AltEnergyMag Alternative Energy Articles, Stories and Products

Campbell Scientific - Specializing in programmable dataloggers for PV and CSP applications.

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:54:54 -0700

Campbell Scientific offers pre-configured and custom automated data acquisition packages specifically designed for solar monitoring applications. A full range of pre-configured packages are available for photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar technology (CST) arrays of all sizes. Two such packages are the SOLAR1000 and CST100, designed to meet CaISO EIRP Solar Telemetry Standards. The SOLAR1000 is an automated data acquisition package designed for flat panel PV monitoring applications. Typical uses include pre-construction phase solar resource assessment, baseline data collection, and performance monitoring. The CST100 is an automated data acquisition package specifically designed for CST monitoring applications where active, direct normal and diffuse irradiance measurements are required. Typical uses include research & development, resource assessment, and performance monitoring of concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technologies.

Caleffi Solar Components

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:17:32 -0700

Caleffi has developed and marketed solar heating products in Europe and other parts of the world for many years. In most of these regions, the high cost of fossil fuel and heightened sense of environmental responsibility has made solar heating a well-accepted standard rather than rarely used alternative. The Caleffi Solar series of products are specifically designed for use in circuits of solar systems. In these systems the heating fluid may contain glycol as additive and may operate at high temperatures. The materials and components used in its manufacture and the performance of these must be suitable for these operating conditions.

Asia Report: Solar Dumping Announcement Set for May 17

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:11:38 -0700

Seven months after a trade investigation was launched, American solar companies and Chinese solar manufacturers will finally get a clear picture of the challenges ahead.

SolarWorld’s American operation led the filing of the complaint in October, making the case that Chinese manufacturers were getting an unfair level of subsidies from their government and they were then illegally dumping those products into the American market. The first phase of the ruling came down in March, and in that the Department of Commerce found an illegal level of subsidies. However, it preliminarily set the tariffs at between 2.9 and 4.73 percent.

A determination on the second of the two tariffs is set to be made on May 16 and announced on May 17. The history of international trade disputes suggests that the anti-dumping tariff, if one is set, is generally higher than the countervailing duty that measures the level of subsidies.

Going Green in Indian Country: Two Sides of the Buffalo Nickel

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:25:20 -0700

Hopefully both sides of the coin – cultural property protection in the face of any callous non-Indian energy development, and streamlined tribal energy development for sake of tribal self-determination – can be realized by the revised S. 1684. The protection of Indian Country, both in the long and short term, quite literally depends on it.

Solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:25:01 -0700

PPAs are best for organizations that own their own buildings or homes. Or plan to occupy their space for an extended period of time. Also, a property owner who has a large open property or rooftop space (such as a warehouse or distribution center) may also enter into a PPA in connection with a rooftop or property lease as a means to generate not only renewable energy, but also revenue from energy sales to the local utility.

Solar Project Insurance

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:23:49 -0700

The inability of some solar project developers to secure the right coverage coupled with concerns about the long-term viability of equipment manufacturers has created fear and uncertainty in the marketplace, preventing some investors from financing projects.

Case Study: William G. Mennen Sports Arena

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:22:46 -0700

Tioga helped facilitate a first-of-its kind financing program (“the Morris Model”) in which taxable bonds were issued to finance the solar program

Woody Biomass: An Emerging Bio-Energy

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:22:30 -0700

The WBUGP provides financial support to projects ( up to a maximum of $250,000) that responsibly use woody biomass to produce energy. It also supports projects that seek to remove economic and market barriers that restrict the use of woody biomass as a source of renewable bio-energy.

U.S., India glimpse a bright future together in solar power

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:35:53 -0700

There are few places in the world where the opportunity for solar power is more blindingly obvious than India. There are also few industries where the possibility of collaboration between India and the United States is more tantalizing.

But while India’s solar industry is finally taking off, massive hurdles must be overcome before it can make a meaningful contribution to the country’s rapidly growing power needs, experts and business leaders say.

“India is a very important market for the solar industry, one of the top three markets worldwide,” said Jayesh Goyal of California-based concentrated solar power technology provider Areva Solar. “The general view is that India will reach the 3 percent target before 2022.”

The logic for the Indian solar sector appears almost irrefutable.

AlsoEnergy - Delivering the Most Advanced On-Demand Commercial Energy Management Systems

Tue, 08 May 2012 14:37:53 -0700

PowerTrackTM is a software solution providing energy management services to gather data from various sources, securely stores the data, and presents it in a way that allows for easy analysis and understanding. Public-facing kiosks are available to showcase systems. In addition, the system generates alerts and integrates with back office functions. With PowerTrack energy management services, you will always know how all parts of your energy portfolio are doing. From the performance of a single panel to managing the entire portfolio, our software is a complete commercial energy management system designed so you can maximize the return on your renewable energy investment.

Solar-Powered Catamaran completes record-setting circumnavigation

Mon, 07 May 2012 06:53:41 -0700

Turanor PlanetSolar, a futuristic-looking 100-foot catamaran, on Friday became the first vessel to have circumnavigated the planet exclusively on power generated by the sun. The voyage, which began and ended in Monaco, lasted 19-plus months and included layovers in 28 countries, which were designed to promote the importance of solar energy.

Traveling on an equatorial route to take advantage of abundant sunshine, Turanor PlanetSolar covered more than 37,000 miles and set multiple Guinness World Records. The five-man crew enjoyed stops in such destinations as Tangier, Miami, Cancun, the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bombay, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

New Study Shows US Solar Energy Could Employ Hundreds of Thousands of Americans by 2020

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:24:38 -0700

A new independent research report released today by the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found that solar energy is following the same path to commercialization as other traditional energy sources spurred by federal incentives. The study, titled "Assessment of Incentives and Employment Impacts of Solar Industry Deployment," also estimates that the U.S. solar industry could employ hundreds of thousands of Americans by the end of the decade.

Like oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear, and all other traditional energy sources, the Baker Center finds, solar has received support from the federal government to promote its usage in order to drive our economy. In fact, according to the report, diffusion of solar energy technology in the energy markets is very similar to the paths that many American industries have traveled to become mainstream. Unlike more mature technologies, however, that continue to receive subsidies, solar energy is currently in a very early phase of its growth trajectory.

SolarCity to file for an IPO

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:32:52 -0700

Despite the series of withdrawals of greentech IPOs this month, solar rooftop installer SolarCity announced on Monday that it is planning for an IPO. The company says it filed its IPO registration on April 26, and is waiting for the documents to be reviewed and approved by the SEC.

A SolarCity IPO has been an open secret for the past few months and a report in Bloomberg in February said that an IPO could value SolarCity at more than $1.5 billion. Back in February SolarCity also raised $85 million from investors like Silver Lake Kraftwerk to expand its rapidly growing solar rooftop empire. Overall, SolarCity has raised just over $200 million in venture capital, company spokesman Jonathan Bass told us back in February.

The Smart Junction Box for Solar Panel Monitoring and Control

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:24:20 -0700

The Smart Junction Box allows for wireless communication with a central unit that can track the panels on their individual performance and allows the panels or its substrings to be quickly switched off in the case of failure, fire, tornado or other calamity.

Solar Energy Index Underperforms S&P in Q1 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:24:04 -0700

Lincoln International’s Renewable Energy Group is pleased to present the latest Q1 2012 Solar Energy Stock Index Report, which tracks relevant solar company metrics in this growing industry.

Too much of a good thing can lead to grid stability issues

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:23:37 -0700

Today an increasing amount of intermittent PV electricity is being pumped into the grid. As grid capacity nears its limits, the issue of grid compatibility is gaining in significance. Solar-farm owners must prove that – once connected to the electricity grid – their plants will behave in the same manner as conventional power stations have done for years. Failure to ensure solid preparation of the comprehensive certifications required in this context may delay the launch of service for their solar power system.

Mobile Solar System Monitoring

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:20:46 -0700

Our Intelligent Solar Information System (ISIS) provides industry-leading monitoring, diagnostics, reporting, and control of solar power plants.

Structural Batteries: Building in Power

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:20:08 -0700

Structural batteries are sheets of carbon-composite material that can be molded into complex 3-D shapes to form the actual structure of a device. Thus, the rear wing of a racing car becomes an in-built battery, a torch is its own power source, and the fabric of a tent can capture solar energy.

Looking for innovative ideas about the future of public transportation in cities

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:19:42 -0700

Bombardier, a global leader in aerospace and rail transportation is inviting people to submit ideas for sustainable mobility in the urban environment.

Donald Trump to Scotland: Abandon 'monstrous' wind farm plans

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:04:11 -0700

Donald Trump swept into Scotland's parliament on Wednesday to demand the country end plans for an offshore wind farm he fears will spoil the view at his exclusive new $1.2-billion golf resort.

In a typically blunt display, the property tycoon told an inquiry into renewable energy to stop the wind power efforts in the country's north.

"Scotland, if you pursue this policy of these monstrous turbines, Scotland will go broke," he said. "They are ugly, they are noisy and they are dangerous. If Scotland does this, Scotland will be in serious trouble and will lose tourism to places like Ireland, and they are laughing at us."

When challenged to produce hard evidence about his claims on the negative impact of turbines, Trump said: "I am the evidence, I am a world-class expert in tourism."

The public gallery burst into laughter.

World's first canal-based solar power project in Gujarat

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:13:39 -0700

This project has been developed by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL), with full support from Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) which is the nodal agency behind construction of the Naramda canal that brought agricultural prosperity to the State. The engineering, procurement and construction contract for the project has been awarded to Sun Edison, a subsidiary of US-based global solar energy player, MEMC. The 750 metre stretch of the canal will generate 1.6 million units of clean electricity per year, as well as prevent evaporation of 900,000 litres of water per year from the canal.
Today, Gujarat has about 458 kilometres of open main canal, while the total canal length including sub-branches is about 19,000 kilometres; the final aim of SSNNL is to construct a total of 85,000 kilometres of canal network. Assuming a utilization of only 10% of the existing canal network of 19,000 kilometres, it is estimated that 2,200 megawatts of solar power generating capacity can be installed. This implies that 11,000 acres of land which would otherwise be needed to site solar panels as well as 20 billion litres of water per year can be potentially conserved.

Ontario Leads Canada’s Record-Setting Wind Power Expansion

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:00:29 -0700

The outlook for US wind power growth is cloudy and negative with the wind production tax credit (PTC) due to expire at year-end. The wind power forecast for 2012 is decidedly better north of the US border, in Canada, however. Canada’s wind power market should experience another year of record-setting growth in 2012, with the addition of some 1,500 MW of additional capacity, according to a Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) study released at the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) annual conference in Copenhagen.

Canada’s wind energy industry enjoyed a record year in 2011, installing around 1,267 MW of new capacity, an investment of $3.1 billion that created some 13,000 person-years of employment. That ranks 6th globally with a total wind energy capacity of 5,403 MW, enough to power more than 1.2 million homes, according to CanWEA and the GWEC’s 2011 annual industry reports.

Kipp & Zonen - Smart SMP Pyranometers

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:23:23 -0700

Equipped with an extremely low power, smart interface the Smart SMP pyranometers offer industry standard digital and amplified analog outputs within the well-known CMP series housings. The output range is programmed so that all SMP pyranometers have identical sensitivities, allowing easy installation and exchange for recalibration. Serial communication allows access to measurement data, instrument status, operating parameters and calibration history. Building on the proven CMP Series design and technology that is used around the world, the new SMP pyranometers add digital signal processing and interfaces optimised for industrial data acquisition and control systems.

Rainmakers: How GE Engineers Squeeze Savings from the Digital Cloud

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:09:23 -0700

Data centers guzzle down 2% of the electric grid’s capacity and run up $2 billion worth of monthly utility bills. Furthermore, it’s estimated that by 2020, CO2 emissions from data centers will top the emissions by the airline industry. How do we get the cloud under control?

One solution might be improving the efficiency in how data centers draw electricity in from the grid. A recent post from GE Reports takes a look at how 99% of this electricity could be pulled in more efficiently by bypassing ‘filters’ when they’re not absolutely necessary.

If all data centers (‘the cloud’) did this, we’d be able to save 4,000 megawatts of electricity worth more than $3 billion per year.

U.S. wind industry adds 6,800 MW in 2011

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:58:43 -0700

The U.S. wind industry installed 6,816 megawatts (MW) in 2011, 31 percent higher than 2010, for a total
of 46,916 MW installed to date, the industry's trade group said in a release Thursday.
    Setting the stage for a strong 2012, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) also said there were more than 8,300 MW of wind power under construction across the United States.
    The nation has about one million megawatts of generating capacity with about 400,000 MW coming from natural gas burning plants, 300,000 MW from coal, 100,000 MW from nuclear, 80,000 MW from hydropower, 50,000 MW from oil and the rest mostly from wind and other renewables.
    One megawatt powers about 1,000 homes.
    Wind and natural gas are the two largest sources of new generating capacity in the United States. Wind has provided about 35 percent of new U.S. power capacity over the past five years, AWEA said.

Full Article:

TROJAN BATTERY LAUNCHES VIDEO TUTORIAL SERIES TO EXPAND UNDERSTANDING OF DEEP-CYCLE BATTERY TECHNOLOGIES, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:21:40 -0700

Trojan Battery Company launched "Trojan Tips," its video tutorial series created to provide in-depth information
focusing on a variety of battery topics such as deep-cycle battery technologies, maintenance practices, charging procedures and safety when handling batteries. "Trojan Tips" is designed to expand awareness of deep-cycle battery technology.

A new "Trojan Tips" video tutorial will premiere each month throughout 2012 on the Trojan Battery corporate Web site. The first "Trojan Tips" video, which debuts today, reviews the various battery technologies available on the market today, and what to consider when selecting a battery for a particular application.

Click here for the first "Trojan Tips" video tutorial.

A Comparison of Lead Acid to Lithium-ion in Stationary Storage Applications

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:11:25 -0700

There is currently no single solution that is better than another for all situations, but lithium-ion systems offer better cost of ownership in a number of situations, specifically hot climates, despite the higher initial cost.

Attaining Stability in the California Renewables Market

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:11:02 -0700

In pursuing its brave new world of green energy, California will inevitably experience the vicissitudes of its pioneering undertaking – the twists and turns on the road to TLC (transparency, longevity, certainty)

Solar cell therapy: transforming second-rate goods into first-class products

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:10:43 -0700

Innotech Solar optimizes off-spec cells

Winning the battle of energy savings

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:09:37 -0700

Two years ago, the New Jersey Army National Guard asked the Army Corps if it could construct a solar power project so they could save energy and money as they had done for them on previous solar power projects.

Addressing the challenge of expiring federal incentives for renewables

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:09:17 -0700

With the elimination of federal incentives for renewable generation, more than $20 billion may be shifted from the federal level (i.e. all taxpayers) to the customers in states with RPS targets.

TE Energy and the Wind Industry

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:08:54 -0700

With the Developing economies having realized the advantage of Wind Power, we see maximum growth coming from the Emerging Economies in this sector. Latin America, India, South East Europe to name a few.

What would be the optimum structure & characteristics of a Federal Loan Guarantee Program for Solar?

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:08:19 -0700

Can we envision a fair, balanced LG program that serves those that need it the most rather than only those that can afford to participate?

Cogenra Solar and Kendall-Jackson Winery Unveil Nation's Largest Rooftop Solar Cogeneration Array

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:11:03 -0700

Cogenra Solar, a provider of distributed solar cogeneration systems, today announced the nation's largest rooftop solar cogeneration system to date at Kendall-Jackson's Kittyhawk winery in Windsor, California. Expanding on Kendall-Jackson's existing energy and water conservation projects, the 96-module, 241kW hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) and thermal array is expected to save approximately $30,000 in annual energy costs.

"Our founder Jess Jackson was a trailblazer who made sustainability a core part of Kendall- Jackson's DNA largely through innovation"

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson and local business leaders convened today at Kendall-Jackson's Wine Center to celebrate the company's commitment to sustainability and unveil the solar cogeneration system, now supplying solar hot water and electricity to power the winery's extensive tank and bottle washing operations.

Click here for Full Press Release:

PV*SOL Expert

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:22:20 -0700

A real-world representation of the shading from surrounding objects is extremely important for precisely calculating yields. You're therefore looking for a program which takes shading into account as analytically as possible? PV*SOL® Expert does just that! You can visualize all roof-integrated or mounted systems - even on the ground - with up to 2,000 modules in 3D and calculate shading on the basis of 3D objects. The user-friendly 3D menu navigation is divided into the five sections of terrain view, building view, module coverage, module mounting and module configuration. Simply select possible shading objects and position them on the terrain or the building. PV*SOL® Expert then calculates how often on average the modules are shadowed by the objects and displays the result in graphical form. Your benefit: the visualization in 3D mode provides you with detailed information on shadows cast at various times of the day and year and consequently on likely reductions in yield.

The long, long (long) road for algae fuel

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:20:47 -0700

Earlier this week algae fuel startup Sapphire Energy announced that it’s in the process of raising a whopping $144 million from private investors, which will be used to build out its first commercial demonstration algae farm in New Mexico. That farm could be able to produce 1.5 million gallons of Sapphire’s green crude per year by 2014, says Sapphire’s VP of Corporate Affairs, Tim Zenk.

That might sound impressive, but it’s a far cry from the company’s previous projections. Back in 2009, Sapphire was hoping its algae farm would be able to produce 1 million gallons of green crude per year by 2011, followed by 100 million gallons per year by 2018, and 1 billion gallons per year by 2025. When Sapphire made those projections, the sheer volume was so much more than any of their competitors were putting out there, that I asked if Sapphire was going to be “the gorilla of algae fuel?“

Full Article:

RENEWABLE ENERGY EXPERIENCES EXPLOSIVE GROWTH DURING FIRST THREE YEARS OF OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:00:07 -0700

According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with data through December 31, 2011, renewable energy sources expanded rapidly during the first three years of the Obama Administration while substantially outpacing the growth rates of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011, renewable energy sources (i.e., biofuels, biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) grew by 27.12%. By comparison, during the same three-year period, total domestic energy production increased by just 6.72% with natural gas and crude oil production growing by 13.66% and 14.27% respectively. Moreover, during the same period, nuclear power declined by 1.99% and coal dropped by 7.16%.

Full Press Release:

Floating Windmills in Japan Help Wind Down Nuclear Power: Energy

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:10:05 -0700

Japan is preparing to bolt turbines onto barges and build the world’s largest commercial power plant using floating windmills, tackling the engineering challenges of an unproven technology to cut its reliance on atomic energy.

Marubeni Corp. (8002), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (7011) and Nippon Steel Corp. (5401) are among developers erecting a 16-megawatt pilot plant off the coast of Fukushima, site of the nuclear accident that pushed the government to pursue cleaner energy. The project may be expanded to 1,000 megawatts, the trade ministry said, bigger than any wind farm fixed to the seabed or on land.

“Japan is surrounded by deep oceans, and this poses challenges to offshore wind turbines that are attached to the bottom of the sea,” Senior Vice Environment Minister Katsuhiko Yokomitsu said at a meeting in Tokyo this month. “We are eager for floating offshore wind to become a viable technology.”

Full Article:

OutBack Power - Radian™ series Inverter/Charger and Integrated Battery Rack

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:46:38 -0700

Off-grid or on-grid, system designers and installers now have a comprehensive power conversion and storage solution from the name they trust: OutBack. Engineered from the ground up, OutBack’s preassembled systems make balance-of-system components easier to specify and install in any residential or commercial installation. The Radian packs over 8,000 Watts of pure sine-wave continuous power and can be stacked into an 80 kW configuration for larger applications. The Integrated Battery Rack (IBR) is a 28.8 kWh one-box solution with all electrical connections made at the factory and shipped fully-assembled (without batteries) for quick connection on the jobsite.

Quick Mount PV - Low Slope Mount

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:26:51 -0700

Quick Mount's Low Slope Mount takes the traditional base-and-post PV mount to its ultimate level. It's the strongest you can buy for mechanically attaching commercial PV systems to TPO, PVC, EPDM, built-up asphalt, and virtually all other non-metal low slope roofs.

Green Innovation – Fukuoka Hydrogen Town

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:41:32 -0700

So far, the Hy-life project has been very successful and innovative – it aims to bring a change to Japan and eventually to the world. It seems slightly long-term because of its unprecedented trial in the world, but they are trying to implement the plan through sustainable procedures.

Smart Grids - Big Ideas & Big Business

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:41:09 -0700

The tremendous benefit of Smart Grid technologies is encouraging action at EU and Member State level, such as with standardisation and implementation of funding schemes and other regulatory incentives for development projects.

Smart Grid Communications

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:39:54 -0700

Ultimately, a wireless communication system that lowers cost, speeds up deployment, and accelerates global energy efficiency and usage, can enable companies to design state-of-the-art Smart Grid solutions, water & gas distribution systems, condition & risk monitoring and energy-optimizing infrastructure systems.

Intelligent Energy Storage Systems

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:39:23 -0700

Intelligent energy storage allows customers to optimize usage of their energy storage unit(s). Greensmith is tapping into modern computing and communications to collect, analyze, and utilize data to maximize the value of their asset.

Distributed Energy Systems are the Future and the KEY is Storage

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:38:46 -0700

The world is moving toward a distributed energy future. For that future to be realized solar power must be available when the sun is not shining. The missing piece of this puzzle is energy storage.

FAQ on Army’s $7 Billion Draft RFP for Renewable Energy

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:37:13 -0700

On February 24, 2012, the U.S. Army Engineering & Support Center issued a draft request for proposals for renewable and alternative energy (the "Draft RFP"). Since posting our initial blog and Energy Law Alert, we have received a number of inquiries about the details of the solicitation. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Lithium Ion Battery Technology

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:36:45 -0700

The rapidly growing demand for alternative energy production and energy storage systems has created an important need for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Separation of electrolytes from non-electrolytes by pseudo-charge mosaic membranes

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:36:25 -0700

The piling of anion and cation ion exchange membranes can provide a kind of pseudo-charge mosaic membranes and that can be practically used in various industrial applications, and is worth of further detailed studies.

Flexible Solar Modules

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:35:52 -0700

Flexible solar panels allow for the generation of solar power where traditional, glass panels can’t be used. For example, large commercial rooftops may not be able to support the load of a large, glass array.

SOLAR ENERGY APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS IN PAKISTAN AND BARRRIERS IN ITS GROW

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:34:43 -0700

By enhancing the use of solar technology in industrial and commercial sectors, we can overcome energy crisis in Pakistan in a very short time as compared to other power generation options.

Two Case Studies - Cedar Point and Crossroads

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:27:20 -0700

The Cedar Point Wind Energy Project provides approximately 875,000 MWh which corresponds to the annual consumption of about 80,000 Colorado homes. The Crossroads Energy Project provides approximately 924,307 MWh which corresponds to the annual consumption of about 70,000 homes.

GREEN PLUG: THE LITTLE COMPANY THAT DID

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:26:58 -0700

Sometimes, the Path to Success is a Straight Line; Other Times, Circumstances Demand a Less Direct Route. Here’s How One Start-Up Avoided Getting Sidetracked.

Case Study - Dickson Medical Center

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:25:28 -0700

We utilized a rural grant of 25% of the total cost and took advantage of TVA'S Generation Solar Partners Program.

NRG Energy, Inc. to Build Unprecedented Electric Vehicle Fast-Charging Infrastructure in California

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:17:43 -0700

The California Public Utilities Commission and NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) have entered into an agreement where NRG will build a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) charging network in California, investing approximately $100 million over the next four years.

"And we will be helping the State meet its clean car goals as embodied by its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate."

This fee-based charging network will consist of at least 200 publicly available fast-charging stations—installed in the San Francisco Bay area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego County—which can add 50 miles of range in less than 15 minutes of charging. Additionally, NRG's EV infrastructure commitment will include the wiring for at least 10,000 individual charging stations located at homes, offices, multifamily communities, schools and hospitals located across the State.

Full Release:

WorldWide Solar Cell Production Growth Flattens but still Gigantic in 2011

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:14:32 -0700

Global PV cell production grew to an impressive 37.2 GW in 2011, according to a market survey by PHOTON International - The Solar Power Magazine, for a 36-percent increase over the 27.4 GW produced in 2010.

But the annual survey also reveals a dramatic reduction in year-on-year growth. Compared to a record 120-percent jump in 2010, the 2011 cell output was the PV industry's lowest growth rate since a 34-percent increase in 2003. The survey also shows a continuation of Asian dominance, with six Chinese manufacturers in the top 10 - with Suntech Power in first place for the second year in a row - and two from Taiwan. For the first time since PHOTON International began surveying solar cell producers, the top 10 did not include any solar cell producers from Europe or Japan.

"The days of solar cell production in western countries are numbered," says Michael Schmela, editor-in-chief of PHOTON International. "Like other commodities, solar cell production will continue its rapid shift to low-labor-cost countries in Asia, especially China." In 2008, only 33 percent of solar cells were made in China, a share that grew to an impressive over 57 percent in 2011.

Full Press Release:

President's trip designed to tout 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:31:27 -0700

In an effort to find a visual counterpart to his rhetoric on energy, President Barack Obama is speaking at four types of energy production facilities in two days, each site representing a facet of his energy plan.

"I'll be talking about what we're calling an all-of-the-above energy strategy -- all of the above," Obama said, previewing his trip before a crowd gathered at a solar facility in Boulder City, Nevada. "A strategy that relies on producing more oil and gas here in America, but also more biofuels, more fuel-efficient cars, more wind power and, as you can see, a whole lot more solar power."

The visit to Boulder City on Wednesday was designed to tout the success of solar technology at the largest photovoltaic solar facility in the nation. Photovoltaic solar panels create energy directly from sunlight without the need for any water or moving parts.

Full Article:

U.S. solar to get Obama aid in battle with China

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:23:10 -0700

President Barack Obama's administration is expected to throw its weight behind U.S. solar panel producers on Tuesday in their battle against lower-priced imports from China that they say threaten the future of the industry in the United States.

A coalition of seven U.S. manufacturers has asked for duties topping 100 percent on Chinese-made solar cells and panels, which they say are subsidized by the Chinese government and "dumped" in the United States at unfairly low prices.

The case, which was filed last year, has created more friction in the U.S.-China trade relationship, already strained by clashes over Beijing's currency policies and U.S. duties on a number of other Chinese goods.

Full Article:

Lux Research Reveals 2011 Top 10 Module Manufacturers

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:24:58 -0700

First Solar and Suntech led in module manufacturing in 2011 with both having around 2 GW of module production, according to Lux Research’s latest Solar Supply Tracker. Crystalline silicon module prices continue to be at a record low with Tier 1 manufacturers selling around $0.9/W while Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturers sold at even lower rates to burn through their inventories and survive the current market conditions.

The top 10 companies added up to 12.5 GW of module production, a significant share at 44% of the 2011 total global module production.

Top 10 2011 Module Manufacturers (In Order)

First Solar - 7% - 2,001 MW

Suntech Power - 6.5% -1866 MW

Yingli Green Energy - 5.5% - 1,554 MW

Trina Solar - 4.9% - 1,395 MW

Canadian Solar - 4.8% - 1,363 MW

Sharp - 4.1% - 1,155 MW

Hanwha Solar One - 2.9% - 825 MW

Jinko - 2.8% - 782 MW

LDK Solar - 2.7% - 774 MW

SolarWorld - 2.7% - 767 MW

Read Full Press Release:

AE 500 - The industry standard for reliability, performance and innovation now comes from Advanced Energy

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:44:30 -0700

Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) is a global leader in reliable power conversion solutions used in thin-film plasma manufacturing and solar energy generation. The company’s solar energy business delivers highly reliable inverters, complimentary Balance of System (BoS) products, and robust Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services that allow our customers to secure more solar projects and grow their business. AE Solar Energy enables utility scale, commercial, and residential solar project stakeholders to offer system owners a lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and confidence their PV system will deliver on long-term production goals. With more than 30 years of leadership in delivering innovation energy solutions, combined with a legendary reputation for customer service, AE is a trusted partner to solar project developers, financiers and beneficiaries around the globe.

Senate Rejects Measure To Extend Wind Energy Production Tax Credit

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:47:52 -0700

The U.S. Senate has voted to reject an amendment to S.1813, the Surface Transportation Bill, that would have extended several important renewable energy incentives - including the production tax credit (PTC) for wind power - for one year.

The measure, introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., also called for an extension of the Section 48C advanced energy manufacturing tax credit, which expired in 2010, as well as an extension of the Section 1603 cash-grant program.

Although the vote on the measure was even at 49-49, the amendment required 60 votes to pass, and was, therefore, not agreed to. The news comes as a disappointment to the wind industry, which was hoping for a boon in an uncertain economic climate.

Read full article here:

Renewables Tax Extensions up for Vote, Senate considers amendment

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:24:56 -0700

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would extend renewable energy tax incentives and restore the cash grant program that saved the industry during the depths of the recession.

The proposals are included in an amendment offered by Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who introduced Senate Amendment 1812, which would extend the production tax credit (PTC) for one year, until the end of 2013, as well as extend the 1603 investment tax credit, the 48(C) manufacturing tax credit, in addition to including biodiesel and other provisions.

Amendment 1812 includes several provisions, including credits for biofuels and advanced manufacturing tax breaks. But the parts of most interest to renewables are a one-year extension of the PTC for wind energy and a restoration of the “cash grants in lieu of the credit” which expired at the end of last year.

Solar Panel Sales Seen Dropping First Time in Decade

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 07:09:30 -0800

Fewer solar panels will be installed this year as the first drop in more than a decade worsens a glut of the unsold devices that’s already slashed margins at the top five manufacturers, an analyst survey showed.

Homes and businesses will put up 24.8 gigawatts of solar panels worldwide, according to the average of six forecasts compiled by Bloomberg News. That’s equal to the power of about 20 nuclear reactors and down 10 percent from the 27.7 gigawatts added last year. Installations have grown 61 percent a year on average since 1999, Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates.

The decline would be the first since Germany began offering premium rates for solar power in 2004, opening the way for mass, utility-scale installations. It will exacerbate price-cutting and a surge in inventories that last year forced Solyndra LLC into bankruptcy, prompted SunPower Corp. to seek a buyout and gutted margins at top manufacturers led by Suntech Power Holdings Co. and First Solar Inc.

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Spain Blows Away Monthly Wind Energy Record

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:36:23 -0800

This February, a record 21.7 percent of Spain’s electricity came from wind power. The 4,890 gigawatt-hours of electricity generated from wind made it the country’s third-largest source of energy in the month, after coal and nuclear power plants, according to Red Eléctrica de España (REE).

Although Spain has poured signficant money, in the form of feed-in tariffs, into solar power development, Europe has been experiencing a severely cold winter, where wind power can thrive. By using its wind turbines instead of fossil fuels to supply electricity, Spanish electricity prices fell to €51/MWh during the first two weeks of February while in neighboring France electricity cost €105/MWh. During that time, wind provided a whopping 28.9 percent of Spain’s electricity.

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Opportunity Ireland - For companies interested in considering Ireland for business expansion

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:46:53 -0800

Ireland is the most successful EU economy in attracting export - platform foreign direct investment. After a very successful launch in New York, ‘ Opportunity Ireland ' will now be hosting monthly meetings with companies interested in considering Ireland for business expansion development, funding and co venture opportunities.

Volt production halted; 1,300 workers out of work

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 07:05:01 -0800

Facing a significant backlog of unsold inventory, General Motors will shut down production of the Chevrolet Volt for five weeks.

The maker has notified 1,300 workers at the GM plant in Detroit that they will be idled from March 19 through April 23while assembly operations are idled. But the maker insists the latest setback is not a sign of long-term problems for the plug-in hybrid, noting that Volt sales in February jumped 70 percent over the prior month.

“We’re going to do what we need to the keep production in line with what the market demands,” said GM spokesperson Michelle Malcho.

She noted that demand has been recovering in the wake of reports, late last year, that several Volt battery packs had caught fire following federal crash tests.

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Schott Solar - The most secure investments are the proven ones

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:32:47 -0800

A subsidiary of SCHOTT, SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. is a long-standing company that produces quality solar modules. Since 1958, the company has invested in innovations that have enabled use of clean energy from the sun. Based on a German engineering heritage, the company has established state of the art manufacturing facilities around the world -- including in the United States. SCHOTT Solar modules have demonstrated 25 years of power output and energy yields supporting our products' reputation as the highest quality, most bankable, and proven photovoltaic modules in the market.

A New Generation Grid-Inverter

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:42:40 -0800

The high AC and DC voltages have the advantage that line losses can be reduced almost everywhere in the system. Firstly, in the inverter, which forms the part of efficiency gain, and secondly the cable losses in the PV installation, which will be significantly lowered. In addition, the installation costs for cabling and the associated costs are reduced.

Grid Parity

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:42:08 -0800

Grid parity happens when large scale solar can compete with, or beat wholesale pricing from coal plants, the nuclear facilities and combined cycle natural gas.

Sorting out the Subsidies

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:41:46 -0800

Subsidies for fossil fuel industries discourages investments in renewable projects and cleaner forms of energy.

North American Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Installations Surge in Q4’11

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:41:07 -0800

Region set for more than 60% growth in 2012; Downstream companies will need to adapt to changes in end-market

U.S. Goes from Net Exporter to Net Importer of Solar Products in One Year;

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:18:35 -0800

The United States' once-vaunted solar-industry trade surplus with China disappeared between 2010 and 2011, according to findings released today by the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM). The U.S. solar industry had an estimated $1.6 billion trade deficit with China in 2011, after enjoying an estimated $250 million to $540 million surplus in 2010. CASM's findings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), as well as a prior study by GTM Research.

"This new data, drawn from official government sources, finally buries the Chinese importers' tired, shop-worn and factually incorrect talking point that the U.S. solar industry has a trade surplus with China," said Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld Industries America Inc., the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar cells and panels. "Chinese importers often claim that the modest U.S. trade surplus in 2010 proved that China is not threatening the U.S. solar industry and economy. But it is no longer 2010, and any trade surplus is history. Illegal dumping by massively subsidized Chinese solar producers, combined with curbed exports of polysilicon and manufacturing equipment, are decimating U.S. solar manufacturers, the supply chain and their export business."

Read Full Press Release here:

Army Kicks Off $7 Billion Alternative Energy Project

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:00:01 -0800

The Army issued a draft request for proposals today to purchase over a 30-year period $7 billion worth of power generated from alternative energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

Katherine Hammock, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, announced plans for the project last year to support the service's goal of having installations produce more energy than they consume.

The Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering and Support Center in Huntsville, Ala., which is managing the procurement, said the alternative energy power generation plants will be located on or near federal property.

Hammond said last year that the Army would support their development by leasing land on installations, and the draft RFP backs this up with language that says the service endorses "the procurement of large scale renewable energy generated on or near Army land."

Siemens Blindsided by China Wind Boom Plans ‘Massive’ Investment

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:38:50 -0800

Siemens AG (SIE), the world’s largest maker of offshore wind turbines, said it underestimated the pace of growth in the Chinese wind market and will ramp up spending to catch up as local competitors increase their lead.

“We’re investing massively in research and development and to make use of economies of scale in production,” Felix Ferlemann, head of Siemens’s wind-power business, said in response to e-mailed questions. “We were somewhat taken by surprise by the strong growth of the Chinese market.”

China led the world in installing wind-power capacity last year. Munich-based Siemens is working to keep pace in the country, where it’s lagging behind suppliers such as Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS), while competition puts pressure on prices. Profitability at Siemens’s renewable-energy unit was wiped out last year, calling into question Chief Executive Officer Peter Loescher’s strategy of focusing more on green technologies.

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Aquion Energy Selects Pennsylvania for First Large-Scale Manufacturing Facility

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:22:50 -0800

Aquion Energy Inc., a developer and manufacturer of revolutionary sodium ion batteries and energy storage systems, today announced it has chosen Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania as the site for its first full-scale manufacturing facility.

"After considering all of our options, including aggressive offers from a number of other U.S. states, we concluded that southwestern Pennsylvania is the best location for Aquion to establish its first high-volume manufacturing operation"

Starting in 2012, Aquion will be leasing space within a large existing facility in East Huntingdon Township from the Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania (RIDC). The build-out of the base facility and factory infrastructure will begin immediately and continue throughout 2012. Initial product manufacturing is scheduled to commence in 2013. As part of a first phase manufacturing commitment at this site, Aquion expects to create over 400 high-tech manufacturing jobs by the end of 2015.

Click here for full Press Release

Fuel Cell Benefits Drive Repeat Customers

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:43:04 -0800

Companies might be trying fuel cells to portray a green image, or to stay on the cutting edge of technology. They become repeat customers because the technology works and saves money over incumbent systems. As our reports show, there is a business case for fuel cells. With corporate, government, and international interest, fuel cell deployments are sure to grow even more over the next few years.

Case Study - Northwest Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:42:42 -0800

The project was designed in-house by myself and engineering and structural fabrication was completed by Crystalite of Everett, WA. Installation was done by staff here at the training center – all electricians.

Improving Performance and Reducing Maintenance of CSP Systems with Copolymers

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:42:21 -0800

Chamelic is a spin-out company from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Leeds. Chamelic Ltd was established in February 2006 to exploit innovative chemicals discovered and developed at the Institute Particle Science and Engineering (IPSE).

Better Buildings, Better Plants

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:41:00 -0800

The Department of Energy’s intention behind the showcase project is to have leading companies create “blueprints” of their energy saving tactics that are actionable by a broader set of US companies. By creating an aggressive goal for a single facility, it affords a focused experience of what it takes to achieve that goal. We plan to be transparent in our actions in order to create these repeatable solutions for other companies.

Report of the Nigeria Alternative energy Expo 2011

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:40:30 -0800

NAEE 2011 saw participation from 17 countries representing all 6 continents and 147 companies gathered in Abuja to discuss African alternative energy climate with particular emphasis on opportunities, challenges and developments. Several notable speakers and experts from various sectors of the alternative energy sector provided insights.

The GreenVolts Integrated Solar System

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:39:31 -0800

Our modular system scales easily for distributed loads, such as irrigation pumps on different parcels of land, to large, centralized loads for commercial, industrial, and utility customers.

Congress Deals Major Blow to Wind Power Industry

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:33:11 -0800

The wind power industry is predicting massive layoffs and stalled or abandoned projects after a deal to renew a tax credit failed Thursday in Washington.

The move is expected to have major ramifications in states such as Illinois, where 13,892 megawatts of wind projects -- enough to power 3.3 million homes per year -- wait to be connected to the electric grid. Many of those projects will be abandoned or significantly delayed without federal subsidies.

The state is home to more than 150 companies that support the wind industry. At least 67 of those companies make turbines or components for wind farms. Chicago is the U.S. headquarters to more than a dozen major wind companies who wanted to take advantage of powerful Midwestern winds.

US DOE Launches Solar Training

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:08:31 -0800

The US Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative is developing two new training programs that will be available through the Solar Instructor Training Network in spring 2012. This nationwide collaboration between community colleges, labor training centers, and nine Regional Training Providers is intended to provide high-quality photovoltaic (PV) occupational skills courses and training for every state in the country.

The PV On-Line Training tool will provide free, web-based training on solar PV inspection and building code practices for code officials across the country. Inspectors will be able to take eight in-depth modules on photovoltaic inspections at their convenience and then attend a free follow-up training the next summer at a nearby partner school. PV On-Line Trainings incorporate a simulated video environment for a “gaming” atmosphere that changes the scenario each time it is opened.

SolarReserve constructs 540-foot solar power tower

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:02:01 -0800

Despite that some solar thermal projects — which use the sun’s heat instead of solar panels — are getting replaced with cheaper solar panels, some developers are still moving forward on massive solar thermal plants in the deserts of the U.S. Developer SolarReserve announced on Thursday that it’s finished building the 540-foot solar power tower that will make up the centerpiece of its 110 MW project in Nevada.

The plant is called the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant and SolarReserve says it’ll be “the largest power plant of its kind in the world.” It’ll also use molten salt for energy storage.

U.S. Grid Energy Storage Market is Strong and Poised for Exponential Growth

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:10:48 -0800

Industry Forecasts Strong Investments in Energy Storage Markets

Within the U.S., industry analysts forecast that $240 billion will be invested in storage grid applications over the next 10 years. Overall, government support is strong with the Department of Energy (DOE) Smart Grid Demonstration Grants project investing $772 million. Strong investments from the government and venture capitalists, successful demonstration projects, and recent technological advancements have all contributed to strong growth in the storage market.

Market drivers are energy independence and security; smart grid investments; time of use/peak demand rates; increase in renewables and distributed generation; and government policies, incentives and regulations. Though all sectors of the energy storage market show strong potential, from an application perspective distributed generation devices, renewable systems, and ancillary services show the greatest near term growth potential. Global opportunity over the next 10 to 20 years is estimated at upwards of 300 gigawatts (GW) in size, which translates into $200-$600 billion in value.

ALTA DEVICES SOLAR PANEL RECEIVES NREL VERIFICATION OF 23.5% EFFICIENCY

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:27:11 -0800

Alta Devices' most recent solar panel has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at 23.5% efficiency. This is the highest solar panel efficiency yet achieved and demonstrates Alta's progress toward its objective of developing solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions that are competitive, without subsidies, with fossil fuels.
Today's announcement is Alta's next step toward commercializing its technology. This new panel uses the same technology as the company announced last summer, which achieved record solar cell conversion efficiencies resulting from key technical breakthroughs in harnessing the high efficiency of gallium arsenide (GaAs) in cost-effective ways (see http://bit.ly/m51A5f ). Alta chose to focus on GaAs because of its intrinsic efficiency advantages as well as its ability to generate electricity at high temperatures and in low light. This means that Alta's panels have substantially higher energy density than other technologies, generating more kilowatt-hours of energy over the course of a year in real life conditions.

U.S. gives green light to offshore wind farms

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:36:05 -0800

Lighting Maryland homes with power from giant turbines off Ocean City moved closer to reality Thursday as federal officials announced they are ready to go forward with leasing vast areas along the Mid-Atlantic coast for wind farms. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said at a news conference at Baltimore's Inner Harbor that his staff found that no significant impact to the environment, shipping or other activities would result from letting developers start studies and plans for harnessing ocean winds from New Jersey to Virginia. Salazar, who had pledged more than a year ago to streamline the regulatory process for putting turbines offshore, said his Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would start soliciting bids for leasing up to 80,000 acres off Maryland. Eight companies or partnerships had expressed interest in 2010. "This is not going to be something that's going to be waiting around for multiple years," Salazar said. "We'll have those leases issued by the end of 2012."

HomeToys.com - The Home Technology Information Source

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:21:02 -0800

HomeToys.com is a News and Information Resource for Home Technology. Daily News Stories, Hot Products, Industry Tools, Thousands of Articles and more. Join with industry players and home tech enthusiasts who visit each month to find out how to grow their businesses and expand their knowledge.

RoboticsTomorrow.com -The Robotics industry is booming.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:19:57 -0800

RoboticsTomorrow is a community website where those of you who work or are interested in the Robotics Industry are invited to contribute articles, news and product information for your peers to read and discover. Our philosophy is to create an outlet where the industry can report on itself.

AVSystemsMag.com - Commercial AV & Automation eMagazine

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:18:52 -0800

AVSystemsMag.com is a community website where those of you who work in the Commercial AV and Automation Industry are invited to contribute articles, news and product information for your peers to read and discover. Our philosophy is to create an outlet where the industry can report on itself.

Micro-hybrids to Grow to 39 Million Vehicles in 2017, Creating a $6.9 Billion Battery Market

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:45:15 -0800

Micro-hybrids will grow nearly eight-fold to 39 million vehicles in 2017 and create a $6.9 billion market for energy storage devices as the fuel-saving alternative technology finds ready adoption, driven by stricter emission standards, according to a Lux Research report titled, "Every Last Drop: Micro- And Mild Hybrids Drive a Huge Market for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles." "Micro-hybrids and, to a lesser extent, mild hybrids, provide a cost-effective solution to fuel savings to bridge the gap to more disruptive technologies like alternative fuels, plug-in vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles."
Micro-hybrids, which use a small battery to provide varying degrees of efficiency-boosting features, will dominate the automotive market, gaining 42% of the overall light-duty vehicle market. Simultaneously, the mild hybrids — superior to micro-hybrids but not as efficient as pure hybrids — will rise from near-zero to 1.5 million vehicles in 2017, accounting for 1.6% of the auto market.

Matrix Energy – Renewable Power, Renewable Heating Products & Systems

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:35:07 -0800

Since 1985 Matrix Energy has been providing practical, cost effective renewable power products and systems. Our Renewable Power Group provides full service wholesale product distribution as well as turnkey solutions to meet our customer's demand for dependable and affordable power generation. Under the MatrixAir brand, our Solar Thermal Group offers a number of patent pending, solar air heating solutions for industrial, commercial, agricultural and institutional applications.

US Battery – Solar RE L16XC Renewable Energy Battery

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:32:32 -0800

Our batteries have Xtreme thick plates with (XC Diamond Plate Technology) added to them. They have been designed for hours of heavy discharge each day, followed by a fast recharge during the daylight hours. Very few batteries can take the grueling deep discharge-recharge cycle every day for long periods of time. U.S. Battery has proven time and time again that our solar battery line can stand up to this type of battery torture day in and day out for years to come. When you demand reliable energy storage count on U.S. Battery every time!

ET Solar – Moly Series

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:24:03 -0800

ET Solar produces a wide variety of PV modules ideally suited for all types of installations: residential, commercial, industrial and utility. ET Solar modules currently come in two series: MONO, POLY. We manufacture mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline cells in 5" and 6" sizes, and our modules are designed with 60 and 72 cells. Our modules are certified by established international agencies, including TUV and UL, and our vertically integrated business model allows us to control the quality of our product throughout the entire manufacturing process.

Patriot Solar Group - SunScout Controller

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:20:01 -0800

All Patriot Solar controllers are easy to install and program. The controllers use a time-based algorithm for tracking and can be set up to use photocells as the main tracking error, allowing proper tracking through clouds for high concentration systems. Features/Benefits: Computes the position of the sun as a function of location and time of year, using precision crystal clock to calculate time - System can have master clock reset to Web time or use reference photocell to pull clock back into <1 degree - Two push buttons - USB adapter port for RS 232 adapter - Compatible with Hall Effect motor speed sensors, allowing easy integration to all types of gear motors - Two year warranty on electronics and workmanship

A Look at Green Technology Predictions for 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:33:27 -0800

The green landscape will continue to shift and it is important to watch, learn and prepare future leaders. The excitement of clean technology innovation in 2012 and beyond ought to be celebrated by everyone who has a stake in making our world a better place to work, play and live.

2011 Greentech M&A Review

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:33:09 -0800

When the dust settled, 353 transactions had been completed for a reported $13.9 billion—down 6% from the $14.7 billion posted in 2010. While greentech funding rose 4% to $10.6 billion, mergers and acquisitions slumped 29% to $3.3 billion.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power - Global Market Size and Key Country Analysis to 2020

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:31:33 -0800

The global cumulative installed capacity for solar PV is expected to reach 330,424 MW by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 23.7% during 2011-2020. Europe is the leading solar PV market, with a share of 76.5% of the total cumulative installed capacity, followed by the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for a share of 15.8% in 2010.

Alternative Fueled Vehicles at the North American International Auto Show

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:31:11 -0800

Despite all the glamor, the real winner, the game changer, the quantum leaper, the watershed moment was here at the Autoshow and the Mainstream Automotive Writer's completely missed it.

Processing and Disposal of “soft” Municipal Solid Waste and Conversion into Electricity

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:30:52 -0800

Ligno cellulose consists of accumulated solar energy, however recovery of this energy is possible only through combustion processes with considerable environmental disadvantages. The proposed technology offers a completely different approach: The input materials are dissolved in a concentrated salt solution.

Durban 2011 - A Second Chance to Climate Change

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:30:23 -0800

The Kyoto Protocol, having set binding targets for 37( + 4 that are to be added till the end of 2012) developed countries to reduce GHG emissions to 10-20 percent below the 1990 levels by 2012, however, may lose its significance in the second period since some countries such as Canada, Japan and China were reportedly unwilling to take part.