Largest Solar Panel

Samsung: More new digicams, camcorders

2011-01-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

With half our news team in the air on the way to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and the other half swamped back in the office by the fact that the whole world has chosen to make their CES announcements the day before the show -- we're currently standing at 30 cameras announced in the last 17 hours -- we've unfortunately yet to finish preparing our coverage of these cameras. Although the news coverage itself isn't ready, we've now posted our Samsung ST700 preview and Samsung WB210 preview, so interested readers can find the details on those digital cameras on their respective preview pages. As well as the ST700 and WB210, Samsung has also announced three further new still cameras. These are the PL120, PL170, and PL210, and previews of these cameras, as well as news coverage for the entire group will be posted as soon as we've completed writing them.

MIDDLE EAST/MED REGION COULD SOLAR POWER WORLD

2010-01-11T15:44:00.003-08:00

Countries that move fast, the study suggests, could have the competitive advantage. Who could take the lead: MENA countries, especially ones located on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as others like Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel could be. These countries are no strangers to the notion of solar power, and Green Prophet has covered countless articles touting solar energy in the Middle East.

One of the region's leading solar energy development countries, Israel, has even been asked by the UN to increase its development of solar energy. Despite being an instrumental innovator through companies such as BrightSource or Solel, Israel's own use of solar power at home more closely resembles that of a developing nation.

The Khaleej Times article pointed out that countries in the MENA region have the "greatest potential for solar regeneration" supplying 45% of the world's energy sources possible through renewable energy. Renewable energy sources of interest in this region include Abu Dhabi's Masdar City as well as its hosting of the World Renewable Energy Agency headquarters . Known as IRENA, this center could fuel development in the whole region.

A big problem, however, is under-funding of renewable energy projects, due to a big abundance of oil and other fossil fuels, says Beirut based Ibrahim El Hussenei, a partner in the London based energy project development company, Booz & Company whose representatives were present at the COP 15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Friendly Technology That Can Save You Money

2010-01-11T15:44:00.001-08:00

The Solar Boiler collects energy from the sun and converts it into hot water.

Domestic hot water is the second-highest energy cost in the typical household. In fact, for some homes it can be the highest energy expenditure. Solar water heating can now reduce your domestic water heating costs by as much as 65%.

The Thermo Dynamics' Solar Boiler is today's state-of-the-art solar water-heating appliance. Designed to pre-heat the domestic water that is supplied to your conventional water heater, it can result in remarkable savings. It's easy to install and maintenance free. The installation package contains all the necessary hardware and complete instructions. As a homeowner, you can install it yourself or have your local Thermo Dynamics dealer do it for you.

All parts of the system are built to demanding specifications, employing the latest solar technology for maximum performance. The Solar Boiler is manufactured from readily-available components, ensuring lower costs and reliability. The solar collectors are constructed of aluminum, copper, and tempered glass. The assembly incorporates the MICRO-FLO® absorber, a continuous tube with only two connections for effortless installation.

Beijing Pinggu Solar Cell Projects

2010-01-11T15:43:00.004-08:00

One on the 100 meters long black shiny "Yong Lu" in the foot extension, which consists of nearly ten thousand pieces paved amorphous silicon thin film solar plate, becoming the nation's largest rooftop solar power station. In June 2010, 150 megawatt amorphous silicon thin-film solar cell project will be in Beijing Pinggu all the green energy industry base built for Beijing to provide 220 million degrees per year of green electricity, equivalent to a 30-million people in the city's one-year electricity and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of 150,000 tons, to achieve the world's lowest production costs - an average of less than 1 U.S. dollars per watt.

A year ago, the green energy industry base in Beijing is just a concept, large-scale solar power plants have not even drawn sketches. Today, the first phase of a planned area of 133 hectares to the green industry base in Beijing where they stand, the nation's largest amorphous silicon thin film solar production line is already running, a total investment of more than 4 billion yuan of biomass power generation, semiconductor Industrial Park, Green can be high-end Equipment R & D manufacturing projects, ultrafiltration membrane modules, membrane bio-reactor and a number of major green project settled Pinggu.

Beijing Green Energy Industrial Base - mafang Industrial Development Zone Management Committee, director of weeks Takemitsu wrote: Pinggu is the capital of the ecological conservation development zones, one of its functional orientation is clean manufacturing center. "The traditional view is that high returns inevitably accompanied by high energy consumption, like the Dell LATITUDE D800 laptop battery. This energy efficiency between the 'game', in Pinggu directly reflects the high energy consumption, high pollution and low value-added projects, regardless of effectiveness, all 'PASS'. "

Residential Solar Energy And How You Can Use It To Produce A Better Life

2010-01-11T15:43:00.003-08:00

Residential solar energy may be a hot topic nowadays with the global recession, increasing issues for world warming and the looming threat to the protection of world oil supplies. Many folks are seeking a solution to cut back their monthly energy bill and to scale back their dependence on fossil fuels. One place people have turned for solutions is solar technologies.

The use of residential solar energy provides the measurable edges of reducing or even eliminating your monthly energy bill and reducing or eliminating your use of electricity generated by fossil fuel burning power plants. There are a few alternative benefits that are less measurable but equally important like pride of ownership.

Residential solar energy covers many completely different varieties of solar systems. The most common types are on and off grid solar cells that produce electricity for your home, hot water systems and hot air systems. The most economical at utilizing the sun's energy are the recent water and hot air systems as they need the fewest range of energy conversions.

Energy conversion in residential solar energy is a crucial topic that relates to the general efficiency of your system. A solar panel system takes energy from photons in sunlight and converts it to electricity, then that electricity is converted into lighting in a very light-weight bulb, heat in your furnace or hot water in your solar air heater. At each step of this method energy is lost within the inefficiencies of the conversion process.

Currently residential solar energy with respect to hot water systems only has one energy conversion and thence a much higher potency than electrical systems. In a very solar hot water system the sun's light is converted on to heat energy within the water and also the water is then used for cooking, cleaning, taking showers and heating your home. For this reason solar hot water systems are comparatively economical, straightforward and effective.

Hot air residential solar energy is the same as the hot water systems. The warmth from the sun is captured and transferred to the air circulating inside of the system with a solar to air heat exchanger. The warm air at the outlet of the heat exchanger is then circulated in your home for heating purposes.

Fidelis Energy Announces $25 Million Solar Energy Facility in India’s Thar Desert

2010-01-11T15:43:00.001-08:00

Fidelis Energy Inc. (Beverly Hills, CA) (Pink Sheets: FDEI) reports a $25 million agreement with Esar Solar Power Pvt. Ltd. (ESP), a Jaipur-based company, to develop and construct the first of several solar energy projects located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, India. The region is destined to become the world's biggest solar power house as it basks in an average of 330 days of sunshine per year and receives up to 6.2KW per hour of solar energy per square meter everyday, which is the highest in the world.

Within the scope of this project, which firmly establishes Fidelis in the international arena of solar power developers, Fidelis Energy will design and construct a multi-megawatt solar power system that will supply and support the community's energy grid system to meet a consistently increasing demand.

"India represents the first of many untapped solar power markets that Fidelis plans to enter in 2010 and 2011," said James Poole, CEO of Fidelis Energy Inc. "While international projects pose special challenges for solar energy producers, such as identifying proper high voltage lines and the ownership of the property prior to system installation," added Poole, "our unique ability and expertise to overcome such challenges makes Fidelis Energy the natural choice for clients with challenging power needs."

Recognizing the role that solar power will play in the global search for cleaner and more abundant energy sources, Fidelis Energy has built the infrastructure necessary to support this type of international expansion to facilitate the development of large-scale projects at an accelerated pace to support global power needs.

Fidelis Energy will provide the technology, engineering and construction services needed to create the PV Project. ESP has signed a 10-year power purchase and sale agreement with the state's government-owned power distribution company.

"We recognize that the continued use of fossil fuels negatively impacts both the economy and the environment," said Esar Solar Power Chairman Jagdish Singh. "As such, ESP is determined to meet a portion of India's energy requirements by developing several large solar photovoltaic cell projects (PV Projects), which will generate electricity from sunlight. Fidelis has shown that it has the ability and innovative construction techniques to execute this contract, and we look forward to this project beginning in May of 2010," added Singh. "It is the goal of both parties to complete the construction of the five megawatt (5MW) PV Project and start its operations before October of 2010."

Opening of Florida solar-energy facility

2009-11-23T14:45:00.006-08:00

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama promoted the smart grid and renewable energy at the opening of Florida Power & Light's DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center (shown). The facility consists of more than 90,500 solar panels, making it the largest solar-photovoltaic plant in the country and, according to FPL, its annual estimated generation is about 42,000 megawatt hours.

The president outlined how the federal government is making a $3.4 billion investment from Recovery Act funds to modernize the country's electric grid with a goal of creating a more-reliable, more-efficient system. "But getting there will take a few more days like this one and more projects like this one," said the president. "And I have often said that the creation of such an economy is going to require nothing less than the sustained effort of an entire nation—an all-hands-on-deck approach similar to the mobilization that preceded World War II or the Apollo Project."

If you're interested in using solar power at your home, read our report on solar water heaters from the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and look for ongoing coverage of these devices on this blog, such as this testing update from earlier this month.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: The president referred to World War II the other day, and it was during this era that George Löf undertook his first experiments with solar power. Löf, a solar innovator who died earlier this month at the age of 95, is credited with creating one of the earliest solar-heated homes in this country, according to his obituary in The Wall Street Journal. Löf's system consisted of a large glass roof panel that heated a pile of gravel in the basement, which in turn warmed the house.

AIG Solar boilers

2009-11-23T14:45:00.005-08:00

AGI supports humanitarian and environmental causes with the donation(s) you make in the name of relatives, colleagues, family, etc. Oxfam America is a large relief organization and it’s Unwrapped program has a wide array of charitable gifts. I love these services because there’s nothing that says Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Hanukkah like giving a solar boiler or manure or a flock of ducks. It’s serious fun to give these gifts to loved ones and it makes a huge impact on the communities the gifts go to.

When it comes to Thanksgiving celebration, I usually try to fast if I don’t have plans with friends. This year I’ll likely be observing a day of fasting and reflection. The Boston Globe ran an article on how these actions might more closely reflect the original Thanksgiving celebrations. Fasting is not something to take lightly, so talk to your doctor before attempting this, and research articles on how to enter and break a fast. For me, fasting and reflecting definitely simplify the holidays and make me more, well, thankful. And isn’t that the point of this week?

Solarion’s solar cell system passes damp-heat test

2009-11-23T14:45:00.003-08:00

German solar developer Solarion’s flexible encapsulation system for thin-film solar cells on plastic has passed a damp-heat test of achieving 1,000 hours at 85 per cent humidity and 85°C, for performance and durability of thin-film solar modules.

‘A flexible packaging of large area photovoltaic devices with efficiencies of about 10 per cent represents a real bright spot for new photovoltaic applications. We are seeing a strong demand for highly efficient, flexible and lightweight solar modules,’ said Karsten Otte, CEO at Solarion.

‘The availability of such photovoltaic products enables completely new product solutions for example in the field of solar roofing materials for buildings or for implementing these products into automotive lightweight constructions which will become more and more important with completely electric powered vehicles,’ Otte added.

Volkswagen has presented the concept car E-Up, with a curved solar module roof incorporating solar technology developed by Solarion.

Solarion, which was founded in 2000, develops and produces thin-film solar modules using copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS), establishing the first European pilot-line for CIGS thin-film cells on a flexible polymer in 2002. Mass-manufacturing of CIGS modules is planned for the year 2010.

Buildings and Energy Efficiency

2009-11-23T14:45:00.001-08:00

Heat loss through walls, windows, floors and the roof is wasted energy and anything that can be done to prevent this will be advantageous to your pocket as well as to the environment. Insulation in these areas is of prime importance when constructing a new property or renovating and older one. Also heating, cooling and lighting methods must be considered.

One method of efficient heating is passive heating and this is where heat from the sun and external warm air is used to back up the property’s heating system thus reducing its work load. Passive cooling techniques can also be used such as constructing shades for windows and the growing of ever green trees to provide shade.

Passive lighting in the form of sky lights and light tubes that direct natural light into the property reducing the need of electrically derived illumination.

Other considerations that will add to a building’s efficiency is to use solar air heaters and photo voltaic solar panels to provide green electricity and reduce the necessity of generating power using fossil fuels.
In summary it can be gathered that taking all these things into consideration that although initial costs may be high, in the long term it is in the interest of all of us not only in financial terms but in environmental terms to be aware of our home’s energy efficiency.

Sun Catalytix receives seed financing from Polaris Venture Partners

2009-11-23T14:44:00.001-08:00

Sun Catalytix Corp., a distributed energy storage company, today announced it has received a third seed tranche from Polaris Venture Partners.

The company has also exclusively licensed a portfolio of water-splitting catalysis patents from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The licensed patents, developed in the MIT laboratories of Professor and Sun Catalytix Co-Founder Daniel G. Nocera, are central to Sun Catalytix energy storage breakthroughs.

Sun Catalytix technology readily and inexpensively stores renewable energy in the form of chemical bonds to enable distributed, round-the-clock use of solar- and wind-derived energy.

"Polaris has a long history of working successfully with entrepreneurial professors at MIT and other research universities around the world, and the addition of Sun Catalytix is an excellent fit with our growing portfolio of energy technology companies," said Bob Metcalfe, Sun Catalytix director as well as Ethernet inventor, 3Com founder and a general partner at Polaris leading the firm's energy investments.

"This investment supports the development of technology that will make affordable, renewable energy a reality," said Amir Nashat, general partner at Polaris and Sun Catalytix founding CEO. "The company has been briskly meeting its seed milestones, and we're now recruiting key members of the start-up team, including our next CEO."

In addition to Nocera, Metcalfe and Nashat, the Sun Catalytix team includes Co-Founder and Chairman Arthur L. Goldstein, former CEO of Ionix.

Sun Catalytix is developing inexpensive, safe, non-toxic, efficient catalyst technologies for storing solar energy to make it available when the sun is not shining.

The catalysts mimic photosynthesis by using energy, captured from a photovoltaic cell or other source, to split water (H2O) into Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2). The company's electrolyzers are different from conventional technology in that they can use a broad range of water sources - including unpurified fresh or salt water - in benign conditions and at transformatively low costs.

According to Nocera, "Sun Catalytix opportunities are in proliferating high-volume, low-cost electrolyzers in a decentralized fashion, rather than in improving today's expensive, large-scale electrolyzers."

Solar power execs bullish on 2010 despite earnings

2009-11-10T23:34:00.004-08:00

Executives from solar power companies see clearer skies in 2010 for the beleaguered industry, even as quarterly reports from heavyweights like First Solar and SunPower have disappointed investors and dragged down shares.

The industry has struggled to emerge this year from tight credit markets, a global glut of panels, and falling prices.

"I think we're already in the middle of a turnaround. We've kind of gone through the low point of the recent past," said Steven Chan, Suntech Power Holdings' chief strategy officer, in an interview with Reuters.

Executives from Sharp, BP's solar unit, and other solar power players shared similar optimism about the sector's outlook in 2010 at the Solar Power International conference being held here this week.

The industry, which grew at a clip of more than 40 percent for several years, has suffered in the recession, but solar companies kept a bullish attitude on growth next year.

Executives cited various forces that could drive growth in 2010, including U.S. stimulus funds for green projects, extended tax incentives and new financing.

"I call it a warming up," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, in an interview at the conference.

Kenedi said work on government projects has been a "bright spot," while BP Solar Chief Executive Reyad Fezzani said new subsidies in markets like India will spur industry growth and that Italy has built up a lot of momentum.

Fezzani predicted the sector could grow globally 50 percent next year and warned that pent-up demand could even spark fresh supply issues.

"It may be that the supply chain may get tight again...Quite frankly the way this market can shift from long to short and back remains the biggest challenge," Fezzani said during a panel discussion at the conference.

He cited reports that companies that make inverters are running short on inventory, and Suntech's Chan said his company was juggling how to allocate panels among its customers amid good signs for sales for the first quarter of 2010.

Inverters convert the direct current produced by solar cells into alternating current compatible with the U.S. electrical grid.

While panel prices have tumbled about 50 percent over the last year, companies said that the decline is slowing or has even stalled.

Chan said panel prices have been stable in the fourth quarter and they will decline about 8 percent to 10 percent in 2010.

Solar Energy comes to Crete

2009-11-10T23:34:00.003-08:00

Solar energy in Crete still remains unused, excluding the numerous solar boiler on the tops of the houses. This fact is about to change soon though, with the creation of the largest thermosolar plant in Europe, at the southeastern corner of Crete, at the Municipality of Lefki.

Municipality of Lefki is one of the smallest municipalities in Crete, with limited income, as the tourism is low and the landscape doesn’t allow much of agricultural exploitation. It is located at the most remote area of the southeastern Crete, south of Zakros, and east from Makry Gialos. The municipality consists of areas such as Xerokambos, Ziros, Goudouras and other small villages.

This remote area in Crete was chosen for the largest investment on solar energy so far, with the creation of a thermosolar plant that will be established in Agia Triada, covering a total area of 100 hectares, generating energy of 20MW.

The international company NUR-MOH won the contest held by the Municipality of Lefki. The company will provide the Cretan network with the produced electricity and will be paying 796,000 Euros on an annual basis to the Municipality.

Except for the rent, the Municipality will be receiving the 3% of the gross income, as the law suggests. A great number of new working positions will be open, while several landscape projects are to be launched. The thermosolar plant will also operate as a park open to the public. The Mayor of Lefki suggests that this is an investment of significant importance for the Municipality that will boost the development and utilization of natural resources. It is an investment that will enhance and make the area known, encouraging the use of eco-friendly technological solutions.

According to the signed agreement, the contractor will build and administrate the thermosolar station that will provide the area with at least 20 to 25MW. The plant will be able to concentrate the solar energy with the help of mirrors, will heat the water and will produce steam that will set in an electric generator/ tourbine in motion. The electricity will be sent to the existing network of DEI (public power corporation of Greece), who will be buying the generated energy.

Happy solar-cell scientists

2009-11-10T23:34:00.001-08:00

A series of joint sub-projects and work-packages has enabled the scientists to develop a new, less expensive grade of raw material for solar cells. And the best news is that the new modules are just as efficient as current solar cells.

The EU’s three-year FoXy programme has come to an end. The research group is very satisfied, and the EU Commission is handing out praise.

SINTEF has coordinated this major programme that rejoices in the long name: “Development of solar-grade silicon feedstock for crystalline wafers and cells by purification and crystallisation”, which has been simplified to “FoXy”. Together with ten other participants from various European nations, the scientists have been developing a “good enough” grade of silicon for solar cell production.

And there has been no lack of results: a series of joint sub-projects and work-packages has enabled the scientists to develop a new, less expensive grade of raw material for solar cells. And the best news is that the new modules are just as efficient as current solar cells.

Less pollution

“We are very proud of what we have done,” says Marisa Di Sabatino of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry. “Many people before us have been working on solar energy, but our results are actually quite important.”

The ambition of the programme has always been to develop a new material that would make future solar cells both at least as efficient as those of today and cheaper than them.
“We started out from metallic silicon that contains around 1% impurities – which is not good enough for use in solar cells. We attempted both to reduce the impurities in the metallic silicon and to cut down the amount of impurities that are already in the raw material by means of heat treatment, for example,” explains Di Sabatino.

Direct route

The research group managed to shorten the long production process currently employed by most solar cell manufacturers by adopting a simpler, more direct route. They managed this by using a special smelter and a kiln that removes trace of carbon.

The scientists used pure carbon that contaminates the silicon far less than coke or coal, as well as ultrapure quartz from the Norwegian County of Nordland.

This process is much less costly and energy-intensive than the conventional chemical process.
“With today’s solar cells, the energy used to produce them is paid off in the course of two years:. With the new materials, the payback time could be as little as six months,” says Di Sabatino.
Understanding the relationships

Impurities in silicon cause problems. For example, silicon recycled from industry contains boron and/or phosphorus that can alter the electrical characteristics of the material. Other contaminants can, for example, lead to the formation of poor-quality particles that in turn mean less efficient solar panels installed on our roofs.

However, the project group concluded that even if contaminants are present, we can still produce good-quality material with the aid of special procedures that reduce or eliminate them. It is just a matter of understanding how things fit together, so that things can be done in a better way; and the results of FoXy have helped the researchers towards a better understanding of what takes place in the process.

For example, the FoXy scientists have patented a new, more stable, passivation process – a high-temperature treatment process that protects the surface of the solar cells, making them more efficient and resistant to temperature changes.

Solar air heater

2009-11-10T23:33:00.002-08:00

Just as is the case in solar water heating systems, solar air heater systems can be passive, active, or a combination of these two methods. The simpler the system, the easier and cheaper the system will be. However, in colder temperatures or when retrofitting a building, you may be forced into using more active systems. Passive systems either directly absorb the sun’s heat, or uses materials that store the heat then release it into the home. Active system use collectors, then circulators to get the heat throughout the desired space. Your geographical location, budget and uses of your heater will influence what kind of system you will purchase.

Solar power has grown in popularity as energy process continues to rise and the Earth’s natural resources continue to dwindle. In addition to purchasing the solar heating systems mentioned above, purchasing solar panels and hooking them either into an on- or off-grid electrical system with your utility provider is another options.

Money saved in the long run over these devices can be a huge draw to purchasing these devices; so don’t be dissuaded about the upfront price. Once the initial purchase is made, little maintenance is required, and the savings you will experience will pay off the device in the long run and could even make you money. In addition, there are many local, regional and government incentives out there that reward people who use solar power technologies.

Optical Photovoltaic Cell Testing System from CRAIC Technologies

2009-11-10T23:33:00.001-08:00

CRAIC Technologies, the leading manufacturer of UV-visible-NIR microscopes and microspectrometers, is pleased to announce the QDI 2010 PV™ microspectrophotometer. The QDI 2010 PV™ instrument is designed to measure the transmission and reflectance of photovoltaic cells whether they be the traditional crystalline silicon, one of the thin film variety or such components as super- and substrates. Even protective glass and concentrator modules can be analyzed.

The QDI 2010 PV™ also enables the user to determine thin film thickness of microscopic sampling areas on both transparent and opaque substrates. This powerful tool also has a host of other functions. It can be combined with CRAIC Technologies proprietary contamination imaging capabilities to locate and identify process contaminants. As such, the QDI 2010 PV™ represents a major step forward in metrology instrumentation available to the photovoltaic industry.

"Many of our customers want to test the quality of photovoltaic devices for rapid quality control of their products. The QDI 2010 PV™ microspectrophotometer was built in response to customer requests for a powerful, flexible metrology tool that can test a number of different aspects of many different photovoltaic devices" says Dr. Paul Martin, President.

The complete QDI 2010 PV™ solution combines advanced microspectroscopy with sophisticated software to enable the user to measure transmissivity, reflectivity, and luminescence. It will also be able to determine the thin film thickness by either transmission or reflectance of many types of materials and substrates. It can also be used to measure the transmissivity and reflectivity from many of the components used to manufacture PV cells such as concentrators. Due to the flexibility of the CRAIC Technologies design, sampling areas can range from over 100 microns across to less than a micron. Designed for the production environment, it incorporates a number of easily modified metrology recipes, the ability to measure new films and materials as well as sophisticated tools for analyzing data. Other features such as contamination analysis are easily added to this instrument.

Understanding Domestic Wind Turbines

2009-07-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Domestic wind turbines are quickly becoming something that general households are turning to in order to help lower ever rising living costs, not to mention the environmental factors. Wind turbines otherwise known as windmills are being used in domestic homes all over the world to generate power. It’s not uncommon for wind turbines to generate enough power to not only cut down or eliminate power bills but also to sell power back to the power companies.

The goal of this article is to help you understand what is involved with setting up homemade do it yourself domestic wind turbines, so you too can start enjoying the huge benefits they offer. I also plan to help you identify if a domestic wind turbine is realistic for your own home.
The obvious benefit of generating your own windmill power with a domestic wind turbine is the savings month to month on your electric bill; but equally, if not more important it will also help reduce the use of deteriorating fossil fuels and help lower carbon emissions that play key parts in global warming.
Domestic wind turbines are not suited to all domestic situations; you need to be able to place your wind turbine in a place that is going to pick up enough wind for it to generate the power. As a rule of thumb if you live in an area that have wind speeds up to 10 miles an hour, then you would be considered in a perfect location. If you are unsure the best way to find out is by doing a simple Google search for ‘wind speed’ followed by your location. Another option is to Google you local ‘wind energy association’.
Another thing to consider before you leap into buying a DIY domestic wind turbine kit is whether you have a big enough space to accommodate it. For a domestic wind turbine to be efficient enough the turbines need a tip to tip span of 5 meters. Basically the longer the blades are the more wind it will pick up resulting in more energy and ultimately electricity that it will generate. The ideal area size would be considered around one acre although due to the invention of more modern style domestic wind turbines it is now common for smaller extremely efficient and effective versions to be fitted to domestic roofs.
If you are in a situation or position where you think you could start generating your own power, the accessibility of DIY domestic turbine kits makes it a real possibility. Once you start generating power I would suggest initially that you stay on grid power in conjunction with your home made energy, to help pick up the slack of times when the wind is too low to generate enough power. Alternatively you could use a solar power system to help you pick up the slack during those lower wind periods.
In conclusion domestic wind turbines are very simple to set up, install and maintain so I would suggest taking advantage of the huge benefits if and where possible!

Nissan Motivity 400C with Maglev System

2009-07-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Motivity 400C is a future car concept which is the latest creation of Nissan with brilliant visor and stunning functional features. This concept uses maglev’s engine system that has made it even powerful along with every tire that allows great control, functionality and style. The triangle shaped bode of this car reduces drag of air, therefore, this car provides superior acceleration and is able to save more power. Steering wheel of this design has been kept traditional so that the user can enjoy driving the car without any problem associated with unusual and newly designed wheels.

County addresses wind turbine issues

2009-06-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

After receiving several letters of complaints from Huron County residents over the last several months regarding the effects wind turbines are having on their lives, the county is taking steps to properly address the issues.

At last week's Huron County Planning Commission meeting it was announced that a committee will be formed that will include commissioners David Peruski and Kurt Damrow, as well as three members from the Planning Commission.

"The issue has been one of zoning," Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said. "How is the ordinance going to work in reviewing noise issues and dealing with them."

Lundberg noted that the turbines from Michigan Wind I are still under warranty and that he met with officials from John Deere Wind earlier that day and the group will be providing some post-construction analysis, possibly as soon as this week, which will be helpful in addressing the issue.

He added that a committee would be set up with two commissioners, members of the Planning Commission and possibly representatives from the wind industry so complaints can be addressed and possible modifications to the wind ordinance can also be looked at.

"Noise complaints are going to be addressed, but according to proper standards," he said. "It takes more than someone using a monitoring device to do a proper study."

Lundberg added, "We are looking to resolve an issue."

Damrow explained that when the county first received the complaints, they began to formulate a means to address them. "We started this a few months ago," he explained, noting they took all the information from the complaints to the county's corporate counsel Steve Allen to look at.

One of the issues Damrow and Peruski wanted to address was how easy it is to file a complaint. He said it needs to be a step by step process that is easy for everyone to follow, but also establishes what is a legitimate complaint and what isn't.

Damrow also said, "We felt it would be prudent to work with planning commission and possibly corporate counsel (to get these issues resolved)."

"What we need to address as a county is adding to the ordinance for a dispute resolution process," Peruski explained.

He added, "I think unfortunately for Bingham Township it was used as a testing ground. I think we have to look at our current zoning ordinance and make sure this doesn't happen again."

Peruski noted the committee needs to find out what are the health effects of the turbines and what they are seeing that they didn't anticipate.

Lundberg offered his opinion as to what the early focus of the committee should be. "This committee should intend to look at the immediate problem first; the noise issue. Are Michigan Wind I and windmills in question in compliance with ordinance."

He added that John Deere Wind will be addressing the planning commission next month and will also meet with the committee. Once the noise is addressed, Lundberg thinks the group "can make possible adjustments to the standards" and "compare our standard vs. what makes a project work."

At this point, concerned citizens were given a chance to address the board. Dennis Mausolf pointed out that a lot of people drive by the windmills and roll down the window, but that is when they are moving at one revolution every six seconds. He noted, when they get into the four second range there is a lot more noise.

Curt Watchowski expressed concerns about allowing any more turbines to be constructed in the county before the issues are fixed. Board member Clark Brock responded, "There are no immediate plans for any new turbines to be built in the next 12-14 months."

Addressing the warranty issue, Watchowski wondered what happens when the warranty on those turbines expires.

He added that he has health concerns and they don't necessarily revolve around the noise issues. His complaint was about the low resonance frequency, which you can feel. "If you can feel it, what is it doing to our bodies?" asked Watchowski.

Watchowski noted that his animals are also being physically affected by the frequencies. He said his horses are laying down in the middle of the day, which is very unusual. "What is it doing to our livestock?" he wondered.

He added, "I hope we learn everything we can, before we let anyone else come in. I think before anything else happens, we need to know what it is doing."

After several others spoke, Lundberg tried to offer some reassurance. "I think the idea is to get on top of the situation."

Lundberg said that at this point it would be premature to say exactly what was is going to be done next "when we don't know (for sure) what we are going to do."

"Communication is important (as we move forward)," Brock explained.

Dr. Robert Oakes, also a member of the board, advised anyone dealing with health issues they think are related to the turbines to keep track of any symptoms they have. "Sleep deprivation is a real issue, because it is a health issue. If you can keep a sleep log that would be helpful," he said.

"We know there are problems and concerns," Damrow added. "(But I want to reassure you) the buck is going to start here (with this committee)."

After Damrow addressed the group, there was a discussion by the board as to which members would be part of the committee. Those selected were Brock, Mary Babcock and Joel Weber. Others who will be on the committee include Dale Lipar from the Health Department, Lundberg and Allen, as well as representatives from DTE and John Deere Wind.

Ausra is First Solar Steam Boiler Manufacturer to Receive the ASME 'S' Stamp Certificate of Authorization Ausra, Inc., a leading provider of large-sca

2009-06-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ausra, Inc., a leading provider of large-scale solar steam systems for electricity generation and industrial processes, was awarded the "S" Stamp Certificate of Authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for the manufacture of the company's industrial solar steam power boilers. Ausra is the first and only solar steam power boiler manufacturer to receive this Certificate of Authorization under ASME's Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) Code.

An ASME "S" Stamp indicates that a product conforms to the latest edition of the ASME BPV Code and is considered the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification. It is recognized in more than 100 countries as a means of meeting government safety regulations, and complies with all safety laws and regulations in the United States and Canada.

"Receiving the 'S' Stamp certification is a milestone that tells our customers that Ausra's solar power boilers will be manufactured and assembled to meet ASME's stringent standards for safety, quality and reliability," said Ausra Chief Executive Officer Robert E. Fishman. "This certificate is a testimony to the high caliber of Ausra's engineering, manufacturing and construction management teams. Ausra is proud to be the first industrial solar power boiler manufacturer to receive the 'S' Stamp Certificate. This stamp accreditation positions Ausra to immediately begin shipments of our solar power steam boilers to a diverse range of utility and industrial customers."

With the ASME "S" Stamp Certificate, Ausra is also accredited to use the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors "NB" Stamp for its solar boilers.

Ausra's Next Generation Solar Thermal Installations

Ausra's solar thermal steam systems incorporate next-generation Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology to: fuel standalone solar thermal and solar-natural gas hybrid power plants, augment power generation for new and existing fossil-fired power plants and generate direct solar steam for industrial applications, including enhanced oil recovery, desalination and food processing [http://www.ausra.com/technology/ourproducts.html].

The company's Kimberlina Solar Thermal Energy Plant in Bakersfield, CA is the first solar thermal power plant to come online in California in nearly 20 years. The facility generates electricity for California's peak summer demand period. Kimberlina is also the first solar power boiler to be permitted in California and serves as a testing and demonstration facility for Ausra's solar steam customers.

In Australia, Ausra provides solar-generated steam for the New South Wales-based utility Macquarie Generation's 2,000-megawatt Liddell coal-fired power plant, allowing the utility to generate electricity with less emissions. Additional information on Ausra's Kimberlina and Liddell solar power installations is available at http://www.ausra.com/news/media_kit.html.

Through the Wall Air Conditioner

2009-06-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you, but I live in Sunnyvale. Can you guess why it’s named Sunnyvale? Because it gets quite sunny here. Many people rent apartments, and those apartments often don’t come with air conditioning. If you don’t want to suffer through punishing heat (assuming you have that kind of weather, wherever you are) then you should get an air conditioner. Now obviously, if you live in an apartment you can’t have a central air conditioner installed, digging up your floors and installing large devices in the ground outside.

Instead, you need a PTAC Air Conditioner, more commonly known as a Through the Wall Air Conditioner. This is the kind of air conditioner you just wedge under your window. Most PTACs have between 8,000 and 12,000 BTUs, not as powerful as a central air conditioners with 12,000 to 60,000 BTUs. (BTUS represent units of refrigeration) But you don’t have to install them like you do with the larger central air conditioners. In addition, if you only need to cool one room, for example your bedroom on hot summer nights, this is an affordable choice.

If you have an apartment with vertical windows, rather than horizontal windows, then it’s difficult to use a through Portable Air Conditioner the wall air conditioner (unless you fancy wedging your air conditioner in sideways). You need a portable air conditioner. Although they aren’t very portable in the traditional sense (similar to a computer desk on wheels) The portable air conditioners vent their heat through an exaust hose, so you can stick the end of the hose out the window, stick a board on top of the hose, put duct tape on the whole thing and you’re read to start chilling!

Become.com puts the deep freeze on high prices!

Amsterdam Aims to be EU’s First Intelligent City

2009-06-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

msterdam has set its sights on becoming Europe’s first “intelligent” city, with an initiative to incorporate a smart grid, smart meters, electric vehicles and “smart” building design.

The goal is to reduce energy consumption in commercial properties, public buildings and areas, housing and transportation.

The city has chosen Accenture to help integrate the technologies. In March, Accenture launched the Intelligent City Network to coordinate efforts of utilities and city managers who seek to deploy smart grids.

Amsterdam recently launched the first phase of its low-carbon project, according to a press release, which includes:

* A ship-to-the-grid project, by which commercial vessels and river cruisers will be connected to the electric grid when docked, reducing on-ship energy production and related pollution
* The implementation of smart meters and in-home feedback displays for home owners
* A smart building at Accenture’s Amsterdam office at the ITO Tower, where intelligent technology will collect, monitor and analyze the building’s programming and utility data to identify energy consumption efficiencies and lower the building’s carbon footprint
* A ‘Climate Street’ at Utrechtsestraat, a shopping and restaurant street, will have sustainable waste collection, tram stops, and street and façade lighting. Smart meters will help manage energy consumption.

As part of the move to become an intelligent city, Amsterdam is creating a so-called “green energy” company, according to NIS News.

The city hopes to supply a third of its electricity needs with local renewable energy sources by 2025.

The city also hopes by 2025 to slash its CO2 emissions by 40 percent, from 1990 levels.

New Sharp portable solar panels are "industry's thinnest"

2009-05-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Sharp's LR0GC02 Solar Panel module has proved popular in Japan, where phones can now be recharged by just leaving them in the sun.

That technology has now gone global, as Sharp announces that its solar panel will be available across the world to device manufacturers. The company claims that it's the industry's thinnest, at just 0.8mm - the width of eight human hairs. Solar phones have been available in the UK before, but not with a panel that thin.

The cells on the panel will deliver up to 300 mW of juice for your handset, and although they won't replace a traditional battery, they could contribute to increased life of the device. That could be handy both for top-end smartphones with high power requirements, and handsets for the developing world, where mains power isn't widely available.

Will global warming benefit starfish

2009-05-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Increasing temperatures and carbon dioxide levels in the world’s oceans may actually speed the growth of starfish, according to research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The results contrast with previous findings of global warming’s negative effects on the five-armed fish’s relatives.

“Mollusks, bivalves, clams and mussels respond negatively to increased carbon dioxide,” says Rebecca Gooding, a doctoral student in zoology at the University of British Columbia and lead author of the paper. On the other hand, she says, compared to their invertebrate cousins, “starfish are growing faster, getting bigger faster, and they’re eating more.”

The starfish’s saving grace, according to Gooding, is that it wears less armor than most other marine invertebrates. (One exception is soft-bodied animals like the sea anemone.) Oceans absorb about half the carbon dioxide humans release into the atmosphere, resulting in more acidic water. Many sea creatures suffer as lowered pH dissolves their calcified shells.

But the effect is not universal. “We need to be careful predicting how species are going to respond to climate change just based on which species they are related to,” says Gooding. “It’s very complex. We actually know very little.”

The researchers put starfish into tanks with carbon dioxide levels and temperatures ranging within current and future levels predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In water that contained a relatively high level of carbon dioxide, the sea star, Pisaster ochraceus, grew 67 percent more than its counterparts in tanks set at lower concentrations. An increase of three degrees Celsius (about 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) boosted relative growth by 110 percent.

Of course, good news for one species doesn’t always apply to an entire underwater ecosystem. Starfish feed on smaller invertebrates, including species not found to do as well under changing ocean conditions.

The mismatch may have a dangerous downside. “This species of sea star just chows down on mussels,” says Gooding. “We expect mussels to grow smaller with rising carbon dioxide since they are stuck in a shell.” The starfish’s dependence on something with shrinking shells makes Gooding wary: “I think mussels are in trouble.”

A Photovoltaic Cell Lesson

2009-05-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Photovoltaic energy is the conversion of sunlight into electricity. A photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell or PV, is the technology used to convert solar energy directly into electrical power. A photovoltaic cell is a nonmechanical device usually made from silicon alloys.

unlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. These photons contain various amounts of energy corresponding to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum. When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected, pass right through, or be absorbed. Only the absorbed photons provide energy to generate electricity. When enough sunlight (energy) is absorbed by the material (a semiconductor), electrons are dislodged from the material’s atoms. Special treatment of the material surface during manufacturing makes the front surface of the cell more receptive to free electrons, so the electrons naturally migrate to the surface.

When the electrons leave their position, holes are formed. When many electrons, each carrying a negative charge, travel toward the front surface of the cell, the resulting imbalance of charge between the cell’s front and back surfaces creates a voltage potential like the negative and positive terminals of a battery. When the two surfaces are connected through an external load, electricity flows.
The photovoltaic cell is the basic building block of a photovoltaic system. Individual cells can vary in size from about 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) to about 10 centimeter (4 inches) across. However, one cell only produces 1 or 2 watts, which isn’t enough power for most applications. To increase power output, cells are electrically connected into a packaged weather-tight module. Modules can be further connected to form an array. The term array refers to the entire generating plant, whether it is made up of one or several thousand modules. The number of modules connected together in an array depends on the amount of power output needed.

The performance of a photovoltaic array is dependent upon sunlight. Climate conditions (e.g., clouds, fog) have a significant effect on the amount of solar energy received by a photovoltaic array and, in turn, its performance. Most current technology photovoltaic modules are about 10 percent efficient in converting sunlight. Further research is being conducted to raise this efficiency to 20 percent.

The photovoltaic cell was discovered in 1954 by Bell Telephone researchers examining the sensitivity of a properly prepared silicon wafer to sunlight. Beginning in the late 1950s, photovoltaic cells were used to power U.S. space satellites. The success of PV in space generated commercial applications for this technology. The simplest photovoltaic systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches used everyday. More complicated systems provide electricity to pump water, power communications equipment, and even provide electricity to our homes.

Some advantages of photovoltaic systems are:

1. Conversion from sunlight to electricity is direct, so that bulky mechanical generator systems are unnecessary.
2. PV arrays can be installed quickly and in any size required or allowed.
3. The environmental impact is minimal, requiring no water for system cooling and generating no by-products.

Photovoltaic cells, like batteries, generate direct current DC-which is generally used for small loads (electronic equipment). When DC from photovoltaic cells is used for commercial applications or sold to electric utilities using the electric grid, it must be converted to alternating current AC-using inverters, solid state devices that convert DC power to AC.

Historically, PV has been used at remote sites to provide electricity. In the future PV arrays may be located at sites that are also connected to the electric grid enhancing the reliability of the distribution system.

Solar Panels Banned in Chinese Neighborhood

2009-04-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

In China it's not unusual to see private residents to make the move to solar power. Like in any country the initial expense is high, but putting a few solar panels on your roof will pay off in the long run. It's good for you and it's good for the environment. Everybody wins, right?

Not so fast, skippy. One neighborhood in Hebei, China has somehow come to the conclusion that neat and tidy rooftops are more important that clean energy. Never mind global warming or the economic crisis. City beautification seems to be the top priority.

An official public notice (later posted online) stated the following:

"According to the comprehensive demands of the 'three years of change' and the beautification of scenery in the area, solar panels are strictly forbidden on rooftops. The resident will take responsibility for the financial damage incurred if they do not comply with this rule. The panels that are already in place must be taken down within three days. Otherwise punishment according to damages to public facilities will be enforced." Danwei

The town is currently undergoing a 'sloping roof' renovation project and it looks as though there will be no solar panel installations allowed after it is completed. While their roofs might look really spiffy, this kind of policy certainly does not reflect well on China's environmental efforts.

Is this somehow related to the Chinese cultural notion of "face" and keeping up a good outwardly appearance despite a possible lack of inner substance? And if so, how does it affect innovation and progress in China?

Bolstering solar development in Japan

2009-04-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

A few days after China announced its solar stimulus plans, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters that he wants to integrate an economic stimulus plan that would favor solar development. Meanwhile, a panel set up by Japan's ruling party is hoping to bolster a scheme where utilities would buy electricity generated by solar panels installed on individual homes and office buildings. The panel also wants to install solar power generators at roughly 37,000 public schools within the next three years.

Incidentally, we heard last week that Toshiba and Sharp were in talks to join forces on their solar businesses. According to representatives from Sharp, the company wants to further enhance its solar business, and Toshiba is looking for a panel supplier. Sharp is one of the companies under consideration. Sharp's solar cell revenue is expected to reach US$1.7 billion this fiscal year, and Toshiba is looking to deliver annual sales of about US$2 billion by 2016 for its distributed generation systems.

Also on the Japanese solar front, oil refiner, Showa Shell Sekiyu KK is now looking to pick up some land to build its third solar panel factory. Representatives from Showa indicated that the company was in talks to buy an old Hitachi plasma television panel plant in southern Japan. Showa has already invested about US$202 million in its first two factories, which now have a combined production capacity of 80 megawatts a year. The next factory is expected to have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

Solar Panels Stolen from Union Pacific Railroad in Butte County

2009-04-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Another case of stolen solar panels in Butte County. Union Pacific Railroad recently reported the theft of 8 solar panels and 16 batteries from the railroad in the Feather River Canyon near Pulga. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office says the missing equipment caused an interruption in the communication and control systems of the railroad, jeopardizing the safe passage of trains. But authorities say Union Pacific was able to isolate the problem before any accidents occurred. The loss of property is estimated at $20,000. This is the 3rd local stolen solar panel investigation in recent months.

Akeena Solar makes deal to install panels on low-income homes

2009-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Akeena Solar said Tuesday that it had signed a contract with a Morgan Stanley subsidiary to supply solar panels for low-income homes.

Los Gatos-based Akeena will be the exclusive solar-panel supplier for two years to MS Solar Solutions, part of the global financial services company.

No financial terms of the deal were released. Akeena CEO Barry Cinnamon said he anticipated selling panels for "at least 200 installations."

The deal represents an expansion of Akeena's business strategy. Primarily an installer of solar systems on residential and commercial rooftops, Akeena will now put more emphasis on selling its proprietary panels.

"We see tremendous growth potential for that part of the business," Cinnamon said.

MS Solar Solutions will use Akeena's Andalay AC panels on projects. The company also has the option of selling Akeena panels to large-tract homebuilders. Akeena also granted a royalty-bearing license to MS Solar that allows it to manufacture Andalay panels.

Unlike most solar panels that produce DC power that must be transformed to AC in a wall-mounted inverter, the Andalay AC panels contain an integrated inverter, "turning them into plug-and-play AC appliances," Cinnamon said. "Put a bunch together, and you can easily power a house."

As a result, they can be installed by workers who can be trained quickly.

The first shipments of Andalay AC panels to MS Solar Solutions will take place this week, with the Quantcastfirst job starting in an unidentified location in California in April.

Akeena's shares were up 17 percent to $1.12 in Tuesday's trading.

In testifying before Colorado legislators earlier this year, Martin Mobley, MS Solar Solutions' vice president, said the company intends to buy panels, install them and monitor and maintain them afterward for low-income citizens. The company's business plan, he said, includes taking advantage of solar rebates and tax credits, participating in government contracts as well as selling renewable energy credits, known as RECs.

Toshiba considering procuring solar panels from Sharp, others

2009-03-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

TOKYO, Mar. 27, 2009 (Kyodo News International) -- Toshiba Corp. (OOTC:TOSYY) is considering procuring solar panels from Sharp Corp. and other manufacturers to make a full-scale entry into the photovoltaic generation business to cover losses from its struggling semiconductor operations, informed sources said Friday.

Given expected growth in demand for such power generation to combat global warming, Toshiba plans to offer solar power (OTCBB:SOPW) generation systems for use at large-scale facilities such as factories and buildings, combining its existing technology with solar panels procured from other firms, the sources said.

The Japanese electronics firm produces no solar panels, but has strength in technology related to distributing electricity and accumulator batteries.

The deal would be also beneficial for Sharp, one of the world's largest solar panel makers, as it aims to nurture its solar-panel business into one of its key profit sources as its other operations, like liquid crystal display TVs and mobile phones, took a big blow from the global economic slump, the sources said.

Toshiba said in a statement Friday that it is considering various companies as prospective suppliers of solar panels. Sharp said in a separate statement the company is studying forging a strategic partnership on solar batteries with many firms.

Both companies denied having made any decision on the solar-power business.
(Source: iStockAnalyst )

Solar panels coming to new San Joaquin County ag center

2009-03-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

Solar panels will be added to the county’s new agricultural center in June, likely making it the first San Joaquin County government facility to rely in part on energy from the Sun.

The ag center will receive about 15 percent of its power from 520 rooftop solar panels, officials said. The $664,226 project is largely grant-funded, with energy savings of $1.8 million over 30 to 40 years; the plan is to eventually increase to 100 percent solar.

Depending on when the project is finished, the ag center will become either the first or second county building to be solar-powered. Downtown, solar panels will also be installed on the county’s new administration building, though those panels will provide only about 5 percent of that facility’s energy needs.

“There are some really good environmental benefits by doing these kinds of projects,” said Gabe Karam, the county’s director of capital projects.

Read Friday’s Record for more on this story by staff writer Alex Breitler.

Nine solar panels stolen from Montclair Elementary

2009-03-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

OAKLAND — Thieves have stolen nine solar panels from a portable at Montclair Elementary School, saddening teachers who used the panels to teach kids about conservation and the environment.

Staff at the school on Mountain Boulevard noticed the panels were missing last week.

"How low must you go when you steal from public education?" said Cathy Sharp, whose daughter is a second-grader at the school. "If someone stole the panels to sell them as scrap, then that's really sad."

The cobalt blue panels were installed on the portable in November 2002. Drivers could see them as they passed along Mountain Boulevard toward the Montclair shopping district. Students could also view them from the playground.

The thieves left behind three panels on the portable.

The panels produced about 6 kilowatt-hours each day, enough electricity to run a large refrigerator or up to 10 televisions each day. But just as importantly, the panels helped teachers and parents teach children about energy and the environment, Principal Nancy Bloom said.

"They produced enough power for a classroom," Bloom said Wednesday. "But they also produced enough power so that we could sell some of it back to PG&E."

Each of the panels is numbered, which Bloom hopes will help police track them down. Last year, a rash of solar panel thefts was reported in the Bay Area, including at Hearst Elementary School in Pleasanton. A suspect later tried to sell the stolen panels on Craigslist.

A state grant and donations collected through the Montclair school's Parent Teachers Association helped pay for the solar panels, which were installed by Cooperative Community Energy, a member-owned company that helps provide renewable energy to homeowners, businesses and cities.

"It's sad," Sharp said about the theft. "Especially for the kids. It's hard for them to understand that someone actually stole something from their school."

New Prius comes with rooftop solar panels

2009-03-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Toyota just unveiled its new Toyota Prius, and it takes its eco-friendliness to the next level. Yes, it's still a hybrid that gets excellent gas mileage, but now it also comes with a giant solar panel on the roof to soak up the sun's rays and convert them into energy to power your stereo and air conditioner.

The great thing about these panels is that they work even when you aren't driving. That means that when you come out to your car after working all day, it's got a bunch of energy saved up from just sitting there in the sun. Pretty awesome stuff! The new Prius will be on sale in Japan soon for between $21,000 and $26,000.

Voters are asked to approve solar panels

2009-03-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

As part of their science class curriculum, seventh-graders this winter faced the challenge of developing a device that would run on or use sunlight as an energy source.

The 24 students in Doug Chudzik's science class developed devices that ranged from an aluminum foil robot that stored solar energy that could be called upon at night, to a solar light bulb that drew electric energy from sunlight, to a solar-powered grill ignited by a magnifying glass.

Chudzik's students have become solar zealots, ready to explain the benefits of solar energy with the slightest encouragement.

"Using solar energy can save money and reduce use of fossil fuels," said Danny O'Steen, 12. "It's better for the environment, and it's better for people."

On March 12, O'Steen and his classmates crafted homemade concave "parabolic reflectors" out of cardboard and aluminum foil that they would eventually use to demonstrate how rays of sunlight can be directed onto a single point or line to generate heat or ignite fire.

Besides producing solar-literate seventh-graders, Keyport school officials are hoping that the students' unbridled solar enthusiasm will carry over to their parents, who will vote April 21 on whether to approve a $4 million referendum to construct solar cell panels on the roofs of the district's three buildings.

"We're hoping that they can share that learning with their parents," said Keyport Central School Principal Anthony Rapolla, who sat in on one of Chudzik's solar lessons on March 12.

Board of Education members believe that they can.

School board members say the district's proposed solar project also could serve as the means to pay for itself and the $1.5 million price tag to replace the Central School roof, school officials said.

Last replaced in 1987 for $387,000, the Central School roof will cost approximately $1.5 million, according to Armm Associates, the Cherry Hill-based roofing experts under contract to the Board of Education.
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By adding the estimated $2.5 million solar energy plan, that would bring the school district's proposed total capital outlay to about $4 million.
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Although the roof replacement is essentially mandatory, the board's solar energy plan is not.

Lyle Rawlings, president of Advanced Solar Products Inc., who provided a solar panel seminar to the board last October, said solar panels would pay for themselves by generating "solar renewed energy credits" that can be sold back to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities at the market rate for the life of the 15-year program.

After the 15-year period, the school district would sell the energy credits on the open market at a fixed kilowatt rate.

About 40 percent of that $4 million figure would be covered by state aid from the Department of Education, leaving Keyport with a $2.2 million balance.

"The question then is, How are we going to pay for it?" Podracky said last October, referring to the cost of the school roof. "Are we going to get a straightforward loan for five, six years, or is the roof going to pay for itself by investing in solar panels?"

"It's all about payback," Podracky added. "It's all about getting revenue back from what it invested."

Podracky said Keyport schools' electric bill is around $90,000 a year. Rawlings said based upon preliminary solar energy production estimates, the school district would generate about $255,000 in energy credits each year, and the project would pay for itself in 6.2 years.

The solar panel system, Rawlings said, would generate between 20 percent and 30 percent of the schools' energy needs.