SolarWorld Walks The Sustainability Talk

Posted on October 28, 2011 by quest

SolarWorld, the largest U.S. solar panel manufacturer, has been recognized by three independent rankings as the global renewable-energy industry’s leader in sustainable corporate management, environmentally sound manufacturing and transparent financial reporting.The 2011 annual report of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for Germany, released in Frankfurt in mid-October, positions SolarWorld as the “Sector Leader” among its renewable energy peers. The CDP is a cooperative endeavour by more than 551 institutional investors worldwide to improve corporate transparency on greenhouse gas emissions affecting the climate. To this end, participating companies voluntarily report their annual C02 emissions and their strategies and steps toward climate protection. SolarWorld was deemed to most fully disclose its data, placing the company at the top of the CDP’s ranking.

Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas said, “As a company, we believe it is not valid to claim to sell a green product if your own business and manufacturing practices are not equally sustainable. Sustainability – environmental, social and fiscal – is at the very core of who we are and what we do.” Earlier this year, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC), a watchdog group that has monitored the sustainability of the computer and solar industries, ranked SolarWorld first among world solar producers on a range of issues pivoting on sustainable performance. Among factors was the company’s voluntary compliance with reporting regimens encompassing a company’s entire impact, one of which is the U.N.-backed Global Reporting Initiative.

SolarWorld’s performance on the SVTC’s Solar Scorecard was the second year in a row in which the company ranked highest among producers of crystalline silicon solar technology on the only annual ranking of all solar companies on sustainable performance.For the high quality of its financial reporting, SolarWorld also received accolades in this year’s “Best Annual Reports” competition by Manager Magazine. With its integrated financial and sustainability reporting, which includes environmental and social key performance indicators, SolarWorld outpaced all other companies in the renewable-energy sector.

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U.S. And Chinese Solar Companies Square Off

Posted on October 23, 2011 by quest

Following is a statement by the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), led by SolarWorld Industries America Inc., the largest domestic crystalline silicon solar cell and panel producer. The statement responds to what CASM characterized as misleading and unfounded statements by China’s Ministry of Commerce regarding the antidumping and countervailing petitions filed by SolarWorld Industries America Inc. against China’s trade practices. The statement is authorized by coalition spokesman Gordon Brinser, who also is president of SolarWorld. “Finally, regarding environmental issues, China’s record is equally troubling. For example, only last month, China temporarily suspended the operations of Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. after hundreds of protesters, some of whom overturned vehicles and ransacked offices, complained about ‘toxic smokestack emissions,’ large fish kills, and an unusual number of cancer deaths.”

“The Chinese government’s claims that our actions are improper and protectionist, and that its illegal subsidies and massive dumping of solar product are helping the global economy and the environment, are absurd. China is one of the biggest trade protectionists in the world. In the solar industry, China is gutting manufacturing and jobs here in America and abroad while China’s solar industry pollutes its own people. The accusations have no basis in fact. “Regarding trade issues, the use of antidumping and countervailing duty laws is a WTO-legal and quasi-judicial process. The determinations that will be made by the U.S. government will be based on fact and reviewable under U.S. and WTO law. For China to label the actions of a U.S. industry ‘protectionist’ when China is seeking to defend itself against egregiously unfair trade practices is baseless. China is a heavy user of the antidumping and countervailing trade laws to ‘protect’ its own industries. It is no coincidence that China has been named in the most antidumping and countervailing duty cases from countries all around the world: It is the worst violator of global trade laws. “Regarding economic considerations,

Sky Power Brings Solar Energy To Electric Vehicles

Posted on October 17, 2011 by quest

Sky Power Solutions, an emerging leader in the development and marketing of next generation lithium-powered batteries worldwide, and a leading developer of residential Solar Power Generation system will present at Solar Power International in Dallas TX. Company representatives will be available to questions during the event. “We are excited to exhibit the Sky Power system at SPI. Taking about 1/3 the space of standard PV solar panels and the ability to derive heat from the unit makes it very efficient. In addition to the benefits of lower electric costs, the incentives being offered around the world reduces the users cost of the unit” says Rich Ralston, Public Relations and Media Manager for Sky Power Solutions.

The unique design of the Sky Power Solutions Residential system gives homeowners, for the first time, access to advanced concentrating PV (photovoltronic) technology combined with sun tracking while taking only about 1/3 the space compared to standard solar PV panels. Solar Power International (SPI) is North America’s largest, most comprehensive solar power trade show and conference. This annual, business-to-business event was the first of its kind in North America and grows bigger and better every year. Nearly 24,000 professionals from 125+ countries attend. With one out of five attendees coming from outside the United States, SPI is truly a global event. In 2011, over 1,100 companies from all vertical markets in the solar power spectrum will exhibit in a space of more than 1 million gross square feet.

The Sky Power Solutions residential solar power station will have the ability to reduce the average user’s monthly electric grid consumption by up to 30-40% with ZERO emissions and a ZERO carbon footprint; using only the power of the Sun. Visually appealing, the Sky Power Solutions system can easily be installed in most backyards taking less than one third of the space of conventional Solar panels. The entry level price point for a Sky Power Solutions-Concentrated Solar electric system is estimated to be $5,000 at release. Many financial incentives are available which reduces the user’s actual costs. Multiple units can be combined for increased capacity. Electric consumption in the United States is increasing at a rate that will outpace the anticipated expansion of the US Electric Grid’s capacity and Sky Power Solutions has identified this and is poised for expansion into the Residential Electric Power Generation market to allow end users to generate and return 30-40% of their electric usage back to the grid using “Net-Metering” and the Sky Power System.

Solar Energy Revolution Star Trek and The Wizard of Oz

Solar Energy Has Massive Potential In The Himalayas

Posted on October 12, 2011 by quest

Mention prime geography for generation of solar energy, and people tend to think of hot deserts. But a new study concludes that some of the world’s coldest landscapes — including the Himalaya Mountains, the Andes, and even Antarctica – could become Saudi Arabias of solar. The research appears in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Kotaro Kawajiri and colleagues explain that the potential for generating electricity with renewable solar energy depends heavily on geographic location. Arid and semi-arid areas with plenty of sunshine long have been recognized as good solar sites. However, the scientists point out that, as a result of the limited data available for critical weather-related conditions on a global scale, gaps still exist in knowledge about the best geographical locations for producing solar energy. To expand that knowledge, they used one established technique to estimate global solar energy potential using the data that are available. The technique takes into account the effects of temperature on the output of solar cells. Future work will consider other variables, such as transmission losses and snow fall.

The Himalaya

As expected, they found that many hot regions such as the U.S. desert southwest are ideal locations for solar arrays. However, they also found that many cold regions at high elevations receive a lot of sunlight — so much so that their potential for producing power from the sun is even higher than in some desert areas. Kawajiri and colleagues found, for instance, that the Himalayas, which include Mt. Everest, could be an ideal locale for solar fields that generate electricity for the fast-expanding economy of the People’s Republic of China.

Green Economy Losing Steam?! I’m Seeing Red!

Boeing Delivers 787 Dreamliner: Solar To Be Key In Manufacturing

Posted on September 27, 2011 by quest

Boeing celebrated the delivery of the first 787 Dreamliner today to launch customer ANA during a ceremony adjacent to the factory where the airplane was assembled. More than 500 employees representing the 787 program walked alongside the all-new jetliner to present it to ANA executives as a crowd of thousands looked on. “We are delighted to be taking delivery finally of our first 787. ANA is extremely proud to be the launch customer for the Dreamliner and to have helped Boeing so closely in the development of this state-of-the-art aircraft,” said Shinichiro Ito, president and CEO of ANA. “The Dreamliner will enable us to offer unrivalled standards of service and comfort to our passengers and will play a key part in ANA’s plans for international expansion.

Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. In addition to providing airlines with unprecedented fuel economy and low operating costs, the 787 features a host of new technologies that greatly enhance the passenger experience. During the ceremony, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh presented a ceremonial key to Shinichiro Ito, president and CEO of ANA.”It’s not often that we have the chance to make history, do something big and bold that will change the world in untold ways and endure long after we are gone,” said Albaugh. “That’s what the 787 Dreamliner is and what ANA and Boeing have done together – build what truly is the first new airplane of the 21st century.”

Boeing’s North Charleston in South Carolina will manufacture the 787 Dreamliners using thin-film solar laminate panels owned, installed and maintained by SCE&G on the new Boeing 787 Final Assembly building roof. This solar installation will provide up to 2.6 megawatts of electrical power for the site, enough to power approximately 250 homes. The installation will be the largest in the Southeast by production capacity, and the sixth largest in the U.S. “Today we celebrate a significant moment in the history of flight,” said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO. “The 787 Dreamliner is the biggest innovation in commercial aviation since the Boeing 707 introduced the world to passenger jet travel more than 50 years ago.

Google Does Solar

Solar Solutions In Effect Where The Buffalo Roam

Posted on September 24, 2011 by quest

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the Silver State North Solar Project, a renewable energy project under construction on U.S. public lands in southern Nevada. With an estimated completion date in December, First Solar Inc.’s 50-megawatt facility would be the first large-scale solar project on public lands to contribute power to the grid. “Our nation’s clean energy future is happening right now,” said Secretary Salazar, who approved the project for construction on public lands last October. “We are harnessing a vast, renewable energy source here in our own backyard with American know-how, equipment and workers. This is a model of industry and government working together to strengthen local economies by generating good jobs and reliable power as we strive to become energy independent.” The Silver State North Solar Project is one of several projects Interior has approved as part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to encourage a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of renewable energy on public lands.

During the visit, Salazar met with First Solar officials, as well as representatives from NV Energy, which has contracted to purchase the project’s energy output. Salazar toured the construction site where approximately 200 workers are currently on the job installing photovoltaic panels. First Solar is estimated to create 300 full-time jobs over the course of construction. Located in the Ivanpah Valley, 40 miles south of Las Vegas, Silver State North was the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar project approved on U.S. public lands in Nevada. The 50-megawatt plant is being built on 618 acres near the town of Primm. When operational, the facility will generate enough energy to power 9,000-15,000 local homes.

In the past 18 months, Interior has approved 20 major renewable energy projects, including 13 commercial-scale solar energy facilities that combined will create about 8,600 construction and operational jobs and produce nearly 5,000 megawatts of energy, enough to power approximately 1.5 million American homes.First Solar has several other solar projects under development in Nevada and expects to invest more than $300 million into the state’s economy through wages, development costs, material purchases and taxes. A leading manufacturer of photovoltaic solar modules, the company is creating more than 6,500 jobs nationwide, including through its R&D and manufacturing facility in Ohio and another factory under construction in Arizona.