World Solar Challenge 2011 Gets Veolia Sponsorship

Posted on September 26, 2011 by quest

Veolia Environmental Services announced today that it has joined as the naming rights sponsor of the 2011 World Solar Challenge. The Veolia World Solar Challenge, held in October 2011, requires entrants to build a vehicle that runs on solar power, and can be driven from Darwin to Adelaide. Doug Dean, Managing Director of Veolia Environmental Services Australia described the partnership as a natural fit with Veolia’s proactive approach to developing viable and sustainable environmental solutions. “As a global leader in the provision of environmental services, Veolia is committed to supporting innovation which improves our environment, whilst also promoting renewable and alternative energy sources. We are therefore very proud to partner with the World Solar Challenge in 2011.”

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of the South Australian Motor Sports Board, Mark Warren said reaching the landmark agreement, with such a significant corporation was a turning point in the history of the event, which has struggled for recognition and support from the Australian corporate world. “With the backing of one of Australia’s leaders in environmental services, we have a much greater chance of taking solar cars and their sustainable technology out of the future fantasy realm and into the garages of everyday Australians,” Mr. Warren said.

The announcement further solidifies Veolia’s position as supporting innovation within Australia through the development of technologies which utilize alternative energy sources. The Darwin-to-Adelaide, 3,021-kilometer 2011 World Solar Challenge is also being by supported by Panasonic. They are is providing the latest Lithium Ion battery technologies for use with solar-powered vehicles engineered by undergraduate teams from the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University in the seven day drive through the Australian Outback.

Solar Powered Farming Takes Root With Cali Growers

Age Of Enlightenment Foolishness Green and Greed

Posted on September 25, 2011 by quest

By Richard Andrews: These aren’t exactly the words of Charles Dickens author of A Tale of Two Cities, the exact quote is ” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way.”

I think these words fairly sum up the social and economic condition of our time. Technology and innovation have made available tools to free us from war, famine and pollution. And yet our political and economic decision making is in dire need of renewal. To anyone who has been paying a little attention our elected representatives appear to be caught up in the caught up; as China and other nations lead in manufacturing and create more job opportunities then we. To simplify; the American two party political system acts like a dysfunctional, enabling and abusive married couple that are staying together for the “sake of the children.” However, in this scenario we the citizens (children) are the ones who suffer.

Ta’Kaiya Blaney – Tar Sands Activist – Sliammon First Nation

Solyntra, for example the Hayward based solar manufacturer came on the scene offering the promise of clean renewable technology. But even with government loans and private capital behind it the firm just closed its doors. Why? Competition? Mismanagement? Under capitalized? Politics? Or all of the above? Some in Congress are now calling for cuts in previous government commitments to growing the clean green energy sector. And as it turns out some of those officials happen Read the complete article:

Ursula Sladek: Housewife who powered a green revolution

ParkVida Tree Houses Welcomes Ecotourism Adventurers

Posted on September 25, 2011 by quest

ParkVida Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the purchase of JBP SRL from Park Capital Management, Inc., in addition to a new name and symbol. JBP is a Dominican based limited liability company intent on developing a first class resort devoted to mountain bike riding and eco-tourism. The development is known as ParkVida. ParkVida is located at the top of the Cordillera Central mountain range in the Dominican Republic on a 700 acre former coffee plantation that is adjacent to the Armando Bermudez National Park. The development will offer 199 hotel rooms, cottages and “tree houses” in harmony with the environment as a welcome alternative for travelers seeking a deluxe outdoor experience over traditional packaged tours.

Adventure activities will focus on downhill and cross-country mountain biking with a dedicated chairlift for the uphill return. ParkVida’s destination riding vacation will be designed for mountain biking enthusiasts who want to focus on the trail, the ride, and the thrill of riding with the promise of great accommodation, service and relaxation. Personal skills will be matched with equipment and guidance to provide that “local trail” experience on a host of trails engineered and hand built by bikers for bikers. Other ParkVida activities will include zip lining, adventure rope courses, water slides, hiking, fishing, spa, mule riding, quad biking, cultural classes, eco tours and coffee related experiences such as growing, roasting and brewing.

JBP is in the process of finalizing design plans and seeking out regulatory permits that would enable the first phase of construction at ParkVida. Management hopes to begin construction of the resort early next year subject to receiving approvals from local authorities, the completion of an environmental study and the realization of financing efforts.

Maldives set to harnesses the Sun in a big way

Solar Powered Robotics Survey The Worlds’ Seas

Solar Solutions In Effect Where The Buffalo Roam

Posted on September 24, 2011 by quest

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the Silver State North Solar Project, a renewable energy project under construction on U.S. public lands in southern Nevada. With an estimated completion date in December, First Solar Inc.’s 50-megawatt facility would be the first large-scale solar project on public lands to contribute power to the grid. “Our nation’s clean energy future is happening right now,” said Secretary Salazar, who approved the project for construction on public lands last October. “We are harnessing a vast, renewable energy source here in our own backyard with American know-how, equipment and workers. This is a model of industry and government working together to strengthen local economies by generating good jobs and reliable power as we strive to become energy independent.” The Silver State North Solar Project is one of several projects Interior has approved as part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to encourage a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of renewable energy on public lands.

During the visit, Salazar met with First Solar officials, as well as representatives from NV Energy, which has contracted to purchase the project’s energy output. Salazar toured the construction site where approximately 200 workers are currently on the job installing photovoltaic panels. First Solar is estimated to create 300 full-time jobs over the course of construction. Located in the Ivanpah Valley, 40 miles south of Las Vegas, Silver State North was the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar project approved on U.S. public lands in Nevada. The 50-megawatt plant is being built on 618 acres near the town of Primm. When operational, the facility will generate enough energy to power 9,000-15,000 local homes.

In the past 18 months, Interior has approved 20 major renewable energy projects, including 13 commercial-scale solar energy facilities that combined will create about 8,600 construction and operational jobs and produce nearly 5,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power approximately 1.5 million American homes.First Solar has several other solar projects under development in Nevada and expects to invest more than $300 million into the state’s economy through wages, development costs, material purchases and taxes. A leading manufacturer of photovoltaic solar modules, the company is creating more than 6,500 jobs nationwide, including through its R&D and manufacturing facility in Ohio and another factory under construction in Arizona.

Congressman Jerry McNerney On Sea Change Radio

Enchanting New Mexico Develops Mega Solar Energy

Posted on September 23, 2011 by quest

Wells Fargo announced project financing for the deployment of a 53.5 megawatt multi-site solar project for Sun Edison LLC, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials. A site ceremony was held yesterday in Carlsbad, New Mexico with the city’s mayor and officials from SunEdison, Xcel Energy, and Wells Fargo to announce the activation of the first three of five solar power plants that make up the 53.5 MW project. “Wells Fargo is committed to helping cleantech businesses and will continue to expand our support of projects and companies, such as SunEdison, that are leaders in building a clean energy economy,” said Puon Penn, head of Wells Fargo’s National Cleantech group. With the remaining two plants expected to begin operation before the end of 2011, the total 53.5MW solar project is expected to be among the largest photovoltaic solar power projects in the U.S. As the construction lender, Wells Fargo provided more than $200 million to finance the installation phase of the projects.

New Mexico

Building upon its ongoing support of the renewable energy industry, Wells Fargo began providing construction financing for the project earlier this year, and the new SunEdison projects collectively mark Wells Fargo’s largest renewable energy construction loan to date. Wells Fargo has also committed to provide permanent equity financing for all five projects upon completion. The company has already invested approximately $2.2 billion in renewable energy projects since 2006, including funding for 35 wind projects and over 220 solar projects in 26 states.

Electricity from the solar farms is sold to Southwestern Public Service Co., a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, Inc., supporting the utility’s compliance with New Mexico’s renewable portfolio standard. Once all sites are active, the solar farms are expected to produce more than 1.9 million megawatt-hours of electricity over the next 20 years, generating enough to power over 8,000 average U.S. homes per year while the environmental attributes associated with the solar farms are expected to offset more than 2.9 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over 20 years. “We are proud to make investments in our energy future through these groundbreaking solar projects,” said Barry Neal, head of Wells Fargo’s Environmental Finance Group.

SunPower Donates Solar Training To Greenpeace Africa

Clinton Welcomes World Environmental Leaders To CGI

Posted on September 22, 2011 by quest

Former President Bill Clinton welcomed global sustainability leaders to the 2011 the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) which convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Among the dignitaries are Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize laureate, peacebuilder, and general secretary of the National League for Democracy via satellite and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairman of the Elders in a first-time conversation between the two visionary leaders. Suu Kyi spoke about her own struggles for human rights, democratic governance, and ethic reconciliation, while Archbishop Tutu discussed his recent work to end child marriage. The highlight of the conversation was the overwhelming admiration Tutu and Suu Kyi expressed for each other’s efforts to promote world peace and democracy. “The lives and accomplishments of Aung San Suu Kyi and Archibishop Desmond Tutu are an inspiring testament to the tremendous good than can be achieved by a boundless reserve of courage, humility, and conviction,” said President Clinton. “Suu Kyi and Archibishop Tutu exemplify the positive work of CGI (Clinton Global Initiative) members – who have made 194 new commitments this year, valued at $6.2 billion that will positively impact more than 100 million people.”

President Clinton introduced President Barack Obama, who made remarks regarding job creation in the U.S., including infrastructure building and supporting education. President Obama also thanked CGI members for their commitments to address some of the world’s greatest challenges.

Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal announced new commitments by Care with Love, Johnson and Johnson, Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society, GBCHealth, and OVG that will build a home and healthcare facility for rural children with cancer in Egypt, promote and obtain smokefree worksite policies for major companies with global supply chains, and raise and distribute $1 billion during the next five years to develop green buildings around the globe. General Wesley Clark also announced new commitments by Applied Environmental Research Foundation, Amazon Watch, Rural Action, Darden Restaurants, and others that will promote the prosperity and preserve the biodiversity of local landscapes and marshal the talents of the next generation of international leaders.