Solar Powered Plane Traverses the Pacific Ocean Highlighting the Importance of Renewable Energy (Video)

The Solar Impulse, a plane powered by nothing other than the sun has succeeded in crossing the Pacific Ocean. This amazing accomplishment highlights the capabilities and the importance of renewable energy. This record setting voyage was flown by pilot Andre Borschberg. The 118-hours it took to make the journey breaks a record for the longest nonstop solo flight ever.

Solar Plane in the Process of Setting a Record by Circumnavigating the Globe

A solar powered plane is making its way around the world. The lightweight plane is called Solar Impulse 2, it has a wingspan wider than a 747. The carbon fiber and polymer impregnated paper plane incorporates high performance energy management software, advanced lithium-ion batteries powered by 17,000 high efficiency solar cells.

The two rotating pilots hope to fly the plane into the record books. The flight began in Abu Dhabi on March 9 and is expected to conclude its global voyage in July of this year. The first leg of the journey took the plane to Muscat, Oman and then on to India on March 10.

President Clinton on What the American Public Needs to Know about Renewable Energy

As reviewed in a Renewable Energy World article, former President Bill Clinton made some very interesting points at Solar Power International 2012. Clinton was the keynote speaker for the September event where he addressed what the American public needs to know about renewable energy. His speech focused on the topics of government investment, the environment, economics, jobs, Solyndra, subsidies and the future of energy in America.

 Clinton emphasized the importance of private-public cooperation in the development of America's renewable energy potential. He mentioned the dire need for the solar industry to set the record straight regarding the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy.

Introduction to Solar PV (Course)

Green Power Academy presents Introduction to Solar PV. This one day course will take place on August 2, in London, UK. The course will provide a solid introduction to photovoltaic technologies Including their economics and business case. The course objectives include understanding Solar PV power generation. It describes and illustrates geographic variations in solar resource, explains the various technologies and system components required to create a project and discusses the business case issues such as costs, competition and regulatory frameworks. Challenges (and solutions) in integrating solar into the grid on a large-scale are included as are the pros and cons of competing power generation options (both renewable and fossil).

Introduction to PV Design and Installation and Exam Prep (Course)

Between Monday June 18th and Thursday June 21 a class on PV design will be taking place at the Atlantic Cape Community College, Mays Landing Campus East (an NABCEP approved training provider. The NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam is based on a set of learning objectives developed by NABCEP Committee of PV subject matter experts. PV design and installation concepts will be reviewed.

Solar Maghreb 2012 Congress and Exhibition (Event)

On May 22-23 May 2012, Solar Maghreb will convene in Morocco. This is the most established congress to focus exclusively on the North African solar markets. After dramatic changes in the region over the past year, Solar Maghreb will welcome official delegations from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Libya to formulate the next steps for the region's solar market.

Duties on Chinese Solar Higher than Expected

On May 17, 2012, The US Department of Commerce announced stiff anti-dumping tariffs that were much higher than expected. These duties amount to around 31 percent on crystalline silicon solar panels imported from China. The duties come in response to the Chinese government's dumping of solar panels below the cost of production.

FOCUS-EMPOWER-GROW - Solar Lighting for Africa - Hult Global Case Challenge (Video)

A basic explanation of one of the principles of the EIT's innovative solution to help Sunny money sell 1,000,000 solar lamps by 2013 and help eradicate the use of kerosene lamps by 2020.
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Countervailing Duties on Chinese Solar Cells (Video)

SolarWorld says the countervailing duties leveled against Chinese solar cells is "validating." In this video Ben Santarros speaks with Steve Leone about the International Trade Commission's ruling against Chinese cells. The US Government has found that illegal subsidies were indeed at play. This interview was published on March 21, 2012 by RenewableEnergyWorld.

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Implications of US Duties on Chinese Solar

The US Department of Commerce is imposing duties on Chinese solar manufacturers who are unfairly benefiting from China's export subsidies. The countervailing duties (CVD) is 3 to almost 5 percent. These modest duties were arrived at by the math done by the Department of Commerce in their ruling. Based on the Department of Commerce's numbers, Chinese solar companies aren't as heavily subsidized as many believe.

Cuts to UK Solar FiTs Could Prove Deadly

On October 31st 2011, Greg Barker, Minister of State at DECC, announced a controversial proposal to halve the feed-in tariff (FiT) rates for solar installations in each band up to 50kW, with smaller cuts in the bands from 50kW to 250kW. These cuts to FiTs are jeopardizing the UK solar industry. A FiT is a policy mechanism designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies. It achieves this by offering long-term contracts to renewable energy producers, typically based on the cost of generation of each technology. Cuts to homeowners solar power could prove deadly to the fledgling UK industry in addition to threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012

The Chinese solar industry will achieve unprecedented growth in 2012, adding between 2.8 and 5 GW. The strong growth of Chinese solar in 2012 is due to both the 12th Five Year Plan for Renewable Energy Development (2011-2015) and their feed-in tariffs (FiTs).

Sun Powered Entrepreneurship in Ghana

There are a number of green entrepreneurs popping up in Africa. One such entrepreneur is Addosolar, this company offers portable solar products for the people of Ghana. Their goal is to help address the need for light due to daily power outages in the nation, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

South Africa and the Rise of Renewable Energy on the Continent

Two of the largest renewable energy projects ever attempted are being built on the African continent. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors have approved $250 million in funding for the Eskom Renewables Energy Support Project (ERSP) to help implement major solar and wind power projects in South Africa. The new financing complements the US$260 million provided to Eskom to implement the Upington and Sere renewable energy projects included in the $3.75 billion Eskom Investment Support Project approved in April 2010.

Lesotho's Renewable Energy Projects One of the Largest in Africa

One of the largest energy projects in Africa is being built in the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho. This renewable energy project will make power from wind and water. The Lesotho highlands power project (LHPP) will cost $15bn (£9bn) and will generate 6,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power and 4,000MW of hydropower.

Coca-Cola's Solar Rebuilding in Japanese Schools

Coca-Cola is installing solar panels on Japanese schools to help with the country’s rehabilitation. The Coca-Cola Japan Reconstruction Fund was established under the Coca-Cola Educational & Environmental Foundation. This fund has allocated 1.5 billion yen (US$18.9 million) to integrate solar power into the rebuilding of public elementary and junior high schools damaged by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Princeton is Building the Largest Solar Array of Any University

Princeton University is planning to build a 27-acre solar field consisting of 16,500 photovoltaic panels making it the largest solar field for any US college or university. It will produce enough energy to power 700 households. The EPA estimates that the solar array is equivalent of taking more than 1,200 cars off the road, which translates to a reduction of 3,090 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year.

SolarDay 2011

SolarDay takes place on Saturday June 18 in Canada, the US and the UK (November 19 in Australia). This is the third annual SolarDay event, it celebrates solar energy and its capacity to help protect the planet from global warming. SolarDay includes events by cities, non-profits, companies and the solar industry.

SolarDay 2010 events were held in 26 US cities and included municipal proclamations declaring an Official SolarDay. One 2011 SolarDay event in New Orleans involved multiple non-profit organizations working in concert with the city.

Members of the U.S. Congress Supporting SolarDay 2011 include California Senator Dianne Feinstein. Congresswoman Doris Matsui is also supporting SolarDay with letters on the SolarDay website to encourage public participation and awareness of how solar energy can reduce monthly energy bills - while provided much-need "green" jobs for the US economy.

Event organizers see solar as the next step in the "Greening of America" movement that includes driving a hybrid car, shopping for organic and sustainably-farmed foods, doing business with green companies, recycling, saving energy and avoiding, as much as possible the burning of finite and polluting fossil fuels that play a significant role in the production of greenhouse gases and global warming.

Costly fossil fuels are a finite resource that threaten the planet and all its inhabitants. By some estimates, we have 50 years of oil reserves, 200 years of coal reserves and at least 5 billion years of solar energy. It is clear that our energy future is dependent upon the renewable energy we can harvest from the sun.

For more information, or to find local events in your area, visit the SolarDay site.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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PV America 2011

PV America is the foremost event for the solar photovoltaic industry in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. This event features a lineup of recognized financial leaders and experts in the solar power field discussing solar project financing, best practices, and advances in technologies. PV America 2011 takes place April 3-5 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

PV America is presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)® and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) ®, whose combined efforts have created a world-class, regionally focused and vertically integrated event that engages a wide spectrum of industry professionals.

Established in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA works to build a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA cooperates with its 1,000 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy.

SEPA is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to helping utilities integrate solar power into their energy portfolios. With more than 750 utility and solar industry members, SEPA® provides unbiased utility solar market intelligence, up-to-date information about technologies and business models, and peer-to-peer interaction. From hosting national events to one-on-one counseling, SEPA® helps utilities make smart solar decisions.

"We've drawn some of the most experienced thinkers and strategists in the PV business," says Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. "The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region represents one of the strongest U.S. markets for current PV installations and one of the most promising for projected growth. This conference is designed to move regional businesses forward, giving company owners, managers and consultants the tools and strategies they need to make the most of this high-growth opportunity."

“The current utility PV market in the U.S., valued at $1 billion per year, has the potential to reach $8 billion by 2015 and the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region is a major player in this expansive growth,” says Julia Hamm, president and CEO of SEPA.

“The conference sessions provide excellent insights on important issues like overcoming interconnection challenges, working more productively with utilities, and how to best leverage SREC subsidies.” PV America sessions offer expert advice on the latest trends, issues, and legislation in the PV industry in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region.

PV America 2011 offers two general sessions. On Monday, April 4, the Leadership Perspectives session features Rhone Resch, president and CEO, SEIA, and Bob Gibson, vice president, Market Intelligence, SEPA. Resch presents analysis of some of the latest industry growth figures for the region and nation, along with inside tips for regional companies already in or looking to enter the solar business. Gibson highlights how utilities in the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast play leading roles in expanding the deployment of PV.

In a presentation, “Beyond the Point of No Return,” Erik R. Peterson, director of A.T. Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council and a senior adviser at CSIS, a Washington-based nonprofit think tank, discusses some of the most challenging global issues of our times.

On Tuesday, April 5, the second general session, entitled “Financing Solar Projects” features a panel of key players in the banking and financial services industries discussing and debating the state of financing in the solar industry. The session covers tax equity, debt, loan guarantees and other structured financing options. A series of 25 educational sessions cover topics in four tracks: Finance; Local, State and Federal Policies; Project, Market and Business Development; and Training the Workforce.

For registration information and fees visit PV America 2011.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Bill McKibben Goes to the White House

On September 10, exactly one month before the 10/10/10 event, 350.org's Bill McKibben and his team went to the White House. They entered the meeting with over 40,000 letters asking President Obama to return solar panels to the White House.

At McKibbens request, hundreds of people registered new work parties to encourage President Obama to reinstall solar panels on the White House roof.

On the way to Washington, McKibben wrote to his legions of followers from a biodiesel van on a highway in the state of Maine. McKibben shared the fact that he and his team were traveling with one of the solar panels that American president Jimmy Carter installed on the White House roof over three decades ago.

When this solar panel was installed in 1979, Carter said, "A generation from now this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people."

Sadly, the panels were removed by Republican President Ronald Reagan. Unity College salvaged them from a government warehouse and installed them on the roof of their school cafeteria. The school agreed to donate one solar panel back to the White House, "in the hope that it will spur Obama to pick up where Carter left off."

Mohamed Nasheed, president of the Maldives, had agreed to install solar panels on his roof on October 10 and McKibben was hoping that President Obama would do the same. However, McKibben left dissapointed as the White House has opted to continue its deliberations to figure out an appropriate course of action.

On October 10 2010, the Global Work Party will send the President and all politicians a clear message: we're getting to work, now it's time for you to do your part.

Independent of what political leaderships will do, McKibben and the 350.org team wants to send the message that we can control what happens in our communities, and we can use our own efforts to put more political pressure on our leaders.
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