IKEA Charging Up EV’s In Southern California

Posted on November 11, 2011 by quest

IKEA-USA a leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in four Blink Pedestal electric vehicle charging stations at its Carson, California store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, Inc., a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. This initiative represents the second such project for IKEA in the United States. Installation also is planned at seven other IKEA stores in the Western U.S. To charge an EV at IKEA Carson, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, swipe their Blink InCard (RFID card), plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging.

Maike Buhmann, IKEA Carson store manager said, “We are thrilled at how these electric-vehicle charging stations further the sustainability of IKEA Carson, and now are available to the public.” “We appreciate the support of ECOtality and Southern California Edison – our partners in helping facilitate and promote the use of EVs in Southern California.”ECOtality is the project manager of The EV Project, a public-private partnership funded in part by a federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of EVs. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. The company is the process of installing solar panels atop more than half of its U.S. locations. In addition their sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.

The Challenging World Solar Challenge Race

Chevy Volt Tested After Fire

Solar Power Wars

Posted on November 10, 2011 by quest

Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld and a leader for the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) said.“We are pleased that the facts have begun to speak for themselves. China’s plans for the U.S. market have been clear from its excessive and illegal subsidization of its export-heavy industry, its ever-escalating drive to dump product at artificially low prices on the U.S. marketplace and its contrived public-affairs tactics, including a new coalition for Chinese importers that purports to serve the interests of American consumers.” His comments came in response to the U.S. Department of Commerce‘s decision to initiate an intensive, year-long investigation into Chinese solar export practices. “The anti-competitive tactics of Chinese exporters have threatened to wipe out U.S. producers and jobs,” Brinser said. “Domestic producers look forward to returning to steady increases in efficiency and sustainable decreases in pricing that directly result from legal international competition – and to advances in America’s renewable-energy future.”

A recently published survey by the Solar Energy Industries Association is clear that the U.S. public cares deeply about the vitality of domestic manufacturing as it stands in China’s crosshairs. The survey shows overwhelming bipartisan support – 82 percent – for U.S. solar manufacturing. Chinese companies have almost no production on U.S. soil. CASM alleges that China’s state-sponsored industry has mounted an onslaught of dumping that has included a surge of imports in recent months. Chinese exports into the United States in July alone exceeded those of all of 2010, according to federal trade data. To counter this alleged surge ahead of the U.S. investigation, the SolarWorld-led coalition is seeking a federal determination of “critical circumstances,” requiring that any import duties required to offset alleged improper trade tactics be applied retroactively for three months.

In discussing China’s market share accomplishments Jifin Gao, President of China based Trina Solar said he, “attributed that success to better operational management that creates a “huge cost advantage” to competitors from Japan, Europe or the U.S., he said. “We have a faster reaction to the market because it’s being managed properly. This gives us a competitive advantage.”Assuming the International Trade Commission finds on Dec. 5 that Chinese exports have harmed the domestic industry, the first possible determination on “critical circumstances” could come as soon as Jan. 12, meaning importers of record could later be required to deposit estimated duties on imports back to this past Oct. 14, according to CASM.

Solar Powered Education On the Move In South Africa

The Challenging World Solar Challenge Race

Posted on November 6, 2011 by quest

The results of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge, a prestigious international racing event that attracts the world’s best technical universities and colleges has been announced. Race officials reported,” As was stated at the awards ceremony, the near perfect weather experienced in the past three or four events lulled many experienced Solar Challengers into a false sense of security. This time there were those who were able to take on a few hours unexpected static charge while waiting for bushfire ravished roads to reopen. Others struggled under the thousands of square kilometres of smoke haze which drifted across the continent, often thick enough to blot out the sun altogether.” As reported here three US teams UC Berkeley, Stanford and the University of Michigan were strong contenders going into the World Solar Challenge. The competition aims to help discover new automotive technologies that rely on the power of the sun by engaging student teams to develop electric vehicles for a week-long, 1,877 mile vehicle endurance test across the Australian Outback from Darwin to Adelaide. In first place was Tokai University – Japan. Second place was Nuon Solar Team – The Netherlands. In third place was the University of Michigan – United States.

Teams not able to maintain a reasonable minimum speed are invited to maximise their experience in the event by running their solarcar for a few hours each day before moving their car forward in their truck or on their trailer. The rules surrounding this exercise allow a great deal of flexibility in their application to enable the particular circumstances and the conditions to be taken into consideration. The finalisation of the results was delayed mostly by the contention of one team who, so desperate to show their sponsors a clean finish, demanded recognition of a place the number of irregularities involved denied them.

A small number of teams questioned the number of solar kilometres attributed to them so the decision was taken to audit all the log books where these are recorded in the team log by the Observer (which the team manager should sign at the end of each day) and transmitted to Mission Control for incorporation into the overall results. Interesting errors such as trailered Km being substituted for Solar Km, and solar credits being given to Control Points instead of actual distance covered were discovered and the complications of this event outlined earlier led to some interesting arithmetic from some Observers! Some gained from the exercise, others not. The figures have now been checked and cross checked with the result that we are now able to verify the Official Record and present the final results.

Eco Fashion…Where does it come from?

Thousands Gather Outside White House Against Pipeline

Solar Powered Education On the Move In South Africa

Posted on November 6, 2011 by quest

Samsung recently unveiled its first Solar Powered Internet School in South Africa to help students in their studies without having to worry about electricity or Internet connectivity. The environmentally-friendly, transportable classroom is a perfect fit for Africa as it addresses one of the region’s biggest challenges – providing stable supply of electricity in rural areas.Despite differing views on the industry’s outlook, Samsung continues to believe solar energy can always be put to good use – not just generating electricity for residential or commercial utilization, but also for something really meaningful that can positively impact people’s lives.

A prime example of this is the use of solar power in education. Of course, solar-powered calculators, notebooks or other educational resources all contribute to improving the learning environment for young students. But what about an entire school or classroom that’s powered by solar energy? The 12-meter renovated container has solar panels installed on the roof that can generate nine hours of electricity a day, powering the electronic equipments inside the classroom. The classroom is equipped with a 50-inch electronic board, Internet-enabled solar-powered notebooks, Samsung’s Galaxy tablet computers as well as Wi-Fi cameras – all of which help enrich the learning experience. Up to 21 students can use the classroom, and the entire curriculums until grade 12 are stored in a central computer server enabling two-way learning by connecting to the Internet. The school can also be moved easily with a truck so that students in even the remotest of areas can continue their education.

The Solar Powered Internet School is just one of Samsung’s efforts to contribute to the local community with its innovative technologies and plans to expand these schools to other regions throughout Africa. Samsung last year identified solar as one of its new growth businesses, aiming to invest 6 trillion won ($5.4 billion) until 2020 to generate 10 trillion won in annual revenue by that year. Samsung SDI Co., which makes rechargeable batteries for mobile devices, is responsible for their solar business, currently has a capacity to produce 150 megawatts, with plans to increase production to 3 gigawatts by 2015.

Recycling for elegant floors

Solar Green Careers Occupy The Future of Cali Biz

Posted on November 3, 2011 by quest

According to nonprofit organization the Solar Foundation, over 93,000 workers spent more than 50% of their time on solar-related projects in August of 2010 alone. In California, the increasing demand for solar panel technicians is even more evident; the sun-soaked state maintains the single largest solar power capacity in the United States (as of 2009, 1101 megawatts). Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. This is indisputably a growth industry.

As a leading vocational schools in Los Angeles the Coast Career Institute, offers vital training for solar panel installation, an industry on the rise as America invest more in alternative energy sources. If you are looking for a trade school in Los Angeles that provides cutting-edge training that will prepare you for the burgeoning green revolution, you may not have to look no further than the Coast Career Institute, a career college in Los Angeles (and Colton) that has a solid track record of placing graduates in secure, well-paid jobs.

California Leading America In Solar Technology

In addition to its track record of placing graduates, Coast Career Institute provides a comprehensive, in-depth training for innovative fields like solar panel installation. So it’s no wonder many people are eager to find a career college in Los Angeles that can give them the skills and experience they need to get in on the ground floor of this exciting new frontier. In business since 1969 he Coast Career Institute has added new training programs to its curriculum to stay at the leading edge of changes in the job market. In May of 2010, the Coast Career Institute began its rigorous and comprehensive training program for solar installer jobs. From the very beginning, this program was an obvious favorite.

Tesla Founder Named Innovator of the Year by WSJ

Trina Solar Opens Headquarters in Singapore

Posted on November 2, 2011 by quest

Trina Solar, a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products announced today the establishment of its Asia Pacific operating headquarters in Singapore.The new Asia Pacific headquarters are expected to provide management functions covering administration, sales, project development, R&D, logistics and purchasing operations to further strengthen Trina Solar’s growing presence and customer base in the region. The new administrative region is expected to include Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, as well as Korea and will extend to the Middle East and South Africa.

Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar, commented, “Singapore’s excellent investment environment, combined with its skilled talent base and strong logistics infrastructure, makes it a strategically advantageous location for Trina Solar to establish our regional headquarters. Our new Singapore headquarters complements our recent Asia Pacific expansion into Japan, Australia and Korea, while opening up emerging PV markets such as Thailand and India. We are confident that these headquarters will serve as an ideal gateway to markets throughout the region for Trina Solar.” Gao has also recently responded to US solar panel makers claims that Chinese solar companies were dumping solar panels in the US. Reporting in Bloomberg Gao said,

“Chinese solar-panel makers borrow”

Dr. Haiyan Sun, Head of the Asia Pacific Headquarters added, “We believe that Trina Solar can help Singapore become more integrated with the emerging PV markets such as Japan, Thailand and India, which will help boost regional development. Trina Solar is highly optimistic about the Asia Pacific market and we believe that our new Singapore headquarters is expected to generate a growing portion of the company’s global sales over the next several years.”Dr. Sun added, “We are delighted by the opportunity to elevate our regional R&D strengths through Singapore’s strong local talent pool, and to develop strategic cooperative alliances with local research institutes and universities.”