Solar Flares Heading This Way

Posted on March 8, 2012 by quest

NASA is reporting that the sun erupted with one of the largest solar flares of this solar cycle on March 6, 2012 at 7PM EST. This flare was categorized as an X5.4, making it the second largest flare — after an X6.9 on August 9, 2011 — since the sun’s activity segued into a period of relatively low activity called solar minimum in early 2007. The current increase in the number of X-class flares is part of the sun’s normal 11-year solar cycle, during which activity on the sun ramps up to solar maximum, which is expected to peak in late 2013. About an hour later, at 8:14 PM ET, March 6, the same region let loose an X1.3 class flare. An X1 is 5 times smaller than an X5 flare.

NPR is reporting that the flares will hit the earth on Thursday. The report goes on,”The flares took place about an hour apart. And when they hit Earth, the waves of magnetic fields may disrupt power grids, as well as radio-based communications. But the phenomenon might also bring auroras to the skies above residents of the northern United States, according to an interview with NASA solar physicist Alex Young, over at The Los Angeles Times. And when they hit Earth, the waves of magnetic fields may disrupt power grids, as well as radio-based communications.But the phenomenon might also bring auroras to the skies above residents of the northern United States, according to an interview with NASA solar physicist Alex Young, over at The Los Angeles Times.”

NASA gathers information from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) and the Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). In addition, last night’s flares have sent solar particles into Earth’s atmosphere, producing a moderate solar energetic particle event, also called a solar radiation storm. These particles have been detected by NASA’s SOHO and STEREO spacecraft, and NOAA’s GOES spacecraft.

US House Passes Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act

SunPower & GRID Alternatives Community Connected

Posted on March 7, 2012 by quest

SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced that it is an official 2012 solar panel provider for GRID Alternatives, a Bay Area-based non-profit solar installer. SunPower and GRID Alternatives celebrated this new agreement on March 2, 2012, by installing a SunPower rooftop system on a low-income home in San Francisco with the help of SunPower employee volunteers and local solar job trainees. Under terms of the supplier agreement, SunPower will provide GRID Alternatives with its high efficiency solar panels through a combination of donations and fair market value sales, bringing the power of solar energy to low-income households in 2012. SunPower has worked with GRID Alternatives for the past six years to help hundreds of families in need, providing more than 1,000 employee volunteer hours, philanthropic gifts, equipment donations and sales. This partnership is expected to generate a combined $10 million in electricity savings for these families over the life of the systems.

Powering The Grid And People

“Partnering with GRID Alternatives aligns perfectly with SunPower’s commitment to building clean-powered communities around the world, and in this case, right here in our backyard.” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “By providing GRID with the highest efficiency, highest-reliability solar panels commercially available today, SunPower is helping families in need to reduce their electricity costs over the life of each system, while our employees support local volunteerism.” SunPower Corp. , a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems today announced that it is an official 2012 solar panel provider for GRID Alternatives, a Bay Area-based non-profit solar installer. SunPower and GRID Alternatives celebrated this new agreement on March 2, 2012, by installing a SunPower rooftop system on a low-income home in San Francisco with the help of SunPower employee volunteers and local solar job trainees.

“We’re often trying to make solar work on modest homes with small roofs,” said GRID Alternatives Program Director and Co-Founder Tim Sears. “SunPower’s high efficiency panels can make the difference for those families being able to go solar.” “SunPower is one of our longest-running solar sponsors and has helped us support families, job trainees and the environment since 2006,” said Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives Executive Director and Co-Founder. “We’re excited to welcome SunPower as an official solar module provider this year.”

Green Jobs Growing in Los Angeles

SolarCity Raises $81 Million In Growth Capital

Posted on February 29, 2012 by quest

SolarCity today announced that it has raised $81 million in equity financing. SolarCity allows homeowners, businesses and non-profit organizations to buy renewable energy for less than they currently pay for electricity from utilities. The company has more than 30,000 clean energy projects completed or underway. The round was co-led by Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Valor Equity Partners, and included investments from Nicholas J. Pritzker, partner at Tao Ventures and senior development advisor for Hyatt Hotels Corp., and Shea Ventures, an affiliate of SolarCity partner Shea Homes. SolarCity Chairman Elon Musk and existing SolarCity investor DBL Investors also participated. The new financing will fund SolarCity’s expansion of sales, marketing and operations, technology development and potential acquisitions.

“Individuals and organizations of all shapes and sizes are fed up with the growing cost and consequences of traditional energy,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “This investment provides SolarCity the resources to explore new products and services and identify new geographies and potential acquisitions as we seek to deliver better energy choices to more customers.”Silver Lake Kraftwerk (SLK) is an investment strategy of Silver Lake, the global leader in private investments in technology and technology-enabled industries. SLK was created to provide growth capital to innovators in the energy and resource sectors.

“SolarCity is the leader in its space,” said Raj Atluru, co-founder of Silver Lake Kraftwerk. “The company’s unique, vertically-integrated model, paired with incentives and falling technology costs, allows it to provide solar electricity to customers at lower rates than they pay for utility power. We’ve thoroughly analyzed SolarCity’s full-service approach to solar and energy efficiency and we believe it has the ability to deliver superior customer experience and service across multiple sectors.”Valor Equity Partners pursues investments in leaders in their respective markets. Valor is also an investor in Tesla Motors.

Monsanto asks scientists about global warming

Yingli Solar and Grid Alternatives Powering People

Posted on February 28, 2012 by quest

Yingli Solar a sponsor of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil today announced it has renewed its strategic partnership throughout 2012 with the Oakland-based nonprofit solar installer, GRID Alternatives. Yingli Americas’ 2012 agreement with GRID Alternatives builds on a 1MW partnership launched in 2011 that brought clean power to over 400 low-income homeowners across California, saving them an estimated US$11 million over the systems’ lifetimes, while giving hands-on solar installation experience to thousands of workers. GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. It has provided no or low-cost solar electric systems for more than 1700 families since 2004 while serving as a “classroom in the field” for solar job trainees.

“Yingli’s continued support for GRID Alternatives’ mission means millions more in long-term savings for low-income families that need them most, thousands more learning opportunities for green job seekers and a win for the environment,” said Erica Mackie, Executive Director and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives. “We’re thrilled that they decided to renew their commitment, especially as we begin replicating our model beyond California.”

“Supporting our local communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives is something we care deeply about, and we are very proud to be official partners with GRID Alternatives,” said Robert Petrina, Managing Director of Yingli Americas. “Our combined teams were a great fit from the start given our common goals for protecting the environment and helping those in need.”Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing, Yingli Americas said, “Listening to the stories of these families and job seekers that we’ve helped and participated alongside has been remarkable, and we are excited to be expanding the program even further this year. Renewable energy is inherently about helping people who need energy most, and with more than 800 financially challenged families powered by the end of this year, we’ve gone beyond what we imagined possible at the onset of this program.”

Right To Know Genetically Modified Organisms

Apple Using Solar Power To Power Itself

Posted on February 21, 2012 by quest

Apple isn’t the first, Google is already there and it’s a pretty safe bet other big, medium and smaller companies will follow and go solar. The Solar Foundation an industry trade organization has reported that there are now over 100,000 people employed in the U. S . solar industry, and that figure is expected to rise dramatically. To meet its energy needs the company, Apple has announced new energy efficiency initiatives at its North Carolina Maiden data facility and have embarked on an industry-leading renewable energy program.

Apple is building the nation’s largest end user–owned, onsite solar array on the land surrounding the data center. When completed, this 100-acre, 20-megawatt facility will supply 42 million kWh of clean, renewable energy annually. In addition the computer maker is is building a fuel cell installation that will be the largest non-utility fuel cell installation operating anywhere in the country. The 5-megawatt facility, located directly adjacent to the data center, will be powered by 100 percent biogas, and provide more than 40 million kWh of 24×7 baseload renewable energy annually.

With these developments one has to wonder what impact Apple might have on the solar industry if it began manufacturing solar panels. Apple says it’s “committed to pursuing energy-efficient growth by increasing our renewable energy participation to match the growing needs of our data center—through our own projects as well as partnerships with utilities and renewable energy providers.”

Warren Buffet A Major Solar Energy Investor

Intersolar Europe Brings More Solar Power Than Ever

Posted on February 15, 2012 by quest

2011 was a record year both for Intersolar Europe and the international solar industry, with the expansion of newly-installed photovoltaic capacity reaching a new high. With 18 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power generated during the year, 2011 saw photovoltaics conquer a larger share of the German energy production market than hydropower for the first time. The increasing market share occupied by solar power highlights the opportunities that could be enjoyed by the technology in future energy supply. In order to exploit these opportunities effectively, the solar industry is working at full steam to create new solutions, such as grid integration and energy storage systems. The PV Energy World Special Exhibit at Intersolar Europe 2012 presents the latest developments in technology and reveals both the measures and the political conditions that are necessary to achieve the highest possible quotas of solar power generation.

In 2011, solar plants with a total capacity of at least 26.5 gigawatts (GW) were installed across the globe. In Germany alone, around 7.5 GW of new photovoltaic capacity was added, exceeding even the previous record year of 2010. According to estimates from BSW-Solar (German Solar Industry Association) in Berlin, solar power production will see a further 70% rise in the next four years alone. In order to take full advantage of this capacity in future, the industry needs to address grid stability, intelligent solutions for on-site consumption and efficient, economical storage as a matter of priority.

Intersolar Europe 2012 will take place from June 13–15 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.With over 3,500 exhibitors and 120,000+ visitors spanning three continents, Intersolar is the world’s leading exhibition series for the solar industry. Intersolar Europe takes place annually at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. Today, it is the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, and looks back on a history spanning twenty years.