Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Space Station Appearing Nationwide Over 4th of July Weekend


As America celebrates its 233rd birthday this holiday weekend, there will be an extra light in the sky along with the fireworks. Across the country, Americans will be treated to spectacular views of the International Space Station as it orbits 220 miles above Earth.Many locations will have unusually long sighting opportunities of as much as five minutes, weather permitting, as the station flies almost directly overhead.

To find out when to see the station from your city, visit:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings

The station circles Earth every 90 minutes. It is 357 feet long, about the length of a football field including the end zones, and 45 feet tall. Its reflective solar arrays are 240 feet wide, a wingspan greater than that of a jumbo jet, and have a total surface area of more than 38,000 square feet.


The bottom line is ...

Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.

Toyota to build new Prius in Eco-Factory in Japan


The Tsutsumi plant that builds the Prius is one of five ISO14001 certified Eco-factories in the Toyota network. The factory has a 50,000m2 solar array on its roof that generates 2,000 kW per hour of electricity, about half of the plant's total requirements. Another 22,000m2 of the factory is covered in a photocatalytic paint that converts NOx to oxygen and nitrogen. A number of initiatives including zero land-fill waste, water recycling and reduced volatile organic compound use are all part of the overall effort to reduce the impact of building Priuses.
The bottom line is ...

Lets not only make eco friendly cars. but eco friendly factories that build the cars.

QuantaSol unveils world record solar cell

A solar cell which has broken a world record for efficiency has been unveiled by photovoltaic technology producer QuantaSol and will be displayed at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition this week.The designer and manufacturer of strain-balanced quantum-well solar cells developed a single-junction device which achieves efficiency of up to 28.3 per cent, which is thought to be the best performance as of yet.


The bottom line is ...

More Efficient Solar Power Here We Come

Schools Going Green with Solar Panels

Shasta High and Mountain View Middle schools, both in Redding, recently installed grant-funded solar panels on campus, joining Foothill High, West Valley High and Shasta College in adopting the technology.
The solar panels serves as a toolbox - equipping schools and students with the means to study chemistry, Earth science, mechanical engineering, green technology and math. Apart from the educational aspects of the panels, officials hope the green technology will spark the imaginations of students.

The bottom line is ...

Go Green!

Solar Power to help the Agricultural Business.

Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. and Perpetual Power (P2) have announced the completion of four solar-powered deep water wells at Limoneira Company’s Ducor Ranch. When operating at full capacity, the 6,400 ground-mounted, high-efficiency photovoltaic panels can generate 1MW of AC energy for the Limoneira Company, which grows and processes lemons, avocados, oranges, specialty citrus, pistachios and cherries on its orchards in Santa Paula, Calif. Limoneira’s solar electric system is expected to produce 2,300,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Read The Full Article

The bottom line is ...

Solar Guacamole anyone?

Solar Facts

Facts about solar energy usage

  • Solar Energy is measured in kilowatt-hour. 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts.

  • 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) = the amount of electricity required to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.

  • According to the US Department of Energy, an average American household used approximately 866-kilowatt hours per month in 1999 costing them $70.68.

  • About 30% of our total energy consumption is used to heat water.


    The bottom line is ...
    Knowledge is Power

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Solar Energy Initiatives Secures Land For New Solar Park

Solar Energy Initiatives has announced that the Company signed a contract securing land for the design, construction and operation of a solar park in Southern California. The project could produce enough energy to provide power to more than 3,000 homes.

READ MORE HERE...


The bottom line is ...

People are embracing cleaner and more affordable green technology

Solar car driver resumes journey after police warning


The sheen was almost taken off a solar-powered car travelling to the Arctic Circle when the vehicle was pulled over by an RCMP officer just south of Red Deer Sunday afternoon. It was pulled over because it was going too slow on the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway on a busy Sunday afternoon, hindering traffic flow.

READ MORE HERE...


The bottom line is ...

There really are a vast amount of ways to raise environmental awareness and use solar energy.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Grant awarded to rig Navajo homes with solar power

A company owned by American Indians has been awarded more than $500,000 to bring electricity from solar power to Navajo Nation homes that now lack the utility.


The bottom line is ...

Solar power can also be used to provide electricity for those in rural areas and third world countries

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Solar panels on traffic signs stolen, again



Solar panels on traffic signs along the routes of the Marsascala have been stolen again.


The bottom line is ...

Solar panels are very wanted items

Oregon House approves solar power generation bill

Oregon is the second state after Vermont, to use a feed-in tariff, which allows consumers to sell power generated from solar panels to the utilities at a wholesale rate set by the Public Utility Commission for 15 years, after 15 years at the utilities market value.



The bottom line is ...

More and more states are using solar energy, why don't you petition for your state to do the same if they have not done so already.

Solar-Powered Aircraft Takes Flight This Week


Solar Impulse's solar-powered aircraft may only have room for two, but make no mistake about it -- this plane is a big deal. The aircraft, dubbed the HB-SIA, brings aviation innovators one step closer to a solar-powered commercial airplane.

The plane's specs include a wingspan of about 200 feet, a weight of about 3,527 pounds and a maximum altitude of about 27,887 feet. At the project's helm are Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, the men behind Solar Impulse.

Piccard and Borschberg will unveil the plane's prototype Friday and, if the plane's test flights go well, plan to build a second plane in 2011, with the eventual aim of completing a flight around the globe.


The bottom line is ...

Solar power can take us anywhere!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

iPhone 3GS


The iPhone 3GS is, without a doubt, the finest iPhone Apple has made. It addresses most of the fundamental weaknesses of the previous models, adding raw speed, voice-activated phone and music navigation, an improved autofocus camera, and video-recording features. Its larger amount of installed memory suggests that it will run existing iPhone apps not just faster, but with fewer crashes, and its improved video capabilities suggest that it will be an impressive gaming device as well.

With two major revisions in the past year, the iPhone platform has also progressed a long way. Beyond the wide variety of third-party apps, the base system has added copy-and-paste support; support for Microsoft Exchange calendars, contacts, and e-mail; built-in voice recording; and search capabilities.

If you’ve never had an iPhone before, but are considering the purchase of a smartphone for the first time, you will not find a better Internet-connected phone than the iPhone 3GS.

Read the full review from Macworld

The bottom line is ...

Apple’s iPhone is still at the top of its game

Solar Panels Going on the Sears Tower


Sears Tower is undergoing a $350M green remodel to add wind turbines, roof gardens, and solar panels. This remodel will educe the tower's electricity use by 80 percent and save 24 million gallons of water a year.
Read more on the remodel


The bottom line is ...

One more big step for solar power!

Orange unveils solar concept tent at Glastonbury


Telecom giant Orange unveiled a concept solar tent in conjunction with the opening of this year's Glastonbury music festival in the U.K.
The solar energy would then be channeled into four main power uses: heating, lighting, communications, and recharging. This looks another sweet concept for solar products.
Read more about the tent

The bottom line is ...

Camp with the power of the sun

Austin Grocer Goes Solar



H-E-B earned the distinction of becoming the first Austin grocer to go solar. Last week, the store began installation of solar panels that will occupy approximately 2,500 square feet and will be placed at a 10-degree angle in order to generate as much energy as possible. Joe Lopez, H-E-B energy manager said the solar panels will prevent 32,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Read the full article.

The bottom line is ...

More major retailers need to get into the solar market like H-E-B

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Top 3 States for Solar Power


It's no shocker that California leads the US with 67% of solar power, but how do other states match up? Number 2 is New Jersey with generating 9% and Colorado ranked 3rd at 4.5%. These 3 states count for over 80% of the solar energy generated. The full article discusses New Jersey and how such a little state became number 2 on the list of 50.
Read How NJ Rose To #2 in US Solar Power


The bottom line is ...

NJ appears to have a bright future in solar.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Interesting Solar Facts

  • Da Vinci predicted a solar industrialization as far back as 1447.
  • A world record was set in 1990 when a solar powered aircraft flew 4060km across the USA, using no fuel.
  • Electric ovens consume the most amount of electricity, followed by microwaves and central air conditioning.
  • Shell Oil predicts that 50% of the world's energy will come from renewable sources by 2040.

The bottom line is...

Solar energy was thought of since 1447 how cool is that!

Queensland set to be solar powerhouse

The Queensland government will launch a $1 million feasibility study for a large scale solar power plant that could potentially power up to 300,000 homes as part of its renewable energy plan. This will create an additional 3,500 jobs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years.

Full Article


The bottom line is...

Everyone is getting into the solar power industry, why not you.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Solar Beach Tote Bag


You can now be at the beach without ever worrying about your radio or cellphone dying on you. Just plug it in the bag and they suggest 2 hours and it will be recharged. Read the full story.
You can purchase the tote bag for $249


The bottom line is...

Surfs Up

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Increase of solar and wind power headed to California


Southern California Edison (SCE), which is owned by Edison International, made the move to comply with state standards that require utility companies to increase their renewable energy sources, therefore reducing the state's dependence on fossil fuels.
The SCE has purchased up to 960 MW of solar thermal and wind power.


The bottom line is...

Everyday more and more solar power is going to be used.

Solar Facts

  • Two billion people in the world have no access to electricity. For them, solar power is a practical way to deliver at least a little electricity in rural places around the world.
  • In 40 minutes of daylight The SUN releases upon The Earth the amount of energy that is consumed by the entire population of the planet in ONE YEAR.
  • The largest purchaser of Green Power, which includes solar, is the US Air Force
  • Canadian Steve Lapp added solar panels to his Prius. he gets about an extra 8 MPG!


The bottom line is...

We need to use more solar power to our advantage!

Flexible Solar Strips Light Up Campus Bus Shelter

There won’t be anymore waiting in the dark at the McMaster University campus bus shelter. A group of engineering researchers at the University have developed new flexible solar cell technology and has installed it to power lighting for night-time transit users. The light it produces is bright enough for easy reading.

Full Article

The bottom line is...
Once again, with the way technology is advancing today, we will be able to power anything with the sun.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Statkraft builds solar park in Italy


Statkraft is constructing its first solar park that will consist of 15,700 solar panels. The power plant is being constructed in the Latina region, 60 kilometres to the south of Rome, and will be completed in 2009.

The bottom line is...

Have fun in the sun and make some energy out of it too!

Solar Cells in Windows


Your windows can now energize your house. The cells harness solar energy and supply the house with electrical power, and the best thing is they are transparent so it doesn't obstruct any views you may have.
read the full article here

The bottom line is...

With technology advancements it could be possible to power anything by the sun.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Solar Power International 2009



Solar Power International 2009 is the largest business to business solar event in North America. They expect over 650 exhibitors and more than 25,000 attendees at this years convention held in Anaheim, California. The dates are October 27-29, so make sure you mark your calenders and attend.

Visit their website for more information.

The bottom line is...

The Solar Power International is where it all comes together, covering policy, finance, technology and market opportunities.

Frugal Ways to Go Green


Here are a few frugal ways to go green without breaking the bank:

1. Don't use paper towels

You can save lots of money by using a washable rag to clean up messes and not to mention keeping the paper towels out of the landfill.

2. Think before you print

You can save ink and paper by checking to see what pages you actually need before hitting the print button.

3. Reuse plastic grocery bags

You can reuse them as small trash can liners or even bring them back in the next time you go shopping.


The bottom line is...

It doesn't have to cost lots of money to go green.