Solar News
January 9, 2012
Nokia Says No Solar Phones For Now
Don't hold your breath waiting for that solar cell phone. Nokia recently completed a study and tested 5 of them in different areas and climates. Some of the results were obvious, as those used closer to the equator worked better. The greatest charge occurred in Kenya while the Artic Circle needed the phone's user to constantly seek the sun. The smaller phones had less efficient solar panels and the angle that the light entered them made a difference as well.
Viia Nokia
September 26, 2011
CA Gov Signs Bill to Restore Solar Rebate Program
California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 585 (the Kehoe Initiative) Sept. 22 at Marshall Elementary School in Fowler that restores funding for the California Solar Initiative Rebate Program. TerraVerde Renewable Partners also attended the event and plans to oversee solar installations for the Fowler USD. They say it will save about half a million in electricity costs in its first year and over $2 million in the next five years. Building is set to begin in 2012.
Via Fresno Bee
September 5, 2011
Solyndra Declares Bankruptcy
Solyndra, a solar power tech company partially backed by the DOE and visited by President Obama two years ago, has announced that it has filed bankruptcy. It cancelled its public stock option earlier this year and laid off 1,000 workers. A combination of competition from Chinese companies, ability to only be used on industrial flat roofs and failure to "raise incremental company" probably contributed to the loss.
It's sad to see green energy companies fail, (it is the third major solar company to do so,) but then adopting the changeover to alternate power sources has historically been slow.
Via Businesswire
June 27, 2011
White House Solar Panels Project Delayed
Team Obama announced last October that they intended to install solar panels and a hot water heater on the roof of the White House by the first day of summer, but sadly the project has not been completed. While the Energy Department claims that they are working on it, a feat this large probably entails more than a minor installation.
A lot of fuss is being made about the missed deadline but we figure that the administration has been busy with other matters, i.e. fighting terrorists and readying the White House for Will and Kate. Perhaps they could be part of the newly approved $1.4 billion dollar Project Amp, with solar panels to be installed on buildings nationwide. Not only will this contribute electricity to power grids, it should create about a thousand jobs.
Via DOE
May 9, 2011
Top Ten US Solar Cities
See if your state is on the top ten solar list released by the New York Times. California ranks first with 47% of the power that is coming out of the US, not surprising as the former Governator was pushing for it when he was in office, followed by New Jersey with a mere 14%. Here is the remainder of the list:
- 3. Colorado: 5 percent
- 4. Arizona: 5 percent
- 5. Nevada: 5 percent
- 6. Florida: 4 percent
- 7. New York: 3 percent
- 8. Pennsylvania: 3 percent
- 9. New Mexico: 2 percent
- 10. North Carolina: 2 percent
Via NYT
January 10, 2011
Solar Window Technology More Affordable
New Energy Technologies has announced a new type of technology that could be more efficient and lower priced than most solar power tech used today. Solar Window is a liquid, see thru compound that can be applied without a high-vacuum. Developed by a USF physics team, the resulting coating is less than 1/10th thick and uses what they claim are the "world's smallest functional solar cells." Between the lower cost and easier application, we think that NET may soon help make solar energy fit into more energy budgets.
(Thanks, Jerry)
Via NET
November 1, 2010
Solar Fridge Developer OBP Honoree
Emily Cummins recently became an Oslo Business for Peace Honouree for the work she has done developing a solar refrigerator that was originally devised by Mohammed Bah Abba with his pot-in-pot refrigerator. Her fridge can be made of cardboard and recycled metal with organic material such as soil or sand placed between the chambers that is soaked in water. The sun warms the material, the water evaporates and the temperature is reduced to 43º, a process that is similar to the way that your body does when it sweats.
The fridge is already being used in various African countries like Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The 23 year-old is the first female and only European to be so honored by the jury of Nobel Prize winners.
Via Inhabitat
October 11, 2010
Solar Panels to Be Added to White House Roof
As part of Prez Obama's push to make the White House Residence greener, there will soon be solar panels on the roof. The Department of Energy announced last week that a solar water heater will also be installed as a way of not only leading by example, but also as a way of getting the word out to the public. As we mentioned previously, Jimmy Carter originally had the idea, only to have them removed by Ronald Reagan when he took office.
Viia DOE
October 4, 2010
Sports Centers Go Solar
It would seem that the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL and MLS have decided that green is in and has asked the Natural Resources Defense Council to develop and distribute a solar development guide suggesting stadium add-ons to help them. Those that have already done their bit for the overall good include the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles (it seems that Nokia took the hint as well,) the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix and several MLB fields and parks.
(Thanks, Kathy)
Via NRDC
September 6, 2010
NASA to Probe Sun
When you think about the sun, what else comes to mind but humming "hot hot hot" in a Cure-ish kind of way? Well, if you happen to be NASA you think of it as a star that needs to be studied. To this end, they plan to launch a Solar Probe Plus (as shown in this artist's rendering) sometime before 2018, equipped with a solar wind particle detector, 3D cam and a device to measure its magnetic field.
Won't it burn up before it gets there, you ask? Of course, it will we answer, since the sun sends out temperatures exceeding 2,550º F. But, before its demise, the $180 million SPP will send back data that NASA scientist Lika Guhathakurta says, "for the very first time, we'll be able to touch, taste and smell our Sun."
Via NASA
July 12, 2010
DOE To Fund Solar Plants
As part of the Recovery Act, President Obama announced that the DOE is loaning out $2 billion to build solar energy plants. Abengoa Solar will be building one that, when completed in 2013, will power up 70,000 homes. The Concentrated Solar Plant (CSP) will also store part of the energy, a first for the US.
Abound Solar Manufacturing will get $400 million to build plants in Colorado and Indiana. Aside from the obvious clean energy benefit, the plants will create about 1,500 permanent jobs and 2,000 for construction.
Via White House
July 9, 2010
Sun Dog Solar Mobile Relief for Haiti
There has been so much bad news of late that it is nice to hear something good is headed to Haiti. Sun Dog Solar, located in Chatham, NY, has built a mobile relief station built out of an old shipping container. The 20 ft. box is wired to solar panels to bring free energy for cooking and boiling water to a village named Merger, right outside Port au prince.
The company will also be donating wheelchairs, shoes, clothing, tents, dry food and other necessities. They would also like to build solar ovens and panels for the country that could still use an assist. Contact Sun Dog Solar if you would like to help the cause.
Via WMAC
June 10, 2010
Idaho to Receive First Solar Plant
Idaho will soon have its first solar facility. Boise Mayor Dave Bieter announced that Sunergy World will construct a $45 million power plant this fall. To be located near the Boise Airport on a site that used to be a dump, the plant should produce 10 megawatts of power, enough energy for 1,200 homes per year.
Via Daily Tech
May 31, 2010
SEPA List of Top Utilities Integrating Solar
The Solar Electric Power Association has released its top utility companies that are integrating solar energy. Overall, the report shows that integration has expanded by about 66%. The states include California, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Colorado and New Jersey. Yeah, we did a double take after reading that last one, too.
Via SEPA
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