SunPower goes BIG Solar for Toyota

Toyota and SunPower Corporation have complete one of the largest single-roof solar power installations in North America. The 2.3-megawatt SunPower system will begin operation in early October at Toyota's North America Parts Center California (NAPCC) in Ontario, California.

Toyota expects the solar installation will provide nearly 60 percent of the total electricity needs for the 760,000-square foot NAPCC.

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Bailout helps Solar Industry

by a vote of 263-171, the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic legislation that extends the 30-percent federal investment tax credit for both residential and commercial solar installations for 8 years. This landmark legislation is part of H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, designed to address the U.S. financial crisis. It is the most significant federal policy ever enacted for the solar industry. President Bush has already signed the bill into law.

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New Solar Panels for commercial rooftops

Solyndra, Inc. has introduced a new solar photovoltaic system for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra's PV system
is designed to generate significantly more solar electricity on an annual basis from typical low-slope commercial
rooftops with lower installation costs than conventional PV flat panel technologies. Solyndra is currently shipping its systems, comprised of panels and mounting hardware, to fulfill more than $1.2 billion of multi-year contracts with customers in Europe and the United States.

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First Solar Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Expansion

First Solar held the official groundbreaking
ceremony
for the expansion of its Perrysburg, Ohio facility, on 13 October 2008. Upon
completion, the expansion will increase the annual
capacity
at the Perrysburg facility to approximately 192
megawatts,
based on run rates for the second quarter of 2008.

The
new investment will add at least 134 new jobs to the
Company's
current workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.
The expansion,
announced on Aug. 18, 2008, will add approximately
500,000
square feet of manufacturing, research and development
and
office space.



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First Solar to Expand its Manufacturing and Development Facilities in Ohio

First Solar is planning to expand its manufacturing
operations
and development facilities at its Perrysburg, Ohio
facility.
The investment will add approximately 500,000 square
feet
of manufacturing, research and development, and office
space,
and will add at least 134 new jobs to the Company's
current
workforce of 700 at its Perrysburg facility.



First
Solar is collaborating with state and local leaders on
a comprehensive
incentive package for these two projects. These
incentives
are central to First Solar's expansion plans in Ohio
and are
subject to approval by state and local authorities.




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Two Megawatt Solar Array Dedicated at Denver International Airport

A two megawatt solar energy system is being dedicated
at Denver
International Airport (DIA). The solar photovoltaic
system,
spanning seven and a half acres at the airport's
entrance,
will generate over three million kilowatt hours (kWh)
of clean
electricity annually, demonstrating Denver's commitment
to
environmental sustainability by reducing carbon
emissions
into the atmosphere by more than 6.3 million pounds
each year.




Designed and installed by WorldWater, using more than
9,200
Sharp solar panels, the new ground-mounted photovoltaic
solar
arrays employ a single-axis tracking system that
follows the
sun during the day for greater efficiency and energy
production.






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Shea Homes to Offer Free Solar Systems

OCR Solar & Roofing, through their relationship with global leader BP Solar, will install potentially 2,000 BP Solar Home Solutions® systems on Trilogy™ by Shea Homes communities in California, as part of Trilogy’s national solar power offering.

Trilogy will offer free solar power systems on new homes as part of its ongoing commitment to educing the carbon footprint of homes in all of its Shea Homes Active Lifestyle™ Communities across four states.

“Trilogy’s national solar offering is a significant advancement within the sustainable building movement and gives California an even greater chance at achieving Governor Schwarzenegger's goal of building
one million solar roofs by 2017,” said Aaron Nitzkin, OCR Solar & Roofing vice president. “We commend their decision to offer solar throughout the state and nationally and for choosing a team
that offers a quality product backed by a 25-year warranty and installed by a team of solar roofing experts.”

In addition to California, solar systems will be free through August 31st to new homebuyers in Trilogy communities in Arizona, Florida and Washington. After August 31st the systems will be available
as an upgrade option. Homeowners will be able to track how much power their system is producing, along with its environmental benefits, via a Web-based remote monitoring system.

“With the addition of solar in a home, we’re no longer just efficient users of electricity, we become producers. Integrating a solar system into a home during construction is less expensive than adding it later, making solar more accessible and affordable than it’s ever been,” said Rick Andreen, president of Shea Homes’ Active Lifestyle Communities. “Trilogy homes pass the true test of a ‘green’ home by integrating a mix of energy-saving and energy-generating devices that deliver immediate and long-term benefits for our customer.”

OCR Solar & Roofing will install BP Solar’s EnergyTile and Integra® systems. The EnergyTile roof-integrated solar electric system emulates the shape of common flat concrete tile roofs, making it one of the industry’s most aesthetically pleasing solutions for tile roof applications. The Integra system offers a low-profile installation, enhancing the look on asphalt shingle roofs.

BP Solar's installation partner for the Trilogy communities in Arizona is American Solar Electric, Inc., Puget Sound Solar LLC in Washington and SunWorks Solar Systems, Inc.in Florida.

Further details about: OCR Solar & Roofing

Solar Monkey Wins Robinson Family Trust Project

Solar energy systems provider Solar Monkey™ is to retrofit 650,000 sq ft of the Robison Family Trust portfolio to accommodate rooftop solar electricity generation.

Preliminary engineering has sized the systems to total approximately 3MW – the equivalent of approximately 750 residential solar systems - and the project will be completed in 2008 and 2009. The trust has selected buildings from its portfolio that meet Solar Monkey’s criteria for solar installations.

Buildings included are 20,000 sq ft and larger and no more than 4 stories tall. The locations specified under the agreement are within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The photovoltaic solar systems and the electricity they generate will be developed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the Robison Family Trust and Solar Monkey.

Under the PPA Solar Monkey will finance, design, build and maintain the solar energy projects and provide all the energy generated, at rates lower than utility, to the Robison Family Trust for a
period of 25 years with no initial capital outlay from the trust. Robison family trustee, Clair Robison, was a pioneering early adopter of solar for personal use as early as the 1970’s.

“We evaluated many solar providers and found Solar Monkey’s approach was unique. They made our solar energy program a smart business decision for our commercial properties and are integrating energy efficiency and LEED programs as well. Their innovative financial approach, which eliminates the capital barriers to installing solar, will provide us with 25 years of financial and environmental
benefits,” said Robison.

Installation of solar energy can help buildings qualify for certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification as well as the ENERGY STAR program administered by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. Solar Monkey provides LEED certification evaluation and planning as a part of its services, which has been shown to augment property valuations.

“Urban commercial and solar roofs are one of our great untapped energy resources. We’re implementing the original vision of Thomas Edison – power produced and used locally,” stated Matt McCullough, CEO of Solar Monkey. “We have worked extremely hard to build a creative solution that adds value to our clients’ property portfolios and eliminates the financial barriers that typically inhibit most investors from installing solar. We will continue to provide large portfolio property owners and institutions with creative solutions which will bring solar power to them in a cost effective manner.”

Further details about: Solar Monkey

Pepco Energy Services Awarded Solar Roof Contract

The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) has awarded Pepco Energy Services, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Atlantic City Convention Center (ACCC) to install the largest single roof-mounted solar array in the United States.

“With each step we take, the ACCVA continues to embrace green initiatives and stand at the forefront of the environmental movement,” said Jeffrey Vasser, executive director of the ACCVA. “Following Governor Jon S. Corzine’s lead in taking a proactive look at environmental issues, our outstanding team has worked in conjunction with Pepco Energy in order to develop this project which allows us to use our natural resources to run the convention center more efficiently.”

“We congratulate the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority and Pepco Energy Services on their agreement,” said President Jeanne Fox of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “This
is an example of the kind of initiatives we hope to see as we transition to the sale or trade of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) to pay for solar projects.”

Under the 20-year contract, Pepco Energy Services will build, own, operate and maintain the 2.36-megawatt solar array for the Atlantic City Convention Center. Construction will begin during the month of June and will be completed by December 31, 2008. The Convention Center is operated by the management company SMG.

“Pepco Energy Services is excited to be working with the Atlantic City Convention Center on this incredible renewable energy project,” said David Weiss, President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Energy Services Division of Pepco Energy Services. The solar panel project is the first in a series of initiatives the ACCVA is planning, including participation in the Convene Green Alliance.

The ACCVA was invited to participate as a founding member of the Convene Green Alliance, a grass-roots, industry initiative spearheaded by several associations that seek to affect positive environmental practices through national, regional and local outreach and education. As a Convene Green Alliance member, Atlantic City is one of only four destinations including: Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; and Richmond, VA.

more information: Pepco Energy Services

Duke Energy Proposes Solar Power Generation Plan

Duke
Energy Carolinas is proposing a $100 million plan to install electricity
generating solar panels at up to 850 North Carolina sites including
homes, schools, stores and factories.

On 6 June 2008, the company filed an application with the North Carolina
Utilities Commission asking for approval to implement this solar
distributed generation program. Distributed generation is energy
created close to where it is used, rather than being produced
in large power plants and transported to customers over power
lines.

"We
believe an initiative of this scope and scale will help us meet
the requirement of North Carolina's new Renewable and Energy Efficiency
Portfolio Standard (REPS)," said Keith Trent, group executive
and chief strategy, policy and regulatory officer. "This program
also will enable us to evaluate the role of distributed generation
on our system, and gain experience in owning and operating renewable
energy resources."

If
the program is approved by regulators, Duke Energy Carolinas would
spend two years installing approximately 20 megawatts of distributed
solar generation on rooftops of customer businesses and homes
or on ground sites within the company's North Carolina service
area.

Solar
power has to be converted from direct to alternating current.
Once that's done, Duke Energy Carolinas customers will benefit
from more than 16 megawatts of power, enough energy to serve more
than 2,600 homes.

Duke
Energy Carolinas would own and operate the equipment and the power
produced by each installation would be used to serve the utility's
customers. Customers who agree to place solar panels at their
location would be rewarded based on the size of the installation
and the amount of energy it produces.

The
company plans to recover its $100 million investment through North
Carolina's new REPS cost recovery mechanism. The company estimates
that, over its life, the program will increase the average customer's
bill by no more than 25 cents a month. The average customer uses
about 1000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month.

For more information: Duke
Energy

Solar Decathlon 2007

Solar Decathlon 2007 takes place on the National Mall in Washington D.C., October 12 - 20, 2007.
The team houses in the "solar village" are open for public tours 10 am - 5 pm, weekends, and 11 am - 3 pm weekdays, except Wednesday, October 17, when the houses are closed for competition purposes. See the schedule for more information.

What is the Solar Decathlon?

Twenty teams have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to compete in the 2007 Solar Decathlon. (The request for proposals for the 2009 Solar Decathlon will be released during the 2007 event.) The teams, from colleges and universities around the globe, participate in an unparalleled solar competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home. In fall 2007, the teams transport their solar houses to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where they form a solar village. The teams compete in 10 contests to determine an overall winner. Using only energy from the sun, the teams generate enough electricity to run a modern household. With an eye on energy efficiency, the students carefully choose the systems, products, and appliances used in their houses.

The Solar Decathlon is a competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), BP, and Sprint are partnering with DOE as title sponsors.

 

2005 Top Finishers

Supermart for green building products

The Green Building Exchange held its grand opening Saturday in Redwood City, Calif. It is the first shopping and meeting center of its kind serving home buyers, builders and nonprofit groups. Products on display include solar panels, recycled renovation materials and low-toxic furniture.

"Home Depot doesn't have the service that comes with this," said founder Michael Schaeffer, who has worked in construction for more than 30 years.

But are the prices as low? "If you plan right, they're not necessarily higher. Sustainable homes have less frills."

Although many green building materials remain costly, Schaeffer believes prices will drop as consumer interest rises. He considers the polluting construction techniques of the 20th century to be a fad. Schaeffer hopes the location between two major Bay Area airports will help to attract people from far-flung places.

House-greening products and services are becoming big business as more people seek to reduce energy expenses and improve indoor air quality. As many as 10 percent of all new homes will include significant "green" features by 2010, according to projections by McGraw-Hill Construction and the National Association of Home Builders.

Credit: Elsa Wenzel/CNET Networks

Romantic and Green Lanterns

Renaissance Lantern w/Flickering Light $29.99 from SmartHome.com

This solar powered LED light "flickers" like a real candle all night long, switching off come morning to recharge. LED bulbs can last up to 30,000 hours. Be green and romantic at the same time. 

Al Gore's "Green" Home Almost Ready

If you were waiting for Al Gore to follow through on his promise to make his Nashville, TN home a model "green" home, wait no more.

Here it is - the new rooftop of Al Gore's house with spanking new solar panels

(AP photo)

In an Associated Press interview, Gore responded to the phony attacks levelled against him a few months ago by a conservative think tank in Tennessee for consuming too much energy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Al Gore, the environmental activist stung by criticism over his house's energy efficiency, said Friday that renovations are nearly complete to make it a model "green" home.

"This plan has been in the works for a long time," the former vice president said in an interview with The Associated Press. "The only thing that has changed is that we're more public about it because of the misleading attack by a global-warming denier group."

Gore's renovation project, which he said has been in the works for months, seeks to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

read the whole article at Daily Kos

Googleplex went Solar

In the last 24 hours, Google produced 10,044 kilowatt-hours of electricity from the sun.

In October 2006, Google announced a commitment to solar energy production and launched the largest solar panel installation to date on a corporate campus in the United States. Google has installed over 90% of the 9,212 solar panels that comprise the 1,600 kilowatt project. Panels cover the rooftops of eight buildings and two newly constructed solar carports at the Googleplex (check out this fly-over video).

This installation is projected to produce enough electricity for approximately 1,000 California homes or 30% of Google's peak electricity demand in our solar powered buildings at our Mountain View, CA headquarters.

We built this page to monitor and share the day to day production of clean, renewable energy from our very own rooftops. Keep checking in to see how we're doing. We think the future looks bright!

Google is going Carbon-Neutral, too

Just a couple of months after Yahoo! announced plans to go carbon neutral, Google is laying down it's cards as well. Google has a bit of a head start, though, as they've just switched on their multi-megawatt solar installation and so automatically have less carbon to offset.

On their own, carbon offsets are not capable of creating the kinds of fundamental changes to our energy infrastructure that will be necessary to stabilize global greenhouse gas emissions to safe levels, but we believe that offsets can offer real, measurable, and additional emissions reductions that allow us to take full responsibility for our footprint today.

Strikingly similar to the language from Yahoo's announcement really. Google will obviously focus on decreasing emissions through efficiency and renewable energy first. And then they will fund projects that decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

One project Google will fund, for example, is a methane capture facility at Mexican and Brazilian farms. As Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2, it's an easy target for global warming offsets. Google has set it's neutrality date for early 2008.

source: Reuters

Wired LivingHome

Wired Magazine has teamed up with LivingHomes to create an efficient green house called the WIRED LivingHome. LivingHomes is already known for designing cutting-edge, modern green homes. The 4057 square foot house will have a 4 kilowatt solar power system and be outfitted with efficient appliances. Green building materials will be used throughout. It will be located in the modernist home community of Los Angeles called Crestwood Hills, and finished by Fall 2007. The LivingHome is designed to attain at least a Gold rating from the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Homes Program.

DIY Solar Water Heater

Once while traveling through the southern US I saw a DIY solar hot water heater made from an old Chevy, that was up on blocks, painted black and the proud owner had run 200 feet of garden hose through the interior. It provided enough heat for his family to shower he said.

From the "Weird Asia News" blog we get the story of a man who made his family a solar hot water heater from 66 recycled beer bottles. He should have called, I could have helped him empty the bottles.

Weird Asia News:

A Chinese farmer has made his own solar-powered water heater out of beer bottles and hose pipes.

“I invented this for my mother. I wanted her to shower comfortably,” says Ma Yanjun, of Qiqiao village, Shaanxi province.

Ma’s invention features 66 beer bottles attached to a board. The bottles are connected to each other so that water flows through them.

Sunlight heats the water as is passes slowly through the bottles before flowing into the bathroom as hot water, reports China Economy Network.

Ma says it provides enough hot water for all three members of his family to have a shower every day.

And more than 10 families in the village have already followed suit and installed their own versions of Ma’s invention.

source: Wierd Asia News

A Zero Emission House

^{(1) Wind Catcher for summer ventilation (2) Solar Array for electricity and hot water (3) High Level of Insulation (4) Biomass Boiler}

In the U.K., various companies are building cutting-edge green homes as part of the Offsite 2007 Exhibition. Yesterday saw the official launch of a "zero emissions house" called the Lighthouse designed by the Kingspan company.

Solar Recharging for your Hybrid

I pitched an idea like this one last summer.... I'm glad someone is making it work.



Much like the roofs of houses and warehouses, a car roof is just empty space, so why not hook up some solar cells to the latest hybrids? Solar Electrical Vehicles is looking to do just that with a solar roof module for hybrid cars. The cost is about $2000-$4000 for a supplemental battery and solar module rated at 200-300 watts. For the Prius this adds up to 20 miles per day of electric mode driving with higher-capacity batteries adding another 10 miles.

Modules in production work with the Toyota Prius, Highlander and RAV4 EV, Ford Escape Hybrid and Dodge Sprinter Hybrid. In the future they hope to integrate them with Teslas and upgrade to a 320-watt module, up from 212-watts currently.

While not adding a whole lot of economic benefit to hybrid cars, it's an easy solution for people looking to squeeze more juice out of them. Unlike solar additions in homes, hybrid cars have the technology already built in to benefit from a solar add-on making them a simple installation.

source: Treehugger