What About the Jobs Crisis? Two Words: Clean Energy

When legendary Chicago newspaper columnist Mike Royko wanted to dig deep into a meaty subject, he'd ask Slats Grobnik's opinion.
This usually took place over beers down at the bar.
Slats, fictitious but possibly based on a composite of Royko pals, would give an unvarnished everyman opinion. This week he'd likely say, "Congress? As if they've got a snowball's chance of fixing the economy



Desertec is a proposal for terawatts of wind and solar to be located in Libya
 and Algeria and Saudi Arabia for European Power

Grobnik's take on the economy
"We need jobs. Mel's wife's car broke down. He's not getting enough business at the diner to pay the mechanic. The mechanic's not ordering parts from Irish Lou. Lou's thinking about closing shop.

Renewable Energy in China - Serious Opportunities or Serious Risks?

China is now the world's largest investor in renewable energy having eclipsed both Germany's and the United States' spending in the last year. Renewable energy is at the heart of the latest (twelfth) five year plan for the development of China, and there's been an explosion in companies focusing in the sector. Solar, Wind, Hydro and even Geo Thermal have become big business for the Middle Kingdom, and foreign investors are rushing to get in on the act. However much of the money flowing into the sector may not be wisely spent, the question is how to identify opportunities from major risks?

Multijunction Solar Cells - Technology Imitates Nature

Remember your basic Biology 101 and photosynthesis?

In case you need a refresher on the topic, photosynthesis is how a plant converts light into energy, which it uses to run its metabolic processes. Multijunction solar represent the mechanical, artificial analogue to this biological process. But before we get into that, let's take a look at your basic solar cell.

 

It's Been Around Longer Than You Think

The idea of generating electricity using sunlight dates back almost to the time people started using electricity. In fact, a photovoltaic effect was first produced around 1840 - not long after Queen

The Nanotechnology Solar Cell Revolution

There is little debate that we need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, but the costs of renewable energy platforms such as solar make it difficult. Nanotechnology definitely offers the answer.

Solar power is considered one of the better renewable energy platforms. Enough sunlight hits our planet each day to meet our world wide energy needs for an entire year. On top of this, solar energy is a free power source, since nobody can corner the market on the sun. Solar power is also good for the environment since it produces none of the emissions that are of such concern today, specifically carbon dioxide greenhouse gases.

If solar is so great, why don't we see more practical applications? The problem lies in the applications. Specifically, we have no way to harness the power. Commercial solar cells are very inefficient. Current models on the market only convert about 8 to 13 percent of the sunlight hitting them.

Solar Energy - Why All Eyes Are on Israel

In the UK, solar energy is still something of a confusing answer to the problems posed by our ever-dwindling fossil fuel resources. This confusion is unsurprising, our northern European climate is rarely associated with scorching heat - and a quick look at our landscape and coast shows ample area for wind and tidal power. Yet, in recent times the increasing affordability of solar hot water and proof of the benefits that come with it is causing more of us to consider installing solar collectors. But to really keep abreast of the developments in solar technology, we can learn the most from Israel.

Bridging the Gap Between Going Off The Grid and Surviving

Going off grid with solar--and batteries

Living Off the Grid in Style: An Interview with Super-Homesteader Jane Dawson

I am not really sure what is happening in this country. Five years ago the economy was incredibly strong, the housing marketing was doing very well and most people had equity in their homes.

 Like a great many people you probably bought your house while the market was on that upswing anticipating that it would continue to increase in value. And it did for a while but the economy tanked. I don't know about you, blaming the politicians is fun and it makes us feel better, but there comes a point when we have to take matters into our own hands. I needed to start saving money, like now! I can't wait for things to turn around. That's why I made the decision to learn how to build solar panels.

I looked into the cost of buying panels for my home and I just couldn't afford them. I work hard. I don't spend more than I earn. I am not different than most people. I have accepted that the economy might not change or bounce back. But quite honestly, I don't want to take the plunge to go off grid entirely. I like my life. I don't like paying through the nose for my electricity. Once I learned how to make solar panels and install them myself, my bill went down. Most months I don't even owe a dime on the bill and some months I get money back from the power company. This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't learned how to build solar panels and learned how to save energy. I was like you, living paycheck to paycheck.

The Current Situation of Solar Energy in USA and Japan

  

Solar is a sustainable use of clean energy. In the search for sustainable development of human society, energy-saving building on the increasing use of solar energy is getting worldwide attention.

The status of solar energy use in United States is getting better!

In United States, total energy consumption in building comes up to 30% -90%. It is becoming a certain form of economic development constraints role. Therefore, American development of solar energy is growing very rapidly.

Super Solar Power Project

Giant solar power project.

Many people have heard of the solar tower project being constructed in Australia. It is over 1000 meters tall and will produce 200 mega watts of electricity by heating air at ground level which then causes the air to rise in the tower. It also serves as a green house. It is slated to go into operation to power about two hundred thousand homes in 2012. Spain has a prototype that is functional and has already been tested near Madrid.

There are as well various photovoltaic solar fields with arrays of solar panels that generate electricity directly from sunlight. The most popular large scale solar power projects are by way of the solar trough or parabolic trough system which concentrates solar heat to a focal point which in most cases is an oil filled pipe. The oil is heated to around 700ºF where it is pumped back to a heat exchanger which creates steam power.

A New Solution to Building Solar Panels Around Anything

Recently conducted research in a lab has found a new way that we can incorporate solar cells. Basically the technology put in simple terms is "stretchable solar cells". Unbelievable? Yes it is, but it's possible. The creator likes to call it the "super skin". Besides being stretchable they are flexible too. They can be stretched up to 30% beyond their normal length.

Uses for the flexible solar cells
"One of the applications where stretchable solar cells would be useful is in fabrics for uniforms and other clothes," says one of the students. And quite a lot of other uses too. If you think about it, some vehicles would be able to adapt this flexible, stretchable material around the body. Or homes could use them around different locations of their homes not just the roofs.

We've already seen car companies use similar technology on the roofs of vehicles to power air-conditioning and other uses. The question is really what else can we use this technology for.
The greatest benefit with this new tech is that more people can get creative about how to make solar panels from their homes. No longer do they just have to make roof solar panels, but they can incorporate it around their entire homes and all sorts of portable devices to do the fact that this could also mean lighter solar cells.

Home Panel Solar Politics

After recently reading a New York Times article, we started thinking about home panel solar politics. You see, although solar power is gaining popularity as a renewable energy solution for home, it will never become mainstream without the backing from the federal government.
A poll by the Nuclear Power Industry revealed that the number one choice for generating power was not from nuclear, coal or natural gas, but from solar energy. However, at the time the poll was taken solar only provided for about 0.01 percent of America's power supply. Solar power is popular, but there's not enough investment!

In Washington, where the energy policies are signed, solar power lobbyists generally work with small budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars. Now when you compare it to the tens of millions of dollars that nuclear, coal, gas and oil lobbyists have available, you can only guess which energy policies gain approval by our beloved politicians.

Why the World Still Uses Coal, Oil and Natural Gas

Coal, oil, and natural gas are still dominant sources of energy despite the fact that renewable energy is getting more and more supporters. Wind power and solar power are becoming increasingly popular but coal, oil and natural gas have founded our economies and industries meaning they still have very strong political support.

Fossil fuels have more than just history on their side, what they also have is advantage in costs. Renewable energy is sadly still significantly expensive option compared to fossil fuels, and lower costs are really the key component that gives fossil fuels an edge.

Renewable energy technologies are constantly developing, and their development is dropping prices so they are getting near the prices of fossil fuels (especially wind power that is currently the cheapest renewable energy option). However getting near doesn't seem to be enough, and coal is thus still the most dominant energy source in the world, and world's greatest source of electricity.
In about 150 years time fossil fuels would likely be depleted, and world will have to have a decent replacement ready. From the current point of view using renewables looks like the only option capable to replace coal, oil, and natural gas but this is far future from where we are looking today.

Solar Panels by Night

How to bank on solar panels at night
Making the most of the solar radiation that reaches our atmosphere is the need of the hour. Sadly, the rate at which we are using this non-exhaustible source of energy in the form of solar panels is very slow and without regard for the huge savings that can be invited upon our homes, offices and lifestyles.

Sourcing energy by day and night
Our fossil fuels are bound to get exhausted sooner or later. The consequence is that the depleting quantities have raised prices and made the availability of fuel a luxury! Not only is the energy from the sun trapped by the solar panels cost efficient but also green, safe and completely dependable. Solar energy is without a doubt the best replacement we have for fuel on our planet. In the near future harnessing and reusing solar power by night is going to be the clarion call of governments and environmentalists.

Solar Energy Rebates In Australia

There are a number of solar energy rebates in Australia and you can literally save thousands of dollars when you know the way to integrate these into your life. There are rebates for many different renewable energy options such as on grid connected and off grid solar panels, solar hot water or solar pumping systems. If you qualify for one of the Australian Government's renewable energy rebates, subsidies or grants then you could save a lot of money on your energy expenditure.
Home solar power rebates
The Solar Credits rebate can save you thousands on a system if you meet the requirements. You can also make money from a rooftop solar array. The major rebate currently available is the national Solar Credits Program. The Solar Credits multiplier offers thousands of dollars in savings depending on the size and location of installation, and applies to new installations of small-scale renewable energy generators eligible under the scheme. Solar credits will apply to the first 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of capacity installed. Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Barriers and UK Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROC)

               


                           

When environmental issues, long term supply and future economical aspects are taken into account, the design and implementation of a renewable energy commercial international system should be created and adhered to in order to solve world's energy problems and possibly, reducing some of the impacts related to climate change.

That means in order to be able to provide a stable supply of sustainable energy, protecting the environment, curbing CO2 emission and, in the case of energy crops being used as a source of energy, an actual reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere, barriers to the implementation of the above should be removed permanently, first.
Fortunately, these barriers can be dealt with successfully if and when international, national and local agreements 'implemented' by all parties. According to Johansson, et. al., 1993, there are many opportunities exist to overcome these difficulties.

Inspiring the Nation - First the Moon, Now Cleaner Energy at an Affordable Price

Fifty years ago, in 1962 President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation's greatest scientific and business leaders to "put a man on the moon by the end of the decade." We rose to the challenge and we hit that goal in the summer of 1969.
Fast-forward to the 21st century, and we are facing a new challenge: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically very soon, or face more extreme weather patterns and destructive, volatile weather events due to climate change.
And what better way to promote rapid advancement in technology than to throw down the gauntlet. Speak out loud an outrageous goal, and challenge everybody to rise to the occasion.
CLEANER ENERGY AT AFFORDABLE PRICES
That challenge has now been issued for clean energy! The U.S. Department of Energy wants to reduce the cost of solar energy systems by 75% by the end of the decade. DOE has created a collaborative program called the SunShot Initiative, and the goal is to kickstart the solar industry with laser-focused research and design so that a decade from now it is self-sustaining with no taxpayer subsidies necessary, with competitive market forces working to spur innovation, growth and investment in a sector driven by greater consumer demand: cleaner energy at affordable prices!

It's the Economy - Energy Efficiency Gains Big Believers

Bill Clinton said it best: "It's the economy, stupid."
The former president reiterated his economy comment in a piece in Newsweek, offering energy efficiency measures as several of 14 ways to jump start the U.S. economy and create jobs.
He's hardly the first. The corporate sector, utilities and governments are swapping out old lighting and inefficient energy-hungry systems like crazy. Why? It saves money.
This rapid embrace of energy efficiency over the past couple years has a lot to do with money. IBM says it's saved $50 million since 2008 through energy saving and conservation measures. "Bottom line; it pays dividends," the company said in a statement.
Converts are signing up in droves. Wal-Mart, an early believer in sustainability, played a big part in expanding the movement's reach. For instance, the retailer has provided more than 100,000 of its global suppliers with a sustainability survey and encourages them to embrace energy efficiency policies.
Utilities also are playing a major part, especially in California where representatives work one-on-one with clients to install retrofits and save money and kilowatt hours. While they are somewhat inspired by financial incentive, most of these reps have become some of the best educated on how to adopt energy-saving measures for the least amount of money.

Magnetic Energy Generator Cost Vs Solar Panels Cost

Many people think only about solar panels as a way to generate an alternative source of energy and which can help them sever their dependence on power companies so that they can go "off grid". However, there are other alternatives to solar panels and using a magnetic energy generator is one of them. Magnets are capable of generating electricity as well and a magnetic energy generator is much more affordable than installing solar panels will be.
The Cost Of Solar Panels
Solar panels have been used for many years to convert solar radiation into electrical current. They generate electricity which can be stored in a collector, making it possible to power a home or building even when the sun is not shining.

Most studies have shown that you can expect to pay between $6 and $9 per watt of solar energy for a system that is installed for you. Overall, for a system that you have professionally installed you may spend between $30,000 and $40,000. This includes solar panels, an inverter box and the wiring which will carry your solar electricity through your home

Solar Panel Questions - So Many Questions!

We are always getting asked questions about how solar panels are actually integrated into the home to supplement your electricity usage or to replace your energy provider.
Here are a few typical questions and our answers.
Question: Why are commercially available panels so expensive?
There are lots of reasons but principally it's because the market is still quite small and there isn't yet a really competitive marketplace. Government solar rebates help reduce costs.
Question: How do I connect my panel into my home wiring?
Unfortunately it's not quite that simple. Never attempt to connect the solar panel into your home wiring yourself unless you are a currently registered electrician. The solar panel is part of a system consisting of a controller, batteries and an inverter.

A Chinese Solar Future

          
                 

projects planned for China

The Olympic Games held in Beijing in 2008 highlighted to the world the problems that China is having with pollution in urban areas where population density and heavy road traffic has contributed to a situation where on some days visibility is severely reduced.
The televised images of the Beijing skyline obscured by a murky cloud of smog offered a grim reminder of the contamination which is of course an inevitable by-product of a rapidly industrializing economy.
However, China has embraced the concept of renewable energy with a massive shift towards solar energy. Legislation introduced by the Chinese government has been designed to spark investment in renewable energies and has so far, proved to be successful.
As the largest manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) components, China has been a market leader in developing new products for markets elsewhere. Certainly, the Spanish market which experienced its own boom following the introduction of a feed-in tariff in 2007 relied massively on Chinese PV imports with the market experiencing a glut of Chinese produced PV plant when the Spanish industry went through its downturn and failed to install the solar plant which had been ordered. However, in a bid to alleviate some pollution problems and help meet climate change targets, the Chinese government has recently sought to increase the number of solar installations within the country.

Decorative Solar Outdoor Light

Many homeowners who integrate solar outdoor light fixtures are unfamiliar with the manner in which they ought to care for their new solar outdoor light. Generally homeowners place the solar outdoor light where they think it will be most beneficial in terms of aesthetic quality and decoration. They place them around their garden, along a pathway, or around a porch. What many homeowners fail to recognize, however, is consideration of the amount of daily sun exposure that these lights will receive when placed in these areas of the landscape. Common problems associated with solar outdoor light is that the fixtures do not receive adequate lighting during the day and therefore cannot charge completely, leaving them dull and non-operational during the night hours when they are needed the most.
 If this continues, then the batteries within the solar light will lose their lifespan and thus shorten the lifespan of