Maui Welcomes The Power Of Solar

Posted on December 15, 2011 by quest

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center and SolarCity celebrated the installation of a large solar project to provide renewable power on-site at the Center. The 463-kilowatt system, with close to 2,000 panels, is one of the largest to date on Maui. Maui Arts & Cultural Center President and CEO Art Vento said, “We are proud to have this large scale solar installation at the MACC. As a non-profit it is essential to find ways to reduce overhead in order to maintain our ability to provide the maximum products and services delivered to the community. This installation will meaningfully reduce our energy costs, and contribute to a more sustainable environment by significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” said MACC President and CEO Art Vento.

SolarCity’s photovoltaic installation is a component of the MACC’s overall environmental plan. Initiated five years ago, the MACC’s plan targeted reduced energy consumption and upgrades to higher-efficiency equipment, as well as integration of biodegradable products and an integrated recycling plan.As part of the power purchase agreement, SolarCity installed the system at no cost to MACC, and MACC will pay for the solar power the panels produce at a rate lower than they currently pay for electricity. The project for MACC is one of the first major commercial projects completed by SolarCity in the state of Hawai’i. The construction of the project was completed in partnership with Honolulu Builders, LLC, and is being interconnected to the utility grid by Maui Electric Company Ltd.

“We’re honored to be able to provide an organization that serves Hawai’i like MACC with a green energy solution and look forward to additional opportunities to spread economical solar powered energy to other non-profits across the state,” said Pete Cooper, SolarCity’s regional director in Hawai’i.“A dedication ceremony on December 14, 2011 included a traditional Hawaiian blessing and remarks by Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, and representatives from the project partners.

SunPower Shines On Solar Impulse

Vertical Farming A Population Solution

Spray On Solar Windows Generating Energy

Posted on December 14, 2011 by quest

New Energy Technologies, recently announced that researchers developing SolarWindow, capable of generating electricity on see-through glass, have successfully fabricated its latest working window prototype using a faster, rapid scale-up process for applying solution-based coatings. The prospect of rapidly scaling up the size of SolarWindow while applying electricity-generating coatings onto glass at faster speeds, are important technical advancements in New Energy’s drive to aggressively advance the world’s first-of-its-kind technology towards commercial launch. Among other commercial considerations, researchers developing New Energy’s SolarWindow have been vigilant in their efforts to improve transparency and keep manufacturing costs low. For example, last year, scientists undertaking advanced SolarWindow research achieved the ability to ‘spray’ the Company’s electricity-generating coatings onto glass also, at room temperature and pressure.

John A. Conklin, President and CEO of New Energy Technologies, Inc said,“Today’s faster and improved scale-up application breakthrough marks a significant leap forward in our SolarWindow evolution from advanced research towards commercial product development.Importantly, this new and improved processing method still allows for the application of our novel electricity-generating coatings to be applied at room temperature and pressure. We’re not at the mercy of cumbersome and expensive temperature and pressure sensitive systems often utilized in the manufacture of conventional and thin-film solar photovoltaic products.”The new solution-coating method announced today provides an alternative to spray and allows for rapid scale-up to larger glass surface areas. This improved process also generally provides for more uniform application of SolarWindow electricity-generating coatings than conventional methods.

New Energy Technologies, Inc., together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a developer of next generation alternative and renewable energy technologies. Among the Company’s technologies under development are MotionPower roadway systems for generating electricity by capturing the kinetic energy produced by moving vehicles.

First Zero Net Solar Energy Classrooms Now In LA

A Look Into Our Climate: Past To Present To Future -Video

SunPower Shines On Solar Impulse

Posted on December 7, 2011 by quest

One has to wonder how the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart would feel to see solar power aviation begin to take flight. Today San Francisco Bay Area solar manufacturer SunPower announced it is providing solar cells to the Solar Impulse project. Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the first aircraft that can fly day and night without fuel or polluting emissions. In July 2010 Solar Impulse was launched by Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. The flight demonstrated the enormous potential of new technologies for saving energy and renewable forms of energy. The lessons learned from this first prototype are now being incorporated into the development of a second airplane, HB-SIB, which will attempt to fly round the world starting in 2014.The Solar Impulse team has produced a prototype (HB-SIA) solar airplane that, for the first time in aviation history, succeeded in flying for 26 consecutive hours powered only by solar energy. A second solar airplane (HB-SIB) is currently under construction with plans to circumnavigate the globe in 2014. Both planes are powered by SunPower’s high-efficiency solar cells. “We are pleased to partner with SunPower, a leader in designing and delivering high-efficiency solar technologies. SunPower’s solar cells are optimum for this project, as they offer the performance and low-weight that is needed for our revolutionary solar airplanes,” said Andre Borschberg, Solar Impulse co-founder and CEO.

PLANET SOLAR

SunPower is also a sponsor of Planet Solar to power the world’s largest solar catamaran that is currently on an around-the-world tour, arriving at most destinations ahead of schedule, weather permitting. Since 2005, SunPower has supported university students with high-efficiency SunPower solar systems for their solar home entries in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. And in 2009, the company also supported students with their entries in the first Solar Decathlon Europe.

Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO said, “SunPower is pleased to be involved with such an ambitious project as the Solar Impulse airplane as it prepares for its record-setting, around-the-world flight.” As a vertically integrated company, SunPower not only powers distinctive projects such as Solar Impulse, but our high-efficiency, high-reliability solar panels are chosen by residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers worldwide. We are confident that our experience in developing our industry-leading technology with guaranteed performance will help the Solar Impulse airplane to successfully achieve its goal to circumnavigate the globe.”

It’s time to meet 21st century rail

New MegaWatts Of Solar Power Heading South

Posted on December 6, 2011 by quest

Ikea is ahead of the curve in incorporating renewable energy into its growth plans. The Swedish based company has a business philosophy based on minimizing negative impacts on the environment. It was only last month that Ikea began installing electric vehicle charging stations in Southern California and seven other Western US states. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations 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. IKEA a world leader in home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to install solar energy panels on ten additional United States locations – its entire presence in the Southern U.S. Pending governmental permits, installation can begin this winter, with completion expected in Summer 2012. Collectively, the nine stores and one distribution center will total 10.7 Megawatts of solar generating capacity, nearly 45,360 panels, and a projected annual electricity output of 15,248,334 kilowatt hours.

Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president said, “This investment extends our solar presence to the Southern U.S., further reducing our carbon footprint and the intensity of the electrical grid. IKEA believes we can be a good business while doing good business. The company has a long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology.” IKEA will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – now including its three Texas stores (Frisco, Houston and Round Rock), three Florida stores (Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa), three other stores (Atlanta and Charlotte, and in Woodbridge, VA), and the IKEA Distribution Center in Savannah, GA as listed below with approximate system statistics and corresponding clean energy equivalents.

IKEA already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 11 more underway. Adding solar to ten more locations increases the company’s solar presence to 75% of its U.S. locations and a total solar generating capacity of approximately 26.8 MW. For the six Florida and Texas stores, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, one of the largest U.S. solar electric providers, with more than 7,000 systems built nationwide. For the four other locations, IKEA contracted with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., part of Gehrlicher AG, one of the world’s ten largest independent PV project developers and system integrators.

Higher Education Leading On Climate Change

Solar City Returns Solar Strong

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.

The father of vertical farming

Solar Powers Mongolians: Cyclists & Education

Posted on November 30, 2011 by quest

Kyocera Corporation received Japan’s 2011 Minister of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming in recognition of the comprehensive environmental activities undertaken with the community by the company’s Shiga Gamo & Shiga Yohkaichi manufacturing plants. This is the second year running that Kyocera has been a recipient, following last year’s award in the technology development. product category for its high-output multicrystalline solar module for industrial and commercial applications. In the summer of 2010 Kyocera 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 went 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 in harsh weather conditions.

Mongolians Up In The House

For this year’s award, Kyocera was recognized for the comprehensive work done by its two Shiga-based facilities to help combat climate change — including work done with the local community and government, and its implementation of solar energy applications. Specific programs were, Development and sales of the “Solar Cycle Station, Operation of environmental education facilities and Providing “Eco-Lessons” at local schools. The Minister of the Environment Award for the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming was established in 1998 by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. The award is given every year in December to coincide with Global Warming Prevention Month, and is presented to individuals and groups that have shown remarkable achievements in the prevention of global warming.

Kyocera began manufacturing solar modules in San Diego in the U.S in 2010. The company’s initial production target is 30 megawatts per year; to begin with the line will include solar modules ranging from 210 watts to the company’s latest 235-watt modules. Kyocera stated that it developed the line in order to meet “the U.S. market’s growing demand for clean, sustainable solar electric generating systems.” In October of 2011 Kyocera Solar and the Associated Students of San Diego State University announced the completion of a 355.9 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic energy system on the school’s campus, part of a student-approved plan to build a new LEED Platinum student union building.