Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Residential Wind Power - "TLG WindPower Hour" Talk Show Host, Terry Galyon, Announces Interview With Solar and Wind Power Expert Pat Lauzon

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) August 11, 2009

Terry Galyon, Host of a popular Live! Internet Talk Radio program on The Green Talk Network, announces his guest for the next episode of the "TLG WindPower Hour" will be Pat Lauzon founder of Northern Arizona Wind and Sun. With over thirty years of hands on experience in the field of renewable energy, Pat Lauzon is a distinguished authority on commercial and residential uses of both wind and solar power systems. http://www.windsun.com.

The show will be broadcast LIVE from VoiceAmerica on The Green Talk Network - Thursday, August 13th on http://www.thegreentalknetwork.com.

The TLG Windpower Hour airs live on Thursdays at 11 AM Pacific / 1 PM Central / 2 PM Eastern on The Green Talk Network. To access the show, log on at http://www.thegreentalknetwork.com All shows will be available in Terry Galyon's Content Library on The Green Talk Network for on-demand and podcast download.

The VoiceAmericaTM Network offers the latest conversations in a talk radio format, providing education, interaction, and advice on key issues live, on demand as well as through pod cast download. If interested in hosting a talk radio show on VoiceAmerica Network, contact Jeff Spenard, President of Internet Radio at 480-294-6417 or at jeff.spenard(at)modavox.com.

Contact Executive Producer David Spinelli at 480-584-5257 for advertising / sponsorship information or other show details.

ABOUT THE TLG WINDPOWER HOUR:
This is the 7th episode of the "TLG WindPower Hour" The shows host, Terry Galyon, has been passionate about wind power for more than thirty years. His diverse understanding and vast knowledge of this renewable energy source coupled with refusal to conform to anything but the facts where wind power systems are concerned make him and his company TLG Windpower Products truly unique. http://www.tlgwindpower.com.

About VoiceAmerica / Modavox:
(OTC.BB MDVX), Modavox is the leading producer and distributor of online talk radio content, streaming approximately 250 hours of live programs and scheduled replays weekly on its Modavox VoiceAmerica™ Network (http://www.voiceamerica.com). Modavox, Inc. (http://www.modavox.com) is a pioneer in internet broadcasting, producing and syndicating online audio and video, and offering innovative, effective and comprehensive online tools for reaching targeted niche communities worldwide. Through its patented Modavox technology, Modavox delivers content straight to desktops and Internet-enabled devices. Modavox provides managed access for live and on-demand internet broadcasting and syndication, content management, online meetings, event management, enterprise communications and distance learning.

Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's "safe harbor" provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause Modavox's actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, including the risk factors identified in Modavox's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Alternative Energy - Maki Sees US Unemployment Rate Below 8.5% by Year End




March 4 (Bloomberg) -- Dean Maki, chief US economist at Barclays Capital Inc., discusses the February US employment report and the outlook for the economy. Maki speaks with Margaret Brennan on Bloomberg Television's "InBusiness." (Source: Bloomberg)






Solar Electricity - Selling Electricity with 200W Solar Panels + 250W On-grid inverter




Plug and Play 2x100W solar panels selling electricity to the grid with 250W on-grid inverter.






Alternative Energy - SunPower's Werner Defends SunRay Solar Acquisition




March 17 (Bloomberg) -- SunPower Corp. Chief Executive Officer Tom Werner talks about the company's acquisition of solar developer SunRay Renewable Energy. Werner also discusses the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan and the Italian market. He speaks with Emily Chang and Cory Johnson on Bloomberg Television's "Bloomberg West." (Source: Bloomberg)






DIY wind power - New - Yacht Watch - with NMEA Yacht & Boat Monitor Features Comprehensive Remote Monitoring With NMEA Facility

(PRWEB) December 2, 2004

Most yachts and boats spend a considerable amount of time unattended; the Compulogic Yacht Watch provides a simple and inexpensive method of automatically monitoring a variety of conditions of these valuable assets, via the owners GSM mobile telephone. Fitted with a non subscription SIM card, the Yacht Watch unit provides the user with a secure and simple method of monitoring his yacht or boat, whilst not incurring a regular subscription charge. The Yacht Watch will monitor the yacht or boat 'round the clock' and immediately notify alarm conditions.

The Compulogic Yacht Watch, professional quality boat monitor is a comprehensive monitoring unit, allowing a mobile telephone to receive alarms and detailed NMEA information from a yacht or boat, additionally, the unit can make a call to a boat and receive up to date information from NMEA instrument systems - enabling up to the minute weather, tide depth and other data to be remotely monitored. With a simple text message to the boat or yacht, the user can immediately determine the weather conditions at the boat's location. Emergency conditions, for example flooding, fire or intruder entry are immediately notified to the owner's mobile telephone. All information is presented in a clear and easy to read format on the Mobile's display.

The Yacht Watch is a comprehensively featured, professional quality unit, backed up by full technical support, supplied with full user documentation and intended for DIY installation. Available as a standard unit, without NMEA or deluxe unit including an NMEA port and software, the Yacht Watch is retail priced in the UK at GBP £299 and £369 respectively.

The Yacht Watch is part of a range of professional quality security and remote control systems and equipment manufactured by Compulogic in the UK.

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Solar Electricity - Solar Panels installed to the Gride Tie Inverter saving me electric! -update




Solar Panels installed to the Gride Tie Inverter saving me electric! -update I just hooked up my solar panels in low light and already its producing power that is going back into my home electric saving me money. It looks like this gridtie inverter works well paired with my solar panels. Stay tuned for more Solar electric grid updates. All the best, -Pete Mixcat.com mixcatcom






Monday, May 30, 2011

Alternative Energy - Rowe Says Exelon to Give Nuclear Spending `Fresh Look'




March 16 (Bloomberg) -- John Rowe, chief executive officer of Exelon Corp., talks about the risks and benefits of nuclear power and other forms of energy, the economics of nuclear power for the company and its likely use by the utility owner in the future. Rowe, speaking in an interview with Pimm Fox broadcast on Bloomberg Television's "Taking Stock, also discusses the design of Exelon's nuclear plants compared with those involved in the radiation crisis in Japan and safety procedures employed by the company. (Source: Bloomberg)






backyard wind generator - Magnet motor (FREE POWER) , Wind Turbines, (Build Free Energy at HOME)




Download the free Instructions Here: tinyurl.com STEP BY STEP: how to build your very own free power at home. Achieving acceleration from just magnets interacting, as appears to be the case here, is truly remarkable. It certainly isn't ready for market; not close; but it is proof of concept that magnets can provide motive force. That is groundbreaking. Not a cost effective solution here,Search Jean pain composting" to learn how you can do this in your own back yard. Stanley Meyers easy to build Tubes also abiotic oil and Fischer--Tropsch process. It cost the United States 400 billion dollars to import oil "last year", seems a well rounded number given the barrels of oil imported and the 2007 price of oil. It has consistently, for many years, been the stated goal of the United States to reduce or eliminate its dependence on foreign oil, therefore, if any alternative energy source seems capable of achieving that goal, it should be pursued with the utmost vigor. We have here in the United States the only method known to man which can take any non-nuclear material containing carbon,and using this process, deliver a diesel quality fuel oil in two short hours! Despite the promise inherent in this system to not only alleviate our dependence on foreign oil, but to do so while contributing to a major degree in cleaning the environment. *FREE ENERGY IS here! tinyurl.com






Solar Electricity - Solar Panels Electricity Cost




www.123CheapSolarCom.com Solar panels electricity cost less than you might think. Electricity generation through solar cells wind turbines and fuel cells is not only becoming more popular, but much less expensive" Portable and small solar cells can even be mounted on cell phones and cars. The most cost-effective solar cells are the ones you build at home yourself. These cells can be constructed for less than $200 per panel and provide inexpensive solar panel electricity generation.



In the News:




Bellevision

Maryland Embracing the Power of Solar
Patch.com
There is usually nothing you need to do to your existing roof or appliances before a solar array can be installed. The cost involved in turning sunlight into electricity is the cost of the solar panels and installation. The state offers incentive ...
Save Money And The Planet, Use Solar PowerUK News Reporter (blog)
Right Time for Ghana to Develop and Promote Solar EnergyGhanaWeb

all 9 news articles »



CTV.ca

Nuclear sector growth cools down
Financial Times
The government plans to double renewable electricity's share from 10 per cent to 20 per cent of its power supply, with the help of feed-in tariffs offering guaranteed prices for electricity, putting solar panels on 10m roofs by 2030. ...
FROM SQUARE ONE / Energy policy overhaul faces many hurdlesThe Daily Yomiuri

all 501 news articles »



TFTS (blog)

Solar power carport charges cars in Connecticut
CNET
GE partnered with Inovateus Solar, which installed the solar carport. The solar panels on the carport will produce enough electricity per year to power the equivalent of 20 homes. Not every space in the lot will have an EV station. The solar panels on ...
Solar May Be Cheaper Than Fossil, Nuclear Power in Five Years, GE SaysBloomberg
GE Sees Solar Power Becoming Cheaper Than Fossil In Five YearsTechnorati
Report: GE says fossil fuels, nuclear soon costlier than solar powerSmartPlanet.com (blog)
Boston Globe
all 305 news articles »



Republican & Herald

Schuylkill County plants turning to solar power
Republican & Herald
The western Schuylkill County potato processing plant in Hubley Township, which also harnesses alternative energy by transforming landfill gas into electricity, finished an energy system May 19 in which solar panels cover four acres of farmland just ...

and more »



The Costa Rica News

500 houses to get solar panels as part of clean energy project
The Costa Rica News
As part of a pilot program to promote clean energy, the roofs of 500 homes in Costa Rica will receive solar panels that can produce electricity for the company Nacional de Fuerza y Luz (CNFL). The project will cost $1 million and be financed by CNFL, ...




Tweets:



Save thousands on the cost of solar panels http://bit.ly/lTNHSI #solar Save on electricity8:27 PM Sun May 29, 2011 via TweetBig








Residential Wind Power - Hardware, Not Applications, Dominates 2008 Wind Energy Show

Santa Cruz, CA (PRWEB) July 2, 2008

The Wind Power Show in Houston (June 1-4) was certainly worth the visit. Over 950 companies with interests in every aspect of wind power exhibited and over 13,000 people attended. The exhibition was so large that it took 15 minutes to walk from one end to another -- without stopping. The traffic level was very encouraging for the industry.

Utility-grade wind power has taken off with a strong tail wind. In its wake is the rapidly developing small-wind sector. The incredible advances in small-wind turbine technology are quite profound. In just the last year a number of new companies have appeared on the scene which has attracted seed funding and fostered the development of a new industry. The small-wind industry is still in its infancy yet over 30 exhibitors displayed small wind turbines. KR Group and IR Wind Power both had impressive booths and displayed numerous iterations of their vertical squirrel cage turbines. The overall small-wind turbine sector ranged from 100-500W Savonius and Darrieus types to 6kW horizontal turbines. The only thing missing was "applications". With few exceptions, most turbine exhibitors focused on their products and not on their best use.

Look around your neighborhood and perhaps you have noticed small-wind turbines popping up on chain-owned buildings, commercial buildings, residential homes and apartments. These turbines shout out the message "we care and we're green" but usually have only a minor impact on power bills. That is about to change with the introduction of a new class of wind turbines.

Middle-Wind Market
Today a number of companies are developing "industrial-grade" turbines that will target markets where there is both sufficient wind and high energy costs. These turbines stretch the definition of "small-wind turbine" and are rated between 50kW to over 500kW in reasonable winds. They are better referred to as "middle-wind" turbines (50-500 kW). Two such designs are from GreenEnergy and TMA. Both have developed middle-wind turbines that are housed in structures that protect them and the surrounding environment while capturing and directing additional wind currents into their rotor blades. Both designs feature the ability to capture large quantities of available wind while making support a breeze - both feature walk-in maintenance.

GreenEnergy (http://www.GetSmartEnergy.com) has developed a 5-bladed industrial-grade turbine called the WindCube that funnels air into its turbine much like a jet engine funnels and compresses air at its entrance. Designed for tall commercial buildings the WindCube is rated at 55kW at 12 m/s and employs an electromechanical yaw mechanism that provides 360 degrees of rotation. The turbine automatically cuts out at wind speeds in excess of 40 mph.

TMA (http://www.TMAWind.com) has developed an entirely different solution - a family of vertical axis wind turbines housed in their own "building". The structure acts to house the turbine and, like the WindCube, captures additional wind through its uniquely designed structure. TMA offers wind turbines rated from 1kW to 525kW. Most models utilize a Savonius-style two-blade air foil rotor and three wind deflectors to achieve maximum power in the smallest structure. TMA's wind turbines are designed for rural, high wind areas to provide power to commercial structures and small communities.

Both of these solutions have the advantage of a well defined market strategy and a solution that is designed specifically for their intended applications.

Bad Weather
Another unique application area with large potential is harsh environments that require ruggedized and weatherproof solutions for very high wind applications - places where most wind turbines typically fear to tread. One solution that addresses this market is from Proven Technologies (http://www.ProvenEnergy.com), a Scotland company that produces a 3-blade wind turbine with hinged, carbon fiber blades that reportedly allow the turbine to continue operating at full power in 100 mph winds. Proven Technologies manufactures turbines rated at 2.5, 6 and 15 kW. Proven has reportedly installed over 1,500 turbines throughout the UK.

Lack of Applications
Except for the rural-residential markets carved out by Bergey et al, small-wind turbines have yet to become synonymous with a specific industrial application, such as Xerox established for copy machines. There is clearly plenty of interest from a broad range of prospects but with rare exception, visitors at the show saw only turbines, not solutions.

Eventually, successful companies will develop application-specific turbines that are virtually plug-and-play for their intended application (use), easily installed, and competitively priced with utility power. Examples might include squirrel cage turbines designed for standard industrial exhaust ducts that can be installed by a local electrician, or VAWTs coupled with solar and battery backup optimized for the nation's 15,000 remote telecommunications towers.

What's still missing however is marketing and market development. Some of these markets are discussed in the white paper Big Opportunities for the Small Wind Industry (http://www.gogreenenergyllc.com/bigoppwp.pdf). When turbine developers start targeting and designing for specific niche applications we'll quickly see the curious become customers, and the rapid development of small-wind and middle-wind markets.

GGE provides marketing services, market and product research, market and product development, and public relations for developers of renewable energy technologies and solutions. Contact GGE at 831-423-3333 or visit http://www.GoGreenEnergyLLC.com.

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renewable energy - Acting in Time on Energy Policy




Acting in Time on Energy Policy
Acting in Time on Energy Policy (Paperback)
By Kelly Sims Gallagher

Buy new: $26.95
20 used and new from $16.44

First tagged "renewable energy" by Susanne E. Vandenbosch
Customer tags: renewable energy, energy, policy, energy policy, global warming






Solar Concentrator - Electric Utilities Rise to Meet Solar Call-to-Action

Washington, D.C. (Vocus) May 29, 2009

As financial markets deteriorated in October 2008, Solar Electric Power Association Executive Director Julia Hamm challenged the solar and utility industries to deploy solar power on a massive scale despite new economic barriers. She issued the challenge in a speech at Solar Power International, the nation's largest solar conference and trade show. Today, the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) issued a report demonstrating that the industry has responded even amidst a tough economic climate.

SEPA's "2008 Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings" report identifies the utilities in the U.S. that have the most significant amounts of solar electricity integrated into their portfolio, and records the increased collaboration of the U.S. electric utility and solar energy industries. The report demonstrates that the utility segment is making a major investment to increase the amount of solar energy in power portfolios, with many utilities doubling the amount of solar power in their portfolio in just one year. The overall installed solar capacity of the top ten ranked utilities rose from 711 megawatts to 882 megawatts, reflecting 25 percent growth. Ninety-two utilities participated in this year's survey, an increase of more than 80 percent over last year, showing that the utility industry's interest in solar power is stronger than ever.

"This year's report demonstrates that solar electricity is finally on the radar screen of utilities across the country," said Julia Hamm, executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association. "Solar plants large and small are ready for significant build-out, and the utility industry is moving quickly toward mass adoption to meet a variety of business needs." Renewable portfolio standards, impending carbon policy, and fluctuating costs of power generation and fuel resources top the list of drivers towards improved utility perception of solar electric options.

The report also documents a wave of utility-driven installations, pointing to the growing importance of utilities in the solar power market, and the growing importance of solar power to the business of utilities. Historically, the solar power market has been dominated by customer-driven installations.

"Residential and commercial photovoltaic projects will continue to be important stimulants for job creation and small business growth, but they will be complemented by large-scale photovoltaic and concentrating solar power projects," said Mike Taylor, director of research and education at SEPA. "The variety of ways solar power is being implemented signals an increased maturity in the market."

The Challenge

At Solar Power International in October 2008, Julia Hamm challenged electric utilities and solar power providers to meet aggressive growth forecasts for the industry. Prior to the economic downturn, analysts had predicted a thirty-fold increase in solar capacity between 2009 and 2016, which would create 440,000 permanent jobs, and over $230 billion in investments and associated economic development benefits.

More specifically, the challenge called for a wider range of utilities to participate in solar adoption. "We must move beyond having 97 percent of all grid-connected solar installations in just 10 utilities' service territories," said Hamm at the time. This year's "Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings" report shows that 88% of new annual growth was in the Top Ten service territories. The distribution of solar power is also spreading geographically. Twelve utilities in eight different states topped the annual and cumulative solar megawatts categories.

To foster an economically-driven solar business that benefits utilities, solar companies and electricity consumers, SEPA also called for increased collaboration on new business models and "bold new ideas developed in tandem for the mutual benefit of both industries, and society at large." The 2008 Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings report documents that utilities have continued to develop renewable energy in innovative ways. For example, Arizona Public Service, Duke Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric, Public Service Electric & Gas, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern California Edison have all recently announced individual but similar PV programs that will provide more than the equivalent of an entire year's worth of past solar installations in the U.S. These specific programs provide for the utility to own the panels at utility and customer sites in a "distributed power plant" design. Through SEPA's Utility Solar Business Model initiative, electric utilities are collaborating around innovative business models to encourage solar power deployment.

"We are working with many creative companies to find utility business models that provide solid financial returns, increased renewable energy adoption, and customer benefits," said Mike Taylor, SEPA's lead on the Utility Solar Business Models initiative.

Report Reveals Major Trends

This year's report shows that 2008 solar power growth came almost entirely from thousands of distributed generation projects, which grow more steadily and consistently than centralized plants. However, SEPA anticipates that in future years centralized solar electric plants will play an equal or larger role.

"Traditional fossil-fuel power plants come in two sizes, large and larger," said report author Mike Taylor. "The solar market is more vigorous, complex and democratic because of the combination of distributed generation and large-scale projects." Large-scale centralized solar plants will allow utilities to jump up in the rankings quickly, but are currently at an earlier stage of development with most large-scale projects in the contract or construction phase. The solar industry is developing a robust foundation for the future by using a diversified approach of distributed and centralized projects owned by a variety of market players.

The report also serves as a valuable tool to indicate the future direction of solar power markets. Solar power is entering a similar growth phase as wind power did a few years ago, with a dramatic increase in capacity expected. Large-scale solar projects could face some of the same challenges wind projects faced, but will also benefit from the experience and impact of the wind industry on grid integration. The last six months have seen a significant increase in the national conversation about increasing electricity transmission resources as well as changes to the grid that will allow it to manage integration of intermittent wind and solar power.

Key Findings and Methodology

This year's report is based on the 2008 Utility Solar Electricity Survey completed by utilities in April 2009. The report catalogs how much solar electricity was interconnected by surveyed utilities in calendar year 2008 and what was installed cumulatively up through the end of 2008, including both photovoltaics and concentrating solar power. It includes all solar electricity generation integrated into the utility's portfolio regardless of whether it was owned by the utility, their customer, or a third-party company, and regardless of whether it was installed on the utility or customer side of the meter. The participating utilities are generally self-selecting for having more active solar programs and projects, so results are not necessarily representative of a typical utility in the United States.

The "2008 Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings" report shows an average increase of 2 megawatts per participating utility over the twelve months of 2008. Two megawatts is enough to offset the use of over 300 homes on an annual basis. In the total solar-watts-per-customer category, utilities added an average of 33 watts per customer, or the equivalent of one residential-sized system for every 90 customers. However, the median utility added about one watt per customer, showing that watt-per-customer growth is still concentrated in certain utility markets.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, based in San Francisco, California, was the most solar integrated utility for the year 2008, interconnecting 85 MW of new capacity. This number represented over 44 percent of the survey total. Ranked second and third were Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, rounding out a sweep of the top three spots by California investor owned utilities. For the solar watts-per-customer category in 2008, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), a water utility that provides electrical generation to its municipal buildings, ranked first with almost 2700 watts per customer for its 340 customer sites. SFPUC has invested in many PV projects with the assistance of state incentive programs to achieve this coverage for its city buildings. Second and third were Kauai Island Utility Cooperative in Hawaii and Palo Alto Utilities in Northern California. On a cumulative solar megawatt basis, Southern California Edison was ranked first, followed by Pacific Gas & Electric and NV Energy, a Nevada utility. Cumulatively in watts per customer, SFPUC ranked first again, followed by the Port of Oakland, and Southern California Edison. Both the SFPUC and the Port of Oakland are not electrical utilities in the traditional sense, serving residential and commercial customers, but entities that procure electricity for their municipal and port accounts.

For the first time this year, the report provided separate rankings for what was installed in calendar year 2008 and what was installed cumulatively up through the end of 2008. Participating utilities had an average of 11 megawatts in their cumulative portfolio, and the Top Ten utilities represented 93 percent of all solar capacity. Because of their head-start, the large investor-owned utilities in California are likely to retain a lead in the overall cumulative rankings even as the year-to-year rankings shift.

Overall Rankings - Fast-Facts

New Projects in 2008

Total Solar Megawatts
    Participating utilities saw an average increase of 2 megawatts and a median of 0.1 megawatts of solar added to their portfolio in 2008.
    The Top Ten utilities represented 88% of the survey megawatt total.
    Utilities in seven different states placed in the Top Ten.

Total Solar Watts per Customer
    Participating utilities saw an average increase of 33 watts per customer and a median of 1 watt per customer of solar added to their portfolio in 2008.
    Nine of the Top Ten utilities are from California and Hawaii.

Cumulative

Total Solar Megawatts
    Participating utilities had an average of 11 megawatts and a median of 0.2 megawatts of solar in their cumulative portfolio.
    The Top Ten utilities represented 93% of the survey megawatt total.
    Utilities in six different states placed in the Top Ten.

Total Solar Watts per Customer
    Participating utilities had an average of 97 watts per customer and a median of 2 watts per customer of solar in their cumulative portfolio.
    Nine of the Top Ten utilities are from California and Hawaii.

About the Solar Electric Power Association: SEPA is comprised of over 550 utilities and solar industry members. From national events to one-on-one counseling, SEPA is the go-to resource for unbiased and actionable solar intelligence. Breaking down information overload into business reality, SEPA takes the time and risk out of implementing solar business plans and helps turn new technologies into new opportunities. http://www.solarelectricpower.org

Contact:
Josephine Mooney
(202) 559-2024

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Alternative Energy - Major NY Alternative Energy Conference Defines Investment Path For Industry

New York (PRWEB) May 3, 2006

A major conference to define investment opportunities in the global alternative energy industry is scheduled to take place on May 17 in New York City.

The all day conference will feature speakers from government, the alternative energy industry and finance. Featured speakers include senior officials from the US Department of Energy and the New York State Department of Public Services. Partners from major law firms, senior officers of several leading alternative energy companies, as well as institutional investors and financial practitioners fill out the program.

A complete agenda is available at http://www.publicinvest.org/agenda.html.

Alternative energy has become a hot investment topic recently as large numbers of institutional investors, hedge funds, private equity firms and traditional investment management firms seek to gain exposure to this fast growing industry. The Ardour Global Index (AGI) of 76 domestic and foreign alternative energy stocks has risen over 40% already this year.

Over 100 investment professionals are registered to attend the event, which is being organized by Public Investment Network LLC. Contact us directly at the above information numbers.

Conference Info:                

Raj Kashyap

Public Investment Network

917-916-2933

Alternative Energy Info:                    

Brian Greenstein

Ardour Capital Investments

212-375-2956

# # #



DIY wind power - Should the future of Solar Powered energy (Solar Tower Turbine Clusters™) be structured as a cooperative? or as a ruthless monopoly of the world’s greatest energy resource- the Sun?

(PRWEB) December 3, 2003

TOKYO- (PRWEB) December 1, 2003 [Enviromission EarthNews Online (C) All Rights Reserved.] According to CoBank, one of America’s original cooperative institutions with approximately $27 billion in assets, “One in every three people in the U.S. belongs to a cooperative” and “More than 47,000 different cooperatives provide 100 million Americans with a wide range of goods and services, from agricultural products and utility services (electricity, energy, fuel, gasoline, etc) to health care and housing.” (http://www.cobank.com/about/cooperatives.html)

The Cooperative Principles that were adapted for use by the “Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance,” are also used globally to guide all of today's cooperatives and were first established in Rochdale, England.

In the 1840's, when a small group of workers formed a cooperative to buy household supplies in volume at discounted prices, The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was born. This group, condensed centuries of cooperative experiences, and formed a written set of cooperative principles. These principles were so carefully thought out that they are still in use today, some 160 years later!” (http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~laurel/cooproots/history.html)

“Today, perhaps one of the best examples of cooperative spirit in action is “Save the Planet Energy Corporation,"

(http://www.savetheplanetenergy.com/green_energy.asp)” says H.Alfred Goolsbee, founder of “Enviromission EarthNews Online” and the Solar Tower™ Renewable Energy Alliance of America LLC, "...In fact, Save the Planet Energy Corporation is a company that has combined the best of what America has to offer, with a marriage of capitalism and cooperative principles and, like us, is one of the first companies in history to offer nationwide revenue sharing to individuals, businesses & organizations interested in promoting Renewable Energy. I think everyone should join us in our efforts to "Save the Earth and Make some money while you're at it!™”

Mr. Goolsbee goes on to say however, “All that being said; and although wind farms are an excellent temporary solution to our immediate energy problems, I don’t see our farmlands and countryside being littered with countless numbers of windmills as an elegant, efficient and aesthetically pleasing alternative! On the other hand, "Solar Tower Turbine Cluster Biospheres™" constructed in desert areas, with Buckminster Fuller style geodesic architecture, is a very effective way to arrest desertification, achieve rapid reforestation, and supply desperately needed water to an already overburdened agricultural community. There is no technology on Earth today that can be implemented as rapidly and as cost effectively as "Solar Tower Turbine Clusters™” There is nothing on Earth today that can produce, with zero emission, the vast quantities of hydrogen fuel that will be required to power all the hybrid vehicles such as fuel-cell cars, busses and trains envisioned for manufacture in the next century. No one seems to stop and think, ‘Where will all that hydrogen fuel come from!’ Well now we know the answer, 'Solar Tower Turbine Clusters!' More importantly, there is nothing on Earth today that can produce, with zero emission, the vast quantities of clean drinking water and water for irrigation that will be required to reverse the problems being caused by global warming.”

RELATED:

No exclusive license required for Solar Tower development

(http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2003/11/prweb90603.php)

Touchstone Cooperatives & Discovery Channel School

(http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2003/11/prweb91581.php)

As recently reported from MILAN in Italy by Reuters – “The world's glaciers could melt within a century (as) global warming accelerates, leaving billions of people short of water and some islanders without a home, environmentalists said.”

"Unless governments take urgent action to prevent global warming, billions of people worldwide may face severe water shortages as a result of the alarming melting rate of glaciers,” the WWF group said in a report last Thursday.

WHAT IS THE “SOLAR TOWER™ COOPERATIVE INVESTMENT ALLIANCE (STCIA)?”


    To help you understand we include, below, a hyperlink of an article expounding an evolutionary view as to how coops should be governed and the need for removing certain legislation that encumbers agricultural cooperatives unnecessarily. Excellent reading for new~world evolutionary visonaries and DIY (do it yourselfers)

COOP's for the NEW MILLENIUM

(http://www.ncfc.org/forum/2002-05-07-Heuer.shtm)

“COOPERATIVES AT CROSSROADS:

EXPANDING THE SEARCH FOR CAPITAL”

by Robert Heuer

May 07, 2002

“Today, the cooperative industry is entering a new "new generation." Co-op boards and management move forward without a roadmap. Do they continue to work within the confines of a narrowly-defined cooperative structure that links local control and local capitalization? Or must they turn to outside sources to finance future growth?”

    Our cooperatives (STCIA and STREAM Coop) are global community-based businesses; conceived and founded, to be capitalized, operated, owned and shared by the people, fauna and flora we serve. Our Cooperatives (STCIA and STREAM) are established to allow groups of people, companies, and institutions who share similar Earth-Friendly interests, to provide education, produce energy, buy and sell alternative, appropriate and renewable energy products and services at better costs and terms, and to market our own products and services in a more conscientious, effective, efficient and sustainable manner.

    The profits of the Solar Tower Cooperatives are destined for distribution to the owner-members and to a large variety of Universities, Children's Education Scholarship Funds and other affiliated NPO and NGO groups. This distribution, referred to as patronage, may be in cash or cash-plus, some form of capital or energy credits. The amount a member receives is based on his or her (their) financial and/or politically active participation in the cooperative during the respective operating year. Volunteer activities are accorded the same respect as a financial contribution and may be rewarded with the issuance of shares to the Sponsored NPO or NGO in certain instances.

    Each member (of the STCIA and STREAM), despite the level of participation, has at least one vote. Our Cooperative is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the member-owners in conjunction with Fiduciary Custodians, and an "Ethics and Scientific Steering Committee," which is comprised of a number of the Permanent Council of Chartered Members of the Mystical Forest Foundation Inc. The Mystical Forest Foundation Inc. is a "Self-Sufficient, Not-For-Profit" private foundation registered in the United States of America.

WHAT DOES THE SOLAR TOWER COOPERATIVE DO?

Sociopolitical Implications:

Any technology so intimately connected to the survival of our species and the protection and preservation of sentient life, as well as the maintenance of an entire planetary biosphere must be protected from abuse at all costs.

Anti-Monopoly and Non- Exclusivity:

There should be no attempts made by any private entity, body corporate or national institution to monopolize this industry, nor should there be any attempts made to obtain exclusive rights to geopolitical areas where such technology may be constructed and put to use. It should be governed by cooperatively based, earth-friendly organizations, subject to democratic rule, who in turn work together, in a harmonious and profitable relationship, with the various globally based industry leaders who exhibit a working commitment to building a world based on sustainable lifestyles and earth-friendly technologies and who adhere to the The Global Compact as an initiative to safeguard sustainable growth within the context of globalization by promoting a core set of universal values which are fundamental to meeting the socio-economic needs of the world's people.

The Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance

supports the principles of the Global Compact;

http://www.unglobalcompact.org

(the UN website does not seem to work well with explorer, recommend you use netscape or another browser) and will continue to promote projects, events, and publications, which follow these principles;

As an example: It is estimated that more than 46,000 different cooperatives service approximately 100 million Americans with a broad variety of goods and services, ranging from agricultural products and utilitarian and ENERGY services to Health-Care and Housing. These cooperatives vary considerably in size from large national and international companies to small local and domestic cooperatives. Perhaps one of the most commonly known forms of cooperatives are the Agricultural co-ops, and Cooperative Banks, such as CoBank whose customers, own more than 1,000 brand names like Diamond Walnut, Florida's Natural, Land O'Lakes, Musselman's, Norbest, Ocean Spray, Sun-Maid, Sunkist, and Welch's.

    Just imagine! One person out of every three people in the United States are members of a cooperative! For example, of the nation's 12,000+ credit unions, approximately 76 million people belong to one of them. More than half a million farmers and their agricultural cooperatives belong to the Farm Credit System, which represents a $91-billion nationwide network of lending institutions. One of the nation's premier news services, Associated Press, is a cooperative. Approximately one million Americans live in cooperative housing. Co-ops also exist to provide day care, health care, insurance, florist, telephone, and electric services and many other products and services.

Similarly the “Solar Tower™ Cooperative Investment Alliance (STCIA) stands for equality and egalitarian principals in the ethical distribution of energy that will be gathered and converted by the new breakthrough technology known as "Solar Tower Turbine Clusters™."

“Although wind farms are an excellent temporary solution to our immediate energy problems, I don’t forsee our farmlands and countryside being littered with countless numbers of windmills as an elegant and aesthetically pleasing alternative. However, "Solar Tower Turbine Cluster Biospheres ™" constructed in desert areas with Buckminster Fuller style geodesic architecture is a very effective way to arrest desertification, achieve rapid reforestation, and supply desperately needed water to an already overburdened agricultural community.”

(http://www.solartower.com/solar_tower_page/about_pages/stcia.html#Anchor-Part-11481)

(http://www.solartower.com/solar_tower_page/about_pages/stcia.html)

ABOUT “MYSTICAL FOREST FOUNDATION INC.”

The “Mystical Forest Foundation Inc.” (MFFI) is a Self-Sufficient and Self~Financing Private Foundation and is the majority shareholder of the Ældwood Global Group of Companies and the Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance (STCIA). It is a not-for-profit charitable institution but does not solicit donations from the general public; nor does it solicit donations from private sectors.

• We believe that this independent posture insures an uncompromising dedication to our moral and ethical earth-friendly business principles.

• We observe that a quantum leap towards sustainable lifestyles is an immediate imperative; and that the implementation of appropriate methods for sourcing energy is an indispensable prerequisite to achieving an expedient, humane metamorphosis.

• We are registered in accordance with the laws of the Sate of Delaware in the USA as a Private Foundation of limited liability and operate as a charitable institution with focus on providing relief and education to children and women, with particular attention to maternity, the fine art of mothering & parenting, preparation for childbirth, prenatal and postnatal care, midwives, obstetricians and related health-care practitioners, concerned adults, educators and institutions responsible for the care of pregnant women and children of all ages

"We at Mystical Forest Foundation Inc."

…a not-for-profit educational and scholarship foundation, emphatically reiterate that major technology such as Solar Tower Turbine Clusters™, should not be owned exclusively by industrial giants and petroleum companies, particularly those, who might seek to transfer their present stranglehold on the world’s economies into SOLAR TOWER infrastructures around the world."

There’s a lot of talk about “War” and “Peace” these days; and there’s a lot of corporate and institutional noise about “Save the Earth;” but not a lot being done, really.

If, however, we had an inexpensive source of clean, renewable energy, many of our environmental and sociopolitical problems would disappear.

Any intelligent economist knows that most of our problems are rooted in our insatiable hunger for more energy and the imperative to Earn More Money (often at the expense of Nature and her Children)

If we had an inexpensive source of clean, renewable energy:

There would be no need to build more nuclear power stations, no need for more hydroelectric dams displacing flora, fauna and human populations;

There would be no more oil-spills and the strip mining of coal would end;

Third world countries would stop cutting down trees for fuel (most trees in the third world are cut for fuel, not building materials);

The cost of living would go down, due to an overall reduction in manufacturing expenses and transportation costs; the costs of goods and services could go down, while enjoying higher profits;

And none need worry about the Middle East, except to improve the human and civil rights conditions and to improve the educational standards of the children (worldwide).

Why arenÂ’t things changing any faster?

In the past it simply wasnÂ’t possible to change, because the world and itÂ’s environmentalist population have been held hostage by a dependency on oil; Without the technology to replace the oil and nuclear power plants, change was impossible.

Today however, for the first time in modern history, there exists a cost-effective opportunity for very rapid, sustainable change.

The SOLAR TOWERÂ’S stability has been verified by many experts and according to local and National Governments of Australia (http://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/solartower/ ) (http://www.wentworth.nsw.gov.au/solartower/newfunding.asp ) the construction of a SOLAR TOWER is imminent in Australia. It is estimated that the construction of the first SOLAR TOWER will begin within the next 18 months in Australia.

The by-products include oxygen, distilled water, watermelons, fruits and vegetables and jobs for thousands of people.

But one, two or even five SOLAR TOWERS will not supply our needs globally. We need to build hundreds of SOLAR TOWERS within the next decade to have a sufficiently positive impact on our global environment.

The Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance (STCIA) is a cooperative organization devoted to the building of SOLAR TOWERS and any other emerging technology that will facilitate the immediate and graceful transition to a sustainable society.

To reiterate: We believe that major technology such as the Solar Tower Turbine Clusters™, should not be owned exclusively by industrial giants and petroleum companies; particularly those, who might seek to transfer their present stranglehold on the world’s economies into the SOLAR TOWERS’ infrastructures around the world.

It is important to note that, at present, SOLAR TOWERS are the only source of 100% clean renewable energy, available in quantities sufficient for the production of hydrogen fuel for all the fuelcell vehicles planned for the next few decades.

This represents a trillion dollar per day industry and everyone who wants to invest in this industry should be given equal opportunity to own a part of the SOLAR TOWER infrastructure globally regardless of their individual income. We represent the opportunity to participate in one of the most important events in the post-modern world.

We believe that, this new technology should be owned by the People of the World (not exclusively by the financial, media and industrial conglomerates).

What do you think?

RELATED:

No exclusive license required for Solar Tower development

(http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2003/11/prweb90603.php)

Touchstone Cooperatives & Discovery Channel School

(http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2003/11/prweb91581.php)

###

Media and Partnership Enquiries:

Solar Tower Global Group of Companies

Mr. H.Alfred Goolsbee

Founder

alfred@solartower.net

For By and On Behalf of

Mystical Forest Foundation Inc. (USA)

A Not-For-Profit Educational & Scholarship Foundation

The AEldwood Foundation Inc (BVI)

(DBA) The Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance

Solar Tower Co. Ltd. (HK)

Solar Tower Global Holdings LLC (USA)

Solar Tower Pty Ltd (Australia)

The Solar Tower Renewable Energy Alliance of America (The STREAM Co-op™)

"Save the Earth and

Make some money while you're at it!™"

"Solar Tower™"

"Solar Tower Turbine Cluster™"

"Enviromission™"

"AEldwood™"

are all pending trademarks

and service marks of the

AEldwood Global Group of Companies

and the

Solar Tower Cooperative Investment Alliance STCIA.

(http://www.AEldwood.com)

INTERNATIONAL HEAD OFFICE:

Solar Tower Global Holdings LLC

Japan Global Communications

Telephone:     +81 45 593 8090

Fax:         +81 45 593 8091

Mobile:     +81 90 4221-7511

General Inquiries: stream@solartower.net

The STREAM Coop

Direct:     +81 45 593 1991

(http://www.solartower.com/)

(http://www.solartower.coop/)

ENVIROMISSION.COM Alternative and Sustainable

Lifestyle e-zine and magazine for concerned parents and adults.

(http://www.enviromission.com)

(http://www.mysticalforest.org) a not-for-profit

(http://www.dfce.com) Distributed Fuel Cell Economies and other alternative energy solutions

(http://www.rnadna.com) Exploring the HumanITARIAN genome



Solar Energy - How To Install Harbor Freight SOLAR PANELS [Part 3]




solarpanelselectricity.co Revealed Make your own solar panels and save money! Step By Step Guide Is Now Available: - Introduction To Solar Energy. - Building Your Solar Panel. - Solar Help Package. - Solar Energy Video Series - Make A Wind Turbine! - Build A Wind Turbine - Info Video Series FREE ACCESS NOW: solarpanelselectricity.co






DIY wind power - The First Direct Route From Social Networking To A Record Deal : MVine Provides The Solution for Generation DIY musicians

London, England (PRWEB) March 27, 2006

The First Direct Route From Social Networking To A Record Deal - MVine Provides The Solution for Generation DIY Musicians

Indie label MVine provides the first direct route from social networking services to a record deal, establishing mvine.com as the only community with the power to sign artists and offering 4-piece band, The Slides, a 2-album record deal.

It’s so simple it’s beautiful:

MVine uses the stunningly simple but totally innovative idea of picking new acts for their label only from artists showcasing music on MVine’s dedicated free community networking site (http://www.mvine.com). And there’s another clever bit – it’s not the label that picks which artists to sign, it’s the rest of the community. That’s true democracy for you.

Calum MacColl, MVine co-founder and a musician and producer himself explains the philosophy: This is the missing link that musicians have been waiting for. Having identified ‘Generation DIY’ musicians as very net-savvy and proactive, we commissioned research* that showed most musicians would rather make music than market it. They can’t afford to pay for marketing, so use the facilities that MySpace and other community networking sites offer. Ultimately however, they want to get signed. For us, establishing a label with a free, dedicated linked community was the obvious solution.

By engaging the whole community of musicians and non-musicians as the label’s A&R forum, we’re also empowering audiences with a sense of purpose. We think that the opinions of hundreds of people are more likely to identify really special artists than relying on one A&R person.”

The Slides are a perfect example - a hugely exciting new band picked up on immediately by large numbers of MVine’s audience as soon as they posted their music on MVine’s virtual venue. MacColl explains, “There was a real buzz from our audience about The Slides, so we listened to their songs, went to see them play live and promptly offered them a deal. We might have found them without the audience’s involvement, but then again we might not.”

In Summary

Generation DIY musicians want the support of those who can help them reach their audiences. Whilst the MySpace phenomena taps partway into this, MVine goes all the way by closing the gap between musicians, audiences and a label.

MVINE – the only network that signs artists

For further information and press packs, please contact

Kerry Harvey-Piper, on +44 (0)7976 272139,

Website: MVine.com

Refs:

The Long and Winding Road? Ebusiness models for small independent record labels Papagiannidis, S., J. Berry, and T. Petchey. WSEAS Transactions in Information Science & Applications, 2005).

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Alternative Energy - Bloomberg's Cheung Says Consumers Resisting `Smart Grid': Video




April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Albert Cheung talks about the outlook for so-called smart-grid technology that uses computerized meters to regulate power use. Cheung speaks with Deirdre Bolton on Bloomberg Television's "InsideTrack." (Source: Bloomberg)






Solar Power - Solar Panel Energy Generator, Cut down your electricity bills




www.SolarEnergyGuide.net - How to Build a Solar System Model - Learn to Make a Solar Panel It is possible to build your own solar system model without any prior knowledge of how it is done. All you need is a step-by-step guide to follow to make this a reality. You could build your own solar panel to power the whole of your home and live off the grid. An already made solar system model could cost up to $5000 to $30000, but you would save a lot of money if you build it on your own. With as little as $500, you could build your own solar energy using a step-by-step guide with materials gotten through cheap sources, though very durable, to make your own DIY solar system. Things you will need to build your own solar system model The things as they pertains to your solar system are the tools and components to build the project. You must have all of them and there are ways to get for cheap, almost free. I will talk about that later on. The things you require are You need a set of battery box You need a DC meter. You need an inverter. You need a handheld drill. You need a 20 volt solar panel. I know you must be wondering where to get this tool and whether everything would still cover the $500 I promised earlier on. The short answer is this: write a list of the things you need and walk down to a scrap hardware store to buy them. It is possible to get them for cheap and the durable ones. The things above are not all need, but just get those ones first. After you have arranged all <b>...</b>



In the News:




UK News Reporter (press release)

Earth4Energy - Reduce Your Electricity Bills - Build Your Own Solar System
UK News Reporter (press release)
Whether you want to simply cut your power bills to half or completely eliminate them – the one stop solution is Earth4Energy. Why pay a huge amount like $1000′s for utilization of solar or wind power when you can have the opportunity to build your own ...

and more »



The Reality Is, We Need Oil
Big Government
But I like your take on it! Perhaps the Feds could mandate that every electric car be recharged by wind generators or solar panels. LOL! You are such a loser! You really aught to read your own comment stream before you post. ...

and more »



AXcess News

"Hybrid" Moves Into Housing
AXcess News
RB: Any home investing in alternative energy options is “greener” due to the electricity produced on site and the use of less electricity from the grid cutting down the carbon footprint of that home and business. Hybrid technology creates power savings ...




International Business Times AU

Meteorologists warn of more intense hurricanes making landfall
International Business Times AU
And don't forget to read and follow the manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions to make sure your generator continues to provide the power you need, when you need it." In addition to preparing a household to maintain power after a ...




The Dirty Secret behind the American Clean Energy and Security Act
Big Government
Green Energy??? Is it a way for transferring wealth from one group of people to another. Sounds like it to me. Our electric bills will go up because we must do our part to save the planet. Our planet has a fever. We must buy carbon credits to offset ...







Saturday, May 28, 2011

renewable energy - ECOS 2010 Volume II (Biomass and Renewable): Proceedings of ECOS 2010 Conference in Lausanne (Volume 2)




ECOS 2010 Volume II (Biomass and Renewable): Proceedings of ECOS 2010 Conference in Lausanne (Volume 2)
ECOS 2010 Volume II (Biomass and Renewable): Proceedings of ECOS 2010 Conference in Lausanne (Volume 2) (Paperback)
By Prof Daniel Favrat






Residential Wind Power - DyoCore Launches SOLAIR First Wind/Solar Hybrid Roof Top Wind Turbine for the Residential Market

New York, N.Y. (PRWEB) March 8, 2010

DyoCore Smart Solutions today announced the March availability of its SolAir wind/solar hybrid generator. Sporting a breakthrough design with a small blade-span of less than 52 inches and integrated solar fin to maximize directional flow and electrical output, the SolAir is the first hybrid alternative energy source designed for consumer residential, small business and local government markets.

Offering a radical departure in design from traditional wind generators, DyoCore's SolAir can be stacked and strategically placed in a residential home environment as an alternative energy source. The unit incorporates the latest in thin film transistor solar panels, providing a continuous flow of energy, even with low-exposure to the sun. Furthermore, the company's supplied DC/AC inverter actually recycles unused electricity back into the local grid, dramatically reducing consumer dependency on the nation's power resources, while providing true money savings to environmentally-savvy home owners.

According to DyoCore's co-founder and VP of Sales, Moe Green, the SolAir represents the first time anyone in the industry has addressed the high cost and low performance of single install wind and solar energy resources. "DyoCore's dynamic and unique approach to this market sector provides a low cost, high performance and reliable building block solution. The average homeowner can start slow and build an entire home solution over time that strategically solves specific power needs and performance issues with our unique and cost-efficient solutions," explained Mr. Green.

The on/off-grid, plug-n-play hydro hybrid requires simple installation by homeowners, features an appealing stackable design, and delivers a complete return on initial investment within two to five years. Unlike other wind and/or solar systems, the SolAir has the potential to convert up to 70% of wind power into electricity, double the current average, and can operate in as little as 2mph to >25mph.

According to David Raine, company co-founder and chief engineer, it's all about developing cleaner and leaner technologies, thus improving the way products are designed, made, delivered, and used. "At the end of the product's life cycle, even the materials the product is made of can be recycled. The goal is to provide greater consumer value, performance and choice as well as reduce environmental impacts. DyoCore's product line meets this goal and will lower the cost of energy for the end consumer," explained Mr. Raine.

Available in two configurations, 300-watt and 800-watt versions, the SolAir I and II will be available in March 2010. In many states, the SolAir qualifies for local, state and federal tax credits of up to 80%.

About DyoCore Smart Solutions:
DyoCore's focus lies within the development and distribution of simple, low cost residential energy solutions based on hybrid wind and solar alternatives. The Company's technology objective is architected to make alternative energy resourcing simple, reliable, cost effective, and flexible for customers. A key aspect of DyoCore's vision is that its product line helps customers avoid the cost, hassle, and reliability issues of maintaining a large, high cost, high maintenance current market product.

DyoCore products present a dramatic change over traditional turbine designs. DyoCore turbines have been specifically tooled for low wind and the SolAir has been created specifically for both low wind and obstructed areas, ideal for the average home roof. The company's first two products, the SolAir I and Solair II will be available in July, 2009. For more information, visit the company's web site at http://www.dyocore.com.

Contact:
Moe Green
800.592.6201
moe(at)dyocore(dot)com

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Solar Concentrator - American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Fuels Momentum of Initiative Supporting Solar-Powered White House

California-based Sungevity is offering to donate a 102-panel, 17.85 kW solar PV system to the White House to demonstrate the powerful viability of solar technology today.

Boulder, CO (PRWEB) July 1, 2010

The American Solar Energy Society is lending its support to a powerful public-private partnership to demonstrate the technological advances that can bring clean, job-creating, domestically-produced solar energy back to the White House. The Globama Initiative is encouraging citizens of all political persuasions to confirm their support of this taxpayer-friendly project by signing an electronic petition that can be found at http://www.solaronthewhitehouse.com .

In addition to the American Solar Energy Society, the campaign partnership is fueled by the Solar Energy Industries Association, the Post Carbon Institute, Solar Nation, CleanTechies, private sector solar companies and U.S. citizens.

"The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is the largest man-made environmental disaster this country has seen. Its devastation rivals that of the Exxon Valdez every four days. In its wake, Americans are again searching for clean energy alternatives," said American Solar Energy Society Executive Director Brad Collins. "Outfitting the 'people's house' with a leading-edge solar energy solution serves as a beacon to the world that clean energy is a priority to President Obama, his administration and the people he serves," he added.

California-based Sungevity is looking to donate a 102-panel, 17.85 kW solar PV solution that will offset 81% of the White House's monthly electricity bill. A San Jose-based company called Free Hot Water has agreed to donate the solar thermal systems and KACO New Energy has offered to donate the inverters that convert the collected sunlight to the common AC for the White House solar system.

"We are thrilled to have the grassroots support of these reputable organizations to help spread awareness around the clean power of the sun - and to make people aware of the tax credits, cash grants, accelerated depreciation and related economic benefits for American homes and businesses interested in going solar," said Sungevity Founder Danny Kennedy.

"As the U.S. Senate takes up debate of the President's clean energy legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act), we can't think of a better time to remind Americans of the legacy of solar energy at the White House, and encourage more people to sign the petition and look at the economic and environmental benefits solar offers," added Kennedy.

Solar energy has a history of serving Presidents on both sides of the political aisle. Over 30 years ago, Americans were outraged at being held hostage to the interests of the foreign, oil-rich members of OPEC. In response, then-President Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the White House. His aim was to inspire Americans to educate themselves about the clean, domestic energy alternatives inherent in solar technology.

"A generation from now, this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of the road not taken, or it can be a small part of one of the greatest adventures ever undertaken by the American people," the President predicted. In the mid 1980s, the panels were dismantled for 'cleaning' and never re-installed.

In 2002, President George W. Bush accepted a National Parks Service proposal to reinstate solar on the White House grounds. The proposal allowed for a 9 kW solar PV system on a maintenance shed and two solar thermal systems to heat the White House swimming pool and hot tub. But with few incentives to guarantee market stability for solar businesses or consumers, little attention was paid to the gesture and solar remained out of reach to most Americans.

"The difference today from 30 years ago is that solar technology has exponentially improved to offer Americans a broad spectrum of efficient, clean energy alternatives," added Collins. "And with concentrated solar power plants with storage capacity coming online in the Southwest, solar energy can provide electricity to our U.S. electrical grid 24 hours a day."

To help businesses and consumers learn about the clean, job-creating solar energy options and the tax incentives that make solar solutions more affordable than ever, the American Solar Energy Society hosts the National Solar Tour, the world's largest grassroots solar event. Last year, 150,000 people across 49 states and Puerto Rico participated.

Now in its 15th year, the Tour features open house tours of thousands of solar-powered homes, businesses, and public agencies to introduce the solar technologies U.S. citizens are using to 1) slash monthly energy bills, 2) reduce environmentally harmful carbon emissions, 3) assert their energy independence and 4) enjoy rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values. The bulk of the tours take place on or about October 2, 2010.

"Technologies have improved, solar module prices have dropped and credit markets have loosened to the point where folks can have confidence in their solar energy options," said four year National Solar Tour sponsor Jyl Safier, Marketing Director for the global solar energy experts at Conergy.

Collins agrees. "We encourage citizens across the U.S. to sign the Globama petition. And we invite people to join the National Solar Tour by showcasing their solar-powered homes and businesses on this year's tour - or by taking the tour to learn how they, too, can harness the power of the sun to cut energy costs and create cleaner communities. "As this year's National Solar Tour theme suggests, there's never been a better time to 'Be solar inspired!'"

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY: Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES advances research, education, and policy. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour - the world's largest grassroots solar event. http://www.ases.org.

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DIY wind power - Do-it-Yourself Steel Building System Developed for Earthquake Disaster Areas Challenges Conventional Wisdom about Rebuilding Haiti

Spokane, WA (PRWEB) March 15, 2010

Architect Greg Higgins says the HabiTek building system is "pro-local labor, environmentally friendly, and an idea whose time has come. It's a paradigm shift." Habitek's Erector-set like design is a faster, more efficient way to provide both short & long term solutions.

The thought of rebuilding Haiti is mind boggling even without considering the economic conditions faced. The need to construct adequate shelter for over 1 million people may have no historical precedent. Two months after the quake, planners are struggling with the question of how to help the devastated nation rebuild. R. Buckminster Fuller, the great visionary, inventor, and writer, may have pointed to an answer. He would ask architects, “How much does your building weigh?” We should all remember this line of thought, as consideration of the weight of materials will be critical to the success of rebuilding.

Conventional wisdom holds that confined masonry construction (CMC) should be implemented in Haiti. This is an attempt to help a local building industry tied to concrete and masonry improve their methods; this is certainly important and well-intentioned. Better rebar, more of it, and higher strength concrete is obviously needed. CMC should help in some cases – but the notion that concrete & masonry construction is environmentally appropriate on a tropical island is worth questioning. These buildings are generally hot and confining, and they leave little if any opportunity for creative architectural expression. There are other methods to address earthquakes and hurricane force winds – HabiTek provides one.

In contrast to CMC, HabiTek has developed a lightweight steel framing system that can be erected in hours by almost any able bodied 2-person team without heavy machinery or even power tools. DIY is even an option for smaller structures. Our modular bolt together frame or chassis can help immensely in achieving strong transitional and permanent shelter as Haiti’s rebuilding proceeds. In Haiti, almost everyone could build his or her own home, and even aid in the rebuilding of community structures such as schools. HabiTek makes this possible with a simple “erector-set” like assembly process new to the building industry.

What is the answer to Bucky’s question here? HabiTek’s steel chassis is at least 4.5 times lighter than CMC’s reinforced concrete frame. Weight has many implications. For instance, additional energy is consumed in transportation all along the route from source to site. Too, there’s the shear drudgery involved in lifting and placing these heavy materials. Finally, more weight means that more time will be required to complete the building. We estimate that a pre-engineered HabiTek steel framework can be erected in at least 1/10th the time it takes to pour concrete and set blocks for a given size building. Time, of course, is so very critical in Haiti, and after considering weight, rebuilding officials must ask: “How long does your building take to complete?”

Rebuilding planners face an enormous task. It is imperative that it start with a thorough cost-benefit analysis. Yes, the specially prepared steel components in a HabiTek framework cost more than the concrete and rebar used in CMC. But if the big picture is factored in—weight and time—HabiTek emerges as more economical overall. Also important, HabiTek offers the opportunity to create beautifully designed and comfortable shelters all Haitians can be proud of. HabiTek’s modular system of largely interchangeable parts that locks in required strength when the bolts are tightened deserves serious consideration.

It is critical that a predictable future and sense of optimism be brought to the Haitian people. A safe house that can be assembled by almost anyone will help immensely. With some supervision, individuals and families could be employed to build their own home using the HabiTek method. Grab a wrench and let’s get started.

FOOTNOTES:

CMC has been shown to help in earthquakes because these structures are less prone to collapse; but this method is no panacea because they lack flexibility. And if done correctly, CMC requires a high skill level. Large earthquakes can still damage these structures beyond repair. As we are seeing in Haiti, there is little or no value to recycling concrete after a quake. HabiTek's galvanized steel components are 100% recyclable.

Weight comparison between CMC and HabiTek is based on the 240 sq. ft. (23.3 sq. meters) area of the transitional shelter example shown on HabiTek’s web site. Structural design for the CMC method was based on the publication: “Earthquake-Resistant Confined Masonry Construction”, by Svetlana Brzev. Calculations were based on the primary structural frame in both cases: HabiTek’s post-and-beam steel frame; and for CMC, the concrete columns and beams used to “confine” masonry. For the purpose of the comparison, the weight of CMC’s integrated masonry infill was not included; a modified form of masonry infill is also possible with HabiTek’s steel frame. Weight associated with below grade concrete foundations were considered equivalent (although the lighter HabiTek structure would require a smaller foundation). Also, the weight of any roof structure was not included – based on the fact that both systems could have a wood truss roof structure of similar design.

Some are concerned about the cost implications of importing steel to Haiti. It is important to realize that the CMC method still uses nearly half the weight per square foot in imported steel rebar as a HabiTek all steel framework. Also, roughly 5 lbs/sq. ft. of imported cement is used, assuming a 6-sack mix. Not unlike Hawaii, with the exception of sand and gravel, virtually all building materials in Haiti are imported. This was true 50 years ago or more, and will be true tomorrow.

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