GE to order tens of thousands of Electric Vehicles

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

In a move that will put some confidence into the future and sustainability of the reborn electric vehicle industry; Word out of London is that General Electric will order tens of thousands of electric vehicles. GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt was speaking from London and said it will be the largest order in history. GE is a global powerhouse and diversified technology, media and financial services company. They are already in power generation including solar and wind energy. Rachel Layne and Alan Ohnsman reporting for

SunPower on Colorado Solar Ranch

Bay Area based SunPower just announced an agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to design and build a 30-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant on 216 acres of private land in Colorado’s Alamosa County. Expected to be fully operational by the end of 2011, construction will begin this year and create approximately 100 jobs. Iberdrola Renewables is developing the solar ranch, and will own and operate it. The company will sell the electricity under a long term contract to Xcel Energy, for distribution on the region’s utility grid. The project will create employment opportunities and provide revenue for schools, health, fire, and other critical services in Alamosa County.

The plant will use SunPower E19 solar panels, mounted on SunPower(R) Tracker systems. SunPower Trackers tilt the solar panels toward the sun as it moves across the sky, increasing energy capture and providing more power on hot summer days when utilities need it most.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

The Power of India

Posted on October 29, 2010 by quest

A new report called “Indian Power Sector Analysis”, indicates there is a huge demand for power in some Indian states due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Electricity is vital for economic development of a country. The Indian electricity market today offers one of the highest growth potential for private players. Government reforms will be the key factor driving the power sector. Reforms such as The Electricity Act and National Electricity Policy will give impetus to the Indian power sector.

The report conducted by RNCOS a leading market research firm also revealed that alternative energy sources such as nuclear, wind and solar will fulfill a large chunk of India’s energy needs in the coming years. Many states are formulating exclusive policies for renewable energies in order to promote and develop these energy sources. RNCOS E-Services’ report focuses on the growing power sector in India. It thoroughly investigates the current market trends, evolving markets and growth prospects for the power industry. It will help interested parties to analyze the driving forces and leading-edge opportunities critical to the success of the power industry.

Based on the study of the Indian power sector, the report discovered that the total installed capacity will add around 45000 MW by 2013-14. However, demand is much higher than supply with a deficit projected to be more than 12% during 2010-11. The report also found that renewable energy creates huge opportunities for power generators as the commitment to generate clean energy and environmental obligations have become top priority for most of the nations around the world. However, coal based power will remain the dominant source for energy in India.

JAMES CAMERON ON PROP 23

LISTEN TO QUESTPOINT N THE MIX

Yo New York City greens up and so does Yo Valley

Posted on October 28, 2010 by quest

Let’s give it up for green city New York, New York. Just a few days ago Mayor Bloomberg and other city officials broke ground on a new municipal recycling facility in Sunset Park that will process all of the city’s metal, glass and plastic recyclables. The opening represents another step for New York in going green. The Sims Municipal Recycling Facility on the Brooklyn waterfront will minimize the distance that collection trucks travel between pick-up sites and receiving centers and allow Sims to expand its barge and rail-based transport systems which will eliminate over 260,000 vehicle miles traveled annually from New York City roadways. The project will create 100 new jobs when the facility is opened, which is expected in December 2011; with 11,000 more to follow over the next 10 years.

“This state-of-the-art facility is another great example of repurposing our Brooklyn waterfront. And we’re not just talking trash here – this facility will promote recycling, take garbage-hauling trucks off our already overburdened streets and highways, and create jobs as well,” said Borough President Markowitz. “It’s a win-win for everybody, and proves yet again why, when it comes to recycling, Brooklyn and New York City make everyone else ‘green’ with envy.”

Selldorf Architects of the project designer created the facility to be sustainable. It includes green roofs, renewable solar and wind energy production, on-site stormwater treatment, and landscaping that serves to offset heat and provide a pleasing visual aesthetic for the surrounding community. The project will revitalize Brooklyn’s waterfront industrial space, improve pedestrian access to the waterfront by adding 22 acres of new open space, and reduce truck traffic throughout the region by 70,000 truck trips annually. An onsite Visitor Education Center will welcome school groups and visitors who can learn about recycling. It will operate 24 hours a day, six days a week.

YO VALLEY

Like the green movement we know that rap music has spread around the world. French, Chinese and rappers from India all have some swag and lay it down for real. But Yo Valley (Yeo Valley)…who knew, organic farmers rapping from England? I guess it was time for the song “Ole MacDonald had a Farm” to get a makeover…E i… E i… O !

Write a story: A Green Renaissance

SunRun continues taking solar mainstream

Posted on October 27, 2010 by quest

San Francisco based solar leasing company SunRun just announced an influx of tax equity from an affiliate of U.S. Bancorp to develop 1,900 residential solar installations. SunRun recently relocated to larger offices in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district to house its growing staff. “U.S. Bancorp has been a fantastic long-term partner and instrumental in helping SunRun provide affordable and hassle-free solar to thousands of homeowners.” said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. With this additional financing, SunRun will continue to change the way Americans power their homes by delivering solar as a clean, affordable, renewable service. SunRun owns and maintains each homeowner’s solar system for the life of the agreement, while homeowners simply pay monthly for the power they use. The company can help homeowners acquire a solar power system for as little as $0 down. Customers can save 10-15% on total monthly power bills right away and the savings increase as utility rates increase.

Very recently SunRun completed a project financing fund with PG&E Corporation to support the purchase of approximately 3,500 residential solar facilities, tripled the size of its bank lines, and closed additional funding led by Sequoia Capital. It recently received the Department of Energy Green Power Leadership Award, as well as inclusion on the Cleantech Group’s Global Cleantech 100 list and the GoingGreen Silicon Valley Top 100 List.
SunRun, provides an alternative for homeowners who want to go solar without a large upfront investment. They are currently doing business in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. SunRun partners with local solar installers who complete the onsite homeowner projects.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Is there really green in green jobs?

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

That has been a recurring question. Given the current state of the economy. It is particularly interesting in retrospect to listen to an interview QuestPoint n The Mix had with leading author and Green Career Expert Carol McClelland last year where she lays out an assessment of where the green age is relative to the Industrial age.

In his article, “The Wrong Debate on Green Jobs” Environmental Strategist” and author Andrew Winston suggest, “A new green economy is just that – a whole new economy, with job openings at all skill levels, from truck drivers to inventors of new battery chemistry. The solar or wind installer is just the tip of a very large iceberg that’s coming our way.” Andrew Winston starts off

Wind turbine training for a new generation of energy

Ask anyone knowledgeable about wind energy, and you’ll quickly learn that the latest “green” technology – despite a recent surge in public interest – is nothing new to union ironworkers. As more and more wind turbines are erected across the open plains, farmlands, and mountain ridges of the United States, the need for ironworkers with specialized construction skills has naturally grown, says the Iron Workers International Union.

In fact, ironworkers have been erecting wind turbines for decades. What is new is a need for independent certifications-driven largely by increased scrutiny of the wind energy sector – meant to improve safety and quality across the industry. In response, the Iron Workers International Union (www.ironworkers.org) – working with the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) – is offering wind turbine training programs for union ironworkers to develop key construction skills. Through a new IMPACT (www.impact-net.org) program, certification in torque/tension and tower-climbing and safety procedures, including high-angle rescue procedures, comes from industry-recognized leaders, including

UNDERSTANDING BIOMASS

Mongolian villages go solar

Posted on October 26, 2010 by quest

Talk about bringing solar power to the people. In cooperation with the World Bank’s Renewable Energy for Rural Access Project two Mongolian villages Gobi-Altai and Bayantooroi, which are both located in the western Gobi Desert region of have gone solar. The project was handled by Kyocera because of the company’s years of experience in the solar energy business in Mongolia, and the durability of its high-quality modules to harsh weather conditions. The systems were supplied and installed by the company’s subsidiary, KYOCERA (Tianjin) Sales & Trading Corporation. The installations are among the largest stand-alone solar power generating systems in the world. They are providing a total of 305.1kW of solar power. The systems were installed this summer and are now currently helping to provide electricity for the daily needs of the local residents. The World Bank project aims to increase electricity and improve reliability of electricity service through the use of solar energy to help improve the living conditions of the herder population and off-grid village communities.

Kyocera began its solar energy business in 1975 has a long history of proactively installing solar power generating systems in rural areas of Asia and Africa. In 1983, the company started by installing a system in the village of Kankoi, Pakistan; in 1985, another system for rural electrification in Gansu Province, China; and a solar-powered pump for an irrigation station in Thailand the following year.

Kyocera has been active in the solar energy business in Mongolia for many years, taking part in a project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to supply portable solar power generating systems for 200 nomadic herding families’ yurts between 1992 and 1996. Furthermore, in 2011, with the Japanese government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), Kyocera modules will be used for a 453.18kW grid-tie system for the Genghis Khan International Airport in Ulan Bator City.