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.

Video - Drought in California: No Rain in San Francisco

Drought is making life difficult in areas all over the world and one of the worst hit areas is California. As a sign California's persistent drought, downtown San Francisco recorded no measurable rain in January 2015, this is the first time this has happened in at least 165 years. The National Weather Service also said Santa Cruz recorded no rain in January for the first time since 1893. Normal rainfall for that city in January is more than 6 inches. For the Bay Area as a whole, last month was the driest January on record, the weather service said.

Climate Change Increases the Risk of Megadroughts

If we do not take the appropriate actions to stave off climate change the number of megadroughts will significantly increase.

New research has quantified the risks from climate change and provided insights into the prospects of megadroughts in the US and around the world. The  study is titled, "Assessing the risk of persistent drought using climate model simulations and paleoclimate data."

Climate Change Induced Drought Threatens Brazil's Carnival

Climate change induced drought is forcing Brazil to scale back its iconic Carnival celebrations. The worst drought in over 80 years is killing crops and depriving millions of Brazilians of drinking water. The current drought began in 2005, and with no end in site it is being called a megadrought. This type of chronic water shortage has been shown to have played a pivotal role in the demise of at least 5 civilizations.

Infographic - Civilizations that have Succumbed to Megadrought

Drought in California and Heat in Alaska

The beginning of this year recorded unprecedented drought and heat in the US. Record setting droughts have been ravaging California while Alaska is setting its own records for anomalous warm temperatures.

California has been experiencing a persistent drought. The Bay Area recorded its driest January on record. In the month of January the city of San Francisco recorded no measurable rain for the first time in 165 years.

Other cities in California have also suffered from an absence of rain in January. This includes the city of Santa Cruz which recorded no rain during the month for the first time since 1893 (normal rainfall for that city in January is more than 6 inches). Even in northern California the month of January was unusually dry and warm.

Infographic - US Megadroughts this Century

Event - Solar Power International: Who is Attending

This event will take place on October 20 - 23, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada. Some of the biggest names in the solar industry will be in attendence at Solar Power International. This includes:

G&W provides medium voltage switches to the renewable energy market. All G&W switches are maintenance-free, weatherproof, and can be used in submersible applications, as they are impervious to the environmental elements typically found in offshore wind applications. Ratings through 38 kV, 630 amps continuous, as well as fault interrupting up to 25 kA (-40° F to 122° F). Booth #2060

UL offers a suite of PV plant services that helps owner-operators, developers, financiers, EPCs, insurers and manufacturers manage risks associated with building and operating a PV plant. We help manage risk by providing technical information and data for energy yield assessments, technical due diligence, and measurements and inspection. Booth # 2912

Event - Solar Power International

This event will be held October 20-23, 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Solar Power International, the solar industry’s most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition.

Infographic - US Solar Power Statistics and Rankings

Click here to see the PDF.

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Infographic - The Growth of Solar Energy (2014)
Infographic: Global Solar Energy 2007 - 2014

Course - Solar Photovoltaic

This two-day course on solar photovoltaics (Basic + Advanced) will take place on the 26th - 27th September 2014, at Edinburgh Napier University. It is also available online. The course is designed for technicians and individuals intending to learn how to install, maintain and repair Solar Photovoltaic equipment.

Participants of this course learn how Solar Panels work and gain a thorough understanding of solar PV systems, this allows them to apply for registration with an Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

Charts and Graphs - US Drought Severity

Photovaltaic Panel Shortages - The Downside of the Solar Boom

The solar industry is booming but a looming shortage of photovoltaic panels reveals that there is a downside to the industry's prodigious growth. A glut of photovoltaic panels drove prices down sharply. The oversupply that drove the price decline forced some companies into bankruptcy and slowed capital investment. Now the industry is expecting the first supply shortfall since 2006.

Although there will be huge demand from small scale solar, particularly home based, suppliers may sell most of their supply to big customers. If utility-scale solar farms get priority this will be a serious limiting factor inhibiting the growth of rooftop systems.

The news is not all bad. The fact that production capacity is not keeping up with demand is causing some companies to expand. Companies that are already expanding or planning to expand in the near term include Canadian Solar Inc SunPower Corp. The gap between supply and demand is expected to narrow by the end of 2014 and this is expected to lead to increased investments in advanced equipment.

Infographic - The Growth of Solar Energy

Solar's Prodigious Growth in the US

Home based solar, commercial scale solar and on-site solar for businesses are growing in the U.S. and around the world. US solar energy capacity grew 418 percent from 2010 to mid 2014 (2,326 megawatts to 12,057 megawatts).

Solar is one of the fastest-growing power sectors in the US and around the world. Over the last several years we have seen a 20 percent annual growth rate in the US solar industry. US solar power expanded by 100 percent in 2013.

Course - Electrics for Solar PV and Renewable Systems

This course on Electrics for Solar PV and renewable systems will address safety, instruments and controls. This intensive two-day course offers an exam for the Galileo Master Certificate. It is intended for professionals and individuals with a strong interest in the electrical equipment side of renewable systems, safety instruments and controls.

It will take place on the 24th - 25th September 2014, at Edinburgh Napier University. It is also available online with live tutorial.

Republicans Object to Federal Drought Aid and Refuse to Help Fight Wildfires

Droughts and related wildfires are two serious problems in the US, particularly in California. President Obama and the Democrats have been working to provide much needed federal aid to for these climate related disasters. Despite Republican objections, in May Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) succeeded in securing the support she needed to pass the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014. However, in August, Republicans stonewalled legislation that would have provided financial support to assist California in its effort to fight wildfires.

Fracking Operations Shut Down to Protect Drinking Water in California

California has forced the emergency shut-down of 11 oil and gas waste injection sites and a review of more than 100 others due to concerns that these companies may be poisoning aquifers. Cease and desist orders were issued on July 7th to oil and gas companies in drought wracked Central Valley.

California has been criticized for its oversight of its underground water resources. Many aquifers have already been contaminated by drilling operations in the state.

Some of these aquifers are protected but others are not. According to the government of California at least seven injection wells are likely pumping waste into fresh water aquifers protected by the law.

Drought Impacts California's Wine and Beer Industries

The drought in California is making it much harder for the state's wine and beer industries. Drought increases the costs for a wide range of businesses in California as well as in other water deprived regions of the world. Less water often translates to shortages and ultimately higher commodity prices. Some of the commodities impacted by drought include vegetable produce, meat, dairy, wine and beer.

California is the most widely regarded wine growing region in the US, however, the combination of global warming and drought could cut wine production in half within 30 years. It may also diminish the quality of the vineyards that remain. A good wine is determined in large part by the climate in which the grapes grow. As these grapes are forced to grow in warmer temperatures with less water it will impact the quality of the wines produced from them.