Masayoshi Son Backs Renewable Energy In Japan

Posted on September 14, 2011 by quest

By Jay Alabaster – Japan’s richest entrepreneur outlined a plan on Monday to rebuild the country’s energy infrastructure in the wake of its nuclear disaster, shifting the majority of supply to natural, renewable resources by 2030. Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of SoftBank, was speaking at the launch of his Japan Renewable Energy Foundation. He said Japan could shift to renewable energy sources for 60% of its electricity requirements over the next two decades, calling for a 2 trillion yen (£16.34 billion) “super grid” across the country, and underwater off the coast, that would zip electricity around cheaply and efficiently to meet demand.

“Japan is a country that is riddled by earthquakes,” Son said at a conference hall in central Tokyo. “We must minimise our use of nuclear power over the next 20 years.”The business icon spoke six months after an earthquake triggered a tsunami that ravaged a large portion of Japan’s northeast coast, flattening towns and triggering meltdowns at a nuclear power plant that supplied much of Tokyo’s electricity. The country’s power companies are still struggling to meet demand, and the government has vowed to lessen dependance on nuclear plants, though Japan has few traditional energy resources of its own.

He promised to invest in ventures that backed renewable energy and called for opening up the power industry to allow for more competition. More openness would lead to opportunities for new players like Son, who has made his fortune forcing his way into the formerly tightly run business realms of internet providers and mobile operators. The business leader has already invested 1 billion yen (£8m) of his own money to create the foundation, and announced on Monday that SoftBank would invest 10-20 billion yen in a new renewable energy business. Read the full article: SoftBank founder backs Japan’s shift to renewable energy

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California Electric Vehicle Producer Goes International

Posted on September 13, 2011 by quest

California based T3 Motion, Inc., a producer of clean tech/green tech electric personal mobility vehicles, today announced that Luxury Carts, a Saudi Arabian company, has been selected to exclusively distribute T3 Series Electric Stand-up Vehicles (ESV) in Saudi Arabia. Luxury Carts has a blanket purchase order to purchase multiple T3 ESVs for up to $1,881,000, to supply law enforcement agencies and security companies throughout Saudi Arabia. Luxury Carts may purchase the additional T3 ESVs through August 31, 2012. T3 Motion received the initial order release for T3 ESVs of approximately $231,000.

The T3 ESV will be used for many security and law enforcement applications throughout Saudi Arabia. Distributors anticipate that the ESVs will be used for the first time during Saudi Arabia’s most prevalent tourist event, Hajj. The T3 ESVs would be used for security and as emergency responders throughout the event. Luxury Carts is known for having a wide range of products and solutions for the utility vehicle and ATV industry and has a reputation for delivering operational excellence through superior customer service, innovation, quality and commitment.

This agreement further solidifies T3 Motion’s presence in the Middle East, with contractual agreements in Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and the UAE. In addition to the Saudi Arabia order, the ministry of interior in Kuwait is expected to release an order for a significant number of T3 ESVs. “The Middle East has been a very active area for our T3 ESVs,” Ki Nam, CEO of T3 Motion noted. “Our focus this year has been to expand our clean technology into the international arena. Saudi Arabia represents a broad market for personal mobility vehicles.” Mr. Bakr, Managing Director of Luxury Carts, stated, “Luxury Carts is very pleased to be T3 Motion’s distributor for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Corporation Council are increasingly conscious of using clean, green and alternative energy vehicles. We are very proud to be launching the T3 vehicle and look forward to having them used for the first time for Hajj at Mecca this year. We see the T3 as a significant advancement for the security industry, both government and private, in our country.”

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Solar Power To The Island People

Posted on September 12, 2011 by quest

Visitors landing on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands will notice a 1,600-foot-long array of ground-mounted solar panels paralleling a runway at Cyril E. King Airport. The 450-kilowatt system, to be unveiled on Sept. 14, is prominent among a recent series of high-performance SolarWorld solar panel installations to counter high power rates on U.S. island territories.These sun-washed islands, heavily reliant on burning imported oil products to generate power, are using SolarWorld technology to tap their own plentiful energy resource to produce clean electricity and avoid power prices ranging around 40 cents a kilowatt-hour, compared with the national average of 9.7 cents. Operations of SolarWorld, the largest U.S. solar panel producer for more than 35 years, began supplying U.S.-centric islands around 1980.

“Tropical islands may be the stuff of fantasy,” said Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas, “but the reality of island electricity rates is driving strong adoption of SolarWorld panels as an effective form of rate relief. Employees of installer OneWorld Sustainable of Lexington, Ga., worked to install the 1,806 panels at the Caribbean airfield side-by-side with students from the University of the Virgin Islands who were seeking hands-on training, said Tim Blackwell, president and CEO of OneWorld Sustainable.

Bali Hai

Seventeen buildings in American Samoa will soon generate electricity using solar panels, another step in cutting the island’s reliance on burning No. 2 diesel oil for power generation. SolarWorld will supply the 350 kilowatts of solar panels to be installed on 10 schools and seven government buildings on the U.S. territory in the South Pacific. The project, to be installed by Island Energy and Marine of Pago-Pago, Samoa, comes on the heels of a 680-kilowatt installation using SolarWorld panels on 24 buildings. Funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the buildings included 10 commercial, 12 government and two non-profits buildings. On the U.S. western Pacific territory of Guam, records for solar system size seem to fall every few months. Scott Hagen of Pacific Solar and Photovoltaic completed a 24.84-kilowatt installation on a library at Guam Community College late last year, then commissioned a 29.4-kilowatt system on a college health education building in May. SolarWorld’s U.S. manufacturing is a key selling feature to his customers, Hagen said. “We get approached by Taiwan and Korea to buy their products because they’re just around the corner, but it’s very important to us to support the U.S. economy,” he said.

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Solar Modules Fuel For Electric Bikes in Germany

Posted on September 12, 2011 by quest

Kyocera Corporation today announced that it has supplied its high-performance solar modules for a carport roofing installation in southern Germany which provides power for a charging station for electric cars and bikes. The system was designed and installed by BLU”e” Solar Group GmbH. Electric-powered automobiles and bicycles are becoming increasingly popular in Germany as they provide a convenient and eco-friendly method of transportation. As a result, there is a growing need for charging stations to meet increased use. Furthermore, this solar-powered charging station is not only environmentally friendly but also economical; currently, charging at this location is free of charge to the public. The energy used to ‘fill the tanks’ comes from 248 high-efficiency 215-watt Kyocera solar modules which produce an output of 53.32kW.

Kyocera modules provide excellent performance and high reliability which is demonstrated by the fact they are the first in the world to have passed the Long-Term Sequential Test performed by TUV Rheinland Japan Ltd. “We have selected Kyocera solar modules because we are impressed with the company’s product quality,” stated Werner Steinbrunner, managing director of the BLU”e” Solar Group GmbH.

This solar-powered charging station is just the latest in a long line of projects that Kyocera has been involved in that bring innovative alternative energy solutions to the market. For example, Kyocera solar modules also produce power while providing shade for cars at the Solar Grove in San Diego, California. In Japan, Kyocera introduced the Solar Cycle Station for charging electric bicycles; as well as the Eco-Shell co-developed with Sekisui Jushi Corporation — a multi-purpose solar-powered shelter for use in public places where shelters provide cover against the sun and rain such as bus & taxi stops, benches and walkway coverings.

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Solar Powered Robotics Survey The Worlds’ Seas

Posted on September 9, 2011 by quest

The Savannah Ocean Exchange proudly announces that Liquid Robotics of Sunnyvale, CA is the recipient of the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award. The Gulfstream Navigator Award 2011 recognizes the best solution to positively Shape the Future of Our Coasts. Liquid Robotics’ “Wave Glider-Autonomous Ocean Vehicle” was selected by participating delegates during the inaugural Solutions Exchange, held in Savannah GA September 7-8, 2011, and was presented with the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award by Mr. Joe Lombardo, EVP Aerospace Group, General Dynamics, the parent company of Gulfstream. The Wave Glider solution harvests energy from the environment and is able to travel long distances, hold station, and monitor vast areas of the ocean without the need for fuel or carbon emissions. A unique two-part architecture and wing system directly converts wave motion into thrust, and solar panels provide electricity for sensor payloads and satellite communications.

Wave Glider

The Navigator Award was given to the top solution submitted as part of the annual Call for Solutions issued by the Savannah Ocean Exchange Board of Governors in February 2011. An exclusive panel of experts from multiple disciplines, chaired by Dr. Nancy Knowlton of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History, vetted solutions submitted from countries spanning the globe. The top ten solutions were developed as point solutions for the construction, defense, homeland security, marine research, robotics, coastal reclamation, energy, and shipping industries. Each finalist presented their solution to over 100 delegates who selected the award recipient.

Savannah Ocean Exchange brings together thought leaders around the world from cross disciplines that represent industry, education, research, technology, government and conservation. Led by a multi-disciplinary, 29-member Board of Governors, the organization sources and accelerates the adoption of solutions that positively impact economies and the environment. “The breadth and scope of proven, economically sustainable solutions that were submitted to compete for the 2011 Gulfstream Navigator Award were outstanding,” says Cort Atkinson, Co-Founder and CEO of the Savannah Ocean Exchange.

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Yingli Solar Joins GRID Alternatives’ Solarthon

Posted on September 9, 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,” announced today that its U.S. subsidiary, Yingli Green Energy Americas, Inc., is the Presenting Sponsor of Solarthon, nonprofit solar installer GRID Alternatives’ annual fundraiser that brings together hundreds of individuals, teams, solar job trainees, and corporate participants to install multiple solar energy systems in one day for low-income homeowners. The first of the five events takes place on Saturday, September 10th in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood in San Francisco.

“We’re pleased to have worked with GRID Alternatives to install over 250 projects for low-income families to date and are proud to be their Official Solar Module Provider,” said Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing Communications, Yingli Americas. “These unique Solarthon events are a great way to advance our mission to bring cost-effective solar power to the communities who need it most, while creating local job opportunities and growth.” “Every single GRID Alternatives home installation provides thousands of dollars in savings for working families and two days of on the job training for ten job seekers – and we average 15 home installations per week. Because of Yingli Solar’s support, we have been able to multiply this impact hundreds of times over,” said Erica Mackie, Co-Founder, GRID Alternatives.

As Presenting Sponsor and Official Module Provider of GRID Alternatives, Yingli Solar will supply solar modules for 50 participating families from neighborhoods in San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, San Louis Obispo and Los Angeles during the five Solarthon block parties. The systems will eliminate more than 4,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and generate $1.3 million worth of renewable energy savings for families living on very low incomes. The sponsorship of these Solarthons is part of the collaboration between Yingli Solar and GRID Alternatives to install 1 MW of solar energy systems for 400 low-income families throughout 2011. These installations will create thousands of hands-on job training opportunities in PV installation while helping underserved families with immediate financial savings.