DOE Extends Waiver of ARRA Buy American Act Today

Applauded by most of the Solar Products industry the DOE has extended the Waiver of the Buy American Act today. This will allow for photovoltaic products which are assembled offshore with American made components or those with foreign made components and assembled in the US to be ARRA compliant.
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Scientists Make Solar Cells with Low Cost Metal Oxide

New process may revolutionize building design by turning windows into power modules.
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National Green Week February 7-11 for Schools

 National Green Week 2011 kicks off February 7 - 11, but schools can choose any week from Feb.7- April 22 (Earth Day) to participate. Learn More from NGEF

When it Comes to Energy Alternatives Gov Says we're not Changing Soon

Statistics released by the Federal Government indicate the continued use of fossil fuels will change very little over the next several decades. The only thing that would alter this trend would be an environmental emergency caused by carbon monoxide production. Read the whole story from Technology News

Toshiba to Build Solar Plant in Bulgaria

Toshiba and Tokyo Electric Power will team up with the Japanese government to build one of the world’s largest solar power stations in Bulgaria, a report said Friday.

The plant will be built in the eastern city of Yambol by March 2012 at a cost of more than 100 billion yen ($1.2 billion), Japan's Nikkei daily said.

As a European Union member, Bulgaria needs quickly to bolster its sources of renewable energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Source: http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm/6369/Toshiba-To-Build-Huge-Solar-Plant-In-Bulgaria

BP: Renewable Energy to Outpace Growth of Oil

From the Oil Drum Drumbeat.  Given how many variables are involved, predicting the future of energy with accuracy is difficult. But BP's annual Energy Outlook, which came out today, is a closely watched indicator for the state of the energy industry.
The BP Energy Outlook 2030 (click for PDF) forecasts energy sources will diversify more in the future, with a bigger role for renewable, nuclear, and hydropower. Demand will continue to grow around the world, with developing countries consuming a larger share of energy.

Sharp Builds Solar Plant in Italy

Sharp and Enel Green Power have completed their first solar power plant, in Calabria, Southern Italy.

The 5MW installation uses Sharp single crystal modules, and annual output is predicted to be 7.5GWh.

The two firms have a joint venture called ESSE, which built the plant and plans to construct a number of others to achieve a total of 500MW by the end of 2016.

Meanwhile, Sharp, Enel and STMicroelectronics are to start thin-film solar cell production from late 2011. Read the Complete Story by Steve Bush in Electronics Weekly

New Reactor Harnesses Sun's Energy Like Plants

From Fox News- January 20, 2011  Researchers have unveiled a prototype reactor which mimics plant life, turning the Sun’s energy to make hydrocarbon fuel.

Developed by a team of scientists from the United States and Switzerland, The solar device uses the Sun’s rays and the metal ceria, or cerium oxide, to break down water or carbon dioxide into energy which can be stored and transported. Read the Full Story from Fox News.

Cincinatti Zoo to Install Solar Panels

Once completed, the 6,400 module array being installed at the Cincinatti Zoo, will provide about 1/5 of the total power requirement for zoo operations. The project which was designed by the Melink Corp. of nearby Clermont County, also the owner operator, will cost approximately 11 million dollars.

Moved Back to NJ from Fla. Follow the Green

It has been a week since I posted here. I need to apologize to everyone for not saying I was away, but a personal situation that arose that made it necessary for me to leave Florida and move back to New Jersey.
Aside from that I do need to give praise to the highway people for their use of solar panels all the way up I 95.  Every so many miles their was a PV Mod powering a communications system or a light pole.
Aside from that lets look at the rest stops in each state. The Carolinas are the best! Especially North Carolina. Clean and the staff was right there.  Georgia and Virginia are worst. I did not stop in Maryland or Delaware.

The Empire State Building Inherits Wind Power!

New Yorks most famous building is will be using wind power as it primary source of power.

The deal secures more than double the amount of renewable power purchased by any other commercial customer in New York City. 

20m refit aims to cut building's energy use by 40% and save emissions equal to 20,000 cars

Read the story here.

Wind and Solar Energy Expecting Metoric Surge in Growth for 2011

According to Kachan & Co. a green energy consulting firm, 2011 will bring a huge surge in growth to all phases of the Green Energy Market riding on a recovering economy. Read the story in Green Market.

Jinko Partners with Innovalight to Increase Solar Cell Efficiency with Silicon Ink

Read the Whole Story from Clean Edge News

20,000 Wind Turbines in European Waters by 2020

In European waters alone, some 20,000 turbines are to be installed by 2020, while there are indications that major consumers of electricity such as China and South Korea are soon to make major efforts into offshore power generation. The world’s second largest shipbuilder, DSM, has indicated that it expects wind generation equipment to be providing nearly one third of its income in ten years time, which indicates a very serious commitment indeed. Read the Complete Story from Offshore Wind Biz.

Wind and Solar News reports from 2010 shows Huge Drop in Wind Production.

The wind energy program in the United States fell, from the 10 Gigawatt production of 2009, drastically in 2010 due to the uncertainty of the current legislation.

Offshore wind energy, however is showing resurgeance from the Cape Wind project that is supported by the current admistration.

Meanwhile China has been reported as the leader in the renewable energy market replacing the US in the top spot. 

For more on last years renewable energy market  read here.

Ten Green New Years Resolutions

Picture courtesy of Mother Jones

Read the Ten Best Green New Years Resolutions. Article by Kiera Butler (no relation) at Mother Jones 

Maryland Increases Renewable Energy Laws

Power suppliers in Maryland will be required to buy additional energy generated from solar power under a recently enacted law.

The AP reports that the law will shift the timetable for the state's renewable portfolio standard in an effort to create jobs in the solar sector. Ratepayer impact for residential bills is expected to be approximately $0.05 per month; the impact for the average commercial ratepayer is estimated to be $0.66 per month.
 From AP

Iowa Firm Orders 258 Wind Turbines from Siemens

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Siemens Wind Power has received an order for 258 2.3-megawatt turbines from MidAmerican Energy Co. of Iowa.

MidAmerican Energy says the turbines will be installed in western and central Iowa. The companies say the turbines will be built at Siemens' plants in Hutchinson and Fort Madison, Iowa. The deal was announced on Tuesday.

Siemens also will provide service and maintenance for the three wind farms.

The Hutchinson plant, which officially opened Dec. 3, will produce the turbines' nacelles, which hold all the equipment for turning wind power into electricity. The Fort Madison plant produces the turbines' blades.
From KLEM News,  LeMars Iowa

Turning Sun into Storable Hydrogen. New Prototype Reactor Offers New Green Alternative Energy.

Move over photovoltaics and geotherm get out of the way. Here come the newest form of green energy. Swiss and American researches have developed a new prototype reactor that can utilize sunlight to generate storable hydrogen fuel. The reactor reportedly uses a quartz lens that focuses sunlight into a cylinder lined with cerium oxide (ceria).

When the sun’s rays heat up the ceria, it will thermochemically break down the water and carbon dioxide that is being pumped into the cylinder. The by products are carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can then be converted into liquid fuel. This hydrogen fuel can then be used with hydrogen fuel cells. Alternatively, the hydrogen-carbon monoxide mixture could be converted into syngas, a combustible gas. Read the whole story from Mobile Mag.

Solar Powered Drone Breaks Endurance Records

LOS ANGELES – A lightweight, solar-powered drone with a massive 73-foot wingspan flew above the clouds for 14 consecutive days, shattering long-standing aviation endurance records, according to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. Whole Story from WJ Hennigan of the LA Times.