Obama selects Suniva for US-India Innovation Roundtable

Posted on November 8, 2010 by quest

Metro-Atlanta based solar maker Suniva was part of President Obama’s U.S. – India Innovation Roundtable. The roundtable, held in Mumbai, was part of the President’s first official visit to India. Suniva was the only solar company invited to participate in the roundtable discussion. “It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the premier examples of collaboration between India and U.S. business, as well as to have the opportunity to discuss with the President recommendations for continuing to develop business relationships with India,” said Bryan Ashley, chief marketing officer for Suniva. “Exports are key to the growth of the U.S. economy. Strengthening the economic and innovation bonds with India will result in greater export opportunities for businesses, which in turn will create new jobs in both countries.” New York-based Curtis Instruments was also invited to the conference. Through its partnership, with India based Mahindra Reva; Curtis provides key technology used in advancing the commercialization and adoption of ‘clean’ electric vehicles in India and across the globe.

In a speech at the US-India Business Council summit after the panel, President Obama heralded Suniva as an example of U.S. businesses that are deepening trade relations through its work with Indian customers. Suniva’s high-efficiency solar cells and modules have been used in some of the most pioneering projects in India. The company recently announced that its solar cells power a 3 MW solar farm in Karnataka, one of the largest grid-connected solar fields in India. Suniva solar cells are also used in the first 1 MW rooftop solar array in India, built on the roof of the new Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. In addition, multi-megawatts of cellular phone towers in India are now Powered by Suniva and leading Indian solar module manufacturers use Suniva’s high efficiency cells to make their panels more efficient and competitive in other world markets, including Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

ECOTOURISM

PlanetSolar on world tour heading for Miami

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

After a four days stopover, the largest solar powered boat, PlanetSolar left Las Palmas. After its stay on the Canary Islands the solar catamaran continues its transatlantic crossing, setting course for Miami. The boat is expected in Miami by end of November / beginning of December. For the 1st solar boat expedition has commenced and the longest leg since the start in Monaco at the end of September. The goal of the PlanetSolar is to circumnavigate the globe driven exclusively by solar energy.

The current routing around the globe (subject to suitable weather and nautical conditions) foresees stopovers in Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and returning to Monaco. The project PlanetSolar will inform the public about the importance of sustainability and
renewable energies. PlanetSolar has already made technological developments possible in many fields such as the production of composite materials and structures, and also the production and storage of solar energy (or electricity). Each stage in the project and each day that PlanetSolar sails will enable science to progress. At the heart of this project is the conservation of our planet by the promotion of solar energy, energy efficiency and eco-mobility. This is a great occasion to advance knowledge and to inform and make the general public aware of the importance of renewable energy

Planet Solar has an impressive group of supporters such as IMMOSOLAR, Candino Swiss Watch, SunPower and Jean Verne, Great-Grandson of the writer, Jules Verne who writes, ” In the spirit of the PlanetSolar project that calls upon scientists, technicians, industries, financiers and scholars who are working together on an “extraordinary voyage into known and unknown worlds,” I am writing these few words at the same time our society is asking the unthinkable question of its own survival. A special thanks to my Great-Grandfather Jules Verne who has given the PlanetSolar team the idea, the will, the audacity and who has inspired such an exciting, valuable project.”

The leading-edge solar catamaran (without flaps) boosts 31m in length, 16m in width, and approximately 540 square meters of solar panels as the solar generator. The specially developed energy storage should permit the boat to move for approximately 3 days and nights without sunlight. The MS
TÛRANOR PlanetSolar was designed by the extraordinary designer and constructor Craig Loomes and his company LOMOcean (New Zealand). It has been built by high-performance yacht builder Knierim, based in Kiel (Germany). The boat is navigating under Swiss flag.

PLANETSOLAR ON WORLD TOUR

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Solar innovations just keep on coming

Posted on November 6, 2010 by quest

The solar innovations just keep on coming. This year saw the introduction of solar powered mobile phones into India and on the African continent. There’s even been talk about a solar powered iPhone. Now from some very forward thinking consumer electronic companies comes a solar powered laptop and a solar HD camcorder. From AU Optronics LCD panel maker has introduced a 14-inch solar-powered touch keyboard solution for notebook computers. The solar module is built within the notebook’s cover and keyboard panel to absorb both sunlight and electric light, and lowered the use of electric power by 20%. The specially designed transparent touch keyboard enables users to readily move about their fingers and control the images for the enjoyment of trendy technology, the company said. This solar-powered touch keyboard notebook solution will be showcased on November 10 at the upcoming FPD (Flat Panel Display) International 2010 during November 10-12 in Chiba, Japan.

Another company Shezen Jetyo Technology has released a solar powered camcorder, Jetyo Solar Camcorder. You flip up a special panel, it collects solar energy from the opposite side of the screen using one panel on the flip-up lid and another on the back of the display housing. The solar panels charge four rechargeable AA batteries. The only problem is that recharging the batteries can take a long time. No word on Veranda Solar which was working on designing solar-power systems, made up of small (about 24-inch and 60- to 70-watt) panels with rounded corners, that consumers could install themselves.

UPDATE A NEW GREEN RENAISSANCE

Solar power sustains winemaking operations

Posted on November 5, 2010 by quest

The Sonoma Wine Company and Cogenra Solar have entered into an energy power agreement to purchase the heat and electricity generated from the installation of a new 272-kilowatt (kW) installation, now supplying renewable heat and electricity to support the company’s winery operations. Under the company’s Heat and Power Purchase Agreement (HPPA) Cogenra will maintain ownership of the solar cogeneration modules, and Sonoma Wine Company will hedge against rising and volatile electric and gas prices throughout the 15-year contract.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures were among honored guests at a ceremony yesterday afternoon to flip the switch on the new solar power plant. Khosla Ventures is the lead investor in Cogenra and former British Prime Minister Blair was appointed as a senior environmental advisor to Khosla Ventures in May of this year. In his remarks Tony Blair said, “It’s up to companies that are both visionary and savvy, like Cogenra, to set us on the right path to decrease our use of fossil fuels and build a more sustainable future.”

The historic commissioning represents the first commercial-scale installation of its kind, combining proven photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in one solar array in an important move toward more affordable and efficient utilization of solar energy.“In vetting renewable energy solutions for Graton, we found Cogenra was the perfect match — high impact without high cost,” stated Derek Benham, founder and owner of Sonoma Wine Company. “Their solar cogeneration offering serves our energy requirements for hot water and electricity, and Cogenra’s innovative financing solution provides all the benefits and savings of on-site generation without the capital costs.”

“This is a very significant milestone for Cogenra as we bring our first project online in California’s wine country and toast to a bright future with solar cogeneration,” Cogenra CEO Dr. Gilad Almogy said in his welcoming remarks. “Cogenra’s technology merges the best photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to meet two valuable industrial needs, low cost heat and electricity. Our solution produces five times more energy and three times the greenhouse gas reductions over traditional solar offerings.”The solar cogeneration installation employs 15 individual Cogenra SunBase™ modules to displace approximately 64,000 kilowatt-hours and 12,500 therms of natural gas annually. The solar thermal element will heat water to 165°F to sustainably fuel Sonoma Wine Company’s wine tank wash and wine barrel washing system. Implementing the system will eliminate more than 120 metric tons per year of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of removing nearly 25 passenger cars from the road annually.

ECO FRIENDS SHOP

Geological Society goes solar

Posted on November 4, 2010 by quest

The Geological Society of America(GSA) recently celebrated the completion of a 65 kW solar energy system atop its Boulder, CO headquarters. Through it’s more than 22,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 97 countries the GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists. The new array currently provides 35 percent of the annual electric consumption for the building, avoiding the emission of over 160,000 lbs of carbon dioxide each year. By January 2011 the building will use 100% solar and wind renewable energy for it’s source of electrical power.

“It is very exciting to work with the GSA,” said Andrew McKenna, COO of Bella Energy the company that installed the solar power system. “My family has had a close connection to the organization for many years, as my father was a long-standing member. It is great to see that Bella Energy can help the GSA save money on electrical costs, and continue its environmental leadership efforts.” GSA Executive Director Jack Hess said “We are grateful for the availability of local funding from Xcel Energy and the City of Boulder to make this first of many investments in renewable energy possible for GSA. The Society is committed to demonstrating environmental leadership and we want other commercial and nonprofit entities to know that this funding exists.”

The Geological Society of America was founded in 1888. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind.

EVENTS

9th Solar Cup Metropolitan Water District Boat Race

Posted on November 4, 2010 by quest

“Solar Cup is one of the most successful education programs of Metropolitan, its member agencies and local water agencies,” said Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger. Nearly 700 students from 42 high schools in six Southern California counties will launch Metropolitan Water District’s ninth annual Solar Cup program Saturday, Nov. 6, as they build hulls for the solar-powered boats they will equip and race. The seven-month program, which began in 2002 with just eight teams and about 80 students, has become the nation’s largest solar-powered boat competition. Along the way, Solar Cup has encouraged many participants to attend college and to pursue careers in engineering, science, environmental issues and communication.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, about half of the teams will gather at Three Valleys Municipal Water District headquarters in Claremont to build identical, canoe-like hulls out of kits of pre-cut, marine-grade plywood. The remaining teams will gather at Three Valleys Nov. 13. Once the hulls are completed, the teams take them back to their schools to equip them over the next seven months with motors, batteries, solar-collection panels, rudders and steering systems. Often, they add an eye-catching paint or varnish job. As part of the education program, Metropolitan provides the hull kits and tool boxes and sponsors technical workshops for the teams and their teachers/advisors that represent schools in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Metropolitan’s member public water agencies and, in some cases, local water retailers, sponsor the teams to help equip their boats.

The program concludes with the Solar Cup competition May 13-15 at Metropolitan’s Lake Skinner near Temecula in southwestern Riverside County, where the teams will compete in endurance and sprint races. The event is open to the public.The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.