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Senate Passes Clean Energy Tax Credits Bill
If you've been wondering what happened to the bill introduced last week by U.S. Sens. Cantwell and Ensign that would, among other measures, extend solar investment tax credits for residential and commercial use, here's some up-to-the-minute news from SolarNation.
By a vote of 88-8, the Cantwell-Ensign language was successfully added as an amendment to the Senate's comprehensive housing bill (HR 3221). This bill passed the Senate on Thursday with an estimated $6.6 billion in tax credits allocated to renewables, and including a lifting of the $2000 cap on residential solar installation credits. (You'll find details of how your senator voted below).
This is a landmark development on Capitol Hill, since attempts to get the Senate this far have failed three times in the last year. Of course, on those occasions the initial impetus came from the House, and the stumbling block for the Senate was always the source of funding for the tax credits--reducing some of the government subsidies enjoyed by the oil and gas industry. In this case it's a Senate-originated bill, with no identified source of funding, and that means that the problem this time around may be with the House. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), head of the Finance Committee's Energy Sub-committee, has said that the House is unlikely to agree to the provisions without spending offsets. More…
DOE Selects 12 Solar America Cities
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it will make available up to $2.4 million to 12 cities across the country selected as Solar America Cities, chosen for their commitment and comprehensive approach to the deployment of solar technologies and the development of sustainable solar infrastructures. Cities designated as Solar America Cities, which will each receive $200,000 from DOE to integrate a variety of solar energy technologies throughout the city, include: Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Knoxville, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Jose, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; and Seattle, WA .
In addition to investing a total of up to $2.4 million (Fiscal Year 2008), DOE will also provide hands-on assistance from technical experts to help cities integrate solar technologies into energy planning, zoning and facilities; streamline local regulations and practices that affect solar adoption by residents and businesses; present solar financing options; and promote solar technology among residents and local businesses through outreach, curriculum development, and incentive programs. Technical assistance is estimated at $3 million (Fiscal Years 2008-2009), subject to appropriations from Congress. Read the full press release.
Google's Goal: Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal
Google has announced a new strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The newly created initiative, known as RE<C, will focus initially on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. RE<C is hiring engineers and energy experts to lead its research and development work, which will begin with a significant effort on solar thermal technology, and will also investigate enhanced geothermal systems and other areas. In 2008, Google expects to spend tens of millions on research and development and related investments in renewable energy. As part of its capital planning process, the company also anticipates investing hundreds of millions of dollars in breakthrough renewable energy projects which generate positive returns. More...
177-Megawatt Solar Thermal Power Project Announced in California
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has entered into a 177-megawatt solar thermal power purchasing agreement with Ausra Inc. The project, to be located in central California, is being developed by Ausra.
“Today's agreement between PG&E and Ausra highlights how clean energy will create jobs in California while delivering a reliable source of renewable energy,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I'm pleased to see California companies rising to the challenge of AB 32, California 's historic initiative to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Clearly, California continues to lead the nation in clean energy research, development and generation.”
he plant, to be located in San Luis Obispo County , Calif. , is expected to begin generating power in 2010. Ausra has filed its Application for Certification for this plant with the California Energy Commission, which must grant approval before construction begins. More...
NREL to Dramatically Increase Use of Renewable Energy
DOE recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a highly efficient and “green” Research Support Facility and also announced two major renewable power projects at the Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). These projects further President Bush’s to increase the use of clean, renewable energy and maximize energy efficiency across the federal government. NREL’s new Research Support Facility promises to be one of the most “green” buildings ever constructed; the new Renewable Fuel Heating Plant will use biomass to cut NREL’s future natural gas use by 75 percent; and the Mesa Top PV Project – a new five-acre photovoltaic array, and one of the largest solar power systems in Colorado – will help power the lab’s main campus.
These projects underscore NREL’s role in advancing DOE’s Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) Initiative, a Department-wide effort to maximize energy efficiency and renewable energy generation across the DOE complex. TEAM Initiative puts DOE on an aggressive footing toward meeting and possibly exceeding President Bush’s executive over to reduce energy use across the federal government. Read the full press release.
U.S. Forest Service Installs Solar System on Ennis Facility
Ennis is home to a new solar electric system, installed on the U.S. Forest Service Building there. According to this report in The Montana Standard, the building installed one solar array earlier this summer and a second array in October. NorthWestern Energy provided funding for the project through its Universal Systems Benefits fund. The system will produce an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year — about a third of the total annual consumption for the building. More…
University of Maryland Wins Communications Contest at 2007 Solar Decathlon
The University of Maryland took first place in the Communications portion of DOE’s Solar Decathlon. The team impressed jurors with their communication strategies to convey the technical aspects of generating solar energy, winning the second of ten contests that comprise the Solar Decathlon competition. DOE’s Solar Decathlon is a competition where 20 university-led teams from across the United States , and from Canada , Germany , and Spain , compete to design, build and operate the most attractive, functional, and energy efficient solar-powered home. More…
Safeway Unveils First Solar-Powered Grocery Store
Safeway Inc., one of the largest retail investors in renewable energy, has announced a new environmental project to power 23 California stores with renewable solar energy. The company installed solar panels atop a newly renovated Safeway Lifestyle store in Dublin, California, and plans to extend the program to nearly two dozen stores as part of a broader renewable energy initiative. The store's rooftop solar panel array is currently generating electricity to power the 55,000-square-foot retail facility. Read the full press release.
Sage Mountain Center Announces Lecture Series
As energy security, costs, and climate change issues become more important, clean renewable energy sources are making their way into the mainstream. Here in Montana, hundreds of homes and businesses are turning to Renewable Energy to offset power bills and contribute to cleaner air, water, and soil. Sage Mountain Center is offering a series of evening presentations tilted "Introduction to Solar Electricity, Solar Hot Water, and Small Wind Generation" that will cover solar electricity, solar hot water, and small wind equipment, financing, rebates, and getting credit for the power you produce. There will also be demonstration equipment, slide show with Q&A, and plenty of literature to be given out. Find out which form of energy may be right for you. Admission is free, and no pre-registration necessary. Presentations will be held 7–9 p.m. at locations below.
- Oct. 9, Missoula, Best Western Grant Creek Inn, 5280 Grant Creek Rd.
- Oct. 11, Great Falls, Hampton Inn, 2301 14 th St. SW
- Oct. 12, Helena, Best Western Great Northern, 835 Great Northern Blvd.
- Nov. 7, Bozeman, Holiday Inn, 5 Baxter Ln.
- Nov. 8, Butte, War Bonnet Hotel, 2100 Cornell
Email smc@sagemountain.org or call Sage Mountain Center at (406) 494-9875 for more information. Presentations sponsored by Northwestern Energy USB Renewable Energy Program.
Rebates Available for Solar Electric Systems on New Montana Homes
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has announced that ten rebates of $3,500 are available to homeowners, builders, and others to install solar electric systems on new ENERGY STAR-certified homes. The rebates, funded by NorthWestern Energy, are only available to new homes in NorthWestern Energy’s electric service territory. For more information, call Mark Hughey at 494-8641.
First California Community Approved by California ’s New Solar Homes Partnership
The new home community of Wisteria by Christopherson Homes in Rocklin, California, is the first community to be approved by the State of California under its New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) program. As part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI), NSHP provides significant rebates for homes that feature solar electric systems, achieve at least 15 percent above current Title 24 Standards, and include ENERGY STAR appliances. Through partnering with the state’s utilities to provide commensurate energy efficiency rebates, NSHP encourages homes to be built to a Tier II efficiency level, or 35-40% above current Title 24 Standards. More…
DARPA-Funded Effort Achieves New Record Solar Cell Efficiency
A consortium led by the University of Delaware (UD) has created a solar cell that can convert 42.8% of the sunlight that hits it into electricity, besting a record set by Spectrolab and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Under a program funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the UD-led consortium employed a novel optical system that splits sunlight into three components while concentrating it by about a factor of 20. Three separate solar cells—made by UD, NREL, and Emcore Corporation—convert each piece of the solar spectrum into electricity to achieve the record conversion efficiency. Unlike typical concentrating solar cells, the new device features optics that are less than one centimeter thick and that accept sunlight coming from a wide range of angles, allowing the solar device to be mounted in a fixed position. See the UD press release.
Based on the success of the UD-led effort, DARPA has announced the start of a new three-year effort to drive the efficiency of solar cells to more than 50%. The DARPA project will also develop pilot-scale technologies to produce the high-efficiency solar cells at a cost of less than $5,000 per square meter, which is the current cost of commercial solar cells. The new consortium, led by DuPont and UD, has been awarded $12.2 million by DARPA, and the total cost of the project could reach $100 million, according to DuPont. See the press releases from DARPA and DuPont.
PG&E Signs Largest-Ever Agreement for Solar Power
Pacific Gas and Electric Company recently entered into a landmark renewable energy agreement with Solel-MSP-1 to purchase renewable energy from the Mojave Solar Park , to be constructed in California ’s Mojave Desert . The project will deliver 553 megawatts of solar power, the equivalent of powering 400,000 homes, to PG&E’s customers in northern and central California. The Mojave Solar Park project is now the world’s largest single solar commitment.
More...
U.S. Solar Market Increased by One-Third in 2006
Federal Solar Tax Credits Extended
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), signed by the President in August of 2005, provides incentives for purchasing solar equipment. Now extended through 2008, these incentives could provide a tax credit equal to 30 percent of qualifying expenditures for purchase of commercial solar installations, with no cap on the total credit allowed. EPAct also provides homeowners a 30-percent tax credit for qualified PV systems and solar water-heating systems that are used exclusively for purposes other than heating swimming pools and hot tubs. Private property owners of qualified systems are eligible for a tax credit up to $2,000 for either system, with a maximum of $4,000 allowed, if both qualified photovoltaic and solar water-heating systems are installed. More information on available incentives for solar installations is available at energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits.
DOE Announces $168 Million for Solar Energy Projects
DOE has announced the
selection of 13 industry-led solar technology development projects for
negotiation for up to $168 million (FY’07-’09) in funding, subject to appropriation from Congress. These projects will help significantly reduce the cost of producing and distributing solar energy. As part of the cost-shared agreements, the industry-led teams will contribute more than 50 percent of the funding for these projects for a total value of up to $357 million over three years. These cooperative agreements, to be negotiated, will be the first made available as part of President Bush’s Solar America Initiative, a component of his Advanced Energy Initiative, announced in his 2006 State of the Union Address.
SEIA Seeks Support for Solar Tax Credits
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is looking for support in helping our country achieve a clean energy future. According to SEIA, existing tax credits for solar energy systems and fuel cell are set to expire in 2008. The Securing America’s Energy Independence Act will ensure a full 10-year program that will bring solar energy and fuel cells into the mainstream; strengthening our economy, reducing our energy dependence and fighting global warming. Find out how you can help.
Bozeman Leads the Way with Solar Installations
Two of Montana's largest solar installations are located in Bozeman, reports New West. The Bozeman Public Library, which also is LEED-certified, boasts 16.7-kW photovoltaic system, and Arby's Restaurant has a similar system, 15.1 kW in size. In total, the Gallatin Valley has 200kW of solar panels installed on homes and businesss. “We have a better economy than other places in the state that can accommodate solar consumption,” said Conor Darby, general manager of Independent Power Systems, which installed both the library and Arby's systems. More…
San Francisco to Provide Green Power to an Entire Neighborhood
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will soon supply 100 percent green power to a neighborhood that is now under construction. Under an recently approved agreement, the SFPUC and Lennar BVHP, the site developer, will create a "Green Public Power Community" on a 93-acre parcel located at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The neighborhood will include more than 1,600 new residential units and 300,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. Initially, the SFPUC will supply solar and hydroelectric power to the community, but as new technologies become available, this and other future green power communities will be first in line for other green power sources.
Under the new agreement, SFPUC will procure and provide energy services to the community and ensure that rates charged to residents and businesses in the new neighborhood are the same or lower than current retail and commercial electric rates. As part of the agreement, Lennar BVHP will contribute $2 million towards the cost of providing renewable energy to customers in the new neighborhood. The Lennar funds could possibly be allocated towards the construction of rooftop solar facilities within the development.
New Solar Cell Breaks Efficiency Record
Spectrolab, Inc. has developed a new concentrator solar cell with a sunlight-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 40.7 percent, a new world record in solar cell efficiency. The new cell uses a "multi-junction" structure, in which several layers each capture part of the sunlight passing through the cell. These layers allow the cell to capture more of the solar spectrum and convert it into electricity. The Spectrolab cell relies on an optical concentrator to focus sunlight onto the cell.
Researchers have been working toward the "40 percent barrier" for the past two decades. In the 1980s, multi-junction solar cells achieved about 16 percent efficiency, and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory broke the 30 percent barrier in 1994. Today, most satellites use these multi-junction solar cells, and Spectrolab, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, recently produced its two millionth solar cell using multi-junction technology. The new Spectrolab cell, developed with DOE funding, could lead to more affordable solar power systems, costing as little as $3 per watt to install and producing electricity at a cost of 8 to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. More…
Funding Alert: Energy for Sustainability Grants
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for the Energy for Sustainability Program, for fundamental research and education in energy production, conversion, and storage which is focused on energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable. This program seeks to reduce world dependence on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases, and promote sustainable energy. Proposals are due March 31 and September 15, 2007. To see the full solicitation, visit http://www.grants.gov/search/basic.do, and search for solicitation No. PD-07-7644
GM Taking Advantage of Solar Under Creative No-Cost Arrangement
A creative arrangement between General Motors (GM) and Developing Energy Efficient Roof Systems (Deers) has allowed GM to benefit from a photovoltaic installation at no cost. In the agreement, solar developer Deers paid for the cost to install a PV system on GM's roof. In return, GM signed a long-term contract to purchase electricity from the system from Deers. Because the electricity purchased from Deers is less expensive than electricity provided by the local utility, the arrangement is expected to reduce GM's energy costs by about 10 percent each year. More…
IRS Issues Bonds for Renewable Energy Projects
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has allocated $800 million in "tax-credit" bonds for a total of 610 renewable energy projects to be located throughout the United States . Unlike normal bonds that pay interest, tax-credit bonds pay the bondholders by providing a credit against their federal income tax. In effect, the new tax-credit bonds, called "Clean Renewable Energy Bonds," will provide interest-free financing for certain renewable energy projects. The new bond allocations range from $23,000 to $31 million and are set aside for 434 solar energy facilities, 112 wind power installations, 36 landfill gas facilities, 14 hydropower plants, 13 biomass power plants, and one refined coal production facility. The IRS selected the projects from among 709 applications for 786 projects. More...
New Pubication Identifies Renewable Energy Opportunities for the Farm
A new publication from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service/ATTRA introduces three renewable energy resources that can be attractive and economically feasible for the farm: solar, wind, and renewable fuels. The publication is not a technical guide for designing or installing renewable energy systems but, instead, services as an overview of wind, solar, and renewable fuel technologies, and includes information on cost and savings, site planning, and financial incentives.
Funding Announced for Solar City Strategic Partnerships
The U.S. Department of Energy is accepting proposals for Solar America Initiative Market Transformation: Solar City Strategic Partnerships. Through this initiative, DOE seeks to form strategic partnerships with U.S. cities to help accelerate the adoption of solar technology at the local level by engaging city governments, key intermediaries, and regulatory entities. Some $1.6 million is expected to be available, with up to 8 awards anticipated. Responses are due January 10, 2007.
Google Announces Plans for Solar Electric System
Technology giant Google has announced plans to install a solar electric system on its headquarters facility in Mountain View, California. The system, expected to be complete next spring, will be capable of producing 1.6 megawatts of electricity for the Googleplex facility. Most of the 9,000 panels will be installed on rooftops, but some will provide shaded parking areas. More…
DOE Announces $13 Million for Solar Research Projects
DOE recently announced that it has awarded $13 million to fund research in solar technologies and the development of more efficient solar panels. The funding is part of the Solar America Initiative, which aims to make solar power cost competitive with conventional electricity sources by 2015. Of the $13 million, $4.5 million will be awarded this fiscal year, which runs through September of 2007. The projects receiving funding will focus on solar codes and standards; photovoltaic module rating systems; and strategic partnership opportunities for cities, states, and utilities. More…
California Vineyard Turning to Solar
Ballantine Vineyards of St. Helena, California, has announced plans to install a solar electric system that will provide 100 percent of its electricity needs. The system will eliminate nearly 154 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, and has a payback of only six years. SolarCraft of Novato, California, was chosen to design and install the system. More…
Article Profiles Red Lodge Solar Projects
Renewable energy is alive and well in Red Lodge, with solar energy helping to meet energy needs fora local café, fire station, and a brewery. There's even small-scale biodiesel production facility, according to this article in the Billings Gazette. And owners are benefiting in a number of ways from the renewable energy systems, most notably lower energy bills. The environment is benefiting, as well, since renewable energy sources such as solar are virtually non-polluting, compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. More…
8-MW Solar Plant Slated for Colorado
Xcel Energy has announced its selection of SunEdison, LLC to build, own, and operate an 8-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant, which will be the largest of its type in the nation. Xcel Energy released a request for proposals for the solar facility in south central Colorado . SunEdison's response includes 6.8 megawatts of advanced flat-plate solar panels (the type you might mount on your roof) as well as 1.2 megawatts of concentrating photovoltaic units, which track the sun to focus sunlight onto solar cells. The units will concentrate the sunlight by a factor of 500, employing a relatively small area of high-efficiency solar cells to convert that sunlight into electricity. Xcel Energy will purchase the power and the renewable energy credits associated with the plant, which is expected to be online by the end of 2007. More...
Sage Mountain Center Announces Monthly Tours
Solar Manufacturing Experiencing Rapid Growth
U.S. shipments of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules surged ahead by 72 percent in 2005, while shipments of solar thermal collectors increased 10.4 percent, according to a new report. The annual report on solar thermal and PV manufacturing activities, produced by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA), documents the changing solar energy industry, which is struggling to meet rising demand while dealing with material supply disruptions and rising costs. The EIA report cites silicon supply disruptions for Shell Solar as the cause for a 10 percent drop in PV exports, a problem that led Shell Solar to sell its crystalline silicon solar business and focus instead on thin-film solar technologies. Meanwhile, a growing U.S. demand for PV systems caused imports to nearly double, reaching a level nearly equal with exports.
Silicon supply concerns also caused crystalline silicon solar cells to lose market share, dropping from 88 percent of the PV market in 2004 to only 76 percent of the market in 2005. The remaining quarter of the PV market was filled by thin-film solar cells, for which shipments more than doubled in 2005. But no matter the technology, the growth in the PV industry is good for employment, which surged 6 percent in 2005. A total of 29 companies now provide 3,108 person-years of employment in the United States. More...
Renewable Energy Technology Company to Locate in Idaho
Hoku Scientific, a Hawaii-based fuel cell technology company, recently announced plans to open a new production plant in Idaho, reports The Idaho Statesman. The plant will be home to Hoku Solar and Hoku Materials. The latter will produce polysilicon, a key material used in solar modules. The plant is tentatively scheduled to begin operation in 2008 and will employ an estimated 300 people. More...
Funding Alert: Design Competition for Sustainability
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests applications for its
4th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for
Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet. This
competition supports teams of college students to research, develop,
and design solutions to challenges to sustainability. Areas of
interest include: Energy, Agriculture, the Built Environment, Water,
Materials and Chemicals and Information Technology. Some $1.25 million
is expected to be available, with up to 60 awards anticipated. Responses are due
December 21, 2006. More...
Dow Corning Develops New Silicon Production Process
Dow Corning Solar Solutions Group announced in early September that it has developed a new process for producing solar-grade silicon. The company produces the material from metallurgical-grade (low quality) silicon and claims that, when blended with traditional polycrystalline silicon, the result is "similar to polysilicon in terms of solar cell manufacturing and efficiency." The new silicon product is the first product for the company's new production facility in Santos Dumont, Brazil. Dow Corning has not yet disclosed the annual production capacity of the plant or the amount of polycrystalline silicon that must be blended with the product, so the impact on global solar-grade silicon supplies remains unclear. More...
Salt Lake Convention Center Features New PV System
The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City has received a new PV system as part of its recent expansion, reports The Salt Lake Tribune. The center recently held a "lighting" ceremony for new system, which consists of 104 solar panels. Electricity produced by the system will provide round-the-clock lighting for the center's 104-space parking terrace. "Solar power is gaining favor with government, business and developers," said Peter Corroon, mayor of Salt Lake County , which owns the Salt Palace . "As more use the technology, the price comes down and it starts to make even more sense. More...
California's Million Solar Roofs Plan Becomes Law
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put the final pieces in place for his Million Solar Roofs Plan on August 21 when he signed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) into law, reports EERE Network News. Back in January, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) put the major piece of the plan into effect when it created the 10-year, $2.9 billion "California Solar Initiative" to offer rebates on solar power systems. However, because the CPUC only has authority over investor-owned utilities, the rebates were funded by the customers of those utilities and only available to those customers.
SB 1 expands the program to municipal utilities such as the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water and allows the total cost of the program to increase to as much as $3.35 billion. It also increases the cap on the number of utility customers that can sell their excess solar power generation back to the utility. That number was previously capped at 0.5 percent of the utility's customers, but is now capped at 2.5 percent of the customers. And starting in 2011, SB 1 requires developments of more than 50 new single-family homes to offer solar energy systems as an option.
The governor's Million Solar Roofs Plan aims to install solar power systems on one million homes by 2017. The state estimates that the million homes would have a total solar power capacity of 3,000 megawatts. More...
Q&A with Oregon Solar Energy Expert on Residential Applications
This five-part article in The Oregonian analyzes renewable energy technologies designed for residential buildings in Oregon. The Energy Trust of Oregon, a local advocate group for renewable energy, offers free monthly seminars on the potentials of solar energy. The last installment of this series is an interview with the organization's solar energy program manager, Kacia Brockman. She explains the basics of solar energy uses in the home, including solar-powered water heating, electrical generation, costs, and installation processes. More...
Proposed Nevada Solar Energy Project Will be Largest in World
Two energy companies--Powered by Renewables Corp. and SunEdison LLC of Baltimore—recently announced plans to construct an 18-megawatt solar energy facility in Clark County , Nevada. The proposed $115 million plant would be nearly twice the size of as the next largest photovoltaic plant, a 10-megawatt facility currently operating in Germany . The solar plant would generate enough electricity to power 36,000 homes. Construction on the plan is scheduled to begin this summer; the plant is scheduled to be fully operational by mid-2007. More...
Montana Ranchers Turning to Solar-Powered Livestock Well Pumps
Solar panel arrays are slowly replacing older windmills as the preferred means of generating electricity at remote ranch locations, reports The Prairie Star. While solar energy systems have traditionally been considered too expensive to install, new financial incentives, such as federal tax credits and grant programs, as well as the declining cost of solar energy equipment has made solar panel use a reality for some Montana ranchers. In 2005, the USDA provided more than $11 million in grant funding and an additional $11 million in loan guarantees for its rural clean energy program. Funding was available to ranches, farms, livestock operations and rural small businesses. Applicants could receive as much as 75 percentoff the cost of installing solar energy wells. Once installed, the solar wells require no electricity to operate, which makes them even more valuable with rising energy prices. More...
Helena Children's Museum Receives Solar Energy Grant
ExplorationWorks!, the new children's museum currently under construction in Helena, announced that it had received a $39,750 grant from NorthWestern Energy's Universal System Benefits (USB) Program for the construction of a solar photovoltaic system. The USB grant will pay for up to 75 percent of the $53,000 solar project. The project will make the museum one of Montana 's first certified Leader in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) buildings. The solar panels will feed power to several inverters, which will be connected back to the electricity grid under a net-metering program. A corresponding exhibit in the museum will show the amount of power that the panels generate. Northwestern Energy spends approximately $1 million annually on its USB program, which is designed to promote the development of renewable-energy projects in the state. More...
New Mexico Begins Solar Energy Net Metering Program
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission recently approved a new program by which state utility companies are obligated to credit customers for electricity generated by solar energy systems. The program could save the owner of a two-kilowatt system—the average solar system for a homeowner—nearly $400 annually. Customers must be connected to the electricity grid and own a functioning solar energy system. A two-kilowatt solar energy system costs, on average, between $18,000 and $19,000. More...
University of Colorado Offers Renewable Energy Courses
Boulder-based University of Colorado recently announced plans to offer a graduate-level course in alternative energy technologies, reports The Cherry Creek News . The course will introduce the technological fundamentals of most renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Course instructor Professor Stephen Lawerence of the Leeds School of Business said that the purpose of the course is, “to seriously investigate sustainable energy as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.” More...
Entrepreneurial Brothers Develop Solar Energy Business
Adam Farrell, 21, founded Silicon Solar when he was 15. In the six years since the company was founded, its product line has grown from a single photovoltaic system to 260 solar energy-related products. Today, Adam and his older brother Matt are upbeat about the future of Silicon Solar: their products are shipped to more than 50 countries and they can boast an annual growth rate of ten percent. Adam will graduate from Cornell University this spring with a degree in applied economics and management. Unlike many college graduates, he can count on finding work in his field of expertise and he'll begin at the top: CEO of his own company. More...
Colorado's Solar Potential Could Bring More Initiatives
The recent passage of Colorado 's renewable energy mandate—which requires that a small percentage of Colorado 's electricity come from solar energy—may generate new solar initiatives in the state. Xcel Energy, one of Colorado 's major utilities, intends to begin a new renewable energy program in 2006 that would subsidize the installation of solar panels for Xcel customers and institute a net-metering plan by which Xcel would purchase excess solar-produced energy from customers. The program would be paid through a one percent tax on energy bills; this would amount to 59 cents for the average Xcel customer each month. More...
3,000 Solar Homes Planned for Hawaii Military Base
A new U.S. Army family housing project in Oahu, Hawaii, will include 3,000 solar houses, making it the world's largest solar-powered residential community. United Solar Ovonic will provide 7 megawatts of thin-film solar modules for the project, which will reportedly reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 30 percent for the entire complex of 7,894 new and renovated Army homes. More...
Butte May Lose Plant Expansion Due to High Energy Costs
Renewable Energy Corporation AS (REC), a Norwegian solar energy company, earlier this year bought majority stock in Advanced Silicon Materials LLC, which currently runs a plant in Butte. REC officials recently announced their intention to begin a major expansion of one of two plants, either the Butte facility or another located in Moses Lake, Washington. State and city officials are worried that Butte may lose out on the facility expansion because of the relatively higher costs for electricity in Montana, reports The Montana Standard. More...
Oregon University Builds Solar Power Facility
Portland State University recently announced the impending construction of a new solar power facility on campus, writes the Daily Vanguard . The federally funded project will be the first university-based solar test project with combined demonstration, educational and research uses. The test facility will consist of a15-kilowatt solar array made up of 12 solar panels. The energy produced will offset some energy costs on campus, and college officials intend to use the project as an educational tool for learning about solar energy technology. More...
Billings Renovation Project Highlights Energy Efficiency, Solar
Two Billings-based non-profit organizations—the Northern Plains Resource Council and Western Organization of Resource Councils—intend to showcase the possibilities for utilizing energy efficiency and renewable energy resources in building construction, according to the Billings Gazette. The two groups plan to renovate an older building to serve as their new headquarters; the renovation will incorporate the latest in energy efficiency practices, including the use of natural lighting, radiant floor heating, evaporative cooling and low-water toilets. Solar panels will offset a portion of the building's electricity costs, as well as providing energy for water heating. The emphasis on energy efficiency should reduce energy costs by half, according to the project architect. More...
2005 Solar Decathlon Showcases Homes Powered by Alternative Energies
Eighteen university teams from the United States, Canada, and Spain recently participated in the 2005 Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Sponsored primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy, the contest is designed to showcase currently available solar technology. The University of Colorado won the competition with their ‘bio-ship' model, which used agricultural products as building materials. High energy prices, combined with state programs and the recently-passed $2,000 federal tax credit for solar energy installations may lead to a rebirth in solar energy technology as an affordable alternative to traditional energy sources. More...
NREL, Solargenix Partner to Build Giant Solar Electric Plant in Nevada
The U.S . Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Solargenix Energy recently announced plans to collaborate on a 64-megawatt solar thermal electric generating plant in Boulder City , Nevada . The plant, called Nevada Solar One, will be the world's largest solar power plant built in fourteen years and the third largest solar power plant globally. Moreover, the project will make Nevada one of the largest generators of solar energy in the United States. According to DOE's national laboratories, the parabolic trough technology used in this plant represents one of the major renewable energy success stories of the past two decades and could compete directly with conventional fossil fuel powered technologies. Nevada Solar One is scheduled to begin electricity production in early 2007. More...
University of Colorado Wins Solar Decathlon
DOE named the University of Colorado as the overall winner of the 2005 Solar Decathlon . The Colorado team defended its 2002 championship by earning 853 points of a possible 1,100. The team took first place in the Documentation and Communication contests and drove the farthest in their electric car: 318.8 miles. Cornell University placed second after earning 826 points and winning the Comfort Zone and Hot Water competitions. California Polytechnic State University finished third with 809 points after winning in both Appliances and Lighting. And despite taking an early lead by winning the Architecture and Dwelling contests, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ended up in fourth place with 784 points. More...
The 2005 Solar Decathlon challenged 18 collegiate teams from 13 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Spain to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home.
Experts Predict Strong Growth in Solar
Solar energy industry experts gathered at this year's Solar Power 2005 conference expressed optimism about solar's potential for growth. The optimism was fueled by several factors, according to an article on RenewableEnergyAccess.com, including steep increases in the cost of natural gas and new federal incentves for solar. More...
Solar Providing Power for Hurricane Katrina Victims
Solar electric systems provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) are providing much-needed power in Kiln, Missississippi, following Hurricane Katrina. The solar systems, which convert the sun's energy into electricity, are mobile units mounted on a trailer that can then be towed by a pickup truck. The systems are important in recovery efforts, providing electricity for a host of important functions, such as mobile phones, laptop computers and hand-held radios, and other communication devices.
More...
AERO and NorthWestern Energy Sponsoring Energy Tours
A series of four conservation and renewable energy tours, sponsored by NorthWestern Energy (NWE) and organized by AERO, Montana¹s Alternative Energy Resources Organization, are planned for October and November. The tours are free to the public and will feature experts knowledgeable about the energy systems highlighted in the tours. Tour locations will Manhattan, Missoula, Martinsdale, and Billings. Read the full news release.
California's Million Solar Roofs Bill Dead
Said to be the largest solar power policy in the nation, California's Million Solar Roofs bill (SB 1) was defeated despite its many benefits. Supporterd by Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger,
the bill would have resulted in more than 3,000 MW of solar energy installations on homes and businesses over the next ten years. Amendments for prevailing wages and licensing reportedly divided support for the bill. More...
Solar Installation Featured in Great Falls Tribune
The courthouse annex in Great Falls is home to a new solar electric system that is helping generate green power as well as educate area residents about the benefits of renewable energy. Great Falls is one of 10 communities that received such systems free of charge, as part of NorthWestern Energy's Sun4Communities project. The system fits in nicely with efforts in Great Falls and Cascade County to become more sustainable. For example, a large-scale wind farm is expected to get underway later this year. "Public education about alternative energy is important," said Cascade County Commission Chairwoman Peggy Beltrone in a recent Great Falls Tribune article. "This (solar electric system) provides that opportunity." More...
Solar Food Store Opens in Helena
July 30 marked the grand opening of a new natural foods market in Helena that includes both solar energy and strawbale construction to reduce its environmental impact and operating costs. Strawhouse Market, located at 1050 Road Runner Drive, includes a 12.7 kilowatt, grid-tie photovoltaic system, funded in part through NorthWestern Energy's Universal Systems Benefits funds. The building also features passive solar elements, a rainwater collection system, and a ground-source heat pump. More...
FedEx Installs New 904-kW Solar Electric System
FedEx now boasts California's largest corporate solar power system, with installation of its new 904-kilowatt system. The system will provides 80 percent of the energy required by the FedEx hub at Oakland International Airport. The system is net-metered so that excess electricity is transferred to the grid. The system encompasses the entire 81,000 square foot area of roof across the facility's two buildings. More...
Net Metering, Tax Credits for Solar Energy Included in Energy Act
When President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 into law on August 8, he set the stage for the first federal tax credits for solar energy systems on homes in 20 years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), homeowners and businesses will receive a credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar power system or a solar hot water system. The solar energy tax credit is capped at $2,000 for each type of system, and applies to the cost after accounting for any state and utility incentives. It applies to systems that are placed in service in 2006 or 2007. Homeowners will also earn a tax credit for installing fuel cells, and businesses will earn a tax credit for installing either fuel cells or microturbines. See pages 1373 to 1390 of the energy act (PDF 2.6 MB).
To further encourage homeowners and businesses to generate their own power, the energy act amends the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) to require every public utility to offer interconnection to the power grid and net metering upon request. Net metering allows consumers to offset their electricity use with any self-generated electricity fed into the power grid over the course of a billing period. See pages 1146 to 1151 and pages 1173 to 1176 of the energy act.
Oregon Increases Solar Incentives
A new measure passed in Oregon creates greater solar incentives in the state. Resdiential solar energy systems are eligible for a $3 per watt tax credit, with a cap of $6,000. The new incentives take effect January 1, 2006, and will be in place for 10 years. More...
University of Michigan Wins the North American Solar Challenge
The University of Michigan held onto a narrow lead over the University of Minnesota last week to win the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. The 2,500-mile solar race—the longest in the world—concluded on July 27 in Calgary, Canada. Despite racing for 54 hours over the course of the event, the Michigan team finished less than 12 minutes ahead of Minnesota, with an average speed of 46.2 miles per hour (this includes low-speed driving in cities and towns). In contrast, the winners of the 2003 race beat their nearest rival by nearly five hours. The race was sponsored by DOE, DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Natural Resources Canada.
Stanford University won the race's "stock" category, in which the cars use lead-acid batteries and less expensive, lower-efficiency solar cells. Despite those limitations, the Stanford team's total racing time was just 14 hours longer than the Michigan team. The Stanford win was particularly impressive after its troubles in the first stage of the race, when it fell more than two hours behind the leading stock solar car. More...
New Website Seeks Solar Installer Listings
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has announced that a new website, Findsolar.com, will launch in September 2005 as a resource to link consumers to solar professionals. Companies that install and service solar systems are encouraged to apply immediately for free listing on the website. The website also will help consumers estimate the costs and savings from a solar system in their specific geographic area. The "Solar Estimator" includes up-to-date information on local electricity rates, solar resources, and incentives. The website is a joint project of ASES, Solar Electric Power Association, Energy Matters LLC, and U.S. Department of Energy.
Oregon Experiencing Upsurge in Solar Installations
Solar is on the move in Oregon, thanks to the availability of financial incentives and tax credits. Since 2003, the state's installed capacity has totaled one megawatt. "Oregon has installed more solar electric systems in the last two and a half years than it did in the last 20 years combined," said Kacia Brockman, solar program manager at Energy Trust or Oregon Inc. Since 2002, Energy Trust has provided $3 million in financial incentives to help homeowners and businesses pay for the cost of installing a solar energy system. Some $1 million is available this year, and $2 million is expected for 2006. More...
Senate Energy Bill Stronger on Solar Provisions
Different versions of the national energy bill will keep lawmakers busy this summer, with hopes of creating a final energy bill by the end of August. Solar fares much better in the Senate version. Among its provisions, the Senate bill increases the existing 10 percent tax credit for commercial solar installations
to 30 percent for six years, and adopts a new four-year, 30-percent tax credit for residential solar installations.
The provisions apply to all solar technologies. In contrast, the House version includes a two-year, 15-percent residential tax credit for PV and solar
water heating only. More...
Million Solar Roofs Bill Clears "Highest Hurdle"
The Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee passed the Million Solar Roofs Bill (SB 1) in early July, clearing the bill's "highest hurdle to date," say advocates. The bill would help create the a strong solar market, installing a million solar energy systems on buildings across the country over the next ten years. More...
Fire Station Solar Electric Demonstration Project Announced
NorthWestern Energy has announced availability of funds for the 2005 Fire Station Solar Electric Demonstration Project. As in past years, six fire stations within NorthWestern Energy's electric service territory will receive solar electric systems with uninterruptible power supply. The systems and their installation will be provided at no cost to the fire stations. This year NCAT, the project's administrator, will place a special emphasis on recruiting participants in the Great Falls, Billings, and Bozeman areas, to ensure that the project achieves broad geographic coverage. Get the application.
Unmanned Airplane Flies Two Days on Solar and Battery Power
AC Propulsion recently announced that it has successfully flown an unmanned aircraft for more than two days using only solar energy. Dubbed the "SoLong," the craft stores solar energy in a lithium-ion battery pack during the day to keep it flying at night. The company incorporated the lightweight batteries into an energy-efficient craft made of composite materials, weighing only 28 pounds with a wingspan of slightly more than 15 feet. Along its wing are 76 Sunpower solar cells that could produce 225 watts of power, while the craft required only 95 watts for level flight. According to the company, a critical factor in the SoLong's success was its high-efficiency electric motor, driven by the company's patented power controller. The radio-controlled craft featured 23 channels of telemetry, navigation data from a global positioning system, and even a live video downlink. AC Propulsion claims that the SoLong could have remained flying indefinitely. More...
Solar Attracts California Farmers and Ranchers
California farmers are turning to solar power to run irrigation pumps, conveyors, and packaging equipment, says an Associated Press article that appeared in The Mercury News. Producers like the independence offered by solar power systems, and despite their initial high cost, state incentives for installation have helped make them a good investment for an increasing number of farms and ranches. The clean, renewable power systems also help reduce air pollution, and produce the most power on hot, sunny days--just when it's needed. Some producers who installed solar power systems say the renewable energy fits in with their overall approach to sustainable agriculture. More...
Seven Teams Qualify for the North American Solar Challenge
University teams and their solar-powered cars had their first chance to qualify for the 2005 North American Solar Challenge in May, and seven of the teams met the challenge. The American Solar Challenge is a solar car race held every other year and normally taking place within the United States; this year's race runs from Austin, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta, and has appropriately been renamed the North American Solar Challenge. Solar racers attempted to qualify for the race by competing in the sixth annual Formula Sun Grand Prix 2005, held at Heartland Park Raceway in Topeka, Kansas, from May 18th to 20th. The seven qualifying teams include the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, and Auburn University (of Alabama)—the three race leaders at the Formula Sun Grand Prix—as well as the University of Missouri-Rolla, the "CalSol" team from University of California at Berkeley; the University of Michigan; and Northwestern University (of Illinois). More...
New Technologies Promise to Revolutionize the Solar Power Industry
While the conventional silicon solar cell industry is facing supply constraints, a number of new solar cell technologies aim to produce solar cells from new materials, at lower cost, with higher efficiencies, and in new forms. With a wide diversity of approaches, the photovoltaic solar cell industry remains dynamic, and the next breakthrough appears to be just around the next corner.
One of the most promising new technologies is quantum dots, particles of semiconductor material smaller than 10 billionths of a meter. At such small scales, quantum effects cause the dots to respond differently to light depending on their size, an effect allowing the dots to be "tuned" to different wavelengths of light. A new study from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Naval Research Laboratory suggests that quantum dots could theoretically yield a solar cell with twice the efficiency of today's solar cells. Quantum dots can produce as many as three electrons from a single photon of light, so they can theoretically convert as much as 65 percent of the sun's energy into electricity, according to the researchers. The findings were published in a recent issue of the American Chemical Society's Nano Letters journal. More...
Montana Solar Energy Star Homes Project
Announces Solar Electric Rebates
To encourage the use of energy efficiency and
solar energy in new home construction, the Montana
Solar Energy Star Homes Project has
announced the availability of rebates to offset the cost of solar electric
systems installed in new ENERGY STAR-certified homes. Ten rebates are
available to builders within NorthWestern Energy's service territory.
To be eligible
for the $3,500 solar electric system incentive and the $300
ENERGY STAR Homes Northwest
(ESHNW) verification stipend, the home must be a NorthWestern Energy electric
customer and the house must be ESHNW-certified. To apply for a rebate,
builders must submit a completed
application.
More Solar Energy Said To Be Reaching Earth
It's bad news for the planet, but it could be good
news for solar power: more solar energy is now reaching the surface of the
Earth. Although a report in the late 1980s showed a 4 to 6 percent decline in
sunlight between then and 1960, a new report indicates that the amount of
sunlight has increased about 4 percent in the last 10 years. The report,
co-authored by a scientist from DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL),
does not attribute a cause to the dimming and brightening, although it lists
aerosols—liquids and solids suspended in the air—and their effects on cloud
formation as possible explanations. According to PNNL, the brightening effect
may accelerate warming at the surface and unmask the full effect of greenhouse
warming. The report is one of two new papers on the subject, printed in
Science magazine, neither of which speculated on the potential effects on
solar power production.
More...
California Continues to Lead the Way
with Large Solar Projects
An
increasing number of solar energy projects are now being installed across the
United States, but California is still king when it comes to really large
solar power installations. Shell Solar provides the best proof: last week
alone, the company powered up a 350-kilowatt solar power system at the Desert
Water Agency in Palm Springs, then dedicated a 980-kilowatt system at the
Semitropic Water Storage District in Wasco, about 25 miles northwest of
Bakersfield. The Palm Springs system was assembled into large panels at the
Shell Solar plant, allowing for easier installation at the site. The
Semitropic system, which covers an area equal to about four football fields,
employs a unique single-axis tracking system to maximize its power
production. See the Shell Solar press releases from
April 26 and
April 29.
California universities and local governments are also leaders in solar power.
Cal State Northridge recently dedicated a 467-kilowatt system that also provides
shade in one of its parking lots. The campus already has a 225-kilowatt solar
power system, making it a leader among California universities. And Alameda
County marked Earth Day by dedicating 1.1 megawatts of new solar arrays, located
at seven sites across the county. The county now has a total of 2.3 megawatts of
solar power projects, all of which were installed by PowerLight Corporation. See
the press releases from Cal State Northridge
and
PowerLight.
U.N. Finds Huge Solar and Wind Potential in
Developing Countries
Thirteen developing countries hold the potential for
thousands of megawatts (MW) of solar and wind power, according to the
preliminary results of a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The UNEP announced in mid-April that its Solar and Wind Energy Resource
Assessment (SWERA) project has found the potential for 26,000 MW of wind power
in Sri Lanka, as well as 7,000 MW of potential wind power in Guatemala and
2,000 MW of potential wind power along Ghana's border with Togo. The project
has also carried out studies in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Cuba, El Salvador,
Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya, Nepal, and Nicaragua. The $9.3-million project,
largely supported by the Global Environment Facility, started in 2001.
More...
Interested in a Solar Business? Don't Miss This
Training!
Solar Energy International (SEI) will present
a two-day training opportunity in Carbondale, Colorado, this summer focusing
on starting a solar business. Learn how to establish and operate a
successful solar business, and what works and what doesn't. The two-day
workshop is for those serious about being successful renewable energy
professionals. More...
Researchers
Develop Lightweight Organic Solar Cell
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology
are working to boost the efficiency of a new type of flexible solar cell, the
organic solar cell, in which the inexpensive, flexible material that forms the
cell is also able to capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity.
The Georgia Tech researchers built their solar cells by combining a 22-carbon
molecule in which the carbon atoms form five rings linked together in a chain
with C-60, a large soccer-ball-shaped carbon molecule also called
Buckminsterfullerine, or "buckyballs." The resulting organic solar cells were
able to convert 3.4 percent of the sun's energy into electricity, and expect
to reach 5 percent in the future. More...
Paint-On Solar Cell Captures Infrared
Radiation
New research at the University of Toronto (U of T)
promises to yield new ways to capture the sun's infrared radiation, a part of
the solar spectrum that's not captured by today's low-cost flexible thin-film
solar cells. Using particles of semiconductor only 6 nanometers in size, the U
of T team created a suspension of the particles in a solvent, much like paint,
and then applied it to a surface to dry. The particles are so small that quantum
effects determine the wavelength of light that they absorb, causing them to
absorb infrared radiation, the invisible heat radiation given off by warm
objects. The key to success was combining these particles—sometimes
called "quantum dots"—with a solvent that
would cause them to evenly disperse across the surface of a material. According
to one reviewer of the work, the finding has the potential of eventually
allowing flexible solar devices to boost their efficiency significantly,
capturing 30 percent of the sun's energy. Today's flexible solar cells consist
of a thin film of semiconductor material deposited on a flexible plastic
substrate.
More...
Montana
Couple Powers Home Entirely by Solar, Wind Energy
While building their home at a rural location near the Crazy Mountains,
Dan and Diane O’Neill faced a dilemma: bring power lines to their house, or
generate power autonomously. Since it would have cost $75,000 to bring power
to the house, they decided to invest in wind and solar energy technology.
Spending about one-third of what it would have cost them to tie into the power
grid, the O'Neill's installed a wind turbine and solar panels; their home is
completely powered by renewable energy, and better yet, there is no bill at
the end of the month.
More... Study:
Worldwide Use of Solar Thermal Energy Underestimated
Estimates of the world's use of solar energy for heating water and buildings
have long been hampered by a technical issue: the difficulty of converting the
size of the installed solar energy collectors into an energy capacity that
could be easily compared to other capacity figures. Last week, however, the
International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme and the
world's major solar energy trade associations announced that they had agreed
on a simple conversion factor for all types of solar thermal collectors: each
square meter of solar collector, regardless of type, has the capacity to
generate about 0.7 kilowatts of thermal heat. Applying that to worldwide
estimates of installed solar collectors, the organizations found the world
capacity to be nearly 70 gigawatts of thermal heat. That compares favorably
with wind power, which has a global installed capacity of 23 gigawatts of
electric power.
More...
ASU Officials Explore Solar and Water Research Foundation
Arizona State University President Michael Crow recently presented a plan to
create a new research foundation at the university dedicated to
Arizona-specific issues that offer the potential for commercial growth. Sun is
plentiful in Arizona, while water is not: developing these two resources could
not only stimulate economic growth, but also help Arizona communities by
conserving water and producing solar-generated electricity. The foundation
would finance research efforts that could result in commercially-viable
products or businesses.
More...
San Francisco Giants to Begin Promoting Solar Energy Next Season
Sharp Electronics Corporation and the San Francisco Giants have
established a unique partnership to promote solar energy. According to a Sharp
press release, "California is the leading solar energy market in the U.S., and
the San Francisco Bay Area is known in the industry as the nation's solar
energy capitol." Teaming up with the Giants seems a natural fit, said Sharp.
The solar promotions will begin with the 2005 baseball season.
Read the full press release.
Arizona Inventor Uses Solar, Geothermal for Water Desalination
A Phoenix-area inventor believes that he has an affordable and clean means
of water desalination, which could have a major impact on the drought-plagued
Southwest. The new technology, called a Thermal Hydraulic Engine, uses
geothermal or solar energy to pressurize ocean water as a means of desalting
the water. Since 75 percent of regular desalination costs derive from the
energy involved, this new invention could revolutionize the process, making it
much more affordable than previously considered.
More...
Solar Visionaries Develop New Colorado Housing Projects
Solar Village LLC, a building developing company that focuses on sustainable
practices and renewable energy, recently announced a $5 million 26,000 square
foot project that is set to begin construction this fall in Prospect,
Colorado. The three-story building will use passive solar heating and cooling
techniques and super-insulation to conserve energy. The building will house
commercial space and 16 apartments.
More...
Arizona Utility Increases Solar PV Incentives
Arizona Utility Tucson Electric Power (TEP) has expanded its solar incentive
program in 2004: customers have three choices for subsidized PV installation,
with the potential to receive $4,500 towards the purchase and installation of
a 1.5Kw system. Two of the three options include installation, maintenance
and all include yearly inspects by TEP personnel.
More...
California Drafts
Million Solar Homes Initiative
California’s Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a “Million Solar
Homes Initiative,” reports SolarAccess.com. The initiative would mandate solar on
five percent of new homes by 2010 and 50 percent of new homes by 2020. It
would also provide $1 billion in rebates over 10 years and increase net
metering opportunities. California plans to fund the incentives with an
electricity surcharge on utility customers. In addition to boosting solar
generation, the policy would replace power production from heavy-polluting
peaker plants, which run when energy demand is greatest, with energy from
solar panels. The initiative has not been formally adopted yet by Governor
Schwarzenegger.
More...
Solar Booms in Central Oregon
The Bend Bulletin reports the region -- which receives more than 300
days of sunshine annually -- is seeing considerable growth in solar energy
systems for homes and businesses. One local solar equipment dealer has seen
sales jump 75 percent last year. Part of the growth in renewables has been
attributed to tax credits and incentives offered by groups like the Energy
Trust, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable energy. Last
year the Energy Trust disbursed more than $1 million in rebates for more than 75
new solar systems and this year has slated more than $2.6 million for new solar
electric and solar water-heating systems. "Our overall
mission is to transform the market by getting more solar electric power users
and bring down the cost so people can buy it on their own without incentives,"
said Energy Trust spokeswoman Jan Schaeffer.
More...
Solar-Powered Elk Early Warning System Installed on Yellowstone Highway
People driving on US Highway 191, into Yellowstone Park—about 60 miles south
of Bozeman—will hopefully have advance warning of elk crossing the highway,
and thereby reduce the numbers of animal collisions. A solar-power early
warning system was recently installed, consisting of 14 sets of radio-linked
sensors that detect the movement of animals onto the stretch of highway. The
Western Transportation Institute at MSU is overseeing the project, which in
turn is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and 14 state
transportation departments, including Montana and Wyoming.
More...
Livingston Riding Arena Becomes State’s Largest Off-Grid Installation
Powered by wind and solar energy, the Eagle Vista Ranch, near Livingston, MT,
recently became the state’s largest off-grid renewable energy installation. The
prohibitive cost of connecting the arena to existing power lines initiated the
search for alternatives, and the final cost for the wind and solar projects was
20 percent less than connecting to power lines. The wind generators and solar
panels power all systems at the arena, including
electrical, heating and water systems,
horse stalls, office, restrooms, sound system and viewing rooms.
More...
New York Olympics Bid Includes Wind- and
Solar-Powered Stadium
New York City is bidding to host the 2012 Summer
Olympics, and is including a renewable-powered stadium as part of its bid. The
proposed New York Sports and Convention Center, as currently planned, will
include 25,000 solar collector tubes for solar hot water, 100,000 square feet
of solar photovoltaic panels, and 34 wind turbines. When not serving as an
Olympic venue, the stadium will be the new home for the New York Jets, and
during football games it will produce all of its electricity and 70 percent of
its hot water from its renewable energy systems. Since the facility also
includes a convention center, which uses a considerable amount of power, it
will meet 40 percent of its overall electricity needs using solar and wind
energy. If built, the facility will be located on Manhattan's West Side, on a
platform covering the Long Island Rail Road storage yards.
More...
California Power Authority Doubles School Solar Subsidy
The Solar Schools Program, begun in 1998, has made available an additional
$2.5 million for the development of solar (PV) arrays for California public
and charter schools. The program has a two-fold purpose: it helps reduce the
operating costs of public education facilities while at the same time utilizes
clean, renewable energy. Schools must meet minimum energy efficiency
requirements to qualify for funding.
More...
Open House
Scheduled for New LEED House in Gardiner
Yellowstone concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts
and the National Park Service will host a free open house on August 2, 2004 at 1
p.m. to unveil a newly built LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)
house in Gardiner, Mont. The house is on track to become the first building in
Montana to receive the LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The open house will include displays with specific information about the
building's construction, use of solar heat, solar electric power system, dual
flush toilets, air-to-air heat exchanger, super-efficient propane boiler,
indirect-heat water heater, energy-efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures,
compact fluorescent lighting and construction waste recycling. Guests can also
view a Toyota Prius from Xanterra's fleet of hybrid electric vehicles.
For more information, contact Mesereau Public
Relations at 303-842-5271, or Xanterra Parks & Resorts at 307-344-5359 or by email.
Solar-Hydrogen Technology Begins Testing in Arizona
The Solar-Hydrogen Energy Corporation (SHEC), a Canadian-based energy company,
has started testing its new solar-powered hydrogen generator. Hoping to
capitalize on President Bush’s Hydrogen Initiative, SHEC has developed what they
call a “Solar Catalytic Hydrogen Generator”, which uses concentrated heat energy
to create hydrogen that in turn could be used for fuel cells. If successful,
the converter would provide a pollution-free, renewable energy means for
hydrogen production.
More...
Solar Array Doubles as Protective Canopy in Desert Sun
Global Solar Energy, a renewable energy company, has designed a protective
canopy for buses that is covered with solar cells, thus providing energy as
well as shade from the hot desert sun. The canopy, installed in Antelope
Valley, CA, provides shade for 20 buses and will produce 190,000 kilowatt
hours of electricity annually. Because the buses normally become so hot in
the afternoon that drivers must run the air conditioning for some time before passengers are
allowed on, the canopy saves fuel as well as creates new energy.
More...
New Mexico Incentives Attract Solar Energy Companies
New Mexico’s sunny climate is not the only thing that attracts solar
energy companies to the state. The Sandia National Laboratory and state
renewable energy incentives are bringing out-of-state solar companies to New
Mexico. Stirling Energy, a Phoenix-based company with offices in Nevada and
California, recently relocated some of its employees to Albuquerque after
Congress approved a million dollar budget request for solar energy technology
at Sandia.
More...
Researchers Announce Cheaper, More Efficient Solar Panel
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of
California and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently announced
the successful development of a new solar cell that can convert up to 50
percent of solar energy. The new cell conversion rate is double that of
standard silicon cells and costs less to produce; it may mark an important
milestone in the search for cheap and efficient solar energy.
More...
California Vineyard Turns to Solar Energy for Power
A new 766-kilowatt photovoltaic system is
turning sunshine into energy for a California winery.
Rodney Strong Vineyards, located in Healdsburg, California, is generating
enough electricity with the new system to power about 550 homes. Pacific Gas &
Electric provided a $2 million dollar rebate to the vineyard, through the
utility's Self-generation Incentive Program.
More... Solar Panel Help Wyoming Rancher Water Livestock
The University of Wyoming’s solar power
well initiative helped rancher Allen Fairborn when the creek on his ranch –
which provided water for his cattle – dried up two years ago. Using two
75-watt solar panels and a water pump, Fairborn’s livestock are now provided
with drinking water from a 55-foot deep well.
More... New Studies Suggest Solar Power has Become Mainstream
Fifty years after the invention of the solar panel by Bell Laboratories,
and 30 years after the Arab Oil Embargo proved the instability of the fossil
fuel supply, solar energy is finally becoming utilized as a viable, affordable
energy alternative. Energy experts attribute the recent surge in energy panel
installation – particularly in the construction of new commercial buildings –
to the declining cost of solar cell manufacturing.
More...
New Mexico
Governor Calls for Solar Energy Development
Gov. Bill Richardson’s State of the State address on January 20 included a
call for the development of large-scale commercial solar-energy projects. To
accomplish this goal, the governor announced the creation of a task force
charged with identifying potential sites, in hopes of starting construction by
2006. More...
Pentagon Renovation to Feature Solar Energy System
Renovation of the Pentagon after the attacks of September 11, 2001, will
include two photovoltaic (PV) systems, together generating nearly 200
kilowatts of energy which will provide electricity and hot water to the U.S
military headquarters. The building will also be retrofitted with new energy
efficiency and conservation systems.
More...
Researchers Develop More Efficient, Organic PV Cell
Siemens Technology researchers recently announced that it had developed a
prototype photovoltaic (PV) cell produced from organic materials rather than
silicon. The new PV cell is lighter, more flexible, and more durable than
silicon varieties, allowing them to be printed on foil. Even more
importantly, the organic PV cells are cheaper to manufacture than those made
of silicon. More... Building Retrofit Project in Billings to Serve as Passive
Solar Model
The conservation group Northern Plains Resource Council (NPRC) has
purchased an abandoned building on South 27th Street in Billings and plans to
use it as a home office. The nonprofit NPRC says the building will "be a
showpiece of passive solar heating and energy efficiency," including features
such as high levels of insulation, solar electric and passive solar systems,
and natural daylighting. The group expects the measures to save some $50,000
in energy costs, which it will use for education and lobbying. And with a
still loftier goal, NPRC hopes to achieve Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the building, joining just a
handful of similarly certified buildings in the country.
More... Idaho Public School Home to New Solar Energy System
The latest project in the Solar for Schools Program was announced by the
Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), which oversaw the installation of a
solar power system at a public school in Castleford, Idaho. The equipment and
installation was cost-free for the school, thanks to the BEF Solar for School
Program.
More... Solar Energy Could Alleviate Power Grid Collapse
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are developing a
‘microgrid’ of local power generators that would be able to disconnect from
the central grid in the event of a major power failure. The microgrids would
be powered by solar and fuel cells.
More... Solar Cell Company Aims to Cut Costs by
Cutting it Thin
When it comes to solar cells, thin is
in, at least for those made from crystalline silicon. The material cost of
crystalline silicon is the most expensive part of these solar cells, and a
thinner cell uses less material and is, therefore, cheaper. The trick is to
find a way to cut paper-thin slivers of silicon without wasting too much time,
energy, or material. And about a year ago, Australia's Origin Energy claimed
to have accomplished that trick; in December, Origin took a crucial step
forward with that process when it announced it is building a $20 million plant
to produce solar modules using its ultra-thin "Sliver" solar cells.
Construction of the plant is now underway in Adelaide, South Australia, and
Origin expects the modules to be commercially available in January 2004. The
company claims the plant will start production with the capability to produce
5 megawatts of solar modules per year, but can be expanded in the future to as
much as 25 megawatts per year. According to Origin, its solar cells are less
than 70 microns thick and convert 19.5 percent of the solar energy that hits
them into electricity.
More... California to Host World's Largest
Photovoltaic System
TrueSolar Solutions, LLC will build a
5-megawatt solar photovoltaic power system -- the largest of its type in the
world -- in southern California's Mojave Desert next year, according to
Southern California Edison (SCE). The utility will buy all the power produced
by the system under an agreement approved by the California Public Utility
Commission in early December. TrueSolar Solutions will work with Global Solar
Energy to begin construction of the system in early 2004. The solar power
plant will be located on a 40-acre site near Barstow, about 80 miles northeast
of Los Angeles.
More...
Marine Corps Base Installs Large Solar Power System
One of the largest solar power systems
in the country is now online at a U.S. Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms,
California. The Marine Corp base installed a 1.1-megawatt photovoltaic system,
which will provide about 10 percent of the base's electrical needs. The
project earned a $4.5 million incentive award from the state's Self Generation
Incentive Program.
More...
Oregon Professor Turns to Solar, Energy Efficiency to Green Up Campus
University of Oregon Professor GZ "Charlie" Brown has
been steadfastly generating new ideas--from innovative architecture to
energy-efficient designs--since he began teaching at the school. As a result,
the university overcome a number of sustainability problems. In 2003, Brown
focused on installing solar panels to help supply energy for pool heating and
domestic hot water. University officials subsequently decided to install solar
energy systems all over campus.
More... Largest Northwest Industrial Solar
Installation Underway in Oregon
Kettle Foods, based in Salem, Oregon, now boasts the largest
industrial solar installation in the Pacific Northwest. The plant has a new
114-kilowatt photovoltaic system that produces about one-fourth of the company's
electricity demand during peak hours. The system will produce an estimated
3,000,000 kWh over the next 25 years, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by
some 1,500 tons. The Energy Trust or Oregon provide $112,000 toward the cost of
the system.
More...
Ryegate
Solar Home Featured in Billings Gazette
The solar home of David Wallace was recently featured in the Billings Gazette. The
article describes the features of Wallace's home, including its high energy
efficiency, its solar energy system, and Wallace's future plans to incorporate
a wind energy system into the home. The article ran as part of the recent tour
of solar homes in the area.
More...
Scientists
Make Discovery that Could Dramatically Reduce Cost of Solar
CNN recently reported that
STMicroelectronics, Europe's largest semiconductor maker, has discovered a new
way to produce solar cells--one that will considerably reduce costs. The company
says a single produced watt should cost as little as $0.20, compared with the
current $4.
More... Fact
Sheet Offers Simple Ways to Bring Solar to Your Community
A new one-page fact sheet from the National
Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), titled Getting
to Clean and Green, offers five simple and practical steps you can take to
bring more solar into your community. Find out how!
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