Solar power benefits Third World Countries

For developing regions in Third World countries, many of life’s basic necessities are difficult to achieve due to poverty and/or living far from the electrical grid.  Keeping medical supplies at cool temperatures via refrigeration, making emergency telephone calls, lighting living spaces in a safe manner, and even purifying water and cooking food can be challenging, if not impossible.

Using solar power benefits Third World countries because the resource is ample and inexpensive.  Consider this startling fact: Africa has 9 times the solar energy potential of Europe—an annual equivalent of 100 million tons of oil.  If even a fraction of this solar power was tapped into, impoverished countries could even boost their economies by selling excess solar electricity to European countries.

In recognition of the value of solar power to developing countries, Sunbelt International recently announced an initiative to aggressively develop and deploy solar energy technologies and systems in third world countries. According to Sunbelt International President Fang Soo Lui:

“It is the strategic objective of Sunbelt International to approach emerging markets with sustainable energy alternatives.”

Sunbelt will work with a number of developing nations to install the solar power units.

In addition to Sunbelt’s new initiative, the World Bank announced last year that a $5.5 billion package would be invested in utility scale solar power plants in Africa.  One of its goals was to encourage additional private investments and entrepreneurs.

With solar power projects in Africa, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 740 million tons annually.  And that is a benefit that can be enjoyed by the entire world!

SolarCity providing green jobs

The SJF Institute handed out its 2011 Green Jobs Awards recently, honoring the San Mateo, California company SolarCity.

Green jobs have experienced a tremendous growth during the recession, with solar power one of the leading industries providing such employment opportunities.  SolarCity currently employs 1,350 people full time and provides a full health package and retirement plan.  Not only that, but entry level photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installers have the opportunity to move quickly up the ranks into supervisory and management positions within 1-2 years of hire.

Linda Keala, SolarCity’s VP of human resources commented on its receipt of the 2011 Green Jobs Award:

“Our more than 1,300 employees make it possible for many homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less than they pay for utility power.  Every SolarCity employee supports and plays a key role in increasing the use of clean power or using power more efficiently to make our country less dependent on energy sources that pollute our environment.”

Despite recent economic conditions, SolarCity has more than 20,000 clean power projects completed or underway in 11 states.

Regarding the 2011 Green Jobs Award, Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director, stated:

“By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead.”

What do you think about solar power and green jobs?

More than half of Americans favor solar power

Recently, two polling companies, representing each of the major political parties in the U.S., determined that twice as many U.S. citizens favor solar and clean energy than those who don’t.  A full 62% of the people surveyed support continued government investment in clean energy systems that create green jobs.  On the other hand, 31% stated that they believed it was a waste of taxpayer money to do so.

Democrat polester Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) conducted the poll with Republican pollster Public Opinion Strategies. The companies work independently on many issues, but together on others like solar power. In this case, they were conducting a poll on behalf of a coalition of clean energy groups in Ohio.

The timing of of the poll was right after the announcement that solar energy company Solyndra filed for bankruptcy, after receiving a government loan.  So, an underlying question was whether Americans would respond with an unfavorable view of the solar industry overall and lack of support.  Fortunately, the results showed that people are viewing the Solyndra bankruptcy as a as just one bad company that was an isolated case.

Perhaps not surprisingly, support for solar power is higher among Democrats (77%) than Republicans (49%).

What would your answer be?  Are you in favor of solar power and other renewables, or not?

Solar energy grid integration

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy created the Solar Energy Grid Integration System, a competitive program that encouraged solar research that can better integrate solar energy generated by panels installed on rooftops or ground-mounted into the electrical grid.

Among several goals of the program were: (1) help encourage utilities to accept solar power; and (2) development of new solar commercial products.

The competitive solar program resulted in a number of solar technology submissions to the USDOE.  Out of more than 25 companies/organizations that applied, the Department of Energy selected 12 to advance to “Stage 1.”  These were then narrowed down to 5 finalist companies.

Among those included in the finalists was PV Powered, a local, Bend Oregon-based solar inverter company, now known as Advanced Energy Industries Renewables.  Its research was aimed at determining how to effectively transfer solar power, which can be intermittent – depending on cloud cover – to an electrical grid that is consistently loaded by constant energy from burning natural gas or coal at power plants.

The Solar Energy Grid Integration System finalists also included Portland General Electric, Northern Plains Power Technologies of South Dakota and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

The results of the solar research for the Solar Energy Grid Integration System, published this week, should take some of the heat off the Obama Administration regarding the failure of Solyandra – a solar panel manufacturer that filed for bankruptcy recently, after receiving a $535 million government-backed loan from the government two years ago.

Catamarans at sunset

I’ve enjoyed boating on “regular” catamarans.  The twin-hulled design is fast, and can be powered by wind/sails, or an outboard motor.  Now, solar boating includes catamarans!

With more and more people interested in saving the environment, and the money it costs to fuel transportation and recreational pursuits like boating, it is not surprising at all that solar powered catamarans are offered as a viable alternative.

The following 10 catamaran designs showcased on EcoFriend are green and 100% powered by solar energy.  Here’s an excerpt from the original article on EcoFriend:

Solar Catamaran

1. Solar Catamaran float 1
The credit for developing solar-powered Catamaran named Float goes to a California resident Jeffrey Greger. This ecofriendly Float can be put on the top of a car and taken to a lake or a calm beach to feel the water waves. The Float is spacious enough to accommodate four people. It has LED tail lights and in-built speakers. The top of the Float has solar panel that traps solar energy. The catamaran is powered by Lithium-Ion battery.

2. Enso 1 Catamaran
The Enso Wing sailed Catamaran is the brain child of Zack Stephanchick, an industrial designer by profession. This 140 inch boat is ecofriendly and it can be used to move in style on the open waters. According to Zack, Zen Buddhism has inspired him to design Enso. The propulsion system of this catamaran is ecofriendly. Enso is pretty spacious from inside.

3. Catamaran powered by solar energy
International Biological station has designed and built this solar-powered catamaran named the Helios Cousteau. It is currently running in the northeast province of Zamora, Spain. The green boat is totally sustainable and is attracting a lot of tourists. This ecofriendly boat with 80 seats has now become a part of European network of Aquatic Biodiversities Observatories. It is 19 meters long and 6 meters wide. The catamaran features 20 solar panels and four wind turbines.

4. Electro Solar
As the name suggest, this catamaran is powered by solar energy. It is expected that this solar-powered catamaran will participate in the Solar Challenge. This ecofriendly catamaran is made up of the hulls of a Formula 18 catamaran. The designers have fitted high-efficiency photovoltaic modules in this catamaran. The modules trap sunlight and generate about 2 KW of power. The Electro Solar can touch a top speed of around 8 knots.

5. GO2 catamaran
Designer Chris Rose has come up with the idea of the GO2 catamaran, which will run on Thames River. This catamaran is totally green because it is completely powered by electricity. The piezoelectric dance floor on the catamaran can use the kinetic energy of the dancers to charge the onboard batteries. The power generated by these batteries can be used to rotate electric motor fitted on the two hulls. The hulls are made up of marine ply.

6. Biocat catamaran
Biocat catamaran derives power from either a V10 engine or two V8 engines. The best part is that both these engines can be run with either diesel or biodiesel. This catamaran is 8.8 meter long. It can reach a high speed of 110 mph.

7. Solar proa
Designers Carolin Dissmann, Tibor Bartholomä, Daniel Boos and Andreas Schwab have come up with a fully sustainable solar-powered catamaran named Solar Proa. This sleek and stylish catamaran can accommodate six people. Around 14.5-square-meters of the catamaran is covered with photovoltaic panels. The onboard batteries of Proa can be recharged by using a 230 V electric socket. The Proa can hit a top speed of 6.59 knots. It is completely green.

8. Folding solar catamaran
The FOSCAT-32 is different from other catamaran because of its unique design. The catamaran has won the prize at A’ Vehicle and Transportation Design Award. This catamaran will derive energy from sun and wind. It features DC motors for taking “u-turn” comfortably.

9. Sun cat
Taiwanese firm Horizon Yachts has designed and built Sun cat in cooperation with Solar Water World AG. This solar-powered catamaran can generate 760 watts of power. It has four solar panels. Sun cat can carry 12 passengers. J.C. Espinosa has designed the exterior of this catamaran.

10. Eco slim
This ecofriendly catamaran is developed by boat-builder Drassanes Dalmau. The boat can carry 150 people. It can touch a high speed of around seven knots.

What affects the cost of solar panels

Thinking about residential solar power?  You might be worried about the expense of this renewable resource.  But there are ways to save money and also save energy while you go solar.

In general, there are 5 things that affect the cost of solar panels:

1.  Rebates and incentives.  Even though governmental tax rebates are not quite as generous as they were a few years ago, you can still save a lot on solar panels by tapping into local, state and/or federal incentives and rebates. Combined, you could pocket up to 80% of the retail cost of solar panels!

2.  Current energy usage.  Its quite simple: the more electricity you use, the more solar panels you will need.  Reduce your overall energy consumption, and you won’t need to generate as much solar electricity!

3.  Solar irradiation and UV exposure.   Consider your roof angle, any obstructions and shading, and the overall solar irradiation for your region.  You don’t necessarily have to live in a warm, sunny locale to tap into solar energy.  However, you do need to have optimum UV exposure, which is impacted by the angle of your roof, among other things.

Save money with solar panels

4.  Net metering.  You can literally turn back your utility meter with solar panels!  The way net metering works is that, when excess solar electricity is generated by your solar array, the energy is fed back into the grid for other consumers to use.  Then, when you need to draw on grid-based power overnight or on cloudy days, you get a credit for the power you contributed to the system.  Save even more!

5.  Materials supplies.  The primary reason that solar panels cost so much less today than 5 years ago is the reduction in the cost of supplies required for manufacturing solar cells, including silicon.  In addition, solar technology is leading to increased efficiency of solar cells, which further reduces the cost of a solar array.

Experts predict that the cost of solar panels will continue to decrease in the coming years.  However, governmental rebates and incentives may not be as generous as they are now in the future.  If you are thinking about going solar, now may be the best time!

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Floating solar power plants: a renewable energy innovation

Solar power technology developed through a partnership between Solaris Synergy from Israel and the EDF Group from France will allow solar power plants to be constructed over water.  Instead of building solar installations on natural lakes or over the ocean, industrial water basins in use for other purposes (industrial or agricultural) would be used instead.  This minimizes potential aesthetic and wildlife impacts, and also addresses the need for undeveloped land for utility power plants.

Floating solar power plants can also use the water on which the panels are built for a creative cooling system.  As a result, solar arrays will include less expensive photovoltaic (PV) silicon solar cells, which need to be cooled down to minimize overheating. The team also worked to cut the costs associated with solar power by using a solar concentrator system with mirrors to increase efficiency of solar cells.

Currently, a prototype is scheduled to begin operations in September 2011 at Cadarache, in the South East of France.  The water surface on which the floating solar power plant will be constructed is close to a hydro-electric facility and will be able to feed electricity generated into the French power grid.  The research team will assess performance and productivity of the solar plant through the seasons and at different water levels.

By June 2012, the research will be complete and floating solar power plants should be ready to enter the market.

Solar panels for RVs keep your battery charged without the need for noisy, dirty generators

Solar panels for RVs are more affordable than home solar panels, in part because the energy demands are lower in a small space.  Instead of relying on a gas generator, using energy from the sun to power your stove, television and computer while out in an RV is cleaner and cheaper over the long run.

You can find a variety of solar panel kits on line and in major retailers like Lowe’s, Home Depot and Costco.  Experts can help you determine the number of panels and wattage you’ll need to keep you charged up.  The cost of solar panels for RVs ranges between $800-8,000, depending on the size of your RV and your daily battery drain.

Simply set up your solar panels to face the sun and tap into solar energy while parked, or even on the road.

Solar Powered Urban Chicken Coop

Urban farming is on the rise with more people considering local food and trying to minimize environmental impacts.  I have several friends that own chickens and raise (quite tasty) eggs.  So when I found this solar powered urban chicken coop, I had to write about it!

Shown at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the modernist solar chicken coop created by Raad is so sophisticated, the designers call it a “residence.”  This structure houses chickens in a comfortable setting so that they can comfortably produce farm-fresh eggs.  For time-pressed urban farmers, the coop itself is very easy to set up and assemble.

Solar energy helps air circulate through the coop.  There are three levels inside to allow for bedding and food, a perch for roosting and private laying units.  If you own chickens, you’ll appreciate the easy cleaning with a slide out chicken run.