Solar Icon Eicke Weber Envisions Worldwide Solar Power Network

Posted on July 13, 2011 by quest

Eicke Weber German physicist, former UC Berkeley professor and Head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems of Freiburg was among high profile “A” listers, green leaders and attendees who opened this year’s Intersolar Show in San Francisco. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Ramamoorthy Ramesh of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative and Solar Energy Technologies Program, Katherina Reiche of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and Mignon Marks, Executive Director of California Solar Energy Industries Association kicked off this year’s session among the realities that the solar industry is now the fastest growing industry in the US.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee underscored San Francisco’s commitment to the solar industry and environmental leadership noting that San Francisco is home to over 30 solar companies and was recently named North America’s “greenest city” by a unique study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and commissioned by Siemens, which assesses and compares 27 major U.S. and Canadian cities on environmental performance and policies across nine categories – CO2 emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air quality and environmental governance. The conference which opened yesterday will attract 22,000 visitors representing 62 countries and 800 exhibitors are from 30 countries.

Katherina Reiche spoke of a need for a Trans Atlantic Dialog of ideas between between Germany and the US in order to create a low carbon society. Ramamoorthy Ramesh from SunShot Initiative outlined the DOE’s strategies to increase effeiciencies and manufacturing throughout the solar industry, as California Solar Energy Industries Association’s Executive Director, Mignon Marks called on attendies to join the organization and take advantage of the organization’s resources and services.

Eicke Weber closed out the morning session predicting that the solar industry will grow to be a $100 billion market by 2020. Professor Weber envisions a worldwide solar powered network capable of distributing solar power across vast distances similar to the Desertec Project already underway in northern Africa. Intersolar runs until July 14th, 2011.

DESERTEC

EcoPlusHome Solar Powered Emission Free

Posted on July 8, 2011 by quest

Can a family of six live their everyday life without dependence on fossil fuels for an entire year? By integrating its leading efficient geothermal, solar and home appliance technologies, Bosch helped Canada’s EcoPlusHome demonstrate that today’s modern family can live a net zero existence without compromising comfort or cost. Through the use of both passive and active eco-friendly efforts, the 285-square-meter (3,067-square-foot) home in Bathurst, New Brunswick provided comfortable and affordable living year-round. In order to prove that an average consumer’s home can achieve net zero status at a reasonable price of about $275,000 USD, Bosch designed the EcoPlusHome in partnership with Tight Lines Productions, Maple Leaf Homes and local partners in New Brunswick, Canada. Between December 2009 and December 2010, a family of six – while living in the EcoPlusHome consumed approximately 14,000 kilowatt hours (kwh). At the same time, the home generated roughly 15,000 kwh – more electricity than it consumed. Reducing reliance on fossil fuel, EcoPlusHome emitted few emissions and helped promote a healthier living space and cleaner air.

“By providing a highly efficient geothermal heat pump, solar thermal system, photovoltaic panels and home appliances for the EcoPlusHome, we have demonstrated that climate protection pays off and that net zero living can be achieved comfortably and affordably,” said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the Bosch Board of Management. “As a leading technology company, Bosch is committed to supplying innovative solutions that help conserve resources and protect the environment.”To generate the needed electricity to run home appliances, to power lights and other plug-in units, Bosch Solar Energy supplied 52 mono-crystalline photovoltaic solar modules for the EcoPlusHome, providing high yields even when the intensity of solar radiation is minimal. Bosch offers high-grade photovoltaic products to generate electricity from sunlight, which protects the environment and combat climate change. In addition, Bosch Siemens Home Appliances supplied the home with its ENERGY STAR Home Appliances, including a washer and dryer, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and even a coffee maker, which are all highly efficient and reduce water and energy consumption significantly. Known for raising standards in appliance efficiency and quietness, Bosch is the only U.S. appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration.

Earlier this month, EcoPlusHome was presented with Scotiabank’s EcoLiving 2011 Innovation Award. Supported by Green Living Enterprises, the awards program recognizes businesses, innovators and students across Canada for excellence in the development of home energy efficiency products, services and solutions. The EcoLiving Awards are Canada’s premier prize for home energy innovation.

San Francisco leads the U.S. in environmental sustainability

Green Builder & Antelope Valley Launch First Solar Standard Community

Posted on July 7, 2011 by quest

The City of Lancaster and KB Home today announced the grand opening of an affordably priced new solar home community in Lancaster, California. KB Home’s Arroyo community is the first in the Antelope Valley to offer solar power systems as a standard feature on all new homes. During the grand opening event held today, the two partners unveiled this unique community that represents a giant step forward in the advancement of affordable solar technology for homeowners.

For its part, the City of Lancaster has long recognized the important role government can play in helping the environment. The advancement and research of solar and other similar technologies continues to be a priority for the City, as it works with companies like KB Home to drive innovation and enhance the lives of those who live in the community. In support of these goals, the City of Lancaster agreed to waive certain municipal development fees for the project and fast-tracked it through the approval process.”We are continuing to develop innovative solutions with KB Home. This private-public partnership is an example of what local governments throughout the nation should be doing in order to resuscitate their housing markets. We know we simply cannot sit back and wait for others to ‘fix’ the economy,” said City of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.The opening of Arroyo is part of KB Home’s recently announced initiative to provide solar power systems as a standard feature for new homes in 11 of its Southern California communities.

“We believe that our continued partnership with the City of Lancaster has been extremely beneficial in advancing the use of emerging solar technology,” said Steve Ruffner, president of KB Home’s Southern California division. “The abundance of clear sunny days makes Lancaster the perfect place to own one of KB Home’s new solar homes. In addition to lessening a homeowner’s impact on the environment, the standard solar system may cut a homeowner’s energy costs by more than half.” The gorgeous ranch style homes, situated on ½ acre homesites, provide great room living and include up to five bedrooms, three bathrooms and three-car garages. Homebuyers have their choice of six single story floorplans ranging in size from 1,837 to 3,037 square feet. Pricing begin from the low $200,000s.

Solar satellites key to green energy

SolarWorld In Global Growth Mode

Posted on July 4, 2011 by quest

This week’s profitable sale of SolarWorld’s shares in a joint-venture solar-panel factory in South Korea highlights the company’s increasing commitment to production within its major sales markets in the West, including the fast-growing U.S. market. SolarWorld is dramatically increasing production at its hub of factory sites in and near Freiberg, Germany. In the United States, where the company has been the largest solar technology producer for more than 35 years, SolarWorld has exceeded the 1,250-employee mark that it reached upon completing its expansion and modernization programs for its sites in Hillsboro, Ore., and Camarillo, Calif., in December. This month, combined employment has exceeded 1,300. By the end of the year, combined module production across SolarWorld’s U.S. and European sites will ramp up to a total annual production capacity of more than one gigawatt.

SolarWorld manufactures its premium solar panels in locations with the highest quality, environmental and labor standards. “We are consistently continuing our strategy of making our premium product at premium locations,” said Frank Asbeck, chairman and CEO of SolarWorld. “A solar power system is an investment for generations. We guarantee 25 years of reliable output. But the life of our solar power systems is far longer. That cannot be guaranteed if you rely on a low-cost location.”

SolarWorld expects its largest sales growth this year in the United States. “Our steadily rising production output, coupled with streamlined in-market logistics, is enabling us to keep pace with the long-promised rise of the U.S. solar market,” said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc. By this month, company sales in the U.S. market have matched total annual sales of 2010 – and they are on track to more than triple last year’s results. SolarWorld solar panels have been installed this year in a variety of U.S. landmark projects, including trailblazing installations at Pearl Harbor, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and commercial and residential sites. At the same time, the group is expecting growth in European markets in light of current legislation to fund renewable energy in Germany and other European countries.

GREEN DRIVING & TRANSPORTATION

New Avatar Sequels Will Be Filmed Using Solar Energy

Posted on June 10, 2011 by quest

When Hollywood wants you, you know you’re hot stuff. And hotter than the Boulevard and casting calls is the news that major film studios are climbing on the solar energy bandwagon. This week, it was announced that James Cameron’s Avatar sequels will be filmed using solar-power energy. Public response to the announcement was nothing but praise for the solar movement. The popularity has created an exponentially-rising demand from businesses interested in the benefits of investing in solar energy — both economic and environmental.

As demands surge, Sun Center Studios is taking the spotlight as an up-and-coming, new age film lot located just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The site houses an $85 million studio stretching over 33 acres. On that 33 acres lie a 4-D movie theatre, five studios, seven soundstages, and a 370,00-square-foot high-tech museum. The 216 kilowatt (kW) energy system ranks in the top one percent of solar projects funded by the Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Rebate Program, and is the largest solar-related project in Delaware County, PA. Sun Center carefully designed their campus and sound stage to facilitate optimum efficiency, using the newest technology to obtain environmental sustainability.

AVATAR

Senior Vice President of Sun Center Studios Adam Rotwitt elaborates: Sun Center Studios’ commitment to sustainability extends throughout the entire facility from the efficient design of the campus’s new buildings and stormwater management, our use of organic and locally grown foods whenever possible, to our participation in ‘smart-grid’ technology programs through integrated demand response and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations along with a fleet of hybrids for our production company clients. Rotwitt is passionate about the global efforts in solar energy transition and confident that his company is actively setting a good example. In doing so, Rotwitt believes other nearby Pennsylvania business will catch on and follow suit. Sun Center Studios is proud to stand as a role model for local developments, as well as for foreign companies with business in the film and media industry. According to David Richman, Commercial Sales for Mercury Solar Systems: The solar incentives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are some of the most generous in the country, making this an optimal time to invest. We commend Sun Center Studios for incorporating solar into their state-of-the art facility.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Solar and Clean Energy In the Midst of a Transformation

Posted on June 7, 2011 by quest

As the clean energy industry emerges from a challenging period caused by the global economic downturn, it is entering a stage of rapid change in which business models are being transformed against a backdrop of regulatory uncertainty. In several key sectors, the market is shifting back toward business structures and technologies that were once abandoned, but are now being revived. A new white paper from Pike Research identifies 10 key trends that are part of this transformation. The paper, which includes commentary and predictions about the state of the clean energy industry in 2011 and beyond, is available for free download on Pike Research’s website.

“Clean Energy: Ten Trends to Watch in 2011 and Beyond”
“As the clean energy industry matures and as it simultaneously comes to grips with economic challenges, market leaders are experimenting with new business models, both at a large scale and on a distributed basis,” says senior analyst Peter Asmus. “At the same time, key industry players are utilizing an increasingly wider diversity of technology options, especially in the solar and wind sectors.”
Key clean energy trends that Pike Research is watching in 2011 and beyond include the following: