Solar Business Going To The Dogs

Posted on October 9, 2011 by quest

Nestle Purina PetCare unveiled the region’s largest private solar array at its Flagstaff, Arizona pet food manufacturing facility. The solar array, designed and installed by REC Solar, represents the latest step in Nestle Purina’s commitment to being a leader in environmental performance and sustainability. U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, a native of Flagstaff, led a dedication ceremony at the plant, where nearly 1,900 glistening solar panels span over 70,000 square feet on the rooftop. The solar array will take advantage of Arizona’s average of 300 days of sunshine annually to produce emission-free solar electricity.”This Nestle Purina solar project is good for the environment, good for the community, and good for business,” Rep. Gosar said. “It’s an excellent example of collaboration between private industry and federal and state entities, with long-term benefits for all stakeholders. It’s encouraging to see major companies like Nestle Purina working hard to produce their products in an increasingly environmentally responsible manner.”

“The 427-killowatt solar PV system will produce nearly 12 million kilowatt hours of clean, emission free solar electricity over its lifetime,” said Cary Hayes, Director of Business Development for REC Solar. “This production volume offsets over 16 million pounds of greenhouse gases, equivalent to planting more than 40,000 trees.” REC Solar is one of the oldest and largest national solar integrators in the country, operating in six states. In addition to installing the Flagstaff solar array, REC partnered with Purina for the 2008 installation of a solar array at the Nestle Purina Denver pet food facility, the nation’s first major pet food plant to pilot a solar energy array. Nestle Purina Flagstaff, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2010, produces many of the world’s most popular and trusted pet food brands, including Purina ONE beyOnd, Purina Cat Chow and Purina Beneful brand. In 2008, Nestle Purina Flagstaff joined the Northern Arizona Renewable Energy group. Through the Arizona Public Service (APS) Green Choice program, the Flagstaff facility and other participants purchase a portion of their electric usage generated from a variety of renewable resources like wind and solar.

After Rep. Gosar spoke at today’s event, he participated in a “Purina-style” ribbon-cutting, conducted with the help of a 9-pound Papillon named Primo. The small dog, who took first place in last week’s national agility competition at the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, traveled from Phoenix with his owner, Roger Coors, to take part in the celebration.

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JinkoSolar Greening Up Haining China Facility

Posted on October 8, 2011 by quest

JinkoSolar a San Francisco 49ers sponsor today announced the completion of its phase I environment safety upgrade at its facility in Haining City west of Shanghai in the Zhejiang Province of China. Zhejiang Jinko Co., Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary of JinkoSolar, conducted a thorough investigation of its temporary waste storage unit adjacent to the manufacturing facility with an independent Chinese Environmental Agency as an immediate response to concerns after fluoride was discharged into a nearby waterway due to unforeseen extreme weather conditions. Fluoride is a highly water-soluble component and the small amount released from the Zhejiang site diluted within days. The Huffington Post reported in mid September,“Police detained at least 20 people after hundreds of villagers protested last week, some storming the factory compound and overturning vehicles. Authorities said the factory had failed to address earlier environmental complaints and that the protests followed mass fish deaths in late August due to runoff from heavy rains.“

“The company‘s management team has very high standards and remains strongly committed to corporate social responsibility,” said Arturo Herrero, Chief Marketing Officer of JinkoSolar. “JinkoSolar is dedicated to serving the local community through generous contributions to local primary schools in China and solar electrification projects in Sudan and Tanzania,” added Herrero.

JinkoSolar says it has taken necessary steps to establish appropriate protocols and prevention plans for extreme weather conditions and now imposes regulations that are stricter than the industry standard. Jinko is a member of the PV Cycle Association and a recipient of the Cleantech Driver Award from the Deutsche Cleantech Institut.

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Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Going Solar

Posted on October 7, 2011 by quest

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is preparing to take a huge step forward with renewable energy. Following a careful selection process to which a large number of regional and national companies responded with proposals, the Zoo has selected Third Sun Solar of Athens, Ohio to develop a solar energy system designed to meet the Zoo’s energy needs and serve their conservation-oriented mission. For more than a decade, the company has custom designed and installed over 300 solar energy systems for its commercial, institutional, government, and residential customers across the Midwest. In taking this step, the Zoo is launching their plan to host one of the largest non-profit solar energy systems in the nation—perhaps the largest solar zoo installation in the U.S.

“The Zoo is very excited about this solar array partnership and the multiple benefits its implementation will afford us over the upcoming years,” said Terri Kepes, Vice President of Planning and Design for the Columbus Zoo. “As a conservation organization with a Board-approved Environmental Sustainability policy, we recognize that this major alternate energy project will allow us to conserve natural resources, be fiscally responsible and educate our community.” The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to more than 9,000 animals representing 675 species and provides more than $1 million annually to support over 70 conservation projects worldwide. A recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium hosts more than two million visitors annually and was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating.

While the design and planning process has already begun, construction won’t occur until 2012. This high profile project will not only be an on-site power plant, but will serve as an important educational feature and a very visible icon of sustainability for the Zoo and its partners.

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California Colleges Flow With Renewable Energy

Posted on October 6, 2011 by quest

The University of Southern California announced today that a partnership led by Caltech, UCLA and USC have been selected to receive a $360,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a national business plan competition for young cleantech entrepreneurs. The winning proposal is one of six awarded regionally as part of a three-year, $2 million program, funded by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to develop competitions that inspire students to come up with innovative business plans involving clean-energy technology. Called First Look West (FLoW), the partnership will also include Chapman University, the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego, energy company OnGreen, Inc, and student leaders from campus groups, such as eClubs, Net Impact, Engineers for a Sustainable World and NOBE, the National Organization of Business and Engineering. FLoW builds on First Look LA, a program organized by Caltech, USC, and UCLA that showcases research and innovation to investors and has been successfully nurturing academic entrepreneurship in Southern California for five years.

The regional contests will be completed by May 1, 2012. Regional winners, selected by a panel of judges, will each receive $100,000 from the DOE and a chance to compete for a National Grand Prize in the final competition held at the DOE in Washington, D.C. in early summer 2012. The competition is part of Startup America, the Obama Administration’s campaign to inspire and promote entrepreneurship. The purpose of this national initiative is to provide student participants with the skills needed to start new businesses, and transform promising energy technologies into innovative energy products that will create jobs, boost American competitiveness, and strengthen the economy.

“Creating new industries in clean-energy technology is a necessity for Los Angeles and an opportunity that cannot be missed,” said Dean Yannis C. Yortsos of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. “In today’s global economy, which is based more than ever before on the creation of intellectual property, the Los Angeles area needs the entrepreneurship ethos and the intellectual capital and dynamism offered by our three partner institutions. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is very excited about engaging young engineers and entrepreneurs in this field and looks forward to the development of a flourishing innovation ecosystem in the area.”

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Electric Vehicles Driving Energy To The Grid

Posted on October 6, 2011 by quest

NRG Energy, Inc. is partnering with the University of Delaware to take electric vehicles (EVs) to the next level with eV2gsm, a company commercializing new technology that will enable EV owners to sell electric storage services from the batteries of parked EVs to help stabilize the electricity grid. Pioneered by UD professor Willett Kempton, this patented leading-edge vehicle-to-grid technology has garnered worldwide attention and holds promise to transform the future of the electricity supply. With investments in solar, wind and nuclear power, as well as electric vehicle infrastructure, NRG is working to help America transition to a clean energy economy.

“As more electric vehicles hit the road and charging stations—such as those provided by NRG’s eVgoSM network in Texas—continue to proliferate, EV-to-grid technology is the next logical step in the electrification of our transportation network,” said Denise Wilson, President of NRG’s Alternative Energy Services. It’s one more way EV owners can commit to a sustainable energy future and get paid for it at the same time.””Energy research, including grid-integrated vehicles, is an important priority for the University of Delaware,” said David Weir, Director of UD’s Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships, which oversees the University’s knowledge-based assets from licensing to commercialization. “The energy storage inherent in automobiles is staggering. If all the automobiles in the U.S. were electrified it would be enough to power the entire U.S. for half a day.”

Electric grid operators rely on resources that can help provide or absorb short bursts of energy to keep the grid running smoothly, and parked and plugged-in EVs are ideal for helping to fill that role. Balancing the grid this way generates no additional emissions and can lead to a decrease in electricity costs over the long term by delaying or supplanting the need to build new generation facilities. EVs—powered by electricity generated from cleaner domestic fuels—have the potential over time to reduce air emissions dramatically and begin to put the brakes on the ongoing transfer of American wealth to oil-producing nations. America spends approximately a billion dollars a day for imported oil and transportation accounts for more than a quarter of America’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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Outdoor Leader Patagonia Using Solar Energy

Posted on October 4, 2011 by quest

Today Patagonia, the outdoor apparel and gear company headquartered in Ventura California expanded its use of solar energy. Solforce, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based solar installer and Premier SunPower dealer, and SunPower Corp. completed the installation of a 27.6-kilowatt system. The new system uses SunPower solar panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market today, and is installed on the roof of Patagonia’s Firehouse, an energy-efficient, sustainably designed building the company constructed for administrative purposes. The system is expected to offset 50 percent of the building’s total energy use. Patagonia has had a 66-kilowatt solar parking canopy at its headquarters campus since 2005.

“Generating our own clean, renewable solar power supports Patagonia’s deep commitment to sustainability and reduces our operating expenses,” said Elissa Loughman of Patagonia. “Solforce was a great local partner that offered solar expertise, competitive pricing and excellent advice on further enhancing our energy efficiency. They recommended SunPower solar panels to maximize the amount of power generated on our roof over the long term.” Patagonia modeled the Firehouse building after a turn-of-the-century firehouse that stood in the same location. Staying as true to the original design as possible, the company incorporated modern sustainable building practices to reduce construction waste, employ sustainably sourced and recycled materials, and maximize energy efficiency.

Patagonia from Steffen Sailer on Vimeo.

“Patagonia has an unparalleled dedication to conservation and the environment,” said Abe Powell of Solforce. “The SunPower system we designed and built will reliably allow them to reduce their dependency on power from the utility grid for the next 25 years or more.” “SunPower guarantees the performance of its high efficiency panels, ensuring that customers such as Patagonia can meet their environmental and financial goals,” said Jim Pape, president of SunPower’s residential and commercial business group. “SunPower dealers are selected for their high standards of customer service and quality workmanship. We commend Solforce for exceeding expectations on the delivery of this important installation for Patagonia.”