more than 4,000 megawatts of generation by photovoltaic (PV) electricity plants have been received in California’s High Desert / Antelope Valley region. This provides Lancaster with a wide range of options to reduce its carbon output by using clean energy coupled with energy saving techniques in the future.

Sour Away

Lancaster‘s goal of becoming a Net Zero City will encourage global investment in the city and will fulfill Beautiful Earth’s mission to supply municipalities and businesses with clean, green energy. “This important agreement will bring new jobs, energy security and a much healthier future to all of us in the Antelope Valley,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “The Net Zero City project with Beautiful Earth Group has the potential to increase the quality of living and create thousands of new jobs focused on power conservation, systems to support the smart grid, clean energy generation, and downstream activities related to companies attracted to Lancaster for its ability to supply clean energy for their manufacturing, industrial and commercial processes.”

Pandas microbes making biofuels

Solar Showroom Gives 411 Green Energy and More

Posted on June 9, 2011 by quest

Solar & More, a retail learning showroom featuring clean energy systems such as solar electric and hot water, announced a Grand Opening Celebration to be held Tuesday, June 28, 2011 through Saturday, July 2, 2011 during normal store hours. With all the emphasis on green and environmental concerns, Solar & More has developed a retail model that gives consumers an alternative when shopping for a solar energy system. No longer do they have to deal with fast-paced selling from solar telemarketers and internet salesmen.

“We’re excited to be able to offer to our clients a unique showroom where they can be educated about solar and other renewable energy options in a non-threatening environment,” said Tom Ferraro, President of Solar & More. “With state of the art technology, we’re able to look at a home, its shading, utility bills and know if a homeowner can install a system that will provide a return. If a home is not suitable for a solar system, we recommend other products to reduce energy costs.” Ferraro’s showroom is different and it can be seen immediately upon entering the store. It’s a learning center and the unique design of the store immediately instills a comfortable level for the client. The store is a first of its kind! The store’s core product is solar energy. “Current paybacks can range from about 4 – 6 years with most Return on Investments close to 20%,” Ferraro says. “And we help people understand that it is an investment, as opposed to a home improvement, as there is an ongoing revenue stream from day one.” Ferraro gives an example of a financing option where the customer has no out of pocket expenditures, gets a payback of 5 years and is cash positive in year 1. The systems are warranted for 25 years and typically last much longer. Combine that with a 30% Federal Income Tax Credit and it’s a winning investment … without the risk associated with most other investments.

Coffee grounds as biomass fuel

Solar LA docks in the Port of Los Angeles

Posted on December 11, 2010 by quest

SunLink® Corporation announced the installation of its non-penetrating rooftop solar module mounting solution by Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) at the recently completed 1 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic project at the Port of Los Angeles’ World Cruise Center in Los Angeles, Calif. CEI built the landmark project using the SunLink Roof Mount System (RMS), the leading commercial rooftop mounting solution, installed on over 180 MW of projects at 900 sites across North America. The Port of Los Angeles solar project is part of the “Solar LA Program,” one of the world’s largest solar power projects undertaken by a single city. Over its lifetime, the solar system will reduce the Port’s carbon footprint the equivalent of cutting 4,367 cars off the road according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Christopher Tilley, CEO, SunLink, said, “We were pleased to work with CEI and the Port on this milestone project for Los Angeles. As the market leader in commercial rooftop installations, we bring a vast amount of expertise and proven technology to ensure a safe, easy-to-install and cost-effective solar power system.”

“We chose SunLink for the Port of Los Angeles project because of the company’s ability to offer a non-penetrating solution that met the Port’s specifications,” said Meisa Kassis, Project Manager, Cupertino Electric, Inc. “By using SunLink’s ballasted mounting solution, we were able to meet the Port’s requirements and preserve the long-term integrity of the roof.”

Solar powered ovens heating development in Africa

Posted on November 14, 2010 by quest

Ronald Mutebi is President of TEK Consults Group, which has been testing and distributing solar ovens in Africa. He is in the final stages of setting up a manufacturing plant in Uganda and has more than 1,000 prospective buyers for his product. Together with USAID, Western Union and researchers from George Washington University find strong feelings of accomplishment, pride, duty and honor motivate by many entrepreneurs to invest in their country of origin. The survey of participants in the African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) found that diaspora investment motivations are complex, reflecting financial as well as personal drivers, including the sense that they can prevail over common barriers to business success. “Africa can see progress similar to what China has seen in less than a decade, and without substantial foreign direct investment. Just look at the flow of remittances to these countries.” said Mutebi. From Washington

THE STORY OF STUFF – ELECTRONICS

ON THE MOVE GO MOBILE

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Hawaii to be 40 percent solar by 2030

Posted on October 16, 2010 by quest

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has issued an order approving feed-in tariffs (FIT) for the Hawaiian Electric Companies (Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company) for renewable energy generators of up to 500 kW in size, to facilitate the acquisition and development of renewable energy in Hawaii. Because Hawaii is the most fossil fuel dependent state, this ruling helps move the state toward its goal of receiving 40 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Now homeowners and commercial property owners who install solar panels in Hawaii will get paid for any excess electricity they generate. Those who sign up and participate in the program will get paid 21.8 cents for each kilowatt hour (kWh) that is fed back into the electric grid. Since the going rate for residential electricity is higher on many parts of the islands, the feed-in tariff will really be best suited to homeowners — and businesses — that have solar energy systems that produce more electricity than they use on an annual basis. “We are pleased to launch the FIT program for the Hawaiian Electric Companies,” said Commission Chairman Carlito P. Caliboso. “The predictability and certainty that FITs provide to renewable energy developers should incent future renewable projects and ultimately advance the State’s efforts to wean itself off of imported fossil fuel.”

Hawaii’s new solar incentive plan is also expected to streamline solar project development and financing. The plan sets pricing, terms and conditions, all of which, it’s expected, will help make it easier to propose, close and complete solar installations.