Solar-cell Manufacturing Costs: Innovation Could Level The Field

Today, the average MSP is higher than the market price of solar panels, which is not sustainable long term. Thats why improved technology is essential, he says. Douglas Powell, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at MIT and a co-author of the report, says that in 2012, the analysis suggests that the minimum sustainable price of modules was above current prices meaning that many manufacturers were not providing investors with adequate returns. One reason for that disparity: China rapidly ramped up its manufacturing capacity, and the market was still catching up in 2012 to the oversupply. They expanded really fast, and caught a lot of people by surprise, Powell says. Meanwhile Germany, which had been buying half of all PV modules produced worldwide, suddenly decreased its subsidies, drastically cutting demand. Still, the biggest factor contributing to Chinas ability to make solar panels for about 23 percent less than U.S. companies, Buonassisi says, turned out to be economies of scale.
Originally encountered at http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2013/solar-cell-manufacturing-costs-0905.html

Voyager 1 becomes first human-made object to leave solar system

So thats 16 years. We will increase our use of electricity during that period, so add another couple of doublings: In 20 years well be meeting all of our energy needs with solar , based on this trend which has already been under way for 20 years. Of course, there are huge integration and storage issues that will need to be addressed. But his point about solar echoes what has occurred with green technologies such as the Prius. Consumer Reports recently found the Prius to have the lowest cost of ownership of any car. People buy it because of the economics. Similar things are happening with electric vehicles. Motor Trend just named the Tesla Model S its car of the year, and competitive in price with other luxury car peers. At its core, the Tesla Model S is simply a damned good car you happen to plug in to refuel. For Motor Trend, the environmental benefits are beside the point. The same process is happening with LED lighting. Once the limited province of Cree and a few others, the technology is now rapidly moving into the marketplace in the hands of Siemens , Philips , and GE, and it has gone mainstream. In fact, global LED lighting sales grew from $2.7 bn in 2008 to $9.4 bn in 2011.
Investigate the first version adding any type of supplementary images or video playback by making sure to visithttp://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2013/01/10/more-solar-innovation-stanfords-peel-and-stick-flexible-application/

More Solar Innovation: Stanford’s Peel and Stick Flexible Application

To get around that, scientists detected waves in the plasma around the spacecraft and used that information to calculate density. Vibrations in the plasma came from a large coronal mass ejection from the sun in 2012, resulting in what Stone called a “solar wind tsunami.” These vibrations reached the area around Voyager this spring. Measurements taken between April 9 and May 22 of this year show that Voyager 1 was, at that time, located in an area with an electron density of about 0.08 per cubic centimeter. This illustration shows NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft entering the space between stars. In the interstellar medium, the density of electrons is thought to be between 0.05 and 0.22 per cubic centimeter.
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Solar Innovation Gets New ARPA-E Funding Chance

As renewable energy storage and grid integration are researched extensively within the Department of Energy, these workshops serve to expose the areas where more innovation is needed, foresee future technology and cost roadblocks, and enable the development of an investment strategy uniquely suited to ARPA-Es abilities as an agency. The FOCUS program follows on the heels of ARPA-Es Grid-Scale Rampable Intermittent Dispatchable Storage ( GRIDS ) and High Energy Advanced Thermal Storage ( HEATS ) programs, which aim to revolutionize cost-effective solutions to storing thermal energy on the grid. These programs, like FOCUS, support breakthrough technologies that can lower the cost of integrating renewable energy on the grid, while strengthening its reliability. ARPA-E invested a total of $71 million in these two programs. ARPA-Es investments in far-sighted and cutting-edge clean energy research suggest that seemingly impractical realities are not only attainable, but actually within our reach as long as we invest in the technology innovation to get us there.
First found at http://www.earthtechling.com/2013/08/solar-innovation-gets-new-arpa-e-funding-chance/

SPI 2013: Ginlong’s inverter innovations

The GCI-5K-H Single Phase Transformerless Hybrid Inverter, which was released in November last year, is a breakthrough innovation. It supports a hybrid solar and wind grid-tied system with a single inverter, in place of the industry standard practice of using two inverters, thus simplifying installation and reducing cost. The GCI-10K Three-Phase Transformerless Commercial Inverter is newly released to the North America Solar Market. Designed with the latest Silicon Carbide (SiC) and transformerless technology, GCI-10K realizes high efficiency (Peak Efficiency 98%), inherently high reliability and cost savings while maintaining the light weight and company design (88 lbs). It has one of the best performance-cost ratios in the world for this product class. Ginlong recently-upgraded GCI-2K and GCI-5K Single Phase Transformerless Solar Inverters also help encourage residential and commercial installations in North America. Among features of these innovative inverters are: Certifications to most of country standards such as UL1741 (CEC listed), CE, VDE, G83/G59, AS 4777 and CSA.
Initially uncovered at: http://www.solarnovus.com/spi-2013-ginlong-presents-its-latest-inverters_N6999.html

Residential Solar Energy Campaign Comes To Manchester

“The Town of Manchester is proud to participate in the Solarize CT program, which will make solar panels available to homeowners at substantially reduced cost,” Mayor Leo Diana said in a prepared statement. Homeowners can expect to save 15 percent to 20 percent on the base costs of solar power systems, according to Solarize Connecticut, which announced earlier this month that 175 property owners had signed contracts for panel installation in Bridgeport , Canton , Coventry, Mansfield and Windham . “Each town saw more than twice as many residential solar installations as they had in the last seven years,” according to the organization. Also involved in the statewide effort is SmartPower, a nonprofit organization that organizes community-based clean energy campaigns, and the John Merck Fund, which funds clean energy programs. At the Oct. 3 information session, residents can learn whether their homes are suitable for solar energy.
Initially rediscovered at http://www.courant.com/community/manchester/hc-manchester-solar-0917-20130916,0,7104227.story

Japan Solar Energy PV Industry Reaches 10 GW Milestone

This was helped along by; The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) launched a subsidy program for residential PV systems as far back as 1994. Initially, the subsidy covered 50% of the cost of PV systems. The budget for FY 1994 was 2 billion Yen. Until 2005, Japan had the largest installed PV capacity of any country in the world. This early leadership position was achieved through a well-managed set of programs, coupled with attractive market incentives.
Initially revealed at: http://theenergycollective.com/joshshill/273976/japan-solar-pv-industry-reaches-10-gw-milestone

Tamil Nadu takes India’s solar power capacity up 30%

RELATED CHENNAI: India’s installed solar power capacity is poised to jump 30% with the Tamil Nadu government close to signing power purchase agreements for 700 megawatts (MW) by the end of October. Once the plants are up and running, Tamil Nadu will have the second largest solar power capacity in India after Gujarat, the pioneer in such projects in the country. India has 1,759.43MW of grid-connected solar power, with close to 800MW coming from Gujarat. The projects are expected to be ready for commissioning next year. As part of TN’s solar power policy, which aims at installing 3,000MW of capacity by 2015, a total of 52 companies will sign agreements with the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) for capacity totalling 698MW at a tariff of 6.48 per unit (with a 5% increase annually for 10 years).
First spotted at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/the-good-earth/Tamil-Nadu-takes-Indias-solar-power-capacity-up-30/articleshow/22642482.cms

Solar Energy International (sei) Blog

Brinckerhoff, Manager, Costa Rica Entomological SupplyMember, Sat Yoga Institute Installing solar and utilizing the sun’s power as a clean energy option requires a realm of solar training knowledge and skill sets I have long lacked. As a participant… Leadership Changes New for 2012 at Solar Energy International Tresi Houpt The Solar Energy International Board of Directors and Executive Director Johnny Weiss have announced that on Jan. 1, 2012, Weiss will transition into the position of advising co-founder, where he will focus his time on program design and business…
Initially encountered at http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/solar-energy-international-1158/blog

Report: How Solar Remains Attractive Without Key Incentives In California

SunPower Corporation http://us.sunpowercorp.com Co-founded by Dr. Richard Swanson in the 1970s, SunPower has become a successful company leading the charge in providing high-energy solar systems for organizations and government agencies along with solar panels for homes. Headquartered in San Jose, California, the company also has offices located worldwide, particularly in Spain, Switzerland, Korea and Australia. Some of the positions and experts they are currently recruiting for include project managers, engineers/technical trainers, and product marketing managers. Suntech Power Holding Ltd.
For even more, take a look at the original source on this website: http://www.examiner.com/article/solar-energy-top-employers-for-solar-technology-applicants

Will Shale Gas Boom Hurt Solar Energy, Electric Cars?

But a bill, AB 327, which received the final approval from the Legislature on Thursday, would allow the Public Utilities Commission to remove that cap if certain conditions are met. The utilities, meanwhile, would get to use different rates to charge their customers, and the new rates should more adequately compensate the utilities for their efforts to carry out net metering. After some intense negotiations, compromises have been made to the bill, which now heads to Gov. Browns desk for his signature. It removes numerous artificial regulatory constraints on the growth of solar, said Bryan Miller, president of the Alliance for Solar Choice and vice president of public policy at Sunrun, a residential solar financing company in San Francisco. AB 327 also would allow the commission to modify a regulation that currently requires the three utilities to increase the amount of renewable electricity solar, wind, geothermal and others in their power supplies to 33% by 2020.
For the primary comprehensive source, check this stuff out at http://www.forbes.com/sites/uciliawang/2013/09/12/report-how-solar-remains-attractive-without-key-incentives-in-california/

Is Solar Energy Still Growing in the United States?

At least six of 10 largest U.S. homebuilders led by KB Home include the photovoltaic devices in new construction, according to supplier SunPower Corp. (SPWR) Two California towns are mandating installations, and demand for the systems that generate electricity at home will jump 56 percent nationwide this year,according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. “In the next six months, homebuilders in California and the expensive-energy states will be going solar as a standard,and just incorporating it into the cost of the house like any other feature,” Jim Petersen, chief executive officer of the PetersenDean Inc., the largest closely held U.S. roofing and solar contractor, said in an interview. Lashing panels to roofs during construction is about 20percent cheaper than after a house is built. Homeowners who can afford the extra $10,000 to $20,000 cost in return for free power threaten the business of traditional utilities such as Edison International of California or Kansas’ Westar Energy Inc.
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Solar Energy: Top Employers for Solar Technology Applicants

AP ViewEnlargedImage First, what about electric cars, if in the short run the shale boom helps keep electric grid costs down? Stock Rocket The gold standard on the electric road is Tesla Motors ( TSLA ), up about 400% this year in the stock market . Tesla’s Model S isn’t apt to be bought simply to save money through plug-in power vs. the price of gasoline. The General Motors ( GM ) Chevy Volt hybrid, Nissan ( NSANY ) Leaf plug-in and Toyota ( TM ) Prius plug-in, perhaps more so. “I could definitely see from the price-of-fuel perspective it could promote the adoption of electric vehicles,” said Andrew Soare, an analyst leading the alternative fuel practice at Lux Research. “I don’t think it’ll have a dramatic acceleration effect on the market.
The extensive document on which this curated clip was actually derived from can be located at http://news.investors.com/business/091313-671020-will-shale-oil-gas-hurt-solar-energy-sector-electric-cars.htm

Solar Panel Is Next Granite Countertop for Homebuilders

Unfortunately for its less diverse peers, the same can’t be said. Tune in below for more details. Despite the gains solar energy has made, record oil and natural gas production is still revolutionizing the United States’ energy position. For this reason, the Motley Fool is offering a comprehensive look at three energy companies set to soar during this transformation in the energy industry. To find out which three companies are spreading their wings, we invite you to check out the special free report, ” 3 Stocks for the American Energy Bonanza .” Don’t miss out on this timely opportunity; click here to access your report — it’s absolutely free. Joel South has no position in any stocks mentioned. Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of SolarCity.
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First Power And Light Increases Wholesale Solar Panel Business

12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via PRWEB – First Power and Light, Inc. ( VOLT ) announced today that its acquisition target, First Power and Light, LLC (FPL) has experienced a significant increase in its revenue from its Photo Voltaic (PV) solar panel wholesale distribution and liquidation business. FPL has shipped $700,000 (USD) in wholesale panels per month during the last quarter and almost $1 million in this past month. This equates to approximately 4 megawatts (4 million watts) this past quarter. Based on this trend, FPL’s management anticipates shipping approximately 5 megawatts this month with a market value of over $ 2 million. FPL has become one of the larger solar panel discounters in the United States, distributing mega watts of solar panels at an approximate average price of under 60 cents/watt while most panel makers sell their panels in the 75 to 90 cents/watt range.
For the primary complete resource, take a closer look at http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-power-light-increases-wholesale-185838922.html

Wisconsin libertarians embrace solar power

More important, it reaffirms private property rights. We should all be in favor of that, Ehlers said. Its really no different than a satellite dish company providing you with a satellite dish so that I can watch TV channels that I cant get through my local marketplace. The existence of state and federal subsidies for renewable energy was a sticking point in the committees debate. We are, of course, not in favor of that, but theyre subsidizing the coal industry, theyre subsidizing the natural gas industry, theyre subsidizing fracking. We want all subsidies to end, Ehlers said. Eventually, the committee voted 6-1 to approve a carefully worded endorsement that supports a property owners right to buy and generate on-site power, regardless of whether a regulated public utility is involved in the process: On the matter of public utilities and their definitions, the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin recognizes that existing definitions and regulations can swiftly become obsolete as new technologies and service innovations come into existence.
For even more, checkout the main document on this website: http://www.salon.com/2013/09/10/wisconsin_libertarians_embrace_solar_power_plan_newscred/

Solar panels shine on Markham homeowner’s budget

He rents out his roof. After more than 18 months of generating solar power through an array of solar panels on his roof and selling it back to the grid, he received his first cheque this spring for $680. About two years ago, after reading an article, Mr. Chan learned of Pure Energies, a onetime Markham company that sells solar panel arrays and leases rooftop space from residents to set up solar panels. After meeting with engineers to measure his roof, about 30 solar panels were set up at no cost to the homeowner. The article said, Free, he said. I had to find out if it was really free.
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Solar Film Could Power Planes

SolarWindow would provide supplementary power production, potentially reducing the size and weight of ancillary power systems aboard commercial airliners or power lightweight emergency equipment for downed pilots (that are presumably in need of a rescue or in an unfriendly place). This might be something that Boeing should consider in light of exploding batteries – if the engineering and regulations permit.Its at least currently more practical than planes that are entirely solar powered . Unlike traditional PV, New Energys SolarWindowcoatings produce electricity from both natural sunlight and artificial light sources, and the system continues to produce power in low-light or shaded conditions, explained Dr. Scott Hammond, principal scientist of New Energy Technologies. New Energy debuted a prototype of its SolarWindow technology in 2010.
For even more, checkout the main reference on this site: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/solar-film-could-power-planes/29061

Duke Energy begins expansion of its Beaufort County solar project

Sources added, “Individual non-residential rooftop PV system capacity will be limited to generate up to the maximum of 6% of the consumer’s previous year’s energy consumption, up to the maximum installed capacity of 100 KW. All rooftop PV systems shall have a single bi-directional meter to measure the import and export of electricity. According to the proposed policy, power companies will charge the consumer on the ‘net’ consumption of electricity at the end of the billing cycle. In case a consumer is a net generator at the end of the billing cycle, the company will not be liable to pay to the consumer for any excess energy fed into the grid.” Channel partners, selected by ministry of new and renewable energy, will be the contact point between the government agencies and customers. While the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) will facilitate the channel partners in claiming the subsidy, all the applications will be routed through it to any avoid duplication of benefits. For base calculation, 1 KW of solar PV installation will cost Rs 80,000 to 90,000 and generate 4 to 4.5 units per day.
For even more, take a look at the genuine reference right here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Rooftop-solar-panels-to-help-slash-power-bills/articleshow/22421750.cms

Rooftop solar panels to help slash power bills

Since 2007, Duke Energy has invested more than $3 billion to grow its commercial wind and solar business. About Duke Energy Renewables Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy’s Commercial Businesses, is a leader in developing innovative wind and solar energy generation projects for customers throughout the United States. The company’s growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes 15 wind farms and 15 solar farms in operation in twelve states, totaling more than 1,700 megawatts in electric-generating capacity. Learn more at http://www.duke-energy.com/renewables. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.
Initially discovered at http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130909-906612.html

Cheaper Chinese Solar Panels Are Not Due To Low-cost Labor

New Connectors Let Solar Cells Withstand the Power of 70,000 Suns

The MSP represents the minimum price at which a company can sell its products while providing an adequate return for the company. Using industry-validated figures from the first half of 2012, they estimated an MSP of $1.19 per Watt for US solar panels, compared to $0.91 per Watt for Chinese solar panels, representing a price advantage of 23 per cent for a China-based manufacturer. But when they examined country-specific factors for this price difference, they found that China’s historical advantage of low-cost labour was counteracted by other regional influences, and that the dominant reason behind its success is primarily the scale of solar panel manufacturing in the region, enabled by access to capital and a less restrictive business and regulatory environment. The study shows that the density of production and the cost-benefit of using local suppliers give a China-based manufacturer access to cheaper materials and machinery. These scale and supply-chain advantages provide a China-based solar panel factory with a significant MSP advantage of $0.28 per Watt. Al Goodrich, Senior Analyst at NREL and lead author of the study said: “These advantages, which are not indigenous to China, could be replicated by manufacturers based in other countries if comparable scale could be achieved. “But for solar power, there’s a chicken and egg problem: consistent demand is needed to provide manufacturers with access to the capital required to achieve large scale production, but large-scale production will be necessary for solar power to compete as an energy source without subsidies.
Initially revealed at: http://phys.org/news/2013-09-cheaper-chinese-solar-panels-due.html

Rooftop solar panels become new enemy of U.S. firefighters

Scientists at North Carolina State University recently discovered that a thin film of gallium arsenide in the solar cell junctions can stop virtually all voltage loss, and let the cells work efficiently under the power of 70,000 suns. Yeah, we only have one sun, but thanks to lenses we can beef that up to at least a few thousand in concentrated power. Dr. Salah Bedair, a senior author of the study, described the accomplishment to PhysOrg this way: [It] is more than sufficient for practical purposes, since concentrating lenses are unlikely to create more than 4,000 or 5,000 suns worth of energy. …This should reduce overall costs for the energy industry because, rather than creating large, expensive solar cells , you can use much smaller cells that produce just as much electricity by absorbing intensified solar energy from concentrating lenses. So a 70,000 sun tolerance is still pretty ridiculous unless we colonize Tatooine or something.
Acquired from: http://gizmodo.com/new-stacked-solar-cells-can-withstand-the-power-of-70-0-1268861827

Solar panels to dot roof of home in Sewickley historic district

The utility is contacting contractors and customers who plan to install solar panels to make sure they know about equipment upgrades they might have to pay for. The utility is asking to be contacted before customers make arrangements to install the panels. Rooftop solar panels are providing all of the electricity consumed during some daylight hours in about 13 percent of Oahu neighborhoods, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ( http://ow.ly/oDwS2 ) reported Friday. Data from the utility show about 5 percent of its customers on Oahu and Maui have installed PV systems. About 4 percent of Big Island customers have done so. Hawaii ranks third nationally in the amount of electricity generated by solar energy on a per capita basis, according to Solar Energy Industries Association . “One of the biggest challenges is that we have had this growth in the photovoltaic sector that’s been so fast and so explosive,” said Scott Seu , the utility’s vice president for energy resources and operations.
First spotted at: http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/Solar-power-boom-could-mean-more-HECO-charges-4792966.php

The home was built in 1910, according to Allegheny County real estate records. Should borough leaders consider limiting solar panel use in a historic district, the Falks would be grandfathered in and wouldn’t have to make changes to suit any new laws, council member Susan Aleshire said. Across the country, California leads with the highest number of residential solar panel installations this year, according to the Washington-based Solar Energy Industries Association. Pennsylvania ranks ninth. The organization estimates that new solar electric capacity added in 2013 will generate enough electricity to power more than 960,000 homes.
First uncovered at: http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yoursewickley/yoursewickleymore/4621955-74/solar-panels-historic

Solar power boom could mean more HECO charges

The industry also has a PR problem, following the collapse of Solyndra, the California-based solar company that declared bankruptcy in 2011 after receiving a $528 million federal loan. In every industry thats going through this maturity growth or life cycle, there are going to be businesses that dont make it that has to happen, said Hamm, calling the Solyndra debacle a political issue and not a solar one. While businesses and utilities accounted for the majority of solar work nationally in 2012 and so far this year, Leavitt said government incentives offer significant savings for homeowners cutting the cost of a home system in half. A residential system that can deliver both heat and hot water can be installed for about $10,000 after incentives, Leavitt said. Such a system, which works with a traditional gas furnace, typically cuts a homeowners annual heating bill by about a 33 percent and water heating bill by 70 percent, Leavitt said. If youre considering installing solar panels, make sure you dont plan to make roof repairs any time soon. These systems have 20-plus years of life, Hamm said. You dont want to put up a system, and then pay to have it taken down and put up again. The Solar Power International 2013 trade show runs Oct.
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Solar industry tries to shine light on misconceptions

“Do I think we’d have had a different outcome if we could get on the roof? Sure,” Delanco Deputy Fire Chief Robert Hubler said. Solar energy has grown rapidly over the past decade, primarily in California, Arizona and New Jersey. Risks to fire responders have prompted building codes and firefighter training, but implementation is spotty and often left to individual jurisdictions. “We are working very closely with firefighters across the United States on the development of codes and standards.
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With Rooftop Solar On The Rise, U.s. Utilities Are Striking Back

Salt Lake City creates solar power information website

A bill in the California legislature, backed by the utility interests would add $120 a year in fees to rooftop solar customers. But other utility companies are adopting a different strategy they are joining forces with solar interests. NRG Energy, based in Princeton, N.J., has created a rooftop solar unit to sell systems to businesses and,eventually, homeowners. New Jerseys PSE&G is making loans to solar customers, and Duke Energy and Edison International have invested in Clean Power Finance , a San Francisco-based firm that has raised half a billion dollars to finance solar projects. The industry is divided on how to deal with the opportunity or threat, says Nat Kreamer , Clean Power Finances CEO. Some utilities are saying, how do I make money off distributed solar, as opposed to, how do I fight distributed solar. Distributed solar which produces electricity outside the grid has become one of the more polarizing topics in the power industry, with some utilities joining the party, some doing just what is legislatively mandated, and others remaining reluctant and not being true believers, according to a new report from Citi Research, called Rising Sun: Implications for U.S. Utilities. The report warns the utilities that solar is here to stay, and very early in the growth cycle in the U.S. Until recently, utilities could ignore solar.
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Dietz & Watson warehouse blaze: solar panels hampered firefighting, officials say

The districts legal staff then spent four months reviewing that agreement ultimately requesting only minor changes. The countys legal staff responded quickly, and approved a revised partnership agreement within one week, according to the timeline. But with the ball back in the school districts court, things slowed down. Another three months passed before School Board members were presented with the agreement to vote on. When the school district finally tried to hire a construction company, there were more problems. The price estimates coming from various companies were too high. Broward County agreed to contribute another $20,000 so that the solar panels could still be built. The next issue to arise, however, derailed the project for good.
For the first comprehensive resource, take a closer look at http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/03/3604090/broward-loses-out-on-grant-to.html

Posted: Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:15 am Solar panels rise in Walmart parking lot By DARRELL JACKSON, Staff Writer The Glendale Star | 0comments Rising in the parking lot at the Walmart on Northern Avenue are covered parking stalls that look to be a nice addition for people looking to shop and keep their cars cool. But there is something more than just covered parking spaces. Looking to extend its environmental sustainability, Walmart has begun installing solar panels on the tops of those covers to supply electricity to the store. We set out in 2005 to increase our environmental sustainability as an essential ingredient to our company, said Senior Manager of Sustainability Communications Chris Schroeder. We started construction on the covered parking panels in several Arizona stores as a test because the climate is perfect for it. The solar power pilot project is a major step toward Walmarts goal of having each store supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.Each solar power-generating system can provide up to 20 percent of the power for the store in which it is installed.By Walmarts estimates, installing the solar power systems will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,500-10,000 metric tons per year. Pilot project stores are expected to achieve savings over their current utility rates immediately – as soon as the first day of operation, said Schroeder. Schroeder said that Walmarts environmental sustainability program has become an essential ingredient for the company doing business responsibly and successfully. As the world’s largest retailer, Walmart sees the solar panels as a potential to save its customers money and help ensure a better world for generations to come. SolarCity, a national company based in California with an office in Arizona, was hired by Walmart after the company had used them in the past. We work with different vendors around the country, but we have a good working relationship with SolarCity, Schroeder said.
For the original comprehensive source, take a closer look at http://www.glendalestar.com/news/article_dfe7b260-10d0-11e3-9aa1-0019bb2963f4.html

Solar panels rise in Walmart parking lot

“We may very well not be able to save buildings that have alternative energy,” William Kramer, New Jerseys acting fire marshall, said after Delanco Fire Chief Ron Holt refused to send his firefighters onto the roof of the 300,000-square foot Dietz & Watson facility, ablaze since Sunday afternoon. Solar panels are particularly hazardous to firefighters for a number of reasons, according to Ken Willette, a division manager with the National Fire Protection Association. “There is a possibility of electric shock because the electricity to the panels cant be shut off,” he said, “and not having a clear path on the roof to cut a ventilation hole is another challenge.” Essentially, solar panels, comprised of photoelectric cells, generate electricity from solar radiation, and any kind of light at all, said Willette, will activate the panels, including “streetlights, floodlights, even firefighters flashlights. Those panels are extremely efficient.” Those fighting the Dietz & Watson blaze were hampered by water supply issues, too, according to Kramer, and even as much of the fire had died out by today, the building was still being doused with water from fire hoses. Electric shock and slipping and tripping on solar panel roof displays are just two of a number of potential hazards in fighting fires at “green” structures, say experts. Others include structural collapse because of the weight of the panels on the roof and inhalation exposure as solar batteries exposed to fire are capable of generating extremely caustic fumes and gases. The installation of thousands of solar panels on the roof of the warehouse in Delanco township hampered firefighting efforts from Sunday afternoon until Monday evening, officials said. A Star-Ledger file photo of solar panels.Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger With more than 9,000 solar energy installations, the Garden State is the second largest solar energy market in the United States after California, according to a 2010 report, “Solar Power and its Impact on the Fire Service,” produced by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Although the maximum voltage of a solar panel system is just 600 volts, a low voltage, according to the Division of Fire Safety, from “even a momentary contact … can produce continuous shock, thermal injury and ventricular fibrillation.” In its own 2010 report, the Fire Protection Research Foundation said, “The inability to de-energize individual photovoltaic panels exposed to sunlight cannot be overemphasized.
Originally encountered at http://www.nj.com/burlington/index.ssf/2013/09/dietz_and_watson_warehouse_fire_solar_panels_make_battling_blaze_much_harder_officials_say.html

Broward loses out on grant to put solar panels at middle school

4 2013 1:48 p.m. MDT Updated: 17 hours ago Salt Lake City has announced a new digital tool aimed at streamlining the path to solar energy use. Screenshot Enlarge photo Summary Salt Lake City has announced a new digital tool aimed at streamlining the path to solar energy use. SALT LAKE CITY Utah’s capital city has announced a new digital tool aimed at streamlining the path to solar energy use. The tool, http://www.SolarSimplified.org , was developed with the goal of simplifying the solar process for all sectors, with the overall objective of reducing the time, costs and complexity of going solar. The website was created by Salt Lake City and Utah Clean Energy, with contributions from Salt Lake County and the Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center, and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative’s Rooftop Solar Challenge and the Wasatch Solar Challenge. Local clean energy experts at Utah Clean Energy developed the websites content, with senior policy associate Sara Baldwin at the helm of the project.
For the initial completed resource, have a look at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865585773/Salt-Lake-City-creates-solar-power-information-website.html?pg=all

Solar Power Has Record Year Despite Bankruptcies

Solar panels will grace south wall of Milwaukee Public Museum

Over 3.3 gigawatts of solar power were installed last year, according to a report Thursday from the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group. That’s enough to power about 500,000 homes, and it was a 76% increase from 2011. The industry credited the jump to the declining price of solar panels, stable tax incentives and better financing options . “We’ve brought more new solar online in 2012 than in the three prior years combined,” SEIA head Rhone Resch said in a statement. “And every one of these panels was bolted down by a member of the U.S. workforce.” The industry estimates it now employs 119,000 people in the United States — a 13% jump over last year.
Noted from: http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/14/news/economy/solar-power/index.html

Solar Power Returns to the White House

Presente responded to the letter by putting the ads on cable TV in Sacramento and the Central Valley on Tuesday. The spat stems from proposed state legislation, AB 327 , that would change the way net metering works for utility customers who generate solar power. Net metering allows homes and businesses that have rooftop solar systems to sell excess power back to the power company. The proposed legislation would likely reduce the amount that solar power users could earn from that power generation. Environmental and solar energy industry groups in the state oppose the legislation because it would reduce incentives to install solar systems. Southern California Edison and other utilities in the state have sought changes to net metering, saying solar power users are not paying their fair share to cover grid and other infrastructure costs. “It’s not that Southern California Edison doesn’t understand satire or First Amendment issues,” said Vanessa McGrady, a spokeswoman for the utility.
Originally uncovered at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/california-solar-energy_n_3832484.html

Solar-powered lights in Somalia refugees camp help protect against night-time sex attacks

Because of fears that chunks of marble could fall during the panels’ removal, the adjacent Puelicher Butterfly Vivarium has been closed during the project. It will take until November for removal of all the marble panels and another month for installation of the solar panels. The problem with the marble slabs was discovered when Milwaukee County did inspections of the exteriors of many county buildings, following the O’Donnell Park fatality in 2010, Censky said. A 15-year-old boy was killed and two others were injured when a concrete slab fell from the O’Donnell facade, prompting a county-wide review. The museum panels were not considered at risk of failing. “It was a serious enough problem for us to want to remove the marble panels and reinstall them with new (metal) clips,” said Greg High, director of Milwaukee County’s architectural and engineering division. The county owns the museum building at 800 W. Wells St. The original idea was to replace only damaged panels with new ones and add new connectors for all 234 panels. But that proved too costly and would not have permitted the addition of insulation, High said.
Initially stumbled upon at http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/solar-panels-will-grace-south-wall-of-milwaukee-public-museum-b9987347z1-222088061.html

Women living in Mogadishus hundreds of refugee camps often stay and dont use communal bathrooms at home at night because of the threat men armed with knives and guns pose to them. With the installation of 79 solar-powered lights by the Danish Refugee Council in a camp known as Zone K, life has returned to Mogadishus nights. Britains fractious energy debate Karla Adam A quiet English village has become a focal point for those who are against a shale gas revolution. Lebanon braces for fallout of any U.S.-led strikes on Syria Loveday Morris The threat of attacks on Syria add to uncertainty in neighboring Lebanon, which is facing pressures of its own. Russian law makes life harder for gay teenagers Kathy Lally Online support grows for LGBT youth in a nation where its seen as illegal to say homosexuality in front of minors. Iranian exile deaths reported in Iraqi camp Adam Schreck The National Council of Resistance of Iran alleges that those killed died in a raid by Iraqi security forces Sunday. It feels like we are starting a new life, Sadiya Hussein, a mother of four, said while resting with other women on a sandy spot near their homes, which are made out of sheet metal or sticks and cloth. Because of the lights we can come together to chat and get some fresh air. No rapist can sneak in now.
To get more, look at the initial source on this page: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/solar-powered-lights-in-somalia-refugees-camp-help-protect-against-night-time-sex-attacks/2013/09/02/7135e006-13ca-11e3-b220-2c950c7f3263_story.html

California Solar Energy Plan Inspires Ads Mocking Utility

During a Reagan era roof replacement, the panels were removed (some say at the behest of oil companies that were offended by Carters commie technology). About ten years ago, the George W Bush Administration had new panels installed, but with a catch. A maintenance shed off site held the actual units, which connected via an underground conduit to several White House operations rooms. This week, the Obama administration made good on a promise to make the White House that much greener by beginning installation on the roof of a productive, modern solar photovoltaic array. While its unknown how much juice these panels actually provide, Obama has stated a wish that 20% of government energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2020 . As for the Carter panels, which languished for years in a government warehouse, there is a happy ending. An enterprising employee of Unity college saw them in a magazine, and thanks to government re-appropriation programs drove a battered old soccer bus down from Maine to pick them up. The project is not without some irony however, as Scientific American reported: In fact, since 1992 16 of the 32 solar panels have been on the Unity College cafeteria roof, located just 15 minutes from the often overcast coast of Maine, warming water in summer and winter.
To get more, visit the original document on this site: http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/99965/solar-power-returns-to-the-white-house/