JENNIFER GOOD - News Editor

Residents in UB's apartment complexes will be hoping for some sunny days in the near future.

On May 7, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the University at Buffalo unveiled what officials said would be the largest solar energy project in the state to date.

At a news conference in the Center for Tomorrow on the North Campus, NYPA President Richard Kessel and UB President John B. Simpson announced a $7.5 million award to the university for the construction of a collection of solar panels in an attempt to encourage renewable energy technologies across New York State.

The solar panels will produce 1.1 megawatts of solar energy for the campus and are set for installation near the beginning of the fall semester in 2010.

Continue:

http://spectrum.buffalo.edu/article.php?id=40429

Sears Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, is about to get a $350-million makeover that is designed to significantly reduce its energy use by up to 80 percent and cut its CO2 emissions. The retrofit project, over the next five years, includes major upgrades to windows, heating and cooling systems, lighting, elevators, restroom fixtures and condensation recovery systems, along with wind and solar installations and a green roof.

The energy savings will equal 68-million kilowatt hours annually or 150,000 barrels of oil every year. The majority of the energy savings will be realized in approximately five years, say planners. The sustainability project will also create more than 3,600 jobs.

Continue:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/06/25/sears-tower-slated-for-350m-sustainability-makeover/

BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

High energy prices in Europe are causing 80% of the solar panels built in Michigan by United Solar Ovonics to be shipped overseas.

But company officials were buoyed today after a visit from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who said that the Obama administration’s commitment to renewable energy will help transform the state.

“Hopeful is how I feel about the future of Michigan and America. I know Washington, D.C., can only do so much. So it will take the spirit of American entrepreneurs to dig us out,” Locke said during a town hall meeting at one of United Solar Ovonics plants in Auburn Hills.

“American workers are designing and building components that are changing the way people are using energy. And that’s the way to go until economy is humming again," Locke said. "But I know we’re going to get there because of companies like United Solar Ovonics."

Continue:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090624/BUSINESS06/90624039/1002/BUSINESS/Commerce+secretary++Energy+entrepreneurs+will+lift+U.S.

As a blazing sun bore down this week, Southwest Florida got a sweltering reminder of true solar power.

With the intensity and frequency of its sunshine, Florida should be a world leader in harnessing this potent form of renewable energy.

Yet, the state has only a handful of commercial solar arrays, offers a paltry $5 million rebate program, and serves merely as a conduit for federal stimulus funds targeted to renewable energy projects.

Despite good goals set by Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida has done too little to increase the use and generation of solar power or to encourage businesses or jobs in developing, supplying or installing the equipment.

Continue: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090620/OPINION/906201016/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

Marissa Calligeros

June 21, 2009

An oversight by the State Government may jeopardise its plans to develop a source of clean, green, solar energy with the potential to power up to 400,000 Queensland homes.

The Bligh Government today flagged its commitment to building state's first baseload solar thermal power plant by 2020.

However, part of the State Government's Renewable Energy Plan, released today by Premier Anna Bligh, fails to qualify for funding under the Commonwealth's $465 Renewables Australia Fund.

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By TOM ZELLER Jr.

Published: June 21, 2009

NEW YORK — The European project known as Desertec is nothing if not ambitious.

It aims to harvest the sun’s energy — using a method known as concentrating solar power, or C.S.P. — from the vast North African desert and deliver it as electricity, via high-voltage transmission lines, to markets in Europe. Eventually, its backers say, it could satisfy as much as 15 percent of the European Union’s power needs.

The idea, which has been bouncing around for years, arises out of an alphabet soup of organizations, formal multinational partnerships and regional acronyms like TREC, for Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation; Eumena, or European Union, the Mediterranean and North Africa; the Union of the Mediterranean; and the Club of Rome.

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By SCOTT HARRISON

s.harrison@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - On the summer solstice Sunday--the longest day of the year on the calendar--a survey highlights how Colorado can benefit from our reputation as a sunny state, and from the growing potential of solar energy.

According to the survey, more that three-fourths of state residents--76%--believe utility companies should be required to provide solar energy, and 50% are willing to pay 50 cents a month to help in that regard.

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Original link: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090601/GETPUBLISHED/905290392/BP+Solar+Hosts+Solar+Energy+Seminar+Free+In+The+Home+Depot+Saturday++1+00p



Type rest of the post here.

[tagname tagname]

Cosmetics manufacturer, Shiseido America Inc. and SunPower Corporation are today dedicating a 699-kilowatt solar-electric power system installed on the roof of Shiseido's East Windsor, New Jersey facility. The project is one of the largest single-roof solar power installations in New Jersey.

In addition to the solar-power system, SunPower also assisted Shiseido in implementing energy-efficient lighting upgrades at the facility. Shiseido estimates that by combining improved energy efficiency with solar power, the company will reduce its electric utility costs by greater than 40 percent, or more than $100,000 per year.

"As a company that promotes environmentally conscious practices across all aspects of our business, we were very interested in using solar energy to power our operations. But we needed to know that the economics of solar would also make sense," said Ed Houlihan, vice president of Shiseido America Inc. "SunPower worked with us to ensure the technological and financial success of the project. The payback period is expected to be less than six years -- a solid return on investment for equipment that will last more than 25 years."

SunPower also assisted Shiseido in the sale of solar renewable energy credits to New Jersey's load serving utilities (LSEs), helping the LSEs meet renewable portfolio standards required by the State. The Shiseido installation utilizes the SunPower(R) T10 Solar Roof Tile, which is a non-penetrating, lightweight system that tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture.

"Shiseido's decision to maximize the size and efficiency of its solar system underscores the company's commitment to sound business practices and preserving the environment," said Tom Leyden, managing director of SunPower Corporation Systems' East Coast operations. "We are very pleased that Shiseido is now generating its own clean, renewable power, and enjoying the financial benefits of that decision."

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) -- General Motors Corp. said Thursday it will install solar panels on a 300,000-square-foot services and parts warehouse in Fontana, Calif.

The panels will provide about half the electricity needed to run the facility and send enough electricity back into the grid each year to power more than 300 homes.



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GM did not disclose the cost of the system, which it expects to be operational in December. Fontana will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 355 metric tons each year, GM said, while reducing its electricity costs by about 10 percent a year.

Constellation Energy Group Inc. will design, build, own and operate the system. GM has a long-term contract to purchase solar-system electricity from the company. United Solar Ovonic LLC will manufacture the thin-film solar laminates.

The company has a similar sized solar installation at another service and parts warehouse eight miles away in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

"The solar panels in Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga will help us reduce costs and give our community access to solar power," Charlie Hyndman, GM's general director of warehousing and distribution, said in a statement. "It's a win-win."

GM shares rose $1.93, or 6.4 percent, after an upgrade from Citi, and Constellation shares rose 37 cents to $84.82.

Type rest of the post here.

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The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Rocky Mountain Region has awarded a $6.9M contract to SunEdison for the design and construction of a solar park at the Denver Federal Center (DFC). The park will consist of photovoltaic arrays located on a six-acre site adjacent to 6th Avenue in Lakewood, Colorado. Construction is expected to start during late summer/early fall of 2007, with electric generation beginning mid-December 2007.

"The solar park is a perfect example of how the federal government can work with its industry partners to embrace green technology," said GSA Regional Administrator Leslie Plomondon. "The project promotes Administration efforts to conserve electricity through the use of renewable energy."

Plomondon said the project would not be possible without the support of Colorado's citizens, GSA, Xcel Energy, and SunEdison. In 2005, Colorado was the first state in the union where voters passed a Renewable Energy Source (RES) initiative. Growth in Colorado will continue to create a greater demand for energy; therefore, it is critical to explore new more diverse energy resources. The solar park is an important opportunity for GSA to meet the renewable energy guidelines set forth by Congress, and it brings the DFC closer to its vision of being "the most sustainable campus in the country by 2020."

The project is also important for Xcel Energy in meeting Colorado's Renewable Energy Standard, which requires that large electric utilities generate 20 percent of their power through renewable energy sources by 2020. GSA will build a one-megawatt system that will generate nearly 10 percent of the one square mile campus' peak electric demand. The power generated by this system is the equivalent to powering approximately 145 homes each year.

"The size of this project shows that solar power can be done on a medium-sized level and that the government can set a tremendous example by leading the way," said Fred Stoffel, Xcel Energy Vice President of Marketing.

"SunEdison is pleased to be working with the leaders at GSA and Xcel Energy to extend solar energy in Colorado. Colorado is a leader in the deployment of utility-scale solar," added Jigar Shah, CEO of SunEdison, North America's first and largest solar energy services provider.

Sun Edison
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Solar Energy

UPC Solar, a leading solar power development company, today announced four new San Diego Unified School District solar power systems. The four systems were installed at Ericson Elementary, Standley Middle School, Tierrasanta Elementary and Walker Elementary.



Financing was provided from a $100M fund committed to UPC Solar power projects from a large institutional investor.

Installation and system integration was performed by Solar Integrated Technologies, using their industry-leading building-integrated photovoltaic system. Owned and operated by UPC Solar under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the systems represent a total installed capacity of 550 kW DC.

These projects will reduce annual greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions by 514,259 pounds, Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by 360 pounds and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions by 46 pounds.

"The addition of these new solar power systems to the San Diego Unified School District represents a continued dedication to improving the environment as well as a hedge against electricity costs long term," said Morten Sissener, CEO, UPC Solar. “By installing solar power systems, these schools in the San Diego Unified School District continue to demonstrate ‘green’ leadership, a ‘good neighbor’ policy and an efficient use of school funds.”

UPC Solar designs, builds, finances, owns and operates solar power systems and sells solar electricity to commercial, educational, utility and government entities under long-term power purchase agreements (“PPA”). UPC works with select suppliers, partners and capital providers to develop competitive solar projects including both distributed roof-top applications as well as large ground mount solar farms. UPC Solar’s PPA enables companies to buy solar electricity at competitive prices with little or no capital expense, improve the environment and become a green corporate citizen. In addition, UPC Solar’s PPA enables customers to purchase solar electricity, instead of buying a solar power system, at guaranteed prices for twenty years.


Solar Power
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Plextronics, Inc. announced today that its organic photovoltaic technology achieved a new record in the conversion of solar light to power efficiency. The company's result of 5.4 percent establishes a new record for single layer organic solar cells as certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in Golden, Colorado.

Troy Hammond, vice president of products for Plextronics, said that the company began its organic photovoltaic development program less than two years ago, with the support of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.

"Today's world-record performance demonstrates the rapid pace at which our technology is progressing," said Hammond. "We look forward to continuing this advancement until we have enabled low-cost solar cell products with our Plexcore ink system."

According to Shawn Williams, vice president of technology at Plextronics, "NREL is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy R&D, and to have their certification of our technology is absolutely vital. Most importantly, in the course of setting the world record, we've also identified clear pathways to further improve our technology."

Plexcore ink systems for organic photovoltaic cells enable the low-cost printing of photo-active and charge carrier layers, which together convert light to power in the organic photovoltaic cell. The ability to print organic photovoltaic cells on glass or plastic drastically reduces the cost of energy compared to silicon solar cell technology.

Solar Cell
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Found this thru my travels, i think this would be great to take out camping or cooking outdoors in general. Tell me what you think.

Read More Here!

Interesting find on the cost of installing a system in your home and the long term investment savings. Prices are for parts of the North East coast of the U.S.

Read More Here!

Michael Tarm, Associated Press
One of Tom Benson's claims to fame, proclaimed in five-foot-high letters across his storefront, is that he owns the "WORLD'S LARGEST LAUNDROMAT" — complete with 153 washers, 148 dryers and 15 flat-screen TVs.

But that's not the claim that excites advocates of renewable energy. It's that, perched atop the hangar-sized facility in this working class Chicago suburb, is one of the largest, most cost-effective solar systems in the country.

Scaling a ladder to the scorching roof one recent morning, the 61-year-old beamed with pride as he showed off the 36 10-by-4-foot panels that supply his 24-hour laundry with hot water.

Read More Here!

Solar Energy
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grants

Science Daily — Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have developed an inexpensive solar cell that can be painted or printed on flexible plastic sheets. "The process is simple," said lead researcher and author Somenath Mitra, PhD, professor and acting chair of NJIT's Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences. "Someday homeowners will even be able to print sheets of these solar cells with inexpensive home-based inkjet printers. Consumers can then slap the finished product on a wall, roof or billboard to create their own power stations."


Read More Here!

ORIGINALLY POSTED MAY 2007
Science Daily — Rice University scientists today revealed a breakthrough method for producing molecular specks of semiconductors called quantum dots, a discovery that could clear the way for better, cheaper solar energy panels.

Read More Here!

Solar Panels

US Workshop classes on building solar homes. See if there are any classes in your area.

Click Here!


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Solar Home Workshop