Solar Power Info

Protecting Birds From Windows

Craig Baird — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:00:03 +0000

During Our Green Year, my wife and I have worked hard to make sure that the animal life around the ranch is protected and safe. Sadly, sometimes we see an animal die and it is not a pretty thing to see. Nothing can ruin your day more than when you are sitting in the living [...]

Green New Year’s Resolutions

Marina Hanes — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:00:56 +0000

During this month, you will have an opportunity to jump start the changes you want to make for yourself in the new year. Maybe you want to lose weight, eat healthier, organize your home or office, or be more active with your children. These are all accomplishable goals, and the best part about them is [...]

Weather Predictions For 2009

Hilary Feldman — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:57 +0000

If you are like most people, the past year offered some unusual weather patterns. The problem is that the reality has not fit with conventional views of what climate change will bring. For a start, if the planet is experiencing global warming why so much cold weather? Like many North American cities, Vancouver has been [...]

Jatropha Bio-fuel Powers World’s First Commercial Aviation Test Flight

saikat — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:29 +0000

Jatropha, a wild shrub growing on uncultivated lands has for long being endemic to India and parts of Africa. Its significance as a bio-fuel also has been touted for long. Now in a first, oil derived from Jatropha has been used to fly an Air New Zealand Boeing 747. This is good news for an [...]

How Solar Panels are Made

AceFisch — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:00:25 +0000

Solar panels are becoming a popular energy staple among the eco-friendly community. From sun roof solar panels to solar-homes, panels are praised for their ability to turn basic solar heat into usable energy, but few know the delicate process behind creating a solar panel, and the way in which this delicate nature has, until recently, limited solar [...]

Honda advertises cars with green hybrid billboards

Solar Power News — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:46:00 +0000

Filed under: Solar, Honda, Green Daily, Pacific Region

Click above to enlarge

If you are going to bill yourselves as the World's Greenest Automaker, as Honda does from time to time, you'd better be willing to back it up. Luckily, Honda always seems to be looking for a way to do just that. Whether it's by offering the best overall fuel economy in the United States or powering billboards with solar power, Honda is often a step ahead. Wait, hold on... powering billboards with solar power? Yep, in the land of Oz at least, Honda has partnered up with APN Outdoor to create Australia's first eco-friendly outdoor advertisements. The solar panels provide power when possible and a backup electrical connection that gets its power from a green feed is there to pick up the slack. This may be a small thing, but we'll take it. We should also mention that Honda has invested in solar technology itself, with its Soltec subsidiary opening for business in 2006 and now selling panels for residential or commercial use.

[Source: Honda]

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Rise & Shine: January 6, 2009

Solar Power News — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:07:00 +0000

The Rise & Shine is your daily source for all solar-industry news. Brought to you by Sweet Solar Home and the Experts at SunRun.

CALIFORNIA NEWS
California Water District Deploys 1.1MW Solar Array
The system is for the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) in Valley Center, CA was financed and will be owned, operated and maintained by Solar Power Partners Inc.

Sempra solar energy project makes advances in costs
An analyst says a Sempra Generation project powering California homes beats conventional sources on cost-effectiveness.

NATIONAL NEWS
Will Solar Save Chip Companies?
As the semiconductor industry prepares to post a rare drop in revenues, with another decline expected next year, it's no wonder that many chip companies are shifting their hopes to solar power.

Evergreen Solar Shuts Pilot Factory, Takes $25M Write Off
The move should help the Marlboro, Mass.-based company save money, a much-needed move as it tries to weather the recession.

Evolution Solar Comments on Solar Stock Rally
Evolution Solar Corporation announced today that solar stocks rallied on news of what is expected to become the largest on-grid solar power station in China.

Arizona Manufactured Solar Panels Enter Market
The agreement initially calls for Solon to supply over 1.5 megawatts (MW) of its Tucson-manufactured solar panels to American Solar Electric, marking Solon's entrance into the U.S. residential market segment.

UTILITY INDUSTRY & REGULATORY NEWS
Duke's Solar Program Regulated By N.C. Utilities Commission
The N.C. Utilities Commission has attached conditions to their approval of Duke Energy Carolinas' proposed $50M solar energy initiative. The main restriction is a limitation on the amount of money Duke can recover under the state's renewable-energy law.

Nuclear Energy More Expensive than some Clean Power, Study Says
According to a new analysis from Climate Progress, existing nuclear power plant technology can generate electricity at no less than $0.25 to $0.30 per kilowatt-hour (including fuel and O&M, excluding distribution) for the first year of operation.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
What the Green Industry Wants from Obama
The incoming president is getting a long list of ideas from greentech companies that expect him to provide money and policies quickly to help them survive the recession and more.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Yingli & Goldbeck Sign 15MW PV Module Deal
Under the terms of the contract, Yingli is expected to supply a minimum of 15 megawatts (MW) of PV modules to Goldbeck Solar in 2009.

SPI & JA Solar Enter 60MW Solar Cell Deal
The cells will be used for the ongoing production of SPI's solar modules and supply to SPI begins immediately.

LDK Solar Lowers Sales Outlook, Delays Factory Plan
The Chinese silicon wafer maker saw its fourth-quarter sales drop by 23 percent as customers delayed taking deliveries. Stock fell 15 percent.

Day4 Energy Decreases Work Force by 95 People
Day4 Energy Inc. has implemented a reduction in its overall head count affecting approximately 95 people primarily at its Burnaby production facility.

Sanyo to Cut 1,000 Workers
Sanyo is considering cutting up to 1,000 domestic workers in the next few months, as it scales back unprofitable businesses ahead of an expected buyout by Panasonic. The company will also continue reassigning workers to its solar and rechargeable battery divisions, which have stronger growth prospects.

Juwi Completes 40MW Waldpolenz Plant
The juwi group announced the completion of the Waldpolenz energy park in Brandis, in eastern Germany, ahead of schedule in December 2008.

Are you in California and interested in solar for your home? Call us at 877.SUN.MOJO or visit our website to learn more.

Artist’s Talk Newton and Helen Mayer Harrison (Eco-Artists)

Solar Power News — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Artist Talk: Ecoartspace, Solar One and Ronald Feldman Gallery are pleased to present an Artist's Talk with collaborative team and Eco Art pioneers, Newton and Helen Mayer Harrison. They will speak in New York City at the Ronald Feldman Gallery on Tuesday, January 13th at 6pm in conjunction with their new exhibition Global Warming (opening on January 10th).

SPACE IS LIMITED: TO RSVP contact Sarah Paulson at (212) 226-3232 sarah@feldmangallery.com
or amy@ecoartspace.org

Where: Ronald Feldman Gallery | 31 Mercer Street (at Grand Street)

When: January 13th | 6pm

About the Artists: Among the leading pioneers of the eco-art movement, the collaborative team of Newton and Helen Mayer Harrison (often referred to simply as “the Harrisons”) have worked for over thirty years with biologists, ecologists and urban planners to initiate collaborative dialogues to uncover ideas and solutions which support biodiversity and community development.

The Harrison's concept of art embraces a breathtaking range of disciplines. They are historians, diplomats, ecologists, investigators, emissaries and art activists. Their work involves proposing solutions and involves not only public discussion, but extensive mapping and documentation of these proposals in an art context. (From www.greenmuseum.org)

Bamboo Floors: As Good As They Say?

Craig Baird — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:00:33 +0000

Renovations are going to be starting in the spring at our ranch to help make it more environmentally-sustainable. Recently we made the decision to go green by using bamboo flooring and crushed glass counters, but then we began to wonder just how green is bamboo? As with anything, there are plenty of good points but [...]

AboutMyPlanet launches “Green QuestionVille”

Bart — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:10:08 +0000

Hi Everyone, first of all we wanted to wish you and your family a warm and happy New Year. It’s been quiet here at AboutMyPlanet for the past couple of weeks and there is a good reason for that. We’ve been working hard on a new project and we are ready to reveal it today! Without [...]