California Leading America In Solar Technology

Posted on October 26, 2011 by quest

According to a recent IHS iSuppli report, U.S. solar installations are predicted to rise 166 percent this year. North America’s premier exhibition and conference for the solar industry, Intersolar North America, consistently provides key insights and unparalleled knowledge to the industry’s leading integrators, cell and module manufacturers, balance of systems manufacturers, project developers and financiers. Permanently located in San Francisco, Intersolar North America is California’s largest solar event, making it the key meeting point for solar professionals across the entire value chain to form the partnerships needed to maximize market potential and develop the projects that are growing the U.S. and California solar industries.

“Among U.S. states, California far and away will be the leader in renewable solar power this year, accounting for nearly 1GW on its own,” said Mike Sheppard, Analyst, Photovoltaics at IHS iSuppli. “New Jersey is expected to be second with 260MW, followed by Arizona with 240MW. Rounding out the remaining top five, in descending order, include New Mexico and Nevada.” California this year is expected to top out with a total of 967MW of newly installed solar. In IHS iSupply’s recent report, market data estimates installed solar in California for 2012 at 1.2GW, generating more solar power than the next six states on the U.S. PV ranking combined.

California Dreamin‘

“California continues to be instrumental for the U.S. solar industry, as so many of the technological innovations and models to integrate solar are developed here,” said Markus Elsasser, CEO of Solar Promotion International, one of the event’s organizers. “Therefore, it is essential that solar professionals from around the United States meet in this all-important market and take with them the knowledge gained and business developed at Intersolar North America to grow their company. Our program is designed specifically with this in mind.” “California’s representation in the U.S. solar market reached 45 percent this year, up from 38 percent in 2010. With so much activity and growth, the state is ripe with opportunities for sales and strategic partnerships,” said Troy Dalbey, Managing Director of North America for Upsolar. “From our North American headquarters in San Francisco, we’re able to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry.”

Apple To Power Data Center From Solar Energy

T.C. Chan Center to Host the UN Environment Program

Villaraigosa Welcomes Solar Electric Vehicle Maker BYD

Posted on October 25, 2011 by quest

“Los Angeles is where the world creates and innovates,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “By reaching out to the world and harnessing LA’s unique resources, we have attracted China’s leading green company to our city. BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) new North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles is the latest sign that we are a growing hub of clean-technology jobs. We see BYD’s Los Angeles opening as a catalyst that will usher in good jobs, global investment, and a more sustainable future.” China’s premier global, high-tech green company focused on developing electric vehicle technologies and efficient alternative energy sources, launched its North American operations today with the opening of new headquarters in Los Angeles. Technology-based and innovation-oriented, BYD is a multi-national manufacturer of electric and hybrid or dual-mode vehicles, solar power systems, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries and battery energy storage, and energy efficient LED lighting.

The company is 50 percent U.S.-owned and has the backing of investor Warren Buffett via his MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, the utility division of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2010, BYD topped the Businessweek Technology 100 list and was ranked by the publication as the 8th most innovative company in the world. Based in Shenzhen, China, BYD employs more than 200,000 worldwide. BYD’s new North American headquarters, located along the Figueroa Corridor, will bring up to 150 green-collar engineering and management jobs focused on research and development to Los Angeles, as well as serving as the focal point for privately owned BYD dealerships across the continent.

I Love You City of Angeles

This green technology investment will generate hundreds of additional jobs in the region. Dealerships will sell BYD’s landmark dual-mode electric and e6 pure electric vehicles to consumers and commercial fleets, all-electric long-range eBUS commercial buses, rapid charging stations, LED and solar street and parking light systems, residential solar systems, and replacement parts. BYD aims to grow Electric Bus, e6 electric cross-over and solar panel businesses from Los Angeles; Company unveils electric bus created in partnership with Hertz for use at LA International Airport.“BYD is thrilled to be making this investment in Los Angeles, a global city working towards a green, sustainable future,” said BYD Chairman Chuanfu Wang. “We look forward to a long, productive relationship with the City, and thank Mayor Villaraigosa and his team for their hard work and dedication to recruiting green businesses to Los Angeles.”

Alexandra Cousteau ‘This Generation’s Space Race’

Politicians Helping U.S. Lose Global Renewable Energy War

Posted on October 24, 2011 by quest

“America needs to learn from the example for future growth and long-term sustainability being set by China, and build the infrastructure and invest in the education and development of talent in growth industries, such as renewable energy and electronics, to achieve long-term growth and the continuation of the whole American experience,” according to Dr. Stephen Leeb, a recognized authority on finance, investing and economic trends. Leeb spoke with Peter Clayton, producer/host of TotalPicture Radio, a popular career and leadership development podcast.

Realizing the tremendous career and growth opportunities in “green” industries and technology, Clayton regularly features experts in the field on his program. However, the picture Dr. Leeb paints in his interview is troubling. China is gaining ground as a superpower and attaining competitive advantage over other developed countries, especially the United States, by using its profits to globally invest in and control mineral commodities such as coal, oil, zinc, silver, and gold. In his latest book Red Alert: How China’s Growing Prosperity Threatens the American Way of Life, Leeb argues that access to rare earth resources will determine the standard of living for future generations.

Leeb discusses how “U.S. officials and politicians engage in short-term myopic planning, endless legal maneuvering, scandals, and wartime investing that are crippling America’s economic viability.” Contrast this with China’s government, led by politicians with backgrounds in hard sciences. “China is spending enormous amounts of money planning for, and analyzing, the long-term consequences of global warming,” Leeb asserts. “The Chinese, I don’t think, hate Americans, by no means, but the Chinese are all for China. They would like to come off as the heroes in the environmental revolution.” “There’s a war going on

PBS Wins Environmental Wildlife Film Festival

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

Sempra Generation A Solar Energy Champion

Posted on October 21, 2011 by quest

Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award in the Project Developer category. The national recognition is based on the significant impact the company has made over the last year in “helping build a strong solar industry to power America, and contributing to the industry goal of achieving 10 gigawatts of new annual installed capacity by 2015.”The award was announced at the Solar Power International 2011 conference, which was held in Dallas. Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Working with its 1,000 member companies, the organization is helping to grow and advance the solar industry through advocacy, policy development and education on the benefits of solar energy.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by the Solar Energy Industries Association, which is leading the way to advance and grow the U.S. solar industry,” said Jeffrey W. Martin, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. “Solar power is positively impacting communities and local economies across the country, and we are excited to have the opportunity to support America’s transition to a cleaner energy future.””Innovative utility-scale solar project developers are a key piece of the industry’s vision of installing 10 gigawatts of solar each year by 2015,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association. “Sempra Generation is helping the utility-scale market make significant strides in meeting that goal to power two million more homes year in and year out with clean, reliable solar energy.”

Sempra Generation is a leading developer of utility-scale solar projects in the U.S. The company operates the 48-megawatt (MW) Copper Mountain Solar 1 project in Boulder City, Nev., which is currently the largest photovoltaic solar plant in the U.S. Construction is expected to begin on a 150-MW expansion of this landmark solar installation in 2012. The company also recently broke ground on its 150-MW Mesquite Solar 1 project in Arizona, with completion anticipated in 2013.

Solar Energy Has Massive Potential In The Himalayas

Revenge of the Electric Car LA Screening By REC Solar

Posted on October 19, 2011 by quest

REC Solar, a leading provider of home and commercial solar electric systems in the United States, took a lead in the movement for emissions free driving by announcing their sponsorship of the movie “Revenge of the Electric Car.” On Oct. 13, REC Solar hosted an advanced VIP screening of the feature film in Los Angeles – a week prior to the film’s premier on October 21st. More than 100 luminaries from diverse, but complementary industries including solar, electric vehicle (EV), utilities, government, media and entertainment were in attendance. “Revenge of the Electric Car,” from director Chris Paine who also brought us the 2006 film “Who Killed the Electric Car?,” takes viewers behind the scenes of Nissan, General Motors and Tesla Motors to chronicle key players in the race to create the cleanest vehicle. Filming started in 2007 and didn’t stop until each company’s electric cars were sold to the public. Paine has said, “You can’t kill an idea whose time has come.”

As soon as 2012, nearly 125,000 electric vehicles are expected to roll into traffic. EV enthusiasts, called “Revengers” by film promoters, also embrace solar power with most expressing interest in installing solar systems for their homes, if they have yet to do so.

Revenge of the Electric Car

“The industry is now forecasting one million electric vehicles to be on the road by 2016 which won’t just have an impact on [fossil fuel usage], but also on the environment when used with a solar system. The more solar energy is used with electric vehicles, the cleaner the environment becomes,” said Angiolo Laviziano, co-founder of Mainstream Energy, parent of REC Solar. “It is exciting to see the energy revolution unfolding in front of our eyes.”Other events such as National Plug-in Day are also bringing the electric vehicle center stage. By hosting the showing, REC Solar is calling attention to the ultra-sustainable intersection of solar and EV industries. When EVs are solar-charged, they are essentially “running on sunshine,” reducing greenhouse gases and lessening dependence on fossil fuels for a more secure, sustainable world – while at the same time delivering economic benefits to their drivers.