solar energy panels

Your Digital Camera within the 21st Century

2011-01-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

The 21st Century has sparked a whole lot of ideas, improvements, and inventions, and we are simply getting started.
Know-how has introduced the digital camera and video expertise to the everyday shopper in a method never seen before. Cell phones video cameras and digital cameras are very affordable now-a-days. People everywhere are taking pictures and making movies of every thing, making a record of reminiscences, information and life.
A brand new innovation in this space has taken images to the subsequent step within the technological evolution. This free program known as Animoto. Animoto produces quality music videos using your images and video clips in simply minutes.
To Use this system just choose a tune because the soundtrack to your video and Animoto will analyze it. Producing a completely distinctive video every time and no two videos are ever the same.
Sharing your new videos is simple as well. You possibly can add Animoto movies to your profiles, on your blog, e-mail them to buddies, put them up on YouTube or obtain them onto your computer.
You can create as many free 30 second movies as you wish to share and save. You can pay $3 for a single full size video, or, $30 for an All-Entry Cross that permits for unlimited full length videos for one year. Free or paid, videos will likely be branded "Animoto.com" at the end of the video, unless you choose to go the Animoto Pro method for $249 a yr, or $ninety nine for a three-month trial, which is able to allow you limitless hello resolution videos which are unbranded and have a business use license.
The free 30 second movies utilizing primary editing and compilation tools might not be sufficient after a while. You then may have to buy a single video or annual pass, though the free 30 second video is completely usable.
Due to this fact, this is excellent for those who repeatedly do, or want to, create AVs or videos for private or industrial use. Shelling out $30 for unlimited full-length movies feels like a relatively whole lot, as does the $249 commercial Professional license.

Castle Drogo wins award for biomass boiler

2009-11-25T18:25:00.002-08:00

Castle Drogo on Dartmoor has won an award for being one of the best examples of sustainable energy in the South West with its new biomass boiler.

One of eight winners, England’s last castle took home a highly-sought after Green Energy Award for its biomass boiler, in the category of ‘Best Renewable Energy Scheme’.

The new biomass boiler has reduced the Castle's annual carbon emissions by 150 tonnes and generated 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of renewable heat per year. It is easily accessible to 125,000+ visitors a year, and is included in visitor tours that further promote renewable energy. The fuel for the installation is supplied by a local woodchip supplier, with 50 per cent coming from the estate itself with 100 per cent by June 2010. Many members of the local community, other businesses and charities have also visited Drogo to have a look at the new boiler to see if our success can be replicated elsewhere.

The winners were chosen from a high-quality shortlist of entrants from across the region by an independent panel of judges who have expert knowledge in sustainable energy.

David Bailey, Castle Drogo Property Manager said: “We are thrilled at receiving this award; it’s a real credit to everyone who has been involved on this project. Our aim is to be free from fossil fuels by 2016 through using hydro and solar power and by reducing our energy requirements. Our new solar boiler has already reduced our fossil fuel needs by 50 percent. We not only want to be the last castle built in England but also the greenest!”

Solar Power 50% Cheaper By Year End

2009-11-25T18:25:00.001-08:00

By the end of 2009, there will have been a 50% drop in the levelized cost--i.e. the lifetime cost per kWh before subsidies--of solar power, and a 10% reduction in the levelized cost of other sources of renewable energy sectors compared to the end of 2008, according to new analysis by New Energy Finance.

“So far this year, the steady decline in the cost of equipment in sectors like solar and wind has been largely offset by the increasing costs of financing,” said Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of New Energy Finance. “By the end of this year, however, as capital markets loosen up and equipment prices continue their decline, we will see the levelized costs decline, finishing the year 10% below the end of last year across the board and far more than that in solar.”

Photovoltaic (PV) module prices across the board have continued their downward trend, although the rate of decline has tapered. Thin-film remains the low-cost leader in solar with projects as cheap as $3/W, making thin-film projects 25% less expensive than crystalline silicon systems on a levelized basis.

PV projects with tracking systems have seen the least reduction in costs due to the fact that costs for single- and double-axis trackers have remained buoyant relative to panel prices.

Although new transactions have been few, turbine prices have fallen to their lowest levels in several years at 18-20% below early 2008 levels. To date, this drop in equipment prices has mostly been offset by higher costs of financing.

In the offshore market, costs continue to rise with projects moving into deeper waters, facing increasingly complex construction and capital costs. As capital markets begin to recover, both onshore and offshore projects should begin to see falling levelized costs.

Levelized geothermal costs are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in capital markets and drilling stage debt and equity has been in scarce supply through this year. Drilling costs fell by nearly 50% as drilling rigs flew into excess with a falling oil price, but these have recovered in the last quarter in step with oil. In the past quarter levelized costs have risen by 8-10% but should remain flat at year end.

Reprinted with permission from SustainableBusiness.com

Suniva solar cell technology powers India’s first large-scale solar project

2009-11-25T18:24:00.002-08:00

Suniva®, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and supplier of Suniva-branded solar modules, today announced the completion of its collaborative project with Titan Energy Systems Ltd. to create India’s first large-scale project in Jamuria, West Bengal. Suniva’s cells power the 1MW solar electric power plant which is expected to expand an additional 250kW early next year.

“High-efficiency solar technology presents significant advantages in terms of land use and balance of system costs, and Suniva is our key partner for delivering the high power and volumes needed to keep projects reliably moving forward,” said Sankar Chodagam, Managing Director of Titan Energy Systems Ltd.

The Indian government recently approved a National Solar Mission, which includes a target of deploying at least 20GW of solar projects by 2020, as part of its national strategy to provide power to millions of citizens and combat climate change. Over the next five years, Titan plans to develop a series of large-scale projects and installations in Andhra Pradesh, India. Suniva fully supports and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the fast-growing Indian market.

“As India pursues its significant goals for solar power, innovative solar cell technology will be just as crucial as new system designs and deployment strategies,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “We maintain a close and open dialogue with Titan in order to provide them with the best possible technology solutions and look forward to partnering with them in the recently announced 1 GW project in Andhra Pradesh. Our collaborative projects in India, the United States and throughout the world will help shape the future of renewable energy.”

Worldwide interest in solar technology made in the United States continues to grow. Suniva’s technology is currently being integrated into a variety of installations throughout the United States, including a 550kW solar farm in North Carolina and a 10MW development in Georgia.

Can I Really Heat My Pool From Solar Panels?

2009-11-25T18:24:00.001-08:00

Would you like to heat your pool with solar energy? Because, there’s good news! Installing solar panels to heat your pool won’t cost you much. You can even construct them yourself for under 0 in materials and less than a weekend’s worth of your time. An added benefit is that, after the initial installation cost, you won’t be paying an ongoing fuel bill.

Why Not Discover the Advantages of Building Solar Energy Here?

But before you go forward, you’ll need to take some things into consideration. First, would the system receive ample sunlight throughout the day? The solar panels best for heating pools are simple passive collectors. They usually consist of plastic, water-filled coils encased in shatter-resistant glass. As water collects in the coils, it becomes heated by the sun, then pumped into the pool.

If your property has a lot of shade trees, there might not be sufficient sunlight for a passive solar water heater. However, an unshaded south- or west-facing rooftop is an ideal spot for solar panels to get the full benefit of sunlight.

Building Solar Panel is Much More Simple

Next, think about the difference between how warm you want your pool to be and the temperature outside. For example, if you’re thinking about heating an outdoor pool in Minnesota to 80 degrees during a freezing winter, stay with pool covers and a powerful gas heating system. On the other hand, if you want to heat your outdoor pool in Texas to 80 degrees in 50-degree weather, then a solar heating system would be ideal.

When you do install a solar heater, you’ll still want to cover your pool for such times when the air is cooler than your pool’s water temperature. Any time you notice steam rising from the pool’s surface, it’s best to use the pool cover to retain the heat.

An Informative Instruction on How To Join Solar Cells Cheaply

Here’s a word of caution if you’re just learning about solar heating systems. Some people think they may be able to save even more money by using their pool’s solar heater for hot water in their house. But unfortunately, the two systems don’t mix well. The water in your pool is being conditioned with chlorine and muriatic acid. It won’t do any harm to swim in it or to swallow a little, but you really don’t want to mix it with your home’s drinking water system. Installing a solar water heating system for your home is an entirely separate project.

Causes Of Land Pollution And Recycling Facts

2009-11-25T18:23:00.000-08:00

Current info about the causes of land pollution is not
always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report
includes the latest facts about solar energy available.

Solar energy is energy from the sun. When the sun is shining
solar energy is being produced as it sends the heat
radiating to the earth. Solar energy is as plentiful as
daylight, as limitless as organic life itself, a fuel that
comes free of charge and replenishes itself every time the
earth rotates on its axis. Almost all energy, after all, is
ultimately stored solar power: Oil, gas, and coal were born
of the ancient sunlight that fed prehistoric animals and
plants, the wind is set howling by the sun's unequal heating
of the atmosphere, and even a campfire draws its warmth from
solar power trapped long ago through photosynthesis.

Wind and water have been used to power mills for centuries.
Wind power is a totally renewable energy source with no
greenhouse gas emissions, but due to its unpredictability,
has problems integrating with national grids. Combined
together, wind and hydrogen can cancel out their inherent
defects and be an effective tool in the battle against
carbon dioxide and global warming. Winds are rated in seven
classes; higher class numbers indicate stronger winds.

It seems like new information is discovered about something
every day. And the topic of solar energy is no exception.
Keep reading to get more fresh news about the causes of land
pollution.

Wind forecasting played a significant role in enabling
large-scale wind power penetration and we believe that
forecasting PV production is less complex and will have
similar results for enabling industry growth. Wind energy in
Spain has now entered a dynamic phase where the serious
challenges that arise when wind energy becomes one of the
main energy supply technologies need to be met. Current
policy direction signals how an intermittent power source
can be integrated into the electricity market in significant
quantities.

Solar energy research is expanding rapidly, with many new
ideas being explored - some using exotic nano-materials
combined with ingenious engineering approaches. PVs look set
to contribute significantly to future power generation.
Solar energy use accounted for 129 kilo tons of oil
equivalent (ktoe) in 2000 and is projected to be 431 ktoe
and 828 ktoe in 2010 and 2020, respectively.

Renewable energy provides more jobs per unit of output and
per dollar spent than conventional energies do. Economic
woes and high unemployment rates influenced Spain's 94
decision to invest in renewable energy. Renewable energy is
no less reliable than energy generated from more traditional
sources and using it does not mean that you have to change
your lifestyle or your appliances. Using renewable energy
can be as simple as using the sun for drying clothes or can
mean taking advantage of more sophisticated renewable
technologies, such as photovoltaic cell systems, which
use the sun's heat and light to generate energy, wind
turbines or ground source heat pumps which extract energy
from underground. Renewable energy is important for the
environment as it produces little or no greenhouse gases.
The exception is biomass which is considered as being
'carbon neutral'.

Now you can be a confident expert on the causes of land
pollution. OK, maybe not an expert. But you should have
something to bring to the table next time you join a
discussion on the facts about solar energy.

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Solar Energy Is Here To Stay

2009-11-11T22:36:00.002-08:00

Solar Power Inc (OTC:SOPW) traded upwards 16.53% to close at $1.41 on news the company will team up with Aerojet to add an additional 2.4 megawatts to the photovoltaic solar power system currently installed at Aerojet’s Sacramento, California site. The system will be expanded to six megawatts and become the largest single-site industrial solar energy location in California and one of the largest in the country. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an executive order on September 15th requiring that 33% of energy consumed in California come from renewable resources by the year 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger was quoted as saying, “The addition of this large-scale solar project is further evidence that reliable, renewable and pollution-free technology is here to stay.” Headquartered in Roseville, California, Solar Power Inc is a technology company which manufactures, installs, integrates, and sells photovoltaic panels or modules and solar systems which convert solar energy into electricity, primarily for consumers in the US.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Int’l (ADR) (NYSE:SMI) climbed 60.33% to close at $3.88 on news the company has settled all pending lawsuits with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. Terms of the settlement includes payment to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company of an aggregate of US$200 million payable upon instalments over the next four years. The settlement also grants Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 1,789,493,218 shares of SMI (representing roughly 8% of SMI’s issued share capital) and a warrant to purchase 695,914,030 additional shares of SMI, which would allow Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to obtain approximately 10% of SMI’s issued share capital. The terms include measures in the case of a breach of these conditions. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation designs, manufactures, packages and tests microchips used in almost all electronic equipment. The company’s semiconductors are used in computers, mobile telephones, digital televisions, digital cameras, DVD players, and other entertainment devices; as well as in consumer electronics, and automotive and industrial applications.

Reprapable Solar Power

2009-11-11T22:36:00.001-08:00

We've discussed reprapping solar panels for a long time, and - of course - our semi-conductor printing capability isn't quite up to that yet.

But it should be possible to reprap a small-scale solar array like a miniature version of the industrial one at Daggett above.

It would use reprapable solar-powered steerable mirrors. Those would be an autonomous motorized gimbal mirror support with a tracker that keeps the sun's reflection pointing the same way at all times (onto a solar boiler, say). The idea is you'd reprap out a load of these, then walk round a field putting them down. They'd all align themselves and start delivering solar power...

I think the trick is to black out a corner of the mirror except for a small circular spot in the middle of the black. Each steerable mirror has a detector on a flexible arm that you place where you want the reflection of that spot to be. Feedback keeps the spot-reflection on station, and hence the main mirror also on station. A really clever design would combine the spot detector with the local solar cell that provides the motor and controller power.

Sharp Develops a Solar Cell with the World’s Highest Conversion Efficiency of 35.8%

2009-11-11T22:35:00.002-08:00

Sharp Corporation has achieved the world’s highest solar cell conversion efficiency of 35.8% using a triple-junction compound solar cell.

Unlike silicon-based solar cells, the most common type of solar cell in use today, the compound solar cell utilizes photo-absorption layers made from compounds consisting of two or more elements such as indium and gallium. Due to their high conversion efficiency, compound solar cells are used mainly on space satellites. Since 2000, Sharp has been advancing research and development on a triple-junction compound solar cell that achieves high conversion efficiency by stacking three photo-absorption layers.

To boost the efficiency of triple-junction compound solar cells, it is important to improve the crystallinity (the regularity of the atomic arrangement) in each photo-absorption layer (the top, middle, and bottom layer). It is also crucial that the solar cell be composed of materials that can maximize the effective use of solar energy.

A Simple Homemade Solar Air Heater

2009-11-11T22:35:00.001-08:00

A Simple Homemade Solar Air Heater - Build Cheap DIY Solar Powered Air Conditioning Heaters

The use of solar energy from the sun is one of the ways where depletion of resources (especially that of consumable energy generators such as oil and coal) is lessened and conservation of energy is maximized. Knowing on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater to heat up a room or a house is one example of the application of solar energy for household use.

The basic principle in making a solar air heater lies in the behavior and movements of air, metals and colors. Inside the main body of the solar air heaters are pipes or tubings coated in black paint (using black paint enhances the ability of the pipes to absorb heat). These pipes are also made up of metals which have abilities to attract and absorb heat (some environmentalists use aluminum cans because this metal has a high thermal conductivity and at the same time by doing so recycling is done lessening the garbage and effect to land contamination).

Solar air heaters are usually situated in a vertical position where its body or at least a large portion of the whole apparatus is exposed to the sun’s rays. As cool air enters the bottom portion of the tank, it passes through the black-coated pipes and it is in this process that transfer of heat from the pipes to the transient air happens (convection). The laws of heat transfer states that heat moves from the hotter body to a cooler one, following this law, the pipes which in this situation is the hotter object gives off its heat into the cooler body, the moving air.

Basic theories of science also states that one of the properties of air is that cooler air moves down and hotter air goes up. This is partly one of the hidden reasons why solar air heaters are suggested to be built vertically rather than horizontally, because without using any other equipments or devices cool air enters the bottom of the heater then as the temperature goes up due to the transfer of heat this air goes up into air vents or tubes which is connected to the room or house where increase in temperature is desired. No more compressor or pump is necessary for such movement.

The longer the pipings and tubings are and the more tubes the air passes through the higher the increase of temperature from the final output to the initial input are achieved. Designs such as loops and the “snake” piping configuration are sometimes suggested by literature for use as it requires slower rising of air to the outlet and having more heat transfer processes as it passes through. However by using these complex patterns it must also be taken into consideration that this also has a negative side because if insulation of heat is quite poor the longer the pipings are the more chances the initial heat acquired by the air is instead given off to the surroundings. Now you have a better idea on how to build a simple and cheap diy homemade solar powered air conditioning heater.

Photovoltaic cells to create a base contrarian

2009-11-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

In recent days, is located in Zhejiang Province town of Henderson Nanxun practice Photovoltaic Power Technology Co., Ltd. is engaged in the production plan of a new order, this order is from Germany, 550 kilowatts solar photovoltaic power plant design, production and installation. “6 months, we have received two large orders for photovoltaic power generation, production tasks are extremely nervous.” SHI Quan, deputy general manager, said soldiers.

It is understood that the company’s resilient this year, while the financial crisis, not only sell very well, right now is to start two solar photovoltaic project, the province is expected to build the biggest photovoltaic cell production base.

Put into operation in October of last year, a total investment of 185 million PV Henderson, covering 200 acres, an annual output of 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic cells, and its products are mainly exported to Europe, America, South Africa, the Middle East and other regions. Dust temperature in the company’s automated production line plant, raw materials, through the rigorous process of production and post-test and turned into a solar cell. “These solar cells are used in photovoltaic power generation.” Technical personnel Introduction. In the company’s sample room to see the roof containing four photovoltaic solar cells, after conversion of light energy into electrical energy can be used for lighting, television and other electrical equipment.

“The new energy industry is the world’s emerging industries, companies have their own industrial base, choose to invest in new energy industry is the result of market research before making a decision.” Chairman Xu Jianrong said that this year the national and provincial relevant policies, support the new energy industry, promote the use of new energy products, which will be a photovoltaic Henderson a good opportunity for development.

Henderson emphasis on technology is an important reason for the rapid development of PV. According to reports, Henderson before the start of photovoltaic project, the company that introduced the U.S. Semiconductor Technology Center in solar cell technology, and on this basis re-innovation on the digestion and absorption. Company to introduce a number of international and domestic new energy field of the top talent, formed a 21-member R & D team. With the U.S. Semiconductor Technology Center, the United States Fubon High-Tech Co., Ltd., Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fudan University and other research institutions to establish a technical cooperation platform. More recently, Henderson photovoltaic and from the introduction of four talented people from overseas, focusing on solar energy research and development of core materials.

Attach importance to technical innovation and research and development to make products more competitive, Henderson PV. SHI Quan-Bing said that in 2007 the company’s net installed capacity of solar photovoltaic cells, and at a cost of 65-80 yuan / W, is now down more than half the cost of only 30-35 yuan / watt.

Building a solar heater for the RV

2009-07-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

After replacing the pump head yesterday (after almost one year of procrastination), I’m currently cleaning the water tank with chlorine. Using the tank, we will have an emergency water supply that should last several days. I also ordered a solar charge controller (after almost one year of procrastination) to get the solar panels (thanks again A_) up and running. Aside from the emergency electricity storage (do you call it that?) this will hopefully also reduce our electric bill by a few iota. We already have our own propane tank, and our house is on air suspension. Bring it on, earthquake!

Yeah, I got all fired up from reading Emergency by Neil Strauss. Anyway, …

The next thing I’m going to build is a solar hot air heater. I got the idea either from Make or Instructables. I can’t remember.

Here’s how to make it

1. First empty 120 cans of beer (I’m working on this).
2. Paint them all black and drill small holes in the bottom of the cans.
3. Make 12 stacks of 10 cans each by gluing the cans together on top of each other.
4. Make a frame (wood) to hold the cans leaving some space (half a can) at the top as well as the bottom.
5. Drill a 1″ hole at the top and attach some tubing/hose. This is the hot air outlet which goes in the RV. Drill a 1″ hole at the bottom. This is the air inlet. You can take this either from the outside air or from the inside air in which case attach another tube.
6. Cover the front with glass. Cover the back with wood (there may be a better material here) and cover that with mirror plated aluminum sheets, mirror shards (from a broken mirror), or simply use aluminum foil. It is possible that the heater will get too warm for the glass. An alternative is turkey bags.
7. Caulk the frame tight.

The system works by convection drawing the heating/hot air upwards into the hose that goes into the RV.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.

Windterra Eco1200 Wind Turbine could give you energy self-sufficiency

2009-07-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

We're showing you lots of green gadgets this week, and a great example is the Windterra Eco1200, a wind turbine that can reduce your energy bill by $75 per month. Sitting up on your roof top, it doesn't matter which direction the wind is blowing, because a mere 6.7-mph breeze can set this omnidirectional windmill in motion, generating 1600 kWh per year if your winds average 11.18 mph.

It's quiet, too, because it has a automatic brake that keeps it from spinning faster than 225 rpm, where it will be noisy enough to bother you and your neighbors. Compared to solar energy, this wind turbine is relatively inexpensive, costing around $7,000 installed including the turbine, mounting materials and an inverter that turns that wind energy into electric power. A couple of Eco1200 turbines like this or this Skystream 3.7 wind generator, teamed up with the solar array on your roof might let you go off-grid, not paying power companies but selling your excess energy back to them.

Global Warming to Submerge 2,400 Miles of Gulf Roads

2009-06-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

In 50 to 100 years. But don’t let that un-alarm you. The New York Times parrots—I mean reports—on a new study by the Obama Administration’s U.S. Global Change Research Program.

The report predicts a list of bad, bad things that are going to happen thanks to “unequivocal” global warming. Hang on, are they implying that there’s another kind? Anyway, the Gray Lady points out that “Earlier cuts [in greenhouse has emissions] will be more effective than comparable later cuts, the document adds. Without efforts to limit emissions, the United States could warm 7 to 11 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century.

Cutting emissions could hold that increase to just 4 to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit.” Balmy, barmy or Barney?

Solar Desalination

2009-06-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Solar desalination is the desalination of water using solar energy. Renewable energy overcomes the usually high energy operating costs as well as greenhouse emissions of conventional reverse osmosis. Reverse Osmosis is currently the favoured technology for desalination, being the most cost-effective. Recently, there is evidence of growing research interest in the field. This is prompted by growing energy costs, demand growth in the face of depleted water stores, and the growing human pollution of many communities' water supplies.

The severity of fresh water shortage can easily be gauged by the fights that have erupted over water in the recent past in India and outside. Statistics emphasize the same—at least 40% of the world’s population lives without drinking water and roughly 80 000 habitations across the planet have no source of safe water. Of the 575 000 Indian villages, about 162 000 face problems of brackish or contaminated water and scarcity of fresh water.

Solar water distillation is a solar technology with a very long history and installations were built over 2000 years ago, although to produce salt rather than drinking water. Documented use of solar stills began in the sixteenth century. An early large-scale solar still was built in 1872 to supply a mining community in Chile with drinking water. Mass production occurred for the first time during the Second World War when 200,000 inflatable plastic stills were made to be kept in life-crafts for the US Navy.

Most people see strong potential for solar thermal (or wind) energy to be used in large scale desalination. This is particularly so for solar in arid regions due to the usual coincidence of water shortage, good solar radiation and seawater (or brackish) availability. While there are many theoretical models the process is not yet developed at large commercial level. A number of small solar desalination devices exist, and whilst larger plants are technically feasible, they fall down on energy cost comparisons. A company called Acquasol plans to build a solar-powered desalination plant in the Upper Spencer Gulf to supply the small town of Port Augusta in Australia. The project is a little short on detail, but is worth keeping an eye on.

Low and high pressure boiler operator training offered at Akron

2009-06-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

The University of Akron’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division is offering preparation courses for the Ohio Department of Commerce Low and High Pressure Boiler Operator License exam.

A 13-session course in Low Pressure Boilers begins on June 23, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Aug. 4. The course fee for the 50-hour program is $479 and includes a textbook and workbook. A 20-session course in High Pressure Boilers begins on June 23, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. through Aug. 27. The course fee for the 75-hour program is $689 and includes a textbook.

For more information and to register, visit UA’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education Web site at http://www:uakron.edu/ce or call 330-972-7577. Registration and payment deadline is June 16. Classes will be held on the UA campus.

The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. The Princeton Review listed UA among the “Best in the Midwest” in its 2008 edition of Best Colleges: Region-by-Region. Serving 26,000 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu.

World’s first floating wind turbine launched

2009-06-08T15:33:00.000-07:00

Statoil launched the world’s first floating wind turbine this weekend.

Named the Hywind, the 2.3 megawatt turbine combines technologies from both the wind farming industry and the oil and gas sectors. It is to be tested off the coast of Norway for two years.

According to Alexandra Gjorv of Statoil’s new energy division, the technology “should help move offshore wind farms out of sight”.

This would benefit military radar operations, the shipping industry, fisheries, bird life as well as tourism.

"Taking wind turbines to sea presents new opportunities. The wind is stronger and more consistent [and] areas are large,” said Ms Gjorv.

The Super-powered Magnetic Wind Turbine

2009-05-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

Renewable energy produced from the wind has garnered much attention and support in recent years but is often criticized for its low output and lack of reliability. But now a super power wind turbine has come along that may be just what the renewable energy industry needs. The Maglev wind turbine, which was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing, is expected take wind power technology to the next level with magnetic levitation.

Magnetic levitation is an extremely efficient system for wind energy. Here’s how it works: the vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air above the base of the machine, replacing the need for ball bearings. The turbine uses “full-permanent” magnets, not electromagnets — therefore, it does not require electricty to run. The full-permanent magnet system employs neodymium (”rare earth”) magnets and there is no energy loss through friction. This also helps reduce maintenance costs and increases the lifespan of the generator.

Maglev wind turbines have several advantages over conventional wind turbines. For instance, they’re able to use winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s). Also, they could operate in winds exceeding 40 m/s. Currently, the largest conventional wind turbines in the world produce only five megawatts of power. However, one large maglev wind turbine could generate one gigawatt of clean power, enough to supply energy to 750,000 homes. It would also increase generation capacity by 20% over conventional wind turbines and decrease operational costs by 50%. If that isn’t enough, the maglev wind turbines will be operational for about 500 years!

Construction began on the world’s largest production site for maglev wind turbines in central China on November 5, 2007. Zhongke Hengyuan Energy Technology has invested 400 million yuan in building this facility, which will produce maglev wind turbines with capacities ranging from 400 to 5,000 Watts. In the US, Arizona-based MagLev Wind Turbine Technologies will be manufacturing these turbines. Headed by long-time renewable energy researcher Ed Mazur, the company claims that it will be able to deliver clean power for less than one cent per kilowatt hour with this new technology. It also points out that building a single giant maglev wind turbine would reduce construction and maintenance costs and require much less land than hundreds of conventional turbines. The estimated cost of building this colossal structure is $53 million.

Sprint Surpasses Recycling Goal

2009-05-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

As one major cell phone carrier labors to recycle obsolete units, a manufacturer is bringing into play a phone that charges itself by the sun.

Earlier this year, Sprint set a goal to recycle 250,000 cell phones during April, coinciding with the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Cell Phone Recycling Week. The company collected 279,524 phones for recycling in April, according to a press release.

Sprint says it leads the wireless industry in recycling efforts, with more than 16 million units diverted from landfills for reuse or recycling since 2001.

Cell phone manufacturer Sharp, meanwhile, has introduced a solar cell phone.

The Solar Phone SH002 requires a 10-minute exposure to direct sunlight to deliver one minute of talktime or two hours of standby, according to CNET.

If left outdoors long enough, the cell phone should be able to charge up to 80 percent of capacity, according to the article. The solar cell phone also is waterproof.

Like most nifty electronics, the cell phone is only available in Japan for now.

Sprint offers a separate solar charging unit for cell phones.

How Solar Water Heaters Work to Save You Money

2009-05-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Like the name implies, solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water. Initially, the cost of a solar water heater is high, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. In this article, we’ll discuss the costs associated with solar water heaters, how they work and how to install them.

While solar water heaters are no longer supported by tax credits, they have become considerably more reliable, less expensive and more efficient than the popular models of the 70s and 80s. For example, a moderate climate system that’s capable of heating water for an entire household can be installed for anywhere from $2000-5000, making solar water heaters very competitive when compared to traditional electric and gas heaters.

Typically, a solar water heating system has an annual operating cost of about $50. Meanwhile, a traditional gas or electric water heater will cost you $500 and more.

Essentially, solar water heaters work by serving as a preheater for a conventional storage or on-demand water heater. They even work well with on-demand water heaters that have temperature adjustability. Because the solar system preheats the water, the extra temperature boost required by the on-demand heater is low and users can get a high flow rate and lots of monthly savings.

If you’re thinking of installing a solar water heater, you’re at an advantage if you have a south-sloping roof. This will make installation easier and your heater will run more efficiently. Most cold-climate families use solar as a three-season system and then fall back on a traditional water heater during the dark winter months.

Before installing a solar water heating system, always look for a qualified installer and dealer who can design and size your backup system. Ask about their certifications, and ask for referrals from past customers.

You should also start planning now. Like most people, we don’t think about replacing our water heating system until it actually fails. We wind up rushing out and putting in whatever system we can get. Instead, take the time to research different solar options, find the system that fits your energy needs and plan ahead to replace your existing water heater before it fails.

Remember, most solar water heaters have a life span of about 10-15 years, so be prepared. The energy savings alone could pay for that new solar water heater by the time the year is up and you’ll be happier knowing you’re polluting the earth just a little bit less.

Polk Sees Surge In Firms' Use of Solar Power

2009-04-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

On a recent morning at Publix Super Markets headquarters, the sun was beating on the roof of a nondescript electrical plant building.

This is good news for Publix, which recently embarked on the latest phase of a solar power experiment.

The building's roof is covered with 4,000 square feet of thin photovoltaic (solar power) laminates. Nearby on the ground, a 15-foot-by-20-foot array of solar panels is soaking up some rays, aided by a tracking system that can turn the panels according to weather patterns.

"This is just a test for us. We're figuring out how we can best utilize this," says Shannon Patten, a Publix spokeswoman. "We love to learn today about what's going to help us tomorrow."

Publix is among the largest area businesses to adopt solar power in recent years, but this is hardly new to Polk County.

The converts include everything from an apartment complex in north Lakeland to a mini-storage facility in Winter Haven.

Lakeland Electric and Tampa Electric are planning major initiatives as well.

What's spurring the commercial use of solar?

Observers say it's a combination of incentives, falling costs and a growing emphasis on alternative energy.

"The biggest resource we have in Florida is our rooftops, and particularly commercial rooftops, because they're so large and flat and not shaded by trees," said Bob Reedy, director of the solar energy division at the University of Central Florida's Solar Energy Center. "It's really a major power source."

Publix's solar effort began last summer when the company installed panels on the roofs of two stores in South Florida.

Officials estimate the panels generate 4 percent of the total power needs at each store; roughly 2 percent is generated by solar at the corporate offices.

Patten says the results are being monitored for the possibility of future expansion.

Bill Cook, who owns a construction business and mini-storage facility on Dundee Road in Winter Haven, installed 213 solar panels on his roof last summer.

Between the panels and high-efficiency LED lighting, Cook said he has eliminated a $1,500 monthly power bill and racked up credits with Tampa Electric through an energy-sharing incentive program.

"The last four months, TECO owes us money," Cook said. "We couldn't be happier."

Cambridge Cove apartments, off Mall Hill Road in Lakeland, recently flipped the switch on an array of panels mounted atop the complex's carports, supplying power to the main office and common areas.

Cambridge's owner, Winter Park-based Atlantic Housing Partners, has installed solar systems at two other complexes in Central Florida, and has three more in the permitting stage.

"We're designing systems for other communities that haven't come online yet," said Scott Culp, Atlantic's executive vice president. "We want to be out ahead of the technology."

The list goes on. Mulberry-based Community First Credit Union will soon finish work on a new South Lakeland branch that features a roof blanketed with solar panels.

Earlier this month, TECO announced plans for a solar plant near Mulberry that will have the capacity to power more than 3,400 homes.

In addition, Lakeland Electric has signed an agreement with Maryland firm Sun Edison to install more than 80 solar power systems here during the next decade.

Sun Edison will front all installation costs and sell the energy to Lakeland Electric, said Jeff Curry, the utility's alternative-energy coordinator.

Some of the systems could be mounted on the roofs of local businesses, which would receive credits on their power bills.

Yet in many cases solar remains a tough sell, with price tags stretching into tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands, of dollars.

Cook, the Winter Haven businessman, said he spent about $50,000 on his system, after incentives. Atlantic spent roughly $500,000 total for the carports and panels at Cambridge Cove, Culp said.

But "the capital cost of buying and installing systems is diving exponentially," said Reedy, of UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center.

That's mainly because of a surge in demand and sales of solar technology.

In the United States, shipments of photovoltaic components more than doubled between 2005 and 2007, following a federal tax credit that went into effect in January 2006, according to the government's Energy Information Administration.

A $5 million budget for solar rebates in Florida - earning commercial adopters up to $100,000 apiece - was completely expended last year after it attracted a "large volume" of applications, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said.

Both Reedy and Curry say they expect solar to be priced competitively with coal power within the next decade, especially as higher sales volumes lead to lower prices. Reedy said that could happen by 2015, if not sooner.

Curry said a Lakeland Electric program that gives credits to solar users had just five participants, both commercial and residential, two years ago, but has nearly tripled since then.

"We all recognize that legislators are breathing heavy when it comes to renewable energy," Curry said. "We know it's becoming a cultural requirement."

House fast-tracks major changes on energy and climate

2009-04-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Congressional Democrats have launched a bid to shift the United States into greener energy technologies, while protecting US consumers and jobs during a difficult transition.

The draft plan, released Tuesday by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, moves one of President Obama’s key campaign pledges onto a fast track on Capitol Hill. It also opens a debate over how America powers its economy – one that crosses party and regional lines – at a time of deep economic stress.

“This legislation will create millions of clean-energy jobs, put America on the path to energy independence, and cut global warming pollution,” said Rep. Henry Waxman (D) of California in a statement.

The bill’s main elements

The bill has three main elements: developing clean energy sources, dramatically boosting energy efficiency, and capping and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. The bill also aims to protect US consumers and industry during the transition to a clean energy economy.

Development of wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, smart-grid efforts, and new transmission lines would be accelerated, and there would be a new standard for utilities to meet regarding use of renewable sources for generating electricity. Utilities in all states would be required to gradually increase the proportion of renewables to 25 percent by 2025. The measure would also set a low-carbon standard for transportation fuels and push to reduce coal emissions by developing technologies to capture and sequester carbon.

As expected, the bill unveiled Tuesday is getting mixed reviews. Critics, including many Republicans, charge that the plan will kill jobs and add thousands of dollars to the average family’s utility bill.

“Tuesday’s cap-and-trade bill marks a triumph of fear over good sense and science, and it couldn’t come at a worse time, because it proposes to save the planet by sacrificing the economy,” said Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, the top Republican on the energy panel.

Citing a recent University of Massachusetts study, he added that new jobs associated with boosting domestic oil and gas supplies, which would be hard hit by the proposed bill, pay twice as much as jobs associated with green investment. “It’s not hard to guess which line of work most people would choose, especially if they didn’t have the foresight to be born into money,” he said.

Energy-efficiency advocates, on the other hand, are generally enthused. The bill contains a number of reforms that strengthen the US Energy Department’s authority to set energy standards for energy guzzlers that currently don’t have any standards, such as hot tubs, says Andrew Delaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, which is sponsored by several environmental groups.

“This is a pragmatic bill that tries to balance a historic opportunity to unleash clean energy to rebuild our economy and stop the climate crisis, with the diversity of views on the Energy & Commerce Committee,” says Emily Figdor, director of the Federal Global Warming Program at Environment America, a coalition of environmental groups.

The draft bill includes strong clean-energy standards that reflect the latest climate science, Ms. Figdor notes. “But on the flip side, we’re disappointed that the bill includes sky-high levels of carbon offsets, which provide less-certain reductions in emissions, and lavish subsidies, including for ratepayers, for still-unproven carbon capture and storage technology.”

Business backing

The bill draws heavily on recommendations by the US Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a coalition of business groups favoring climate legislation. As a result, it may be more likely to attract moderate lawmakers.

The draft legislation is “a strong starting point for enacting legislation to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions,” according to a statement from USCAP, which includes Alcoa, ConocoPhilips, Duke Energy, and General Motors, among other corporations.

“A number of compromises and proposals were already hammered out,” says David Doniger, policy director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “It’s not a bill crafted just by environmentalists, but with all the interests in mind.”

The cost of the bill hasn’t been assessed yet by the Energy Information Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency.

The cost of cap-and-trade

“It would be reasonable to anticipate that, overall, the climate portion would cost, at most, 1 percent of GDP [gross domestic product],” says Robert Stavins, an environmental economist and director of Harvard’s environmental economics program. “That’s a big number, but I don’t see it pushing us into another recession.”

“Still,” he adds, “it will be difficult to deal with during an economic downturn.”

A big facet of the cap-and-trade portion of the legislation involves the allocation of pollution permits – one permit per ton. Many environmental groups have supported the idea of auctioning 100 percent of the permits.

But the bill, while it avoids specifying how the permits would be allocated, does set aside 15 percent of them to be allocated to energy-intensive industries such as steel, concrete, paper, and glass, which would be immediately hit by higher energy prices and foreign competition.

“Our view is that some measure of free allocation to companies that can’t pass along their cost – [that] are very energy-intensive and trade-exposed – is appropriate,” says Mr. Doniger of the NRDC.

Power companies are emerging as early critics of the plan.

Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a trade group representing power companies, says, “There is an open question as to whether … the bill is based on sufficient energy and economic modeling.”

He cites the bill’s “silence” on how emissions permits will be allocated and notes that the recession will make “an across-the-board increase in energy prices all the more difficult.”

Business and environmental groups have been gearing up for an overhaul of US energy policy for years.

To succeed, the bill will need bipartisan support

But even with Mr. Obama in the White House and with Democrats holding majorities in the House and Senate, lawmakers will have to structure a bill that can cross regional and party lines, as well as win some business support, to get a bill to the president’s desk.

Early on, Democrats signaled a concern for those hardest hit in adjusting to the new law.

“It creates new green-collar jobs, creates a reliable market for private-sector investment, promotes energy efficiency with stronger fuel and renewable-energy standards,” said House majority leader Steny Hoyer in a statement Tuesday. “And it also helps businesses comply and be part of the transition to a clean energy future, which we think is absolutely critical.”

For the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), that means adjusting rebates and border controls to makes sure that foreign competitors are also held accountable for their contributions to greenhouse emissions.

‘A global solution is an imperative’

“Greenhouse gases are a global problem, and a global solution is an imperative,” said AAM executive director Scott Paul in a statement. “The last thing Congress should want to do is offshore jobs and production to foreign manufacturers that have significantly larger carbon footprints, undermining the aim of climate change policy.”

Environmental groups, which generally support the broad plan, want to see how – exactly – a proposed cap-and-trade system would function.

“They haven’t worked out exact allocation schemes,” says Sarah Saylor, legislative representative for Earth Justice. “This has been the sticky piece of this legislation.”

The House Energy panel plans hearings on this draft proposal after a two-week recess that begins next week, with a goal of moving to a floor vote by the end of May.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee began a markup of energy legislation Tuesday and is aiming to pass a bill out of committee by Memorial Day. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is preparing stand-alone legislation on global warming.

BP Solar Cuts 140 Frederick Jobs; Other Area Firms Make Trims

2009-04-01T08:34:00.002-07:00

The solar technology firm BP Solar said yesterday that it will sharply curtail manufacturing operations around the world, a cost-saving move that will result in the loss of 140 jobs at an assembly plant in Frederick and 480 at two factories in Madrid.

The company's reductions were among several production cuts announced yesterday by Washington area firms. Osiris Therapeutics, a Columbia firm specializing in stem cell therapy, said it was eliminating 80 jobs as it completes the sale of one of its product lines to a company that will move manufacturing elsewhere. And American Woodmark announced that it would close a furniture plant in Berryville, Va., but officials would not say how many workers -- if any -- would be let go.

The moves by BP Solar, which casts silicon into parts that are assembled into solar panels in Frederick, come as companies in the green-energy industry attempt to slash expenses in light of global economic pressures. The companies, according to analysts, are struggling to remain competitive with the price of petroleum, which has fallen from its record highs in the last several months, and are dealing with a credit crunch that has restricted consumers' ability around the world to buy the products.

"This comes at a time when solar markets are unsettled by the impact of the global economic environment, an over-supplied market, increased competition and rapidly falling prices," BP Solar chief executive Reyad Fezzani said in a statement.

BP Solar officials said the job cuts would help the company reduce product costs by 20 to 25 percent, though they declined to say how much money the company would save.

Company officials said they will halt assembly of the solar modules at plants in Frederick and Madrid, outsourcing the operations. The Frederick plant will continue work associated with casting the silicon into parts.

The outsourcing company "will end up doing the assembly and distribution in Europe and America," said Mike Petrucci, vice president for global operations, who would only say that the firm is based in the United States. "This is very similar to what the PC industry did," he said -- manufacturing the computers in-house before going outside.

Osiris Therapeutics is cutting half the workforce at its Columbia factory, eliminating 80 jobs by April 10, as it completes the sale of its Osteocel product line to San Diego company NuVasive.

Last year, NuVasive acquired the product, which grows bone from stem cells, by agreeing to pay $35 million in cash plus milestone payments of up to $50 million in cash and stock, Osiris officials said.

"We sold the product line to NuVasive," said Erica Elchin, Osiris's manager of corporate affairs. "This is a decision they made to get another company to manufacture the product."

Citing the housing slump, American Woodmark officials said they would close the Berryville factory, the oldest of three plants in Virginia. The company said it would temporarily close a plant in Tahlequah, Okla., until economic conditions improve.

"The on-going economic recession, particularly in the housing sector, has significantly reduced demand for the company's products and services," Kent Guichard, American Woodmark's president and chief executive, said in a statement. "While we have gained market share, the overall drop in consumer activity has created excess capacity that is simply too expensive to maintain."

BP officials said they expect demand to eventually grow for their products in light of the Obama administration's focus on green energy and its move to expand incentives for taxpayers to install energy-efficient products in their homes.

But for now, Brad Collins, executive director of the American Solar Energy Society, said green-energy companies are grappling with excess capacity of product not sold in Europe, which is sparking prices to plummet "in the 25 to 30 percent range."

Solar producers feeling the heat

2009-04-01T08:34:00.001-07:00

The solar industry may have an assured future as part of the world's energy mix, but suppliers must weather the effects of the economic downturn if they are to share in it, writes Ian Lewis

GLOBAL solar generating capacity is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, despite the economic downturn. But this is doing little to ameliorate tough times for companies across the industry's supply chain, whose business plans were based on assumptions of even faster growth and who, as a result, find themselves selling to an over-supplied market.

The 20 largest solar-panel manufacturers alone are forecast to produce around 7 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in 2009, according to US research and brokerage company Gabelli & Co. But total global demand for solar products for the year is estimated by research firm New Energy Finance (NEF) at only around 5-7 GW – a spectacular increase in cumulative installed capacity, which stood at around 14 GW at end-2008, but nowhere near enough to soak up supply.

City Commission adopts solar panel ordinance

2009-03-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

BIRMINGHAM — To help save on energy costs, some Birmingham residents are looking into installing renewable energy sources, like solar panels, on their homes.

“A number of people have called and wanted to install different solar panels, and other things, and we want to help them by avoiding any kind of obstacles,” said Birmingham City Planner Jill Robinson.

In the recent months and weeks, Robinson said, there has been an increase in the demand for all things sustainable. As sustainable practices gain momentum in the city, the Planning Division thought it would be proactive to insert a section on solar panels into the development standards section of the city’s zoning ordinance to promote and encourage sustainable building practices while removing any avoidable obstacles to property owners.

“We thought it would be proactive because we had a lot of phone calls and we wanted to make sure that aesthetics were addressed,” Robinson said.

The ordinance states that integrated solar panels — which look like they’re built into the roof — are permitted, while non-integrated solar panels are only permitted on rear- and side-facing roofs — roofs that don’t face the streets. The solar panels cannot project over the peak of the roof and can only project five feet above a flat roof. The ordinance also says panels cannot project higher than the permitted building height without a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Residents and businesses interested in installing solar panels on a historic structure will need to go through a design review at the Historic District Commission.

“Anyone who wants to put solar panels in (a non-historic structure), either residential or commercial, will go to the Planning Board if you can see it from the street. If they want to put it on the rear or side of their buildings and you can’t see it from the street, they can do that with just a building permit process,” Robinson said.

Those interested will have to fill out a design review application, provide specification sheets and pictures that show what it’s going to look like when it’s installed on the building and how it’s going to be attached to the roof, and provide a rendering from the street of what it’s going to look like.

“It’s something that a lot of people are probably going to be concerned about in a neighborhood … but there will be notice, just like anything else, so if the neighbors are concerned, they could come and speak to us,” Robinson said.

The ordinance, which was adopted by the City Commission March 23 with a 6-1 vote, marks the city’s first foray into development standards for renewable energy sources. Previously, there was nothing within the zoning ordinance that prohibited solar electric system, but there was also nothing that promoted their use.

Commissioner Gordon Rinschler said the ordinance was a good idea.

“Right now we have no control at all, so we will leave here tonight with something,” Rinschler said at the meeting.

Although technology is advancing, Commissioner Tom McDaniel said, the aesthetics of the solar panels — which he said are not things of beauty — are not.

“I agree with the ordinance, but I really think that we should make it administrative approval except for historic structures. … I think it’s the wrong place to go to settle these issues,” he said.

Birmingham resident Dorothy Conrad also voiced concerns with the way the ordinance was written so that only time an applicant’s solar panel plan would get a review and notification to the neighbors is if the panels are on the front of a house.

“You’re more apt to be impacted by it if you’re living in a house where they do it on the back end. It’s what you look at all the time out in your backyard, more so than in the street. … I think just starting out, you’re safer by at least having reviews by the Planning Board and the Historic District Commission, but just to pass over a review and no notification to the neighbors, I don’t think it’s a very good idea,” she said.

Officials said additional alternative energy ordinance amendments would likely follow, creating guidance for proper installation and aesthetics within the city.