The 100-Mile Diet for Electricity? The Institute for Local Self-Reliance Argues for Decentralization

The 100-Mile Diet for Electricity? The Institute for Local Self-Reliance Argues for Decentralization: "
Image: ILSR

Well, Not Literally 100 Miles...
The Insitute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) has released a second version of its study titled Energy Self-Reliant States. In it they look at various ways that U.S. states could generate clean electricity locally (rooftop solar PV, onshore wind, offshore wind, etc). Just from the name of the institute, it's pretty obvious that they aren't in favor of centralized solutions to our energy problems, but at least they aren't all ideology: T...Read the full story on TreeHugger

This would make it possible for renewables to take off! I am looking forward to seeing localized powering stations. Adjacents junctions could take load incase of disruption!

Dell’s New Solar Parking Lot

I am going to take a wild guess here. Don't believe any of my spec-o-lation, but I feel Solar is the next "big deal." I would imagine you'll see these parking lot's all over the world. A great way to power a new vehicle economy and energy economy. Don't believe me ? Maybe, Netflix "Who Killed The Electric Car," next time you're looking for an interesting documentary. Yeah this is a great idea, that has been delayed repeatedly for over a decade!

Think about how hot your car gets on a sunny day. Dell decided to harvest all that wasted energy by installing these solar panels in their parking lot. Now they're keeping cars cool and putting that sunlight to good use.
The structure generates 130 kilowatts of solar power, enough to offset 145,000 lbs of greenhouse gas emissions annually. There are even charging terminals available for electric cars, but only two can be charged at a time. Seems like a pretty smart way to keep drivers comfortable and harvest some spare energy on the side. [Dvice]

Obama's $8-Billion Plan to Modernize the US Power Grid

I dug this up to recap what Obama is doing about "green jobs." I can at least say, he has did something. Which is a minor fraction in the whole green jobs movement. And when I say fraction, I mean something so reduced you'd biggie size and still wouldn't see a difference. That's right folks! If we were going to live up to green jobs. We'll need a massive overhaul of our energy infrastructure. Don't quote me on figures now, but all the bailout monies went out the window into the fire pit... So, were basically screwed unless private sectors can help out small business to grow and create these green faux jobs our administration promised...

Oh, Sr. Presidente, you look so goooood in the middle of the largest photovoltaic farm in the country—-the 180-acre DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center near Tampa, Florida. Maybe that's why you want to put solar panels everywhere.
President Barack Obama announced today a $8-billion federal plant to modernize the United State's power grid. $3.4 billion will come from the government, and the rest will be put up by private companies. In his words:

At this moment, there's something big happening in America when it comes to creating a clean-energy economy. But getting there will take a few more days like this one, and more projects like this one. Here in this region of Florida, this project will reduce demand for electricity by up to 20 percent during the hottest summer days that stress the grid and power plants,. It will provide smart meters to 2.6 million more customers. And most importantly, it will create thousands of jobs - good jobs, by the way, that can't be outsourced; jobs that will last and jobs that pay a decent wage.

In my words: About fucking time. We need to modernize the power grid not only for the jobs, but for the long term survivability of the country's economy. It's the only way to depend less on other countries, and make production more efficient and competitive.
And it's not only about using renewable energies. It's about increasing the efficiency of electricity transport and consumption at homes. That's why $1 billion is going to smart meters and other consumer oriented technology, which will make more than 5 million homes to consume a lot less. Two billion dollars will go to infrastructure to support those meters, and $400 to modernize power lines, with an additional $25 million to push for smarter, more power efficient devices.
Do you think this is a lot of money? It is, especially since it only covers a small part of the grid. But here's what we are getting in return: $20 billion in savings during the next decade, plus increasing the reliability of the grid to avoid power outages that cost $150 billion a year to the US economy.
I can only hope this goes well, and we keep modernizing the rest of the grid as soon as possible. [Miami Herald and Ars Technica]

Cheap, Printed Solar-Powered LEDs Could Change 1.5 Billion Lives [Solar Power]

I am really excited now. Just imagine we're on the verge of creating an abundant source of energy from the Sun! Once we have an energy surplus the limit is the Sun!!! If you've ever heard of free energy, this is it! Solar cells that will cover every single inch of our urban utopias. Coming soon folks!

Photovoltaic cells printed on sheets aren't news, nor are LEDs and ultrathin lithium batteries. What's news is a combination of the three which can help give light to 1.5 billion people who live in impoverished areas without access to electricity.
Frederik Krebs came up with this combination of solar panels and LED lights which, while definitely a work-in-progress, could bring cheap light to some of the world's poorest regions. I call the lamps a work-in-progress because despite being durable enough to last several years, they run at a mere 1% efficiency. But with the expected final cost of $7 a piece, they're full of life-changing potential, despite that low efficiency.

Some prototypes of the lamps are currently being tested in Zambia. As seen in the picture, the solar panels are left laying flat during the day and then rolled up (and secured with snap-button) into a cone-shaped lamp. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the results of the prototype tests and a final product, because no one should go without artificially lit nights. [IEEE Spectrum via Pop Sci]

China Pushing Solar Like Never Before

China Pushing Solar Like Never Before

Going Green Pays Off

By GreasyTaxi

This week we had an interview with George Bestsios, who represents Pure Energy Alternatives LLC – a solar and wind power generators installation company based in Northbrook. These energy pioneers have only been in the renewable energy business for three years but have steadily continued to grow during these rough times.
George welcomed us to his office. I asked him what the standard system would cost, including equipment and labor. On average, installing a solar system is not cheap. They will design a roof or ground mounted system best suited for your house. In most cases an installer will calculate you energy consumption levels. Most single family residents in America consume one to three and a half kilowatt hours. As we found out a typical system will cost about ten thousand dollars per kilowatt. This is a very expensive choice to make on your home, but do not let that discourage you – it all pays off in the end. If you are building a new construction, the value added from building a system into the mortgage will balance the cost of the systems across a longer time period. The real incentives are from government subsidies. The federal government will give a credit of up to 30% of the entire cost. Additionally, the state of Illinois provides up to $10,000 per system. In reality, a system that costs $35,000 can be bought for under $15,000. Most consumer reports claim: every dollar spent to make efficiency improvements on your house adds $20 dollars in value to your house. In this harsh real estate market this can greatly improve value of your property and better attract potential buyers. These technologies can make you stand out in hard times.
Another great advantage is becoming a micro power utility of your own. The grid technology we use is still very old, so there is no real way to send "clean" energy from windmills in Oklahoma to your house without losing some of it in the process. In the meantime the solar panels on your roof will generate energy and sell it back to the grid to be distributed among your neighbors. As the result, utilities are very interested in this and will pay you for the energy you produce. Most homes and places of business use the most energy during peak hours throughout the day. This is the same time your solar cells make the most electricity. The power company will pay you back whatever the market rate is at that time. Whenever the sun is shining you are making electricity and winding your meter back, making money. When you cook dinner, watch television or surf the net after work you are buying electricity back from the grid. In the end this process is supposed to set off your energy bill, if not cover it completely. If your system makes more energy a month then your produce, the utility is mandated to write you a check. All this relative to the $15,000 the system will cost you originally makes that number sound a lot smaller. If you are still uncertain of the benefits and the hassle – think again. Pure Energy Alternatives will do all of the work for you, and can even find the best loan to cover your costs. In the end renewable energy is beneficial both morally and materially. You get a great value for your money and help your planet in the process.

Top Economists Discuss Bleak Downturn And Cleantech

EcoBleak: Top Economists Discuss The Downturn And Cleantech

The NYT Freakonomics column is attempting to figure out what affect the economic downturn is going to have on the clean technology industry. By asking three of the leading experts in the field (George Tolley, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago and president of RCF Inc.; John Whitehead, professor in the Department of Economics at Appalachian State University and contributor to the blog Environmental Economics; and Ethan Zindler, head of North American research at New Energy Finance) Freakonomics has done a pretty good job of summarizing what 2009 will probably look like.

Solar Investment Highlights

Investing in Green Tech is a good bet. I am not going to profile beyond what the Press Release States. Please due your due diligence before investing.

Green Energy Technology (GET)

Mass production of its thin-film solar photovoltaic line, with plans to reach an annual capacity 30 MW in the first quarter of 2009 and ramp to 50 MW in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Efficiency: Reached conversation rates of 7%

Quality:
GET is using the Applied Materials SunFab design to produce modules measuring 2.2 meters by 2.6 meters. GET adds that it is the first company to mass-produce large thin-film modules in Taiwan.

Acciona Energy

Behind the Scenes:
Acciona has invested around 261 million euros in the 46 MW plant, which the company says is the largest of its kind in the world. The plant was constructed in 13 months.

China Sunergy (CSUN)

Sleeping with the enemy (India)

Under the terms of the agreement, China Sunergy will supply and deliver a total volume of 12 MW of multi-crystalline solar cells. China Sunergy is expected to deliver 5 MW to Ajit Solar in the first half of the year, and the remaining 7 MW in the latter half.

Juwi International

This plant is the fourth-largest photovoltaic array in the world, the company adds. "We've completed a one-of-a-kind project, in which grid connection happened even faster than we anticipated," says Ingo Rödner, juwi branch director.

Evergreen Solar (ESLR)

Shipment:
ESLR shipped 8.5 MW of products from its Devens, Mass., factory and an additional 3.7 MW from its Marlboro, Mass., pilot manufacturing facility, during the fourth quarter of 2008.

Expansion:
ESLR expects to reach full capacity of about 40 MW per quarter from Devens in the second half of 2009 as planned.

Amtech Systems (ASYS)

Orders:
Its solar subsidiary, Tempress Systems Inc., has received approximately $5 million in solar orders for its diffusion processing systems from two new customers - one in Asia and the other in Europe.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (YGE)

Sales:
Yingli Green Energy is expected to supply a minimum of 15 MW of PV modules to GOLDBECK Solar in 2009. In addition, the contract provides a framework for GOLDBECK Solar to purchase up to an additional 58 MW of PV modules from Yingli Green Energy in 2009.

Solar Power Inc. (SPI)

Contract Deal:
Entered into a one-year supply agreement with JA Solar Holding Co. Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, JA Solar has committed to supply up to 60 MW of its six-inch polycrystalline photovoltaic cells

TOSHIBA

Toshiba says it will secure orders for large solar power generation systems by drawing on its competitive advantages. Its expertise includes high-efficiency power conditioning systems and the rechargeable Super Charge ion battery.

Keep an eye out for them. A major challenge for the industry is -- How do you store energy after the Sun Sets? Great long term pick!

China Technology Development Group Corp. (CTDC)

Short Term Project:
China focusing on a-Si thin film technology, has signed an agreement with Qinghai New Energy Group Co. Ltd. (QNE) and the local government of the Qinghai Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Region to build a 30 MW on-grid solar power station in the Qaidam Basin of northwestern China.

Long Term Goals:
"Although the installed power-generating capacity of the first phase of Qaidam solar power station will be 30 MW, the total long-term power objective of the project is 1 GW. The Qaidam solar power station, the first of its kind in China to integrate both crystalline silicon and thin-film solar modules, will be the largest on-grid solar power station in China after fully completed. CTDC and QNE will begin construction of the project in 2009, with an initial investment of $150 million."

These guys are a STRONG PICK!

Please check out some of these companies. I am compiling all my outlets to make it easier for me to have a quick resources. I am putting all this information on the web, so others can benefit too! Making money in green energy should not be a secret. Tell your friends, the more money the industry receives the closer we will get to reaching our clean energy goals!