A Green Agenda Mr. President

Posted on January 24, 2012 by quest

By Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins: Tonight, President Obama presents his State of the Union address. He’s expected to present a forceful vision for 2012.The problem, of course, is that we need to be building an American economy today that will position us for the next hundred years, not just the next one. There’s a clear path to doing so, but political obstacles will make it difficult.
So today Green For All is announcing a “Plan To Keep America First,” a four-step outline of how the President can ensure that our nation remains strong and competitive well into the next century, while putting Americans back to work now:
1.   Recognize long-term growth opportunities. Specifically, the on-going growth of renewable energy, green jobs, and pollution controls
2.   Make direct entrepreneurial investments in green technology. Leverage the government’s resources to support the clean energy economy and ensure a robust return on its investment.
3.   Make direct investments in infrastructure – with an eye toward the future. Build infrastructure now that considers long-term sustainability and energy use trends.
4.   Use full power of the executive branch. It’s vital that the private sector work with President Obama to figure out creative ways to make progress.

The plan is ambitious and not politically easy. That’s where you come in. Take a few minutes to read the plan. Then, contact your member of Congress using our online tools. Let the President and your member of Congress know that you support Green For All’s bold, forward-looking agenda for America.We’ve seen repeatedly over the last few months the power of speaking out, both on Wall Street and online. It’s time for us to step up once again and demand the jobs that will keep America first.

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Patrick Dempsey Trina Solar Light Me Up Supporter

Posted on December 20, 2011 by quest

Trina Solar Limited a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules was joined by actor and race car driver Patrick Dempsey to announce the launch of “Plug me in, Light me up” video. The video discusses solar power and the difference solar panels can make to communities off the traditional energy grid and the human significance of the solar industry’s technological advances.

The actor discusses the real power of solar energy to help people and the solar industry’s ability to provide products to meet their needs. While Dempsey is not a company spokesman his participation was motivated by a personal interest in solar power as an energy solution; an interest which he plans to action by installing solar panels at his home in Southern California.

Solar photovoltaics present an affordable, reliable and clean way to generate much-needed electricity for communities off the traditional energy grid and to supplement existing, more expensive electricity generation for those on the grid. As the industry continues to make great progress in improving product efficiencies and lowering the cost of solar energy, we hope that the solar industry will play a leading role in bringing energy independence to empower individuals and their communities. The video introduces viewers to Trina Solar’s philanthropic efforts in bringing energy independence to a Mexican home for orphaned children, an African hospital, and an American camp for children with special medical needs.

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Beyond Solar Lighting Up The Developing World

Posted on December 19, 2011 by quest

The United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the Global Economic Symposium and others have all issued reports supporting – A rural family in Africa burns around 60 liters of kerosene a year to light their home. The average kerosene lamp in Africa spews a ton of CO2 in less than 10 years. Solar lighting can replace kerosene and wood, and improve the health of the people and the environment. Last year QuestPoint interviewed Jeff Olshesky, a cofounder of Beyond Solar a US based organization whose mission is to improve the educational, medical, and economic well being of individuals and communities in the developing world by providing solar powered electricity. He and co founder Trevor Knauf had just completed a project with D. Light Design, a solar lantern manufacturer in New Delhi with distribution capabilities throughout India, and South Orissa Voluntary Action, a registered non-government organization in the Indian state of Orissa.

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I recently spoke with Jeff Olshesky of Beyond Solar who completed its third project providing solar power in the eastern province of Zambia. Beyond Solar partnered with Dwankhozi Hope, to provide solar powered lighting in three separate rooms in a primary school. Their earlier projects involved the distribution of pre-assembled solar powered lanterns to hundreds of families in multiple villages, while utilizing a hybrid micro-finance model that required the beneficiaries to pay for a portion the products they received. In Zambia, they installed solar panels on the roof of a school building to power lights and three laptop computers. Financing was provided in a joint effort by Beyond Solar and Dwankhozi Hope. While the planning of this project began months in advance, the actual time required to complete the project, after arriving in Zambia, was five days. Jeff said while the benefits to the school is fairly apparent…the real reward is to me and the deep feeling I get from making a real difference in the world. They are in the midst of planning the next project in Zambia One potential project would be to install a small, roof-mounted solar lighting system in each of the neighboring villages. This would provide a “study room” for the students whose distant proximity from the central school prevents them from returning to the school in the evening. Another potential project that would bring income to the area would be a solar-powered water pump that could irrigate a cash crop such as cotton. These and many other potential projects would greatly improve the quality of life for the members of the Dwankhozi School District. The challenges to execute them will be difficult but equally rewarding as well.

A Green Door

Meanwhile, Empowered by Light a west coast non profit partnered with Lemnis who has supplied more than a thousand Pharox Solar Kits to schools in rural villages also in Zambia. Through its Solar: Zambia project, Empowered by Light hopes to donate a total of 5,000 solar-powered lights to communities in the rural parts of the country. Providing inexpensive electric lighting encourages nighttime activities such as studying and reading and can displace open-flame kerosene lamps and candles, saving money and eliminating the hazards of fire, burn and respiratory disease. “Our hope is that the educational benefits of our project will ultimately gain the attention of elected officials and encourage them to provide the same service to their own people,” said Marco Krapels, Co-Founder of Empowered by Light.

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U.S. Postmaster Makes Case For Going Green

Posted on December 11, 2011 by quest

Speaking at the COP 17 climate conference last week in Durban, South Africa, U.S. Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe heralded the U.S. Postal Service‘s sustainability successes, making the business case to go green.”Leaner, greener, faster and smarter is our sustainability call to action,” said Donahoe. “It’s environmentally responsible, as well as a very good business decision.”The Postal Service’s vision is to be a sustainability leader by creating a culture of conservation throughout the Postal Service and leading the adoption of sustainable business practices by employees, customers, suppliers, the mailing industry and U.S. federal government peers.

While the US Postal Service is facing some major budgetary challenges before Congress and is in the midst of the busy holiday season, Donahoe talked about the Postal Service’s 400 Lean Green Teams, comprised of cross-functional postal employees who collaborate to identify and implement low- and no-cost ways to conserve natural resources, purchase fewer consumable products and reduce costs.”Lean Green Teams have helped the Postal Service reduce energy, water and petroleum-fuel use, and solid waste to landfills, helping the Postal Service save more than $5 million in fiscal year 2010. Lean Green Teams also helped recycle more than 222,000 tons of material — an increase of nearly 8,000 tons over the prior year — which generated $13 million in revenue and saved more than $9 million in landfill fees,” said Donahoe. “This is a powerful story and makes the business case for sustainability.”Among other things the Postal Service works to achieve aggressive sustainability performance goals such as reducing facility and vehicle petroleum use.

With 32,000 retail locations the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 29th in the 2010 Fortune 500. Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business magazines ranked the Postal Service as a leader in workforce diversity. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency six consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.

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First Zero Net Solar Energy Classrooms Now In LA

Posted on December 5, 2011 by quest

Constructed entirely from recycled materials and powered by roof-mounted solar panels, Brentwood School‘s newest classrooms will generate enough energy every year to cover 100% of their electricity usage, making them Los Angeles’ first Zero Net Energy classrooms on a school campus. Because the solar panels are shipped in place, the classrooms will begin generating energy the same day they’re installed. Gen7′s proprietary energy management system will monitor each classroom to ensure performance over time. Four Gen7 green modular classrooms are, making renewable energy a reality for the sustainability-conscious K-12 independent school. Designed to pursue LEED Gold certification, the state-of-the-art classrooms will provide a new wing of permanent, high-performance learning space expected to deliver 70% in energy savings for the school.

Brentwood School‘s Head of School Dr. Mike Riera said, “True to our mission of embracing high standards of character, commitment, and achievement, with Gen7 we set a new standard for ourselves in terms of environmental responsibility and the use of learning space as teaching tool,” Brentwood School’s Parents Association hosted a pancake breakfast for Middle and Upper Division students, allowing them to watch and learn as their new classrooms are installed. Gen7 classrooms are designed for both health and comfort, making them the ideal learning environment. Each Zero Net Energy classroom is also a hands-on teaching tool, equipped with its own interactive SMART board. An Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard is being developed that displays the building’s performance data and demonstrates sustainable initiatives, such as energy production and consumption, LEED scorecard, green features and student tutorials.

Gen7′s energy efficiency combines renewable energy with features that reduce the need for electricity. Each Gen7 Zero Net Energy classroom includes an ultra-tight, high R-value building envelope, high-efficiency mechanical system, smart lighting system with the latest LED technology, large low-E view windows and skylights, light and occupancy sensors along with a dedicated outdoor ventilation system.

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Electric Vehicles Hitting The Road In South Africa

Posted on November 25, 2011 by quest

South Africa has been responding to the need for clean energy. Recently a mobile solar school was introduced. Now for the first time ever, a fleet of mass-produced, zero-emission vehicles will take to the streets of Africa. A dozen electric cars from the Renault-Nissan Alliance will highlight the benefits of green transportation and will provide zero-emission* shuttle services for delegates at the 2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, Nov. 28-Dec. 9. The 17th annual Conference of Parties (better known as COP17) aims to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.”

Nissan has already sold more than 20,000 LEAFs on three continents, making it the most popular EV in the world. Renault just began selling Kangoo Z.E., a light commercial vehicle. The Fluence Z.E. family sedan will go on sale shortly followed by Twizy, an urban 2-seater, and ZOE, a compact hatchback, next year. Electric vehicles, which can be charged from purely renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, will play a critical role in achieving COP17‘s goals and reducing the impact of climate change.

Solar technology is particularly useful throughout the African continent both in urban and rural areas. In September The SunPower Foundation, announced the donation of high efficiency SunPower photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to Greenpeace Africa. The panels were installed by 30 local youth during a two week solar training course in Durban, South Africa, led by Greenpeace. Students learned more about solar PV and other renewable energy technologies as well as completed course modules covering social entrepreneurship and Greenpeace’s Energy (R)evolution report. The Greenpeace Africa solar powered headquarters will be showcased at the upcoming UN climate talks in Durban.