EB Insights Google Kicks up Wind Storm

Google is kicking up quite a wind storm. It is doing it along with some co-investors that would eventually ante up a total of $5 billion to build a 350 mile under-water transmission off the Atlantic coastline to harness the wind there.

Boosting the country's off-shore wind potential is the central issue here. To that end, this project, which would take place over at least 10 years, would have the potential of delivering 6,000 megawatts of wind energy to residents along the East coast while possibly displacing some of the region's fossil-fuel usage. That would increase the venture's attraction despite being more expensive than on-land generation.

"This new American super grid off the Mid-Atlantic coast will unlock an important untapped resource, creating the foundation for a new industry and jobs for thousands of American workers," says Bob Mitchell, chief executive of Trans-Elect that proposed the idea and which has recruited Google, Good Energies and Japanese trading firm Marubeni as investors. Construction could begin in 2013 and be completed by 2021.

One has to also ask why an internet search engine company would be interested in building a complex under-water transmission system. For starters, this is not Google's first foray into the energy sphere or even the wind power component of it. It's already invested nearly $39 million in two wind farms that will generate 170 megawatts of electricity in North Dakota that are owned by NextEra Energy.

Google is a ravenous consumer of electricity and it must find a way to become more efficient and cleaner. By placing its bets on green energy, it is attempting to understand how it works and to help create economies of scale so that it can be cost-effectively generated. It operates hundreds of thousands of servers that use tons of electricity, which are often derived from coal. As the global leader in internet technologies, the web-based giant says that it can do better.

Solar Wind Power: Generating Power In The Future

As the world discovers new ways to meet its growing energy needs, energy generated from Sun, which is better known as solar power and energy generated from wind called the wind power are being considered as a means of generating power. Though these two sources of energy have attracted the scientists for a very long time, they are not able to decide, which of the two a better source to generate power is. Now scientists are looking at a third option as well. Scientists at Washington State University have now combined solar power and wind power to produce enormous energy called the solar wind power, which will satisfy all energy requirements of human kind.

Advantages of Solar wind power.

* The scientists say that whereas the entire energy generated from solar wind will not be able to reach the planet for consumption as a lot of energy generated by the satellite has to be pumped back to copper wire to create the electron-harvesting magnetic field, yet the amount that reaches earth is more than sufficient to fulfill the needs of entire human, irrespective of the environment condition.
* Moreover, the team of scientists at Washington State University hopes that it can generate 1 billion billion gigawatts of power by using a massive 8,400-kilometer-wide solar sail to harvest the power in solar wind.
* According to the team at Washington State University, a1000 homes can be lit by generating enough power for them with the help of 300 meters (984 feet) of copper wire, which is attached to a two-meter-wide (6.6-foot-wide) receiver and a 10-meter (32.8-foot) sail.
* One billion billion gigawatts of power could also be generated by a satellite having 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) cable with a sail 8,400 kilometers (5,220 miles) across, which are placed at roughly the same orbit.
* The scientists feel that if some of the practical issued are solved, Solar wind power will generate the amount of power that no one including the scientists working to find new means of generating power ever expected.

How does the Solar wind power technology work?
The satellite launched to tap solar wind power, instead of working like a wind mill, where a blade attached to the turbine is physically rotated to generate electricity, would use charged copper wire for capturing electrons zooming away from the sun at several hundred kilometers per second.

Disadvantages of Solar wind power
But despite the fact that Solar wind power will solve almost all the problems that we were to face in future due to power generating resources getting exhausted, it has some disadvantages as well. These may include:

* Brooks Harrop, the co-author of the journal paper says that while scientists are keen to tap solar wind to generate power, they also need to keep provisions for engineering difficulties and these engineering difficulties will have to be solved before satellites to tap solar wind power are deployed.
* The distance between the satellite and earth will be so huge that as the laser beam travels millions of miles, it makes even the tightest laser beam spread out and lose most of the energy. To solve this problem, a more focused laser is needed.
* But even if these laser beams reach our satellites, it is very doubtful that our satellites in their present form will be able to tap them. As Greg Howes, a scientist at the University of Iowa puts it, “The energy is there but to tap that energy from solar wind, we require big satellites. There may be practical constraints in this.”

Will Robots Clean Up Future Oil Spills?

Cleaning oil spills can be costly business. If eco-friendly robots can take over and clean all the mess it will be good for marine life and humans too. MIT is developing Seaswarm robots that will utilize a special substance to absorb and collect oil from the sea surface. If everything turns out well, these robots can be used commercially in a year. These robots work best collectively. They can detect the oil spills on their own and then convey the message to their robotic group and chalk out a strategy among themselves to clean the mess.

YouTube: Seaswarm Robots | More Videos


Design of a Seaswarm:
Assaf Biderman supervised this project at MIT. He is also the associate director of MIT’s Senseable City Lab. According to him the $20,000 robots will be put on exhibition in Venice, Italy. The Seaswarm robots give the appearance of a conveyor belt of a treadmill. The conveyer belt contains material which the MIT guys call a paper towel for oil spills. It can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil. This belt floats on the sea surface and connected to an ice cooler. When it turns the belt pushes the robots frontward and absorbs the oil with the aid of a nanomaterial. This nanomaterial is designed to attract oil and repel water. Biderman explains it as a carpet rolling on the surface of the water.

How Seaswarm works:
After soaking up the oil on the sea surface the robot can burn it on the spot or it can leave the oil in a bag which can be collected later. The heater is located on the “ice cooler” part of the body. The oil stored in the bag can be reused. According to Biderman, robots are good team players. They coordinate with one another with the help of GPS location data. They devise a strategy to clean up the mess in an effective way.

Advantages of Seaswarm:
Cost effective: If the Seaswarm robots are being deployed at the oil spill site they prove to be relatively cheap, quick and effective at cleaning up oil spills. Otherwise cleaning oil spills is quite costly as it need big ships and trained crews in large numbers. Biderman is of the opinion that if the Seaswarm robots would have been used at the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, the robots would have cleaned up the oil in two months. The cost of the whole operation would have amounted to $100 million to $200 million. If we care to look at the statistics about 800 skimming boats were in service to clean up the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. It would have needed only 5,000 to 10,000 of MIT’s autonomous robots to complete the same task.

Eco Friendly: The Seaswarm robots use clean and green solar energy. They need only 100 watts of power, or about that of a bright light bulb for their operations. You can utilize them on sea for months and they won’t ask for overtime for working incessantly.

Stability: Biderman says, “Because it (conveyor belt) adheres to the surface of the water, it cannot capsize,” he said, “So it can withstand quite severe weather. Imagine this like a leaf that lands on the surface of the water and moves with the waves and the currents and cannot be flipped over.” The robots can work under extreme conditions and rough weather. Biderman said MIT’s oil-sopping robot would be most effective in situations like the recent oil disaster, where oil is spread out.

Damage can be confined to a smaller area: Biderman shares his opinion, “Ideally, when spillage happens, the best thing to do is to contain it right where the spillage occurs. But quite often the oil goes out of containment, and this is where this technology would be most effective.”

Vanguard Energy installs solar systems for two New Jersey schools

Vanguard Energy (Vanguard), a company engaged in the design and installation of solar electric systems, has completed two solar power systems for the municipalities of Sparta and Hardyston, New Jersey.

Vanguard installed an 88kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of Sparta's municipal building that will generate approximately 97,160kWh per year. The solar electric system is comprised of 377 modules and will produce nearly 15% of the energy needed to power the building.

In addition to reducing electricity costs, Sparta's solar system is expected to lessen the town's environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions by 129,827 pounds per year.

Hardyston’s constructed 75kW solar PV array was installed atop a solar support structure that will serve simultaneously as a carport for the police department's vehicles. The solar system is comprised of 324 modules and will generate approximately 77,196kWh per year or 21% of the building's energy needs.

Both towns will utilize Noveda Technologies' SunFlow Monitor, an online energy monitoring system that will track the facilities' power consumption, solar production and system efficiency.

Paul Zensky, president of Vanguard, said: "Vanguard is pleased to support Sparta and Hardyston's commitment to their citizens and the environment. New Jersey has demonstrated world class leadership with solar renewable energy and we are happy to support the state's green economy."

DOE Takes Action to Stop the Sales of Air-Con Air Conditioner Models Shown to Violate Federal Energy Efficiency Appliance Standards

September 23, 2010

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that it has taken action against Air-Con, International, requiring the company to stop selling certain air conditioning systems in the U.S. that have been shown to violate minimum energy efficiency appliance standards. DOE is proposing a civil penalty of more than $230,000 for importing and distributing these inefficient cooling products. This action and the proposed penalties are part of the Department's continued commitment to act aggressively to remove unlawful products from the market. To date, nearly 70 different non-compliant products have been removed from commerce since 2009.

"Nothing is more important to our enforcement efforts than removing products from the market that violate our minimum energy efficiency standards," said DOE General Counsel Scott Blake Harris. "The sale of these products is unlawful, imposes unnecessary costs on American consumers, and wastes energy."

In March 2010, the Department issued a subpoena requiring Air-Con to submit detailed information about the energy consumption of its products and how the company marketed and sold them in the United States. Based on Air-Con's responses to the subpoena, the Department has found that the company imported and distributed nearly 2,000 air conditioning units that are rated at 10 SEER, while the federal standard requires a minimum 13 SEER rating. The following two air conditioning unit models are covered by today's announcement: ACN-09/12/18/24-GCH and ACN-MTS-09CO/12CO/09EV/12EV.

Today's notice proposes the maximum penalty for selling non-compliant products and requires Air-Con to immediately cease further U.S. sales and provide written notification to its customers that purchased these units. Air-Con is also required to update the information it has provided to the Department, including a record of the company's U.S. sales since it last responded to DOE. If Air-Con fails to cease distribution of these models in the United States, the Department will seek a judicial order to prevent further sales.

Hydrogen-Powered Personal Helicopter

A personal helicopter weighing just 230 lb created sizzling news when it flew on hydrogen with zero emission. With an ability to carry payloads up to 800 lbs, this pocket Hercules can fly for 90 minutes. Fitted with easy controls, this reaches a speed of 100 knots thanks to a pair of small yet powerful motors mounted on it. Two common and easily available things – Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a catalyst – combined to bring about a milestone in personal aviation history with attention to the environmental issues as well! Avimech has combined these two to power engine in to an innovative machine.

YouTube: Avimech Dragonfly | More Videos



A unique combination:
Avimech has combined two ideas – a rocket and a helicopter – to create this cute little personal aviation machine baptizing it as ‘Dragonfly.’ Actually this idea to utilize H2O2 and a catalyst has been around for some time. But to use them to power this hybrid version of a rocket in a helicopter is the brain child of Avimech.

Motors at rotor tips:
There are two powerful small motors fitted at rotor tips which resemble rocket nozzles. These nozzles propel the rotors getting power from the reaction of H2O2 with the catalyst. There is no gearbox. There are two fuel tanks to store H2O2. The H2O2 reacts with the catalyst in the rocket nozzles and the reaction powers the rotor nozzles which sets the rotor tips in high-speed motion.

Common ingredients:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is very safe environmentally and easily available chemical. Usually printing presses are cleaned with H2O2. This commercial-grade H2O2 is diluted and used in the rotor nozzles. The reaction of H2O2 with the catalyst produces the high pressure which sets the blades into motion.

A simple but great machine:
The motors are 8-inch long and they can generate 102 hp which helps the aircraft peak a speed of 100 knots. The H2O2 is diluted to about 50-70%. And when the catalyst reacts with the H2O2, only water vapor gets released and no other harmful emission occurs.

“(ERA) helicopter:”
Acclaimed as the first ever created environmentally responsible aviation (ERA) helicopter, Dragonfly certainly deserves this epithet. Emitting nothing but water vapor and running on only hydrogen- an environmentally safe fuel, this helicopter does not pollute the space with harmful emissions like carbon.

Future plans?
This hydrogen-powered, zero-carbon-emission environmentally friendly but expensive helicopter has been the brainchild of Ricardo Cavalcanti of Avimech. Though at present the engines are not fuel-efficient – guzzling 11 gallons of fuel per hour, the day may not be far off when this is also rectified and a perfect eco-friendly personal aviation machine may be available.

A Power Sticker to Boost Solar Power Generation

September 20th, 2010 - What do you think?

Solar Power Sticker New and unique ways of making solar panels more efficient in power generation are coming to light every day. The new kid in the block of one such device is a large transparent sticker applied to the front of the panel which increases the power output by about 10% or so. Genie Lens Technologies is the firm which has developed these polymer film stickers. These polymer films are imprinted with special kind of microstructures. Even the panels that have been prior installed and working can have these polymer stickers applied easily to them and the stickers will boost their efficiency.

Specialty of the microstructures:
The microstructures on the polymer stickers are capable of bending and redirecting the sunlight. These materials in the panel are made to absorb more light and so more power is generated. Seth Weiss, CEO & Cofounder of Genie Lens, Englewood, CO is confident of the advantages of using these special films.

Three purposes of the polymer films:
There are three main actions that are activated by these polymer films:

* Preventing light from reflecting off the solar panel surfaces.
* Trapping light to stay inside the semiconducting materials which absorb the light and then convert it into power.
* Redirecting the light that comes in so that the light will travel along the semiconductor material surface and not just pass through the material; this increases the likelihood of absorption of light more than before.

Special algorithms for the microstructures:
All the above three purposes are achieved by the special pattern the microstructures. The polymer films direct and re-direct the light rays that fall on the solar panel. The glass cover that protects the solar panels, the semiconductor material that is within and the panel’s back surface – all react with the polymer films in a special pattern.

Just so re-direction of light rays:
The polymer films bend the light just the optimal amount so it will not be reflected off and lost. It makes the light to be redirected right into the solar panel again to reap the maximum power generation. Improvement is present even when sky is cloudy.

Results claimed:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory results prove the fact that the films increase power output between 4-12.5% even when cloudy weather makes the light diffuse. Just adding the films increase cost of power generation by 1-10% but benefits far outweigh the cost, claims the lab. The question to be proved is the test of durability – which will be best answered by future.

Vice President Biden Releases Report on Recovery Act Impact on Innovation August 24, 2010

Vice President Joe Biden today unveiled a new report, "The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation," which finds that the Recovery Act’s $100 billion investment in innovation is not only transforming the economy and creating new jobs, but helping accelerate significant advances in science and technology that cut costs for consumers, save lives and help keep America competitive in the 21st century economy. The report can be viewed in full at the White House Web site.

"From the beginning, we have been a nation of discovery and innovation—and today we continue in that tradition as Recovery Act investments pave the way for game-changing breakthroughs in transportation, energy, and medical research," said Vice President Biden. "We’re planting the seeds of innovation, but private companies and the nation’s top researchers are helping them grow, launching entire new industries, transforming our economy, and creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs in the process."

"Thanks to investments made possible by the Recovery Act, we are unleashing the American innovation machine to change the way we use and produce energy in this country," said Secretary Chu. "Just as importantly, these breakthroughs are helping create tens of thousands of new jobs, allowing the U.S. to continue as a leader in the global economy and helping to provide a better future for generations to come."

According to this new analysis, the U.S. is now on track to achieve four major innovation breakthroughs thanks to Recovery Act investments:

* Cutting the cost of solar power in half by 2015, putting it on par with the cost of retail electricity from the grid.
* Cutting the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent between 2009 and 2015, putting the lifetime cost of an electric vehicle on-par with that of its non-electric counterpart.
* Doubling U.S. renewable energy generation capacity and U.S. renewable manufacturing capacity by 2012, a breakthrough that would not be possible without the Recovery Act.
* Bringing the cost of a personal human genome map to under $1,000 in five years, allowing researchers to sequence 50 human genomes for the same cost as sequencing just one today.

Vice President Biden was joined at the event by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and representatives from more than two dozen companies and research institutions that are leveraging Recovery Act investments to help make America a global leader in high-growth industries like electric vehicles and solar power. Recovery Act recipients like Cree, Inc., Navistar, and Pacific Biosciences are using Recovery dollars to make advances that will help put money-saving, energy-saving, and, in some cases, even life-saving technology within reach for average Americans.

"The Recovery Act funding is not only producing thousands of jobs in the biomedical research community, it is also helping speed important medical discoveries that will benefit the health of Americans nationwide," said Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., NIH Director.

Overall, the Recovery Act is investing $100 billion in science, technology and innovation projects across the country ranging from building a nationwide smart energy grid and health information technology infrastructure to growing the emerging electric vehicle industry, expanding broadband access and laying the groundwork for a nationwide high speed rail system. More information on investments the Administration is making in innovation through the Recovery Act and other means can be viewed at the new Innovation page launched on WhiteHouse.gov today.

The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation

Fact Sheet

Thanks to the Recovery Act, the U.S. is now on-track to achieve four major innovation breakthroughs that will keep America competitive in the 21st century economy and make new cost-saving, energy-saving and life-saving technology affordable for and accessible to consumers:

1. Cutting the cost of solar power in half between by 2015.
2. Cutting the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent between 2009 and 2015.
3. Doubling U.S. renewable energy generation capacity and U.S. renewable manufacturing capacity by 2012.
4. Bringing down the cost of a personal human genome map to under $1,000 in five years.

Goal #1: Cutting the cost of solar power in half by 2015

Thanks to the Recovery Act, we are on track to cut the cost of solar power in half by 2015, which will bring the cost of generating solar power down to the cost of electricity from the grid.

* As a result of today’s investments, the cost of solar energy is forecast to drop by half between 2009 and 2015. The cost of power from rooftop solar panels will drop from $0.21 per kWh in 2009 to $0.10 per kWh in 2015, which is equivalent to typical household electricity rates. The cost of power from utility-scale solar projects would drop from $0.13 per kWh today to $0.06 in 2015, which is equivalent to the cost of wholesale utility power.
* Further, the cost of rooftop solar power could drop to as low as $0.06 per kWh by 2030. At that cost, solar power will be significantly cheaper than household electricity rates—and an average household could save more than $400 per year in electricity bills.
* The Recovery Act is not just supporting implementation of the latest solar technologies, but also is scaling up manufacturing and deployment to much greater levels, both of which help to dramatically bring down the costs of new technologies.
* Some companies are reducing cost simply by scaling up manufacturing and deployment of the standard silicon solar panel. For example, the largest photovoltaic power plant in North America, the 25 MW DeSoto Solar Park in Pensacola, Florida, was funded in part by the Recovery Act. The power plant consists of over 90,000 solar panels and provides enough power for 3,000 homes.

Goal #2: Cut the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent between 2009 and 2015

Recovery Act investments have now put us on track to cut the cost of batteries for autos by 70% between 2009 and 2015. This means that the cost of batteries for the typical all-electric vehicle will fall from $33,000 to $10,000, and the cost of typical plug-in hybrid batteries will drop from $13,000 to $4,000.

* This cost reduction by 2015 is because of Recovery Act investments that are taking advantage of the latest technologies, ramping up manufacturing to much higher levels, and marching down the cost curve.
* Already, electric vehicles are becoming more affordable and accessible. In 2009, the only available electric-drive vehicle cost more than $100,000. Soon, the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt, starting at $25,000 and $33,000 respectively, will be available.
* A $10,000 battery for all-electric vehicles and a $4,000 battery for plug-in hybrid vehicles will mean that electric-drive cars are affordable and cost competitive with similar non-electric vehicles. At those battery costs, electric-drive cars actually will be less expensive over the life of the car than similar non-electric vehicles. What’s more, these investments will make these less-expensive batteries lighter and more durable:

o The weight of a typical electric-vehicle battery is forecasted to decrease by 33%, from 333 kilograms to 222 kilograms, by 2015. The lighter battery means a lighter car, which means less energy is needed to power the car.
o A typical battery is expected to last 14 years in 2015—more than three times as long as the current 4-year lifetime.

Goal #3: Double U.S. renewable energy generation capacity and U.S. renewable manufacturing capacity by 2012

We’re now on track to hit our target to double renewable energy generation by 2012, something that would not have been possible without Recovery Act investments.

* Over $23 billion of Recovery Act investments support renewable energy. Many of these investments are directly contributing to the doubling U.S. renewable energy generation capacity from wind, solar, and geothermal by 2012. This means installing as much renewable energy generating capacity in the next three years as the U.S. had in the previous thirty.
* In addition, President Obama set the goal of doubling renewable manufacturing capacity, so that the U.S. can gain leadership in manufacturing these technologies as well.
* Specifically, these goals mean that we will:

o Double renewable energy capacity from the 28.8 GW of solar, wind, and geothermal generation that has been installed as of 2008, to 57.6 GW by the end of 2011. That’s enough capacity to power 16.7 million homes.
o Double renewable energy manufacturing capacity from an annual output of 6 GW of renewable equipment (like wind turbines or solar panels) to 12 GW by the end of 2011. This will increase the U.S. share of global manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules from 8% of all production, to 14% by 2012.

Goal #4: Bring down the cost of a personal human genome map to under $1,000 in five years

The promise of being able to compare entire human genomes is boundless. Today, with the help of the Recovery Act, the National Institutes of Health are on track to slash the cost of DNA sequencing to $1,000 per genome—fifty times cheaper than what is currently possible.

* With a more affordable price tag, DNA information could become a routine part of medical care. Just like a simple blood test, an inexpensive whole-genome DNA scan could help health care providers in the future choose effective, personalized treatments.
* This is welcome news, as since before the start of the Human Genome Project scientists have believed that being able to map and compare human genomes could unlock cures and insights into some of the most debilitating diseases existing today, while also creating many new skilled jobs in the process.
* Seven projects funded by the Recovery Act are attempting to drive down the cost of human genome sequencing, each with a different technological strategy.
* Ultimately, success in this endeavor will mean that the promises of treatment offered by this science will not only be available to the super wealthy, but will be available to tens of millions of Americans in every corner of the country.

Sanyo’s HIT Solar Cells are a Hit in Italy

Japan’s Sanyo Electric Company is creating a record by powering the largest solar pant in Italy with its HIT solar cells. The Project funded by a consortium led by Deutsche Bank is expected to be completed by September 2010. Sanyo is successfully on its way to make the dream of a clean-energy society a reality.

HIT solar cells’ onward march:
Sanyo’s HIT solar cells, famous for their high-conversion efficiency are now marching on to Italy. Thanks to the use of HIT solar cells, soon there will be feasibility of excellent-quality power production in the biggest power station in Italy. An increase in the amount of quality-power generation per installation area of HIT solar cells makes the HIT solar cells a very favorable choice.

Advantages of HIT solar cells:
The hybrid Sanyo HIT cells, made from thin mono-crystal silicon surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon are now more cost efficient both production-wise as well as raw-materials-wise. Reduction in the optical absorption loss and reduction in resistance loss make the Sanyo HIT Photovoltaic Modules the ideal choice for powering the plant. Utilizing 32,202 HIT solar cells, the plant will generate approximately 7.6 MW of renewable and clean energy.

HIT solar cells in large-scale production:
HIT solar cells have already been successful in small-sized systems for homesteads and medium-sized solar systems for larger buildings/complexes. Now the time has come for Sanyo’s HIT Photovoltaic Modules to show the world that large-scale clean renewable power production is possible, reiterating HIT’s high-conversion efficiency and cost efficiency.

Nanosolar: Solar Power at a Lower Cost

Nanosolar: Solar Power In a market-friendly scenario, Nanosolar claims to be able to produce electricity at 5-6 cents/kilowatt hour almost as cheap as power from coal and at about one-third the cost of other solar power. Nanosolar claims: Nanosolar claims mass production of solar power will now become feasible with their differently manufactured solar panels. Conventional silicon-made solar panels have a stiff competitor from CIGS semiconductor printed solar panels – composed of copper, gallium, indium and selenium – which perform as good as conventional solar panels in lab conditions. An inexpensive printing process makes it ideal for mass production by an automated facility with robots and other hi-fi equipment.

YouTube: Martin Roscheisen (Nanosolar) | More Videos


Solar panels re-invented:
The low efficiency which haunted Nanosolar raising the cost of installation of solar-power arrays and which necessitated more solar panels has been addressed successfully by Nanosolar. The larger panels they are now using generate more power; with modifications that cut the cost, the larger panels generate 160 watts as against 70 watts by First Solar.

Power output:
According to Martin Roscheisen, Nanosolar’s CEO, in sunny locations, power plants with these panels could produce electricity at 5-6 cents per kilowatt hour. Mr. Roscheisen claimed even the 16.4 % energy conversion in sunlight as against 20% energy conversion in the lab and only 11% of that energy into electricity by Nanosolar is high enough compared to conventional solar panels.

Raring to go!
Based at Germany and enjoying a huge market thanks to government’s incentives for the solar cells made of CIGS semiconductor, Nanosolar is ready to storm the market with producing solar cells twice as fast as the conventional solar-panel factories. He is ready to give First Solar a run for its money.

Not bankable?
But the claimed low costs are attainable only at close-to-capacity operation level which is at best a distant possibility. Because despite all improvements, under the current economic scenario, Nanosolar is finding it tough to find banks willing to back power plants which may be ready to use their solar panels. Now the panels are not yet “bankable;” but Nanosolar is hoping for a better future.

MIT Researchers Print a Solar Cell on Paper

Solar Cell on Paper We love the idea of clean and green fuel. But they come with certain disadvantages. First one is they are heavy on pocket of a commoner. Second disadvantage is their power conversion rate is quite low. Last one is you need storage space to save all the power converted by a clean and green technology. Now MIT researchers are coming out of solar cells printed on paper. Though the technology still has to wait for years before it can be converted into a commercially viable entity but it’s an interesting development.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have effectively coated paper with a solar cell. It is a part of a suite of research projects aimed at energy breakthroughs.

Susan Hockfield, MIT’s president, and Paolo Scaroni, CEO of Italian oil company Eni, formally dedicated the Eni-MIT Solar Frontiers Research Center. Eni financed the research project by investing $5 million into the center. This project is also financed by National Science Foundation. They are granting a fund of $2 million.

The MIT people took inspiration from the inkjet printer. They molded the solar paper panels on the similar lines. They used organic semi conductor material. The technique will be quite helpful in lowering the weight of solar panels. “If you could use a staple gun to install a solar panel, there could be a lot of value,” Vladimir Bulovic, director of the National Science Foundation, said.

MIT researchers utilized carbon-based dyes. The efficiency of paper based solar cells is not great, at around 1.5% to 2%. But Vladimir Bulovic says that one can use any material if it can be deposited at room temperature. He further says, “Absolutely, the trick was coming up with ways to use paper,” he said.

Prof. Karen Gleason is the head of the MIT research team. She has submitted a paper for scientific review but it has yet to be published. MIT and Eni have confirmed that this is the first time a solar cell has been printed on paper.

During the press conference, Paolo Scaroni said that Eni is funding the center because the company understands that hydrocarbons will eventually run out and believes that solar can be a replacement, although the currently available technology isn’t sufficient enough.

Paolo Scaroni said, “We are not very active (in alternative energy) today because we don’t believe today’s technologies are the answer of our problems.”

Secretary Chu Announces more than $200 Million for Solar and Water Power Technologies April 22, 2010

On the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the department will invest more than $200 million over five years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialization, and use of solar and water power technologies throughout the United States. This funding underscores the administration's commitment to foster a robust clean-energy sector in the United States—that will create American manufacturing jobs and a workforce with the required technical training to speed the implementation of cutting-edge technologies. Today's announcement represents a down payment that will help the solar and water power industries overcome technical barriers, demonstrate new technologies, and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come.

"Expanding the U.S. clean-energy manufacturing base is an important part of the Administration's goals to diversify electricity supply options, increase national security, and accelerate green jobs development," said Secretary Chu. "These investments will help strengthen American competitiveness in renewable energy and transform the U.S. into a lasting manufacturing presence in the 21st century clean-energy economy."

Today's investments include:
Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative

Up to $125 million over five years

The department will invest in manufacturing-focused research projects that will have near and mid-term impact on the U.S. solar industry and will catalyze greater cooperation within the industry. Funding will be available for applicants in two topic areas: University-Focused Development and Industry-Focused Development. Both topics will consider collaborative research models to accelerate manufacturing-related technologies and provide maximum leverage to federal funding.

This funding opportunity requires that each applicant organization submit a concept paper in addition to standard application materials. These papers will allow DOE to provide feedback to applicants on the potential of their proposal to meet the PV Manufacturing Initiative's goal of strengthening the U.S. PV industry.

Concept papers are due June 3, 2010, with full applications due in early August.
Photovoltaic Supply Chain Development

Up to $40 million over three years

This funding is focused on identifying and accelerating unique products or processes for the photovoltaic manufacturing supply chain that will have a major impact on the industry. The projects will help meet the department's goal of achieving cost-competitive solar PV systems compared with conventional forms of electricity, and accelerating and facilitating the widespread implementation of solar technology.

The department is seeking projects focused on component and manufacturing technologies that show a strong potential to impact a substantial segment of the photovoltaic industry within two to five years. Examples include engineering lower cost coating materials, electrical components to improve performance, processes that reduce manufacturing waste, or equipment that dramatically improves manufacturing or installation speed.

The department plans to select both large and small companies that can quickly develop new photovoltaic supply chain solutions. The department anticipates that approximately $10-$15 million annually will be available to fund these PV supply chain projects.

Applications are due July 2, 2010.
National Administrator of the Solar Instructor Training Network

Up to $4.5 million over five years

This funding opportunity will select a national administrator that will act as a central coordinating body for the training network. The network was created in 2009 by the Department of Energy to establish high-quality, local, and accessible training for personnel involved in the sales, design, installation, commissioning, and inspection of solar photovoltaic and solar heating and cooling systems. Awards were made to nine regional resource and training providers.

The national administrator will manage the collaboration of the training network members, disseminating their products and conducting other outreach efforts, such as providing recommendations for the adoption of best practices. The selected organization will also serve as a national point of contact for the training network and will work with a broad set of stakeholders to define, prioritize, and address issues related to solar training and workforce development.

Applications are due June 15, 2010.

For more information on these funding opportunity announcements, please visit the Solar Energy Technologies Program's Financial Opportunities site.
Marine and Hydrokinetic Technologies (MHK)

Up to $39 million over four years

The department will accelerate the technological advancement and commercial readiness of emerging water power technologies that can produce renewable, cost-competitive electricity by harnessing the energy of waves, currents, tides, and free-flowing rivers, or energy stored in ocean thermal gradients. DOE will use "technology readiness levels," a tool which has been effectively used by numerous companies and federal agencies to measure and compare the maturity of evolving technologies, to evaluate and select projects.

This funding opportunity seeks to leverage private-sector investment in MHK technologies by providing cost-shared funding to industry and industry-led partnerships in order to advance the technological and operational readiness of MHK systems and components. The goal is to effectively transition leading MHK system and component designs toward commercialization.

Applications are due June 7, 2010.

The complete Funding Opportunity Announcement can be viewed on the Wind and Water Power Program's Financial Opportunities site.
Printable Version

Ontario Solar Power could match US Nuclear Power

April 20th, 2010 - 1 Comment

Ontario Solar Power Queen’s University Applied Sustainability Research Group located in Kingston, Canada comes out with two studies that claim solar power in southeastern Ontario can be created in abundance. The natural question is how much abundance? The answer is mind-boggling. Southeastern Ontario has the potential to produce almost as much power as all the nuclear reactors in the United States! Queen’s mechanical engineering professor Joshua Pearce is the first person to find out the astounding possibilities of the region’s solar energy potential. He says, “The number is enormous. Solar can no longer be laughed off as something that can only power your cottage.”

Professor Pearce was surprised by how many gigawatts could be produced.

The researchers from the university in Kingston, Ontario is of the view if they can mount solar panels on the rooftops and on those areas that are economically unproductive they can produce enormous amount of solar power. They have already marked 365,000 hectares of land in southeastern Ontario suitable for solar farms. That amounts to about 7.6 per cent of the 48,000-square-kilometre wedge of land between Toronto, Ottawa and the Quebec-Ontario border.

So many gigawatts of solar power can be produced but Prof Pearce still claims, “We came up with enormous numbers and we were being conservative. There are about 95 gigawatts of potential power just in southeastern Ontario — that shows there is massive potential.” It is needless to say that Professor Pearce specializes in solar photovoltaic materials and applied sustainability.

According to one study, if some of the roof tops in southeastern Ontario were covered with solar panels, they could generate five gigawatts, or about five per cent of all of Ontario’s energy. The study paid attention to the shading and orientation of the roofs. This study will be published in the journal Computers, Environment and Urban Systems.

Professor Pearce further pushes his point, “To put this in perspective, all the coal plants in all of Ontario produce just over six gigawatts. The sun doesn’t always shine, so if you couple solar power with other renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro and biomass, southeastern Ontario could easily cover its own energy needs.”

Canada is a vast country and has plenty of land. If that land can be utilized for generating solar power, it can produce substantial amount of clean and green energy. This second study will appear in May issue of the journal Solar Energy. It studied the barren, rocky, non-farmable areas near electrical grids and arrived at a conclusion that it has the potential to produce 90 gigawatts.

Professor Pearce claims, “Nuclear power for all of the United States is about 100 gigawatts. We can produce 90 on barren land with just solar in this tiny region, so we are not talking about small potatoes.”

The researchers identified 25 million square metres of shade-free, south-facing roofs in southeastern Ontario suitable for solar panels. They say if high-efficiency panels were installed on all the roofs, they could provide 24 per cent of current peak Ontario power demand, and 157 per cent of peak demand in southeastern Ontario.

Professor Pearce is preparing the ground for solar power. He comes out with real facts for the policy makers of the country. He is also on the look out for the possible solar farm locations for developers.

The government is creating conducive environment for the clean and green energy. Ontario’s new Green Energy Act offers feed-in tariffs, or FITs incentive. This FITs has generated “an enormous stampede” by solar companies to set up shop in Ontario. Prof Pearce says, “It’s opened up the market.” Pearce said, if one or two known solar power manufacturers set up their plants in Canada, more will be tempted to do the same and it will lead to generating thousands of manufacturing jobs. “They’ll cluster together like the semi-conductor manufacturers in California, and we’ll be in great shape.”

Sunlight to Electricity with Solid-State Photovoltaics

Conventional solid-state solar cells are suffering from the problem of the bandgap voltage limitation. Scientists are trying to capture more and more of sunlight and convert it into electricity. If scientists are able to increase the efficiency of the conversion rate that will put solar energy into fossil fuel league minus its undesirable effects. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers have found a mechanism to deal with the problem of bandgap voltage limitation. In the language of solid state physics, a bandgap is also known as an energy gap. It is the amount of energy needed to release an outer shell electron from its orbit to become a mobile charge holder. This electron can move freely within the solid material. In conductor materials, the two bands often overlap, so they may not exhibit a huge bandgap.

Berkeley Lab’s News Center has devised a novel method that enables the photovoltaic effect to take place in semiconductor thin-films. The compound that make it possible is bismuth ferrite. Bismuth ferrite is a ceramic composed of bismuth, oxygen, and iron. Bismuth ferrite has a unique property known as multiferroic property. This property allows bismuth ferrite to exhibit both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. When scientists were utilizing the bismuth ferrite to their pleasant surprise they discovered that the photovoltaic effect can voluntarily arise at the nanoscale because of the ceramic’s rhombohedrally distorted crystal structure.

Jan Seidel is a physicist who holds joint appointments with Berkeley Lab’s Materials Sciences Division and the UC Berkeley Physics Department. He put forth his views, “We’re excited to find functionality that has not been seen before at the nanoscale in a multiferroic material. We’re now working on transferring this concept to higher efficiency energy-research related devices.”

If we explore a bit of physics, we can find that conventional solid-state solar cells is a p-n junction. p-n junction acts as the interface between a semiconductor layer having plenty of positively-charged “holes,” and another layer having plenty of negatively charged electrons. When sunlight falls on solar cells, photons from the sun are absorbed. This absorption helps electron-hole pairs that can be separated within a “depletion zone.” This zone is a microscopic area at the p-n junction. The end result of the whole process is the generation of electricity. But the whole process is not so easy. Certain conditions are required. First condition is the photons have to penetrate the material to the depletion zone. The next condition is their energy has to exactly match the energy of the semiconductor’s electronic bandgap. What is the consequence of all this? According to Seidel, “The maximum voltage conventional solid-state photovoltaic devices can produce is equal to the energy of their electronic bandgap. Even for so called tandem-cells, in which several semiconductor p-n junctions are stacked, photovoltages are still limited because of the finite penetration depth of light into the material.” In a simplified world, all this conditions lowers the efficiency of solar power conversion.

How the Berkeley Lab’s Helios Solar Energy Research Center is able to increase the efficiency rate of solar power? Because, Seidel and his teammates found that by applying white light to bismuth ferrite, they could produce photovoltages within submicroscopic areas between one and two nanometers across! These photovoltages were definitely higher than bismuth ferrite’s electronic bandgap.

Seidel points out the advantages of his work, “The bandgap energy of the bismuth ferrite is equivalent to 2.7 volts. From our measurements we know that with our mechanism we can get approximately 16 volts over a distance of 200 microns. Furthermore, this voltage is in principle linear scalable, which means that larger distances should lead to higher voltages.”

Is the US Losing the Clean Energy Race?

As the president pushes for a new energy strategy, China pushes ahead of the G20 pack in 2009.

Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Ready to move to new domestic issues after a win on health care, U.S. President Barack Obama has again turned his focus to energy. But many clean energy advocates are criticizing the President's plan, saying that it will put too much focus on oil and gas drilling, and not enough on renewables.

The U.S. came in eleventh in investment relative to the size of its economy, falling behind China, Brazil, Germany and the UK.

The details of the President's plan have not been fully laid out, but in recent days he has announced plans to increase offshore gas and oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf of the U.S. Some onlookers see this as a way for the President to get bipartisan support for a broader energy strategy that all political parties can support.

“He's clearly trying to mainstream it in the U.S....trying to get republicans and independents engaged in the issue as well — not just democrats,” says Michael Northrop, directror of sustainable development for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. “I think that's a positive, especially as we move into a new debate around climate change legislation.”

And after a year of bitter partisan battles over health care, the White House could use any positive political bargaining chip it can get.

But some environmental groups and renewable energy advocates say this move contradicts Obama's earlier campaign pledge to avoid more offshore drilling and will delay an aggressive focus on renewables, putting the U.S. further behind other countries in the race to develop clean forms of energy.

A new report released from the Pew Charitable Trust shows that the U.S. is already getting outpaced by other G20 countries in renewable energy investment. Although the U.S. is seen as a leader in risk-taking and innovation, other countries like China and Brazil are investing more money in clean energy relative to the size of their economies.

The report, titled “Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race?” looked at the top 20 economies in the world, which make up around 90 percent of investment in renewables. Overall, the trends were positive: Since 2005, there has been a 230 percent increase in capital flow to the industry. Throughout that time period the U.S. has lead the pack with the most installed capacity and the most total yearly investment. Until last year that is.

China took the lead in 2009 as the country made a comprehensive effort to develop more wind, solar thermal and biomass, as well as scale up its solar PV manufacturing. The country invested $34.8 billion in renewables last year, which was $16 billion more than was invested in the U.S.

While the news is not surprising, given China's rapidly growing energy needs and its top-down approach to developing industries, the report highlights another telling statistic: The U.S. came in eleventh in investment relative to the size of its economy, falling behind China, Brazil, Germany and the UK.

The report authors conclude that U.S. policymakers and citizens should be “concerned about America’s competitive position in the clean energy marketplace.”

Some see this report as a good way to get the conversation around clean energy back on track. If the U.S. is to stay competitive in the changing global economy, it will need to match or surpass the investments being made by other G20 countries — especially China.

“I think it's a big part of how to talk about it. Clearly people's dander gets raised anytime you talk about an economic race with the Chinese. I think it's a very helpful frame for us to be working in,” says Northrop of the Rockefeller Brother's Fund.

China, of course, is sucking up oil around the world and developing far more coal power plants than wind or solar farms. So while total investment in renewables is increasing, the country's domestic efforts may be impeded by its dirty, centralized energy system. But its export industry will rival any country in the world.

Northrop points out that of the ten largest wind companies in the world, the U.S. only has one. And of the ten largest solar companies in the world, the U.S. has two. That's unacceptable, he says, given that the country – known as a bastion of innovation and risk taking — consumes 25% of the world's energy.

“I hope now that health care has passed in the U.S., the president will start to speak out more forcefully about this issue,” he says. “We need the public engaged and we need to get people off the fence – and if we can do that, the future looks bright.”

For a breakdown of the investment figures for each country, see the Pew report here.

Secretary Chu Announces $37.5 Million Available for Joint U.S.-Chinese Clean Energy Research

Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the availability of $37.5 million in U.S. funding over the next five years to support the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center. Funding from the Department of Energy will be matched by the grantees to support $75 million in total U.S. research that will focus on advancing technologies for building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles. The Clean Energy Research Center (CERC) will be located in existing facilities in both the U.S. and China and will include an additional $75 million in Chinese funding.

“Cooperation between China and the United States on clean energy is crucial to confronting the global climate crisis and presents an important opportunity to create American jobs and build U.S. leadership in a growing global industry,” said Secretary Chu. “By jointly developing new technologies and learning from China’s experiences, we can create new export opportunities for American companies and ensure that we remain on the cutting edge of innovation. This partnership will also be a foundation for broader partnerships with China on cutting carbon pollution.”

President Obama and President Hu Jintao formally announced the establishment of the CERC during the President’s trip to Beijing last November. At the time, Secretary Chu joined with Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang and Chinese National Energy Administrator Zhang Guobao to sign the protocol launching the Center. The CERC will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from both the U.S. and China, as well as serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country. Funding from the U.S. Government will be used to support work conducted by U.S. institutions and individuals only.

The U.S. and China are the world’s top energy consumers, energy producers and greenhouse gas emitters. They will play central roles in the world’s transition to a clean energy economy in the years ahead. Technology will play an important role in this transition, and the U.S. and China have a strong shared interest in advances in key technologies. The initial research areas under the CERC – building efficiency, clean coal and clean vehicles – are areas where the U.S. and China have complementary strengths, so that each country can benefit from internationally collaborative research.

DOE will provide one award for each of the CERC’s initial work areas – building efficiency, clean coal and clean vehicles. Universities, national labs, private companies and other relevant entities are eligible to apply through Grants.gov. Applications are due by Friday, May 14 with selections expected this summer. The full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available on FedConnect's public opportunities page.

Secretary Salazar Announces $3.7 Million in Renewable Energy Project Grants for 13 Tribal Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development has awarded $3.7 million to tribes that are developing renewable energy resources for their communities. Access to these resources will allow these communities to develop jobs and additional economic opportunities on their reservations, while decreasing their reliance on fossil fuels.

“This President has made the development of renewable energy in America one of his highest priorities,” Salazar said. “Many tribes are in a unique position to benefit greatly from a variety of renewable energy sources and the Department is committed to helping these communities to achieve this goal.”

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, in partnership with the Office of Trust Services in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, has identified 13 tribes that have significant potential for quickly developing biomass, geothermal, or hydroelectric energy on their reservations. The tribes, resources and award amounts are listed in the attached table.

Salazar noted that tribal communities have shown exceptional interest in renewable energy development.

“This attests to the tribes’ desire to use their available energy resources for the benefit of its members,” he said. “It also indicates the willingness of tribes to help America reduce our dependence on foreign energy resources through domestic production.”

In addition to gaining access to the energy itself, all of these projects would also provide job opportunities for reservation residents. “The Department’s Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development is working hand-in-hand with tribes to provide technical assistance for energy, mineral, and economic development on reservations,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk. “The Office is using innovative and collaborative approaches to improve economic opportunities for the tribes, including renewable energy development, and to help promote new jobs, new businesses, and new capital on tribal lands.”

The proposed projects were identified by the individual tribes, which developed comprehensive proposals that were evaluated by the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development under a competitive process.

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development is in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs. Its mission is to foster stronger American Indian and Alaska Native communities by helping federally recognized tribes with employment and workforce training programs; helping tribes develop their renewable and non-renewable energy and mineral resources; and increasing access to capital for tribal and individual American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses. For more information about IEED programs and services, visit http://www.indianaffairs.gov/IEED.

Renewable Energy Projects and Funding Received

Geothermal (6)

• Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California - $350,000
• Benton Paiute Tribe - $350,000
• Cedarville Rancheria - $300,000
• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe - $350,000
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe - $150,000
• Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - $750,000

Biomass (4)

• Colville Confederated Tribes - $200,000
• Fond du Lac Reservation - $250,000
• Oneida Nation - $250,000
• Ho-Chunk Nation - $150,000

Hydroelectric (3)

• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of the Flathead Reservation - $260,000
• Cherokee Nation - $150,000
• Crow Tribe - Apsáalooke Nation - $200,000

Solar Industry To Hit US $77B in 2015

Boston, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

As the books close on what was a turbulent 2009 for the solar industry, Lux Research said that the solar market will soon see the lopsided supply and demand that characterized much of the last year return to equilibrium. According to the new report Solar's Shakeout: Europe Loses Leadership as China Rises," strong demand growth in Asia and the U.S. will push the market to 9.3 GW in 2010, hitting a dollar value of US $39 billion.

Building from there, continuing price reductions for all types of solar technology are expected to open new markets and help the solar industry reach $77 billion in revenue and 26.4 GW in capacity by 2015.

A large portion of the growth is expected to come from China, which in the last few years has become large manufacturer of solar modules and materials, but not yet a large buyer of them. Lux said it expects China to be the world's largest solar market in 2015.

The report underscores, however, that the renewed balance between supply and demand will arrive only after a wave of company failures and lower utilization rates.

Lux analyzes economic competitiveness and other drivers for the industry's six major technologies, crystalline silicon (x-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), thin film silicon (TF-Si), copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), high concentrating photovoltaics (HCPV) and concentrating solar power (CSP).

"We found that solar's short-term pain will enable it to exceed growth expectations over the very long-term," said Ted Sullivan, a senior analyst for Lux Research, and the report's lead author. "The volume of solar installations will grow at a 23% annual rate from 2010 to 2015, but revenue will grow by just 14%, as prices fall due to remaining over-capacity. While current subsidies in China and elsewhere will help soak up some of that capacity, there will be widespread company failures throughout the value chain first."

The report updates earlier market size and demand forecasts, extends Lux Research's outlook through 2015, and adds three new geographies -- Czech Republic, New Jersey, and Ontario -- due to their high levels of subsidies and rapidly developing markets.

Among the key findings are that capacity remains well above demand -- signaling violent changes ahead.

Lux expects the supply and demand curves to move abruptly together over the next few years due to company failures. Demand will also increase in producing regions such as China, prompted by government subsidies and other factors.

Low-cost x-Si technologies will continue to dominate the marketplace, but thin-film and CSP will gain market share.

Lux said that as financing begins to return to solar in 2010, crystalline silicon players will continue to use low price as a weapon against new technologies that don't share its "bankability" or scale. However, new technologies such as CSP, CIGS, and even HCPV technologies are expected to gain at the margins.

The biggest take away from the report is that solar adoption will be a multi-decade story. Lux said that solar will wildly beat its expectations in the long-term. When it comes down to deploying solar the industry will rely on an energy and construction business model rather than a consumer-oriented one. As a result the report said that solar's adoption will rely in large part on replacement cycles for residential and commercial roofs and for natural gas power plants.

For more on the report, click here.

Prototype Solar Power-Assist for Buses

Sunpods Inc. is California-based manufacturing company. They produce modular, fully integrated and tested solar power generation systems. Recently they have come out with an idea of the first solar power-assist system for buses. They should be applauded for developing it in a mere six weeks. Their partner is Bauer Intelligent Transportation. The system developed by Sunpods will help Bauer to meet strict anti-pollution standards laid down by the State of California. California state law since 2008 has disallowed diesel vehicles to remain idle for more than five minutes. Now more than 25 states across the United States have anti-idling laws.

Gary Bauer, founder and owner of Bauer’s Intelligent Transportation says, “We support the state’s strong commitment to reducing pollution. At the same time, as a transportation provider, we wanted to meet our customers’ requirements for comfort and connectivity. SunPods was able to make our vision a reality in less than 6 weeks. We’ve been testing the bus for the past 4 weeks and we’re impressed with the reliable performance.”

SunPod’s solar power-assist system has already been tested on a Bauer IT bus since January 2010. Bauer IT finds the performance of the solar power-assist system quite impressive. SunPods’ modular solar power assist system is made up of four thin film solar panels. They will be mounted across the length of the bus. These panels will help in charging an on-board deep cycle battery bank. When the bus engine is inactive the work of the batteries would be to power the air-conditioning and wireless connectivity equipment. This will facilitate the bus companies to meet anti-idling standards without putting passengers to discomfort.

Dan Jaeger, president and co-founder of SunPods expresses his thoughts, “We are really pleased to collaborate with an innovative company like Bauer IT. As a company, our focus is on reducing installation costs to make solar power more cost-effective and, thereby, increase adoption. With Bauer IT’s support, we have created a solar power assist system for luxury buses across the US.”

Bauer IT is an environmentally friendly transportation company. They have already taken many steps to reduce pollution. They possess a fleet of bio-diesel, EGR and propane vehicles. Bauer IT has installed in its buses the clean burning Series 60 engines. Series 60 engines use exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology and diesel particulates filters. They way they fully fulfill all EPA emission requirements. The requirements laid down conditions for a 90% reduction in particulate matter. Another condition is they should observe more than 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx). EGR technology circulates cooled exhaust gas back into the engine air intake. This helps in lowering combustion temperatures and ultimately reducing the formation of NOx.

The buses have another mechanism working for them i.e. ZF Astronic transmission. It is a 12-speed manual transmission but its beauty is it behaves like an automatic version. ZF Astronic transmission takes into account the load, speed and road conditions. Then it analyzes these parameters and the transmission decides which is appropriate “shifting.” Fuel economy tests demonstrate a more than 6% increase in performance.

With city loans, homeowners go green now, pay later

By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY

Putting solar or other green upgrades on homes and businesses is getting less painful in more cities that are rapidly launching programs to enable owners to pay back upfront costs over years.

The programs let property owners borrow money for upgrades, then pay it back over up to 20 years as a special assessment on property tax bills.

GREEN HOUSE: Our online envrironmental community

The long payback removes a hurdle to going green: big initial costs, especially for solar panels, that can take years to recoup in lower energy bills.

The idea "seems to be catching on like wildfire," says Ann Livingston of Boulder County, Colo., which started its program last year.

The Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE programs, work like this: A city, county or other municipal entity creates a district to issue bonds to raise money to lend to property owners. Investors buy the bonds. If properties sell, payments transfer to new owners.

The concept was launched in a pilot in Berkeley, Calif., in 2008. Boulder County has lent almost $10 million to 612 homeowners for everything from solar to new insulation and energy-efficient furnaces, Livingston says.

Three other programs have started in California and New York, says Cisco DeVries, president of Renewable Funding, a California firm that helps agencies administer the programs.

San Francisco is next with a $150 million program. Starting March 1, homeowners and businesses there can apply for loans of $5,000 to about $50,000 to make energy upgrades.

Santa Fe County in New Mexico is working on a program for solar, geothermal and wind, says economic development director Duncan Sill. San Antonio is studying whether to do one alone or with other Texas cities, says San Antonio official Laurence Doxsey. In California, a program is slated to launch this summer that would include 14 counties and at least 90 cities, says Annie Henderson of Renewable Funding.

States enable the programs with laws to let cities or counties create them. In the past 18 months, 16 states have passed such laws. At least 10 others are working on them, DeVries says.

Costs differ by program. In California, Sonoma County's $100 million program offers loans at 7% interest, which some have seen as "too expensive," spokeswoman Amy Bolten says. Still, the county's received 1,200 applications in 11 months. Boulder County's rates have ranged from 5.2% to 6.8%.

Advocates envision Texas as solar power leader Feb 22 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News

- Randy Lee Loftis The Dallas Morning News

The sun could rival the wind as a clean power source in Texas' near future, if the state gets serious about tapping the potential of pollution-free solar energy.

Homebuilder Jim Sargent's Waxahachie company is building solar-equipped houses that both conserve energy and generate it. Some of the homes end up taking no net energy from the state's electric grid, he said. " onmouseover=" this.style.cursor='hand'" height="107" width="175">

JIM MAHONEY/DMN

Homebuilder Jim Sargent's Waxahachie company is building solar-equipped houses that both conserve energy and generate it. Some of the homes end up taking no net energy from the state's electric grid, he said.

That's the belief, at least, of some builders, equipment manufacturers and energy experts.

Texas already leads the nation in producing wind power, and given its sunny climate, scientists say it has the capacity to dominate solar, too.

To help make that happen, solar advocates are urging the Texas Public Utility Commission to set solar usage requirements for electric retailers.

"We actually are a perfect environment, economically and thermodynamically, as a raw resource for solar, but it hasn't taken off," said Michael E. Webber, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas.

"However, I think it's about to," said Webber, who is also associate director of UT's Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy.

The PUC, an agency run by three gubernatorial appointees, is considering a plan to give solar power the same kind of boost that the state gave to wind power in 1999.

The Legislature first told the PUC to boost solar power and other nonwind renewable energy sources in 2005, and the agency is now taking steps to implement those instructions.

North Texas homebuilder Jim Sargent says those are steps in the right direction.

His Waxahachie company is building solar-equipped houses that both conserve energy and generate it.

Some of the homes generate so much solar power and use so little electricity overall that they end up taking no net energy from the state's electric grid, Sargent said.

One of the company's net-zero homes is a high-end project in Farmers Branch with 23 kilowatts of solar-generating panels on its roof, plus a solar water-heating system.

"The smart money is that [solar power] is going to be a growing source of our electricity," said Cyrus Reed, conservation director of the Sierra Club's Texas chapter.

The PUC's solar program would be based on the existing renewable portfolio standards, a requirement dating to 1999 for electric companies to include sources such as wind, solar and other renewable sources in their energy mixes.

Texas' renewable energy standards, among the most aggressive in the country, have been so successful that electric companies met the 2009 goal by 2005. The Legislature responded in 2005 by setting more ambitious targets for 2015 and 2025.

Nearly all of Texas' growth in renewable energy has been in wind power, which increased fourfold over 10 years. Other renewable power sources remained afterthoughts.

Solar power was especially held back by its cost, technological challenges and lack of transmission lines from sun-rich West Texas to energy-hungry cities.

Legislators recognized the lag with a 2005 mandate that Texas energy include at least 500 megawatts of new power from sources other than wind by 2015. The state also took steps to provide more electric transmission lines.

No pollution

After waiting in vain in 2007 and 2009 for more legislative guidance on the 500-megawatt target – there was confusion, for example, over whether it was a mandate or just a guideline – the PUC is moving on its own to implement it as a mandate.

When the PUC commissioners give the go-ahead, agency officials will turn a preliminary plan into a formal proposal for a vote by the commissioners, said PUC spokesman Terry Hadley. The agency expects to publish the formal proposal in early 2010.

The preliminary version that the PUC published in December identifies solar, hydroelectric and biomass, mostly waste products from agriculture, as nonwind renewable power sources. The plan sets a target of 50 megawatts, or one-tenth, from solar, but solar's growth could easily pass that mark, some experts predict.

The 500-megawatt set-aside for nonwind renewable sources is roughly the energy equivalent of a single coal-burning power plant, but without the carbon dioxide, smog, acid rain and toxic pollution that come from burning coal, or the radioactive waste that comes from nuclear power.

As with wind, solar power's fuel is free. A solar system can have high initial costs, though those figures are dropping rapidly. For economic and assorted other reasons, however, it has not become a mainstream power source.

Small step

Adding 500 megawatts would be a small start – less than 5 percent of the state's existing energy mix. Still, it would represent the biggest boost yet for harnessing the Texas sun.

Webber, the UT professor, conducted a survey of solar systems in service in Texas during 2008. He found 6.7 megawatts of solar-generating systems in the state.

"That's about zero," he said.

Texas has about 102,000 megawatts of generating capacity from all sources. Natural gas and coal combined for about 85 percent of Texas' generation in 2008, followed by nuclear with 10 percent, wind with 4 percent, and all other renewables, including solar, with just 1 percent.

Although Texas leads the nation by far in the potential for solar power, it trails many smaller states such as New Jersey in putting solar power in service. "New Jersey?" Webber asked in mock disbelief. "A small, cloudy state outdoes Texas?"

The commission's plan would use the same procedure as the existing renewable portfolio standard. Each electric retailer, municipally owned electric company or electrical cooperative would have to provide an amount of nonwind renewables in proportion to its share of the market.

A retailer that accounts for 10 percent of Texas' power sales, for example, would be responsible for providing 10 percent of the state goal, or 50 megawatts, of nonwind renewables.

Typical ways for retailers to comply include buying solar power from generating companies and selling it to their customers; buying renewable-energy credits from other companies; or subsidizing customers' purchase and installation of solar systems. A company that did not comply would have to pay alternative compliance payments – that is, cash penalties.

If Texas embraced big solar plans, advocates say, a 30-by-30-mile patch of remote, desolate West Texas covered with mirror-aided concentrated solar receptors could theoretically power the whole state, slashing air pollution. That prediction could be too optimistic, but the city-owned utilities in Austin and San Antonio are investing in large solar facilities.

Not just the rich

On a smaller scale, Texas could provide tax breaks or other incentives for builders to follow Jim Sargent's example.

In addition to the high-end project in Farmers Branch, his company – AndersonSargent Custom Builders – has also built smaller, near-net-zero solar homes in North Texas for $85 a square foot.

Sargent said he could reach net-zero for less than $100 a square foot, countering solar's long-standing image as an expensive, feel-good diversion for the wealthy.

"It really doesn't have to cost more," he said.

For obvious business reasons, Sargent is a strong supporter of the state plan for making solar an official component of Texas energy.

"All this wind [power] we have is because we adopted the renewable energy standard," he said.

"Solar can benefit in the same way."

Sen. Sanders Introduces 10 Million Solar Home Initiative

Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate's green jobs subcommittee introduced legislation with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

Sanders' bill, the 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010, would authorize rebates which, along with other incentives, would cover up to half the cost of the 10 million solar power systems and 200,000 water heating systems. Non-profit groups and state and local governments also would be eligible.

"At a time when we spend $350 billion importing oil from Saudi Arabia and other countries every year, the United States must move away from foreign oil to energy independence," Sanders said. "A dramatic expansion of solar power is a clean and economical way to help break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, improve our geopolitical position, and create good-paying green jobs."

At a Senate committee hearing, Sanders questioned Energy Secretary Steven Chu about President Obama's budget for next year. The White House requested US $2.4 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The requested 5 percent boost overall included a 22 percent increase for solar power.

The potential for solar power also was the subject of testimony last week before Sanders' green jobs subcommittee by Jeff Wolfe, chief executive officer of groSolar. Wolfe said Sanders' bill "would help homeowners and small businesses stabilize their energy costs."

Sanders said a recent report shows that solar power could help make every state more energy independent if solar units were installed on available rooftop space, because every state can meet 10 percent or more of its electricity needs just through rooftop solar. Moreover, because solar energy creates more jobs per megawatt than other energy sources. Sanders' bill could create hundreds of thousands of jobs over the next ten years in the solar industry.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauded Sanders and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) for introducing the bill.

“Senator Sanders and Congressman Cohen have shown true leadership by setting a bold vision for solar installations that will help the U.S. reclaim global leadership in this fast growing industry,” said SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch. “Passing this bill would create the world’s largest market for solar energy here in the U.S. and bring with it tens of thousands of manufacturing and installation jobs in all 50 states.”

Reaction from other players in the solar industry was also positive. Sharp Solar said that it would help boost both the manufacturing and integration sectors.

“Sharp commends Senator Saunders and Representative Cohen for sponsoring this new legislation which will foster the growth of the U.S. residential solar market,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar. “We are pleased to see Congressman Cohen and the State of Tennessee, where we manufacture our solar modules, lead this effort. Legislation such as this will help make our nation’s energy portfolio more sustainable, create green jobs and help combat climate change, while helping secure energy independence.”

The legislation's cosponsors include Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA).

“This bill will help make America energy independent while creating many thousands of good paying jobs in the U.S. It will also help bring long term relief to American homeowners, who otherwise face mounting energy bills. This bill represents a rare legislative opportunity for a win-win-win, and we salute Senator Sanders and Representative Cohen for introducing it,” Wolfe said.

Solar Cells from Tobacco Plants May Be a Reality Soon

Tobacco Plants As the world continues its quest to use less fossil fuels, the latest possible solution comes from the most unlikely of sources: the tobacco plant. This latest news comes from the University of California, Berkley. It will be nice to see tobacco used for something other than lung cancer. This new discovery is based on the possibility of literally programming the cells of the plants to get solar cells from tobacco plants. The science behind it is actually pretty simple (at least in explanation form) and pretty amazing. By using a genetically engineered virus, scientists were able to literally transform the cells of the plants to create synthetic solar cells.

Instead of creating some new form of tobacco plant, they are actually applying their chemistry to full grown tobacco plants. Their custom-made virus is sprayed on the plants and then it is time to sit back and let it work its magic. The virus infects a cell which then enables the virus to spread just as any other virus would. As the infected cells form, they are creating artificial chromophores that make high powered electrons out of light.

Of course, the plants themselves are not used for direct solar energy as they still have to be harvested. Once harvested, the structures are extracted and put into a liquid solution to dissolve. This solution is then applied to plastics or glass and poof, solar cells from tobacco plants is a reality. While the whole process may seem a little off the wall, if this process can be refined and work in mass form, it totally changes solar energy as we know it.

While this technology is exciting, the effect that it could have on an economy that seems to continue to go backwards is even more incredible. One of the hardest hit industries during the last decade has been the farming industry. Farmers have been struggling with their crops and tight times have not made things easier. An influx into the tobacco industry to create solar cells from tobacco plants could be a nice boost in the arm as farmers who are waiting for the bank to come and take their land will now have a viable way out.

These cells would not be expected to last as long as “typical” solar cells, but they would probably be much less expensive. That being the case, solar cells from tobacco leaves could provide both an organic way to produce solar cells and the economic boost that the farming industry needs.

Alternative Energy News

Solar Cells from Tobacco Plants May Be a Reality Soon

Tobacco Plants As the world continues its quest to use less fossil fuels, the latest possible solution comes from the most unlikely of sources: the tobacco plant. This latest news comes from the University of California, Berkley. It will be nice to see tobacco used for something other than lung cancer. This new discovery is based on the possibility of literally programming the cells of the plants to get solar cells from tobacco plants. The science behind it is actually pretty simple (at least in explanation form) and pretty amazing. By using a genetically engineered virus, scientists were able to literally transform the cells of the plants to create synthetic solar cells.

Instead of creating some new form of tobacco plant, they are actually applying their chemistry to full grown tobacco plants. Their custom-made virus is sprayed on the plants and then it is time to sit back and let it work its magic. The virus infects a cell which then enables the virus to spread just as any other virus would. As the infected cells form, they are creating artificial chromophores that make high powered electrons out of light.

Of course, the plants themselves are not used for direct solar energy as they still have to be harvested. Once harvested, the structures are extracted and put into a liquid solution to dissolve. This solution is then applied to plastics or glass and poof, solar cells from tobacco plants is a reality. While the whole process may seem a little off the wall, if this process can be refined and work in mass form, it totally changes solar energy as we know it.

While this technology is exciting, the effect that it could have on an economy that seems to continue to go backwards is even more incredible. One of the hardest hit industries during the last decade has been the farming industry. Farmers have been struggling with their crops and tight times have not made things easier. An influx into the tobacco industry to create solar cells from tobacco plants could be a nice boost in the arm as farmers who are waiting for the bank to come and take their land will now have a viable way out.

These cells would not be expected to last as long as “typical” solar cells, but they would probably be much less expensive. That being the case, solar cells from tobacco leaves could provide both an organic way to produce solar cells and the economic boost that the farming industry needs.

Install a solar water heater, get a $750 rebate

Homeowners who replace their electric water heaters with solar heaters are now qualified for a $750 rebate through the Hawai'i Energy Efficiency Program, down from $1,000 as of today.

Administrators for the program, formally called HECO Energy Solutions, said the reduction was necessary because of budget cuts statewide, but point out that the original rebate on O'ahu was $750. Get more information and rebate forms at www.hawaiienergy.com.

Recovery Act Announcement: Department of Energy to Invest up to $12 Million to Support Early Stage Solar Technologies

January 20, 2010

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will invest up to $12 million in total funding—$10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—in four companies to support the development of early stage solar energy technologies and help them advance to full commercial scale. The goal of this effort is to help further expand a clean energy economy and make solar energy more cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity.

"Expanding the solar power industry in the United States can create new jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and save consumers money," said Secretary Chu. "By partnering with NREL, these companies will be able to gain from their expertise, accelerate the pace of innovation and help get technologies to market faster."

Companies awarded under DOE's Photovoltaic Incubator Program will work with NREL to transition prototype and pre-commercial PV technologies into pilot and full-scale manufacturing. The anticipated subcontracts, up to $3 million each, will be awarded as 18-month phased subcontracts with payment made upon completion of project milestones.

Through the Recovery Act, the DOE is investing more than $117 million in developing and deploying solar energy technologies. While supporting cutting edge research and development on photovoltaics and concentrated solar power at the national laboratories, the Department is also making significant investments in training solar systems installers, supporting the growth of grid-tied solar photovoltaic systems, and the use of solar energy in U.S. cities.

The partnership projects announced today include:
California

Alta Devices, Inc. (Santa Clara, California) up to $3 million
Alta Devices will focus efforts on developing an innovative high-efficiency (>20%), low-cost compound-semiconductor photovoltaic module, with market entry expected in 2011.

Solar Junction Corp. (San Jose, California) up to $3 million
Solar Junction will develop a manufacturing process to produce a very high efficiency multi-junction cell. These high performing cells will be utilized by concentrating PV (CPV) manufacturers to produce lower cost CPV systems.

Tetra Sun (Saratoga, California) up to $3 million
Tetra Sun will focus efforts on a back surface passivation for high efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells. This effort will result in a high efficiency low-cost C-Si solar cell.
North Carolina

Semprius, Inc. (Durham, North Carolina) up to $3 million
Semprius will focus efforts towards a massively parallel, microcell-based CPV receiver. This approach combines the benefits of unique-to-solar manufacturing techniques with the performance and operational benefits of microcell concentrating photovoltaics.