Solar Power Your Business

Have you wondered what all the "buzz" is about using solar energy to provide power for your home or business? Perhaps you have thought that the technology is too expensive or otherwise not worth the investment. Its time to change that thinking. More and more often, property owners are installing solar panels on the roofs of buildings, to harness energy from the sun to be converted into electricity. Power bills for the buildings on which the panels are installed drop to next to nothing as a result. Each panel costs between $150 and $1,500, depending on the brand, vendor and wattage. Currently, solar cells cost approximately $4.30 per watt. For a 50-watt solar panel, the total cost is about $215. The number and square footage of panels required to power a business is determined by calculating watt-hours of electricity typically used over a 24-hour period. Not surprisingly, the expense of the initial installation is the biggest hurdle.
Sun Edison and MMA Renewables specialize in providing financing and solar power installations for commercial customers. In addition, expect to see more tax incentives for renewable energy sources in the future. Additional information about current incentives and subsidies can be found at The Solar Guide.

In Bend, Oregon, one local newspaper has installed solar panels on the roof of its building. The Source Weekly is located near the downtown center in a historic building. Known as an off-beat, quirky news organization, perhaps it is not surprising that it is also forward-thinking with respect to solar energy. Solar panels installed on the rooftop are proudly visible to passers-by which, is both innovative marketing and good, green sense. If a small business can successfully incorporate solar power into its business model, perhaps its time that larger organizations start to do the same.

Images by Stephanie Hicks (Bend, Oregon - July 11, 2008)

Solar Powered Big Wheel

Ready for a ride? Go along with the Hippy Gourmet as he interviews Stanford University's award winning professor and inventor Bob Schneeveis. Always up for a bit of fun with renewable energy, Bob shows off his one-of-a-kind solar powered big wheel built for two. The features of this odd solar powered vehicle will surprise you!

Al Gore Speaks About Carbon-Free Renewable Energy

On July 17, 2008, former United States Vice-President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Al Gore gave a compelling speech at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. about the urgent need to develop renewable energy sources within the next 10 years. He challenged Americans (and their leaders) to be "running on 100 percent zero-carbon electricity" in the coming decade. Among other things, Mr. Gore championed the fact that solar, wind and geothermal power is more affordable, while we have to face the reality of the climbing costs of coal and oil. A new advertising campaign, developed by The Alliance for Climate Protection, will encourage supporters of clean energy sources to advocate for new laws and policies that will result in the reduction of global warming. Currently, the United States is generating an abysmal 3% of its electricity from renewable sources like solar energy.

Gore talked about updating the electricity grid in the United States. Connection with areas rich in wind and solar energy would help the rest of the nation. He also talked highly of plug-in electric vehicles (PEHVs), which, if combined with a carbon tax could "increase the flexibility of our electricity grid." Gore's speech has been compared to the 1961 address of JFK to put a man on the moon within 10 years (which was accomplished ahead of schedule, by the way).

Later in the day, Mr. Gore answered questions on National Public Radio (NPR) regarding his monumental speech. Among many things that he discussed, Gore noted the fact that Germany has a strong solar energy policy and, as a result, the relatively small country has more solar panels installed than the total square footage in the United States.

Watch Al Gore's Speech here:

When asked about whether Gore would accept an invitation to be Vice-President once again, he laughed and stated that he had imposed his own term limits on the Vice-Presidency, which he served for 8 years under Bill Clinton. At this point in his life, the 60-year old Gore is much more interested in serving the cause of preventing further global warming than sitting in political office. I cannot think of a better person to lead this charge.

Mr. Gore noted that 10 years is the maximum amount of time we have to act before we will not have the ability to recover from environmental crisis. Tellingly, Gore also noted that a decade is just about the amount of time our political attention span would permit: "A political promise to do something 40 years from now is universally ignored because everyone knows that it's meaningless. "Ten years is about the maximum amount of time that we as a nation can hold a steady aim and hit our target."

Let's all hope that our attention span for reducing greenhouse emissions and our reliance on foreign oil supplies does not run out first.

Solar Panel Glass-A Window to the Future

There is another exciting development in technology news concerning solar energy! On July 10, 2008, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced the development of "solar concentrators," which operate to take energy from sunlight that strikes a window and concentrate it at the edges of the pane, where solar cells would be located.
The effect of the new solar windows would be to increase efficiency of traditional solar panels by up to 100%. The new solar panel glass would be best suited for office buildings with large areas covered by windows. Similar to solar paint, special dyes that absorb light is "painted" onto a pane of glass. When UV light strikes the panes, solar energy then is pushed out to the edges and collected, where it can be harnessed on much smaller surface of solar cells.
The solar windows such as these would be a more cost-effective way of utilizing renewable solar energy, than larger, more expensive solar panels. The future will still have to wait, however. It will be about three years before solar panel glass will be available for installation and use.

New system will deliver about twice as much power(100% more!) than regular solar panels.

For more information, watch the following MIT video in which Mark Baldo discusses MIT's solar concentrator.

Solar Taxi on Tour

If you thought Solar Taxi was the name of a new rock group, think again. The Solar Taxi is a two-seater solar powered electric car that can go over 200 miles without recharging and can reach a maximum speed of 60 MPH. The car is powered by a five-meter solar trailer covered with six square meters of solar cells. Electricity is stored in a newly invented ZEBRA battery. It’s the brainchild of Swiss teacher, adventurer and environmentalist, Louis Palmer, whose dream is to drive this car around the world without using a single drop of gas or creating a single CO2 emission. His dream is coming true right now. The point, according to Palmer, is bigger than a personal challenge. He wants draw attention to the need for alternatives to fossil fuel and to demonstrate that there are solutions to global warming.

The Solar Taxi team started driving west from Europe last July and has now traveled more than 34,000 kilometers covering India, China, S. Korea, and Australia. At the moment they are cruising down the west coast of the United States—country number 28 so far—making stops at various UC campuses before heading east. They plan to be in Montreal by the end of September. The tour will finish at the World Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland on December 3^rd. You can check out the route here. Stop by and say hello if you have a chance.

Driving the Solartaxi in India
Holy Cow :-) The Solartaxi team had to lean on the horn driving in India

from Shanghai to Beijing in China
Solartaxi takes on Chinese beaurocracy-- they don't call it red tape for nothing :-)

Promoting Plug-In Electric Cars

She is not even old enough to drive yet, but Liza Stoner from Minneapolis, MN is riding her bike to Washington, D.C. from her hometown to raise awareness about plug-in electric vehicles and electric hybrids (PEHVs). The 14-year old girl aspires to be an environmentalist when she grows up, and it appears that she is well on her way. Currently, Liza has completed more than half of the 1,585 mile "Ride for Renewal", riding 40-70 miles per day. She plans on delivering a petition to Congress on or about July 18, 2008 when she arrives at the Capitol. You can sign the petition here, which seeks governmental tax credits and other incentives for companies that produce electric cars. Talk about a breath of fresh air! I've already signed the petition - now its your turn.

Solar Power Can be Entertaining

Is your head starting to spin with all you've been hearing about solar power and alternative energy sources? Maybe you've been to the Santa Monica pier in California! A world-famous ferris wheel is powered by solar panels, and illuminated with LED lights, making it one of the premier attractions at the park.

The amusement park ride was first constructed in 1996 and was the first and only solar powered ferris wheel in the world. A new ferris wheel opened just in time for Memorial Day weekend in May 2008, at the cost of $1.5 million. The incorporation of 160,000 LED lights on the ride cuts energy consumption and costs for the park as a whole, while installed solar panels generate over 71,000 Kw hours of PV power. Use of solar power allows the 90-foot ride, and its 800 passengers per hour, to operate wholly on clean, renewable energy. Now that is something we can all smile about, while we go around and around on the benefits of solar energy.

Photo by Daquella manera Thank you!

Solar Powered Gate Opener

Looking to save on your energy bill? Who isn't? More and more these days, solar panels are being installed to use energy from the sun and convert it to electrical current. Living in a very "Green" city, Bend, Oregon, I have noticed a number of creative ways that homeowners and businesses are using new PV technology to power everything from traffic signals, school reader boards and gates. One property owner along a busy thoroughfare has gated his driveway to prevent trespassers who like to cut through a gravel shortcut to a nearby trail system. The gate is powered by a solar panel, which probably cost between $150 and $250 (including shipping). That's it! Companies such as Hoover Fence Company offer the solar panels for sale on their websites. Energy from the sun will power as many as 15 gate openings per day. You can even preview installation manuals on-line to determine how easy it is to get a solar powered gate up and running on your property.

Of course, not all gates are as rustic as some of these models. For luxury properties, you may wish to consider a $1500-$2000 gorgeous wrought iron solar energy operated gate. Amazing Gates is one company that manufacturers these beauties. Not only can you purchase solar powered gates directly online, but you may also view installation videos. You'll be able enjoy significant savings on your power bill, and the next time there is a storm or power-outage in your area, you need not worry about getting through your solar-powered gate.

Still "on the fence" about whether to get a solar-powered gate opener? Let me tell you: the grass is definitely greener on this side.

AmazingGates Installation Video part 1

Video Part 2

Video Part 3

Photos by Stephanie Hicks (Bend, Oregon, USA 7/7/08)

Solar Powered Political Statement

Travel with The Hippy Gourmet for an interview with inventor Bob Schneeveis, and see his brilliant Solar Powered Walking Chariot. This chariot is pulled by a robot who appears to be roller blading and is named for his uncanny likeness to George W. Bush. Learn more about this college professor and eccentric inventor who is using his expertise in robotics to spread the word about solar power. Watch as he takes his quirky inventions and bright personality down new avenues of exploration.

GM Goes Green in A World-Wide Way

As if all the hoopla about GM’s new Chevy Volt electric car weren’t enough, the Detroit based automaker has gone a step further in repenting for its sinful, SUV producing past. As part of its new green image, GM announced on July 8th that it will install the largest solar roof in the world on its car assembly plant located in Zaragoza, Spain. The project will cover 2 million square feet of rooftop, and will use approximately 85,000 solar panels. On completion the project should generate 15.1 million kilowatts of power per year. The company is not just talking green talk, it is putting its resources into walking the green walk. It's a brave move as there is little margin for error.

GM’s announcement comes amid whispers of bankruptcy and at a time when GM stock is lower in price than it has been in 40 years. What will happen, both to the project and to GM, is anybody’s guess, but clearly, one of America’s biggest corporations has totally reversed course and realized that the future of the country and of the world lies in finding viable alternatives to fossil fuel. It’s good to see an American automaker waking up to reality. Come home to America, GM. All is forgiven. I can’t wait to test drive a Volt.

GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster discusses this new project.

BLM Reverses Course on Solar Energy Project Moratorium

The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced on July 2, 2008 that it will not implement a moratorium on reviewing solar energy project applications during the time that an environmental impact statement is prepared to study potential impacts of such projects. Recently, an outcry was raised when the agency announced that during the time the EIS was being prepared it would not accept additional solar project applications for review. With the current energy crisis reaching serious levels, many wondered why the BLM would suspend potential development of renewable energy sources like solar energy. Of note, the BLM did not suspend wind or geothermal energy project applications during its environmental review of those projects. Considering the vast amount of land in BLM's ownership - primarily in the Western United States and Alaska - permitting of utility-scale solar energy projects on its land is crucial to demonstrating true governmental backing of solar project on federal lands. If the permit applications currently pending are approved, more than 20 million homes could be powered by clean, renewable solar energy. Just think of the savings in electric bills that could be realized. The reduction in CO2 emissions and corresponding effect on global warming cannot even begin to be estimated with the delivery of clean, carbon-free electricity that could be realized through permitting of solar projects. The next push is to convince BLM to expedite the processing of the applications that have already been submitted. As of the date of this publishing, BLM has not approved a single solar energy project.

For more information regarding the EIS process, see: Solareis

Photo by Stephanie Hicks (Lake of the Woods, Oregon - July 2007)

Will Your Next Home Have Solar Power?

Will you buy green? If you are in the market for a new home, long term rental or vacation getaway be sure to explore the green options currently available.





What qualifies a home as green? Here are a few of the requirements:

• Photovoltaic (based on solar cells) and/or wind power systems
• Solar thermal hot water systems
• Built to be energy efficient
• Water saving devices
• Use of Eco-friendly building materials

At Listedgreen you will find MLS listings for hundreds of homes around the world that meet a few or all of the above requirements. There are homes available in every price range and design, including older homes that have been updated with solar shingles to ultra contemporary luxury homes incorporating multiple energy efficient systems. All listed homes are reviewed and verified by humans to meet their strict requirements. Whether you are looking for a stunning California waterfront estate, a small Nevada desert getaway, or an urban condominium or townhouse, there can be a green home in your future.

Solar Power, Tax Credits and Government Shenanigans

It’s showdown time for solar power in the United States Senate. It’s the fossil fuel interests against the renewable energy crowd and the stakes are high. Once again on June 17^th a Senate filibuster prevented a vote on the renewal for eight years of the 30% tax credit for investment in renewable energy. The renewal is necessary to attract the investment in time and money necessary to wean the country from dependence on coal and oil. As the price of oil spirals higher and higher, and concerns about carbon emissions and global warming escalate, utilities, corporations and the general public are more and more on board with solar and wind for energy production. But without the tax credit extension, it just won’t get done. The window of opportunity is closing. There are a couple of weeks left in July and then Congress goes on vacation for the month of August. If the extension doesn’t get passed by the end of September, then the game is, for all intents and purposes, over. The 30% tax credit goes down to 10% making numerous projects now in the planning stages no longer viable and venture capital harder to come by.

It is a shame, but the showdown has to do not only with the politics of oil, gas, and renewable energy, it is also tied up with parochial fights between Democrats and Republicans over extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, the Iraq War, and a host of other Bush Administration policies.

This is a moment of truth for American Energy policy that will have lasting effects for the nation and for the entire world. Keep your fingers crossed and lets hope the good guys can get this tax credit extension passed.

Photo by alykat Thank you!

Solar Power Comes Crashing Down

The sky is falling! Will getting hit in the head with a large battery knock some sense into people? Or will they continue to ignore the solar energy that falls from the sky everyday? The video Hail - The Return of the Sun was created by Solon AG, a German based manufacturer of solar cells and PV power panels as a part of their campaign to raise awareness on the subject of solar power.

A Green Light for Solar Panels

Solar energy is free and plentiful. And it doesn't have to be a bright sunny day in order to harness the power of the sun to electrify our lives. If we can use solar power to energize our laptops and cell phones, even our homes, why not cut down on the energy costs associated with traffic management? PV solar panels can be installed on or near traffic signs to power flashing lights that alert drivers and pedestrians to conditions on the road. Northwest Power LLC, based in Colorado, produces Solar Traffic Signs that will work in cloudy coastal regions, as well as sunnier climes.
While out for a weekend run, I discovered one of these devices about 2 miles from my home. On the front of the sign is a cautionary blinking light, signaling a busy intersection ahead. The PV panel absorbs solar energy which is converted into electrical power; a battery is located at the base of the sign. Among the benefits including lower energy costs for the governmental agencies maintaining the signs, include the ability to avoid running power lines and/or trenching, as well as lower maintenance costs. The technology has spread to allow use of solar power to energize street lights, traffic lights and brighten road studs. Importantly, these traffic signals will continue to function in the event of a power failure when the need for safety alerts may be most critical. With all these positive features, government agencies should be getting the green light to install these reliable, energy-efficient signals.


Photos by Stephanie Hicks

NOT Working on Solar Panel Powered Electric Cars Says Dyson-Just a Digital Motor

The news was announced a couple of weeks ago in an article in Britain’s respected Independent newspaper. England’s most famous inventor, Sir James Dyson, is developing an electric car powered by solar panels and capable of real speed and distance. Web Pundits and bloggers all over the world picked up on it right away. What an appealing idea: The man who liberated the housewife from icky vacuum cleaner bags is going to free us all from the tyranny of the internal combustion engine. The news spread across the internet with the speed of a Paris Hilton video.

And then the Dyson spin machine turned on and the retractions started. Bloggers and web-pundits who had heralded the news last week have taken it all back in the past few days. The company’s Public Information office explained that Sir James, in his interview with the Independent, was talking about their cutting edge digital vacuum cleaner motor and just observed that it could possibly be used to power an electric car. The journalists misunderstood.(yeah, sure) Listen to the audio clip on Gas2.0.com.

I, for one, don’t believe a word of it. Journalists, particularly in big print media, are big on fact-checking and getting quotes right. The reclusive Dyson just wants the media off his back is what I think. Who can blame him? I wouldn’t want the pressure either if I were in his shoes. But I bet the work goes on, and I’d put my money on Dyson any day to come up with just what the world needs—a fast electric car powered by solar roof panels.

Photo by nobihaya Thank you!

From Dyson Vacuum Cleaners to Solar Panels Powered Cars

I filled up my car with gas this morning and had one of those déjà vu moments. Waiting my turn in a line of ten cars, I was transported back thirty years to the gas lines of the last energy crisis. This morning I saw the same grim desperation in the faces of motorists jockeying for position at the pump. I felt a little desperate myself as I shelled out a king’s ransom for half a tank of gas. Here we go again, I thought. The squeeze is on.

At least one man I have faith in is working on the problem. Britain’s most famous inventor, Sir James Dyson, of Dyson vacuum cleaner fame, is now turning his considerable talents to the development of a solar powered electric car by using solar panels. Traditionally, electric cars, although quiet and pollution-free have been slow—around 30mph—due to the fact that batteries powerful enough to produce speed, and compact enough to not take up all the space in the car, could not be developed. Automakers from Detroit to Tokyo are working on the problem, but most are thinking in terms of batteries that recharge by being plugged in to an electrical outlet of some sort.

Once again, inventor Dyson is thinking outside the box. Reportedly, he and his research group are working on a lightweight electric vehicle whose battery will be charged by solar panels, installed on the roof of the car and on the roof of the garage where the car is parked. Admittedly. there are some kinks to be worked out, but according to Dyson, his lightweight, fast, solar powered vehicle will be road-ready within a few years, and able to travel hundreds of miles between charges.

I don’t know about you, but after paying for my gas this morning, I can hardly wait.

Photo by williac Thank you!

Solar Energy and the Feasibility Study. What Does It Mean?

The United States has lagged behind western European nations in getting solar energy projects off the ground for the last two decades, but now, with the price of oil sky high and global warming being taken seriously, venture capital is pouring in. Florida, California, and the desert Southwest lead the way in both operational and planned solar power plants to provide cheap renewable energy to hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers. Michigan’s sagging economy is being boosted by green entrepreneurs who are turning out solar panels and roof tiles using the skills of unemployed Detroit auto workers. The future of solar looks bright.

But wait. Here comes the government. Late last month, The Feds put a moratorium on new applications for solar power plants planned on government land pending a massive environmental impact study. The Bureau of Land Management which administers more than 100 million acres in the western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah where most large scale solar development is concentrated, is concerned about potential effects of solar plants on nature and wildlife. The study will take up to two years to complete and will address potential effects on vegetation, water use, and animal life. Environmentalists and solar energy companies are worried that the study could effectively cripple a nascent industry, at least temporarily.

Oddly enough, there is no slowdown in the construction of new coal burning plants, especially those using the new clean coal technology. Worldwide at least one new coal powered plant goes into operation every week. In addition, lifting the 30 year ban on offshore drilling in US coastal waters is even now being considered by the American Congress. This would certainly have a negative impact on water and wildlife not to mention the economies of places like the Jersey Shore. But nobody seems to want to do a feasibility study on that. Kind of makes you wonder what’s really going on, doesn’t it?

Photo by Per Ola Wiberg..(PO...or Powi) Thank you!

Cool looking hi-tech roof with integrated wind turbines

The Castle House will feature a roof with an array of three integrated wind turbines, each nine meters in diameter. The design explores opportunities to generate heat and electricity on site including wind turbines and a combined heat and power plant.
The development involves the erection of two new buildings comprising a 43 storey building rising to 147m above ground level and a 5 storey pavilion building.
The Castle House site offers an opportunity to create a development that sets the standard for design quality for the future regeneration of the Elephant & Castle.

Solar Panels Revenue in 2007 was $21.2 billion

Photovoltaic,
originally uploaded by Schwarzerkater.

After more than three decades of research and development of solar panels, shingles - PV tiles and other photovoltaic devices the revenue reached $21.2 billion, last year. That is not really an amazing result, judging by the global threat of climate changes and global warming.
The company Lux Research predicts that the solar panels revenue will reach $71 billion in 2012.
Business situation is getting more and more challenging for smaller photovoltaics companies. Companies simply need to focus on constant fast growth to reach the scale, which allows them to stay competitive.

Business Merger is the most viable solution to achieve a very fast company's growth.
We could expect much higher activity in the field of renewable energy sources and solar power after American Presidential elections.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Sevilla, Spain

Sevilla PV,
originally uploaded by afloresm.

We could say that (not large) Spain appreciates endless potential of Solar Power much more than vast USA.
Even though, an average person in Spain consumes much less power than an average American, Spain largely introduces use of renewable energy sources on a daily basis. Spanish government has admitted, that there is no energy safe future, without renewable energy. Solar Power Plants and Wind Farms have become the major investment topic considering national energy policy.

Solar Panels rock in Spain!


Solar Shingles could add new functionality to any roof surface - power-electricity generation.

Solar Photovoltaic Installations in Britain are Very 'Low'

DSC_0062,
originally uploaded by The Udall Legacy Bus Tour: Views from the Road.

British Labour government of PM Gordon Brown doesn't encourages renewable energy enthusiastically, at all. That is a fact.
An average household's solar power photovoltaic installation costs between $24.000 and $30.000.
There are only about 100.000 households in Britain, which have their own micro power generation equipment.
Many bureaucratic and financial obstacles are not encouraging individual families to purchase micro power generation installations.
Every day it is getting more obvious, that it is going to take a brand new government with much more responsible, environmentally more intelligent and wise politicians to finally accept renewable energy sources as a reality and the only way to true energy independence.

Solar power, wind farms and geothermal power plants could supply absolutely all Britain's power needs.

Solar powered roofs could be our every day reality.

What a beautiful blue color of this Solar Panel!

Solar Powered,
originally uploaded by Jimmy_Joe.

There is no rule, that solar cells need to be black to absorb as much solar radiation as possible. Here, we could see a beautiful blue color from a distance. Closer look would give a slightly different reality in the form of a color palette from light blue to black.



The future of solar panels is bright (blue).

Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, Ozone Layer, Solar Power

In last months, I've been noticing more and more articles, how the increased solar activity is the cause of global warming and climate changes. By their words, we should blame the solar power. What an utter nonsense! Luckily, it had been defeated by many very extensive scientific studies, including NASA. Climate changes and global warming in this very moment are entirely caused by human activity on earth.

In this very short video Vermont state climatologist Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux explains one of the major planetary components of climate change: greenhouse gases. The ozone layer protects us from UV radiation, but with increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the 'greenhouse effect' is largely increased, warming and deflecting more solar radiation back to the earth.
Her experiment shows, how even on a very dark or snowing day the earth is still receiving UV radiation.



We simply have no other choice, than to switch to free solar power and other renewable energy sources, if we want to defeat our own extreme pollution on all levels of society, worldwide.

Solar photovoltaic roofs (solar shingles-tiles, solar panels) are one of the solutions of how to truly become power independent and totally environmentally sustainable.


Source: VermontPublicTV Thanks!

Solar Panels are constantly getting more popular

Arrays from the right,
originally uploaded by Mike Weston.

More and more Solar Panels are being installed worldwide, every year.
The good news is that the efficiency rates of solar photovoltaic devices are constantly increasing and that the prices are constantly on their way down. What a good news if we compare it with the constantly growing oil prices.
About 80% of all solar panels this year are going to be installed in Germany.


p.s.
We also should never forget about the vast surface of our empty roofs, which are just waiting to be populated by Solar Shingles - Tiles or Solar Panels.


The future of Renewable Energy is bright.

Photo by Mike Weston Thanks!

New Tens of $Billions for Nuclear Decomposition, when finally $Billions for Renewable Solar Power?

Nuclear Power vs Green Solar Power,
originally uploaded by solarshingles.

I thought it is a joke, when I heard it on TV, today.

'It is going to cost new tens of $billions on the top of $150 billion for clearing up old nuclear waste in Britain.'
Actually, nobody really knows how much?
Nobody really knows how many tens of $billions more!
What a Labour party's and PM Gordon Brown's incompetence!?!
One top nuclear expert said today on TV: 'nobody really knows, how to decommission these fantastically well built structures, which had been built to last for ever. The level of radiation is so high and dangerous, that nobody could stay there for more than a few seconds, despite the protection!'
I am speechless.

They are spending peanuts for wider use of endless and free solar power and other renewable energy sources. Yet, they are bankrupting the country only by clearing up old nuclear rubbish!
Still, the same government and the same Prime Minister have already given the green light for building even new nuclear power plants!

Are they all going crazy in Labour's high leadership? Have they forgotten basic mathematical calculations?
This planning incompetence of PM Gordon Brown and its government is going to cost Britain enormously.
Labour party is financially ruining the country, instead of building decentralized power grid and nationwide use of photovoltaic solar roofs and panels, wind power, and geothermal.

The future of Solar Power Roofs is bright, yet not under the old Labour's government in Britain.


Endless and Free Solar Power

Solar Power could save Antarctica and its beauties

Processes of Climate changes could be addressed properly, if only we decide to switch from fossil fuels, which generates green house gases, to renewable energy sources.
Endless solar power, wind, geothermal and hydrogen economy in the second phase of this urgent project are so very viable and easy to perform with our current technological knowledge.

It is going to cost much less than $1 billion to achieve 50% efficiency rate of solar cells, yet the government is struggling to find the financial resources to finance the project and covers all researches under the secret military program.

Only the war in Iraq is going to cost much more than $3000 billion!
And thousands of casualties.
And the record oil prices.
And catastrophic financial credit crisis.

When our leaders are going to accept FREE, ENDLESS and CLEAN solar power, wind, geothermal and hydrogen economy?
When our leaders are going to realize that the life on Earth is dying, because of our extensive pollution?

When we are going to use the vast surface of our empty roofs to produce free electricity and heat? Solar shingles, solar panels, solar heat collectors, etc. Wind farms. Geothermal power plants.
We only need to use them on the national scale to become truly energy independent and environmentally sustainable - friendly.

Antarctica is dying. North pole is dying. Ice is melting, because of our pollution.
Let us stop all these deadly dangerous destruction and let us use renewable energy sources.

Solar Power Works in Every Day Life (San Jose, California)

Let us look around a bit to see how some solar photovoltaic products, which allow you clean and sustainable way of living, work in every day life.

Low cost and hassle free solar power panels.





Renewable energy is affordable and hassle free. It is our Present and our Future.


p.s.
The future of Solar Power Roof is bright.

Solar Power is not Corrupted as our Top Political Elite

Why do our Top Politicians still refuse to admit, that there is no future for our civilization without a total change of Energy and Pollution policy?

Why our top Leaders do not want to fully support Endless Solar Power and other Renewable Energy Sources, which are not harmful to our environment?

Why are we still spending hundreds of $billions for Oil, Coal and Deadly Dangerous Highly Radioactive Nuclear Material?


Because of the catastrophic level of CORRUPTION and LOBBYING among the highest leadership. Because of the immense Power of Money of Global Corporations.

How long it is going to take to finally realize that only the Endless, Clean and Free Solar Power and other renewable energy sources could save our existence on Earth?


Photo by glennharper Thanks!

The Future of Solar Power Technologies is Very Bright, after US election

Scientist Arthur Nozik, of the National Renewable Energy Lab, Golden, Colorado is researching a phenomenon called Quantum Dots, which could revolutionary improve efficiency rates of solar cells.
New solar power photovoltaic technologies developed on the principle of Quantum dots could dramatically lower the price of solar cells by using only a fraction of previously used expensive semiconductors.



We could also add some additional positive facts to already mentioned much lower production price and much higher efficiency rate:
- a massive production of solar cells and their products (solar panels, solar shingles-tiles) could additionaly lower the cost of solar photovoltaics devices
- tax rebates
- other financial incentives

Sadly, all this could happen only after the Presidential election, because of the very strong opposition from US government and the White House.


The future of solar powered roofs is very bright, under the new President.

Solar Power and Renewable Energy are Here to Be Applied by Dr.Donald Aitken

Take time and watch this wonderfully educational video about solar power and other renewable energy. It is also about the climate changes and global warming.
Dr. Donald Aitken, physicist, solar architect and former lead scientist at the Union of Concerned of Concerned Scientists, talks about his certainty that we have all the tools and know how to make the shift to renewable energy sources right now.





I wrote many times on this blog that we already possess all the knowledge and experiences we need to completely transform our energy generation and cut our current catastrophic level of Earth pollution.
Only endless and free solar power and other renewable energy sources could save hundreds of millions of innocent casualties.
The cost of climate changes goes in $trillions expressed in financial terms.

How Solar Panel is made? (old fashioned style)

Video shows how the solar panel is made from many solar photovoltaic modules in an old fashioned way, manually. Only 600 solar panels produced per day in this small factory is far away from mass production. All new solar photovoltaic technologies, which are coming to the market could not be price competitive without a massive automated production line, which considerably lower the production costs and lower number of manufacturing faults.
There are two main factors in efforts of achieving as lower production costs as possible per 1W of electrical power produced:
- less quantity of the expensive crystalline silicon material used in solar cells
- higher efficiency rate of solar cells

Destiny of Solar Power is up to the Wiser President

We are in 2008.
President Bill Clinton had started initiative about one million solar roofs in 1998. Next president George W. Bush, well known as a 'great Oil Lover' and hair of oil empire, has managed to stop all planes about making the country energy independent by using renewable energy sources. He has managed to stop the whole new renewable industry branch to be developed and tens of thousands of new well paid jobs to be created. Tens of $billions of additional revenue could have been earned by export of these new renewable technologies and products.
President Bush simply loves oil and all he knows is oil at the record oil prices, still heading towards $200 per barrel, due to his very successful war policy round the world.
It is ridiculous that such a great country as is America (USA) does not have a controlling institution capable to restrain President's catastrophic policies considering his own country.

Following video shows application of solar panels in creation of solar power roof.



'how simple, powerful, reliable and cost effective it could have been...'

Video by tculhane Thanks!

Installation of Solar Power Roof by Luma Resources, Michigan

It is a real pleasure to see when a company develops their own way of solar roofing technology, which is quite simple to install.
This video presents a team of the Michigan company called the Luma Resources at their demonstration of solar roof installation (LumaResources.com). The company says, that their solar photovoltaic system belongs to the 'third generation' of power PV roofing.





I believe, that the solar tiles technology has a very bright and promising future, after the Presidential election in US, when the corrupted Oil lobby from the White House is going to be removed to where it belongs to - to the history of worldwide pollution, bloody wars and merciless destruction.

Solar Power, Renewable Energy and World Peace is NO Bush Policy

Today, I stumbled upon this short video, which is not about endless solar power, renewable energy sources, pollution and deadly dangerous highly radioactive nuclear material.
This video is about the future of our planet, which is momentarily in the hands of very, very dangerous people such as President Bush and his team of old Oil lobby boys. It seems, that whatever they have touched have been transformed into total chaos and total destruction. They have bankrupted the country and they have caused world financial crisis, the record oil prices and the lowest value of national currency - a dollar.

I liked this video very much.



There is a bright future for solar power and all other renewable energy sources with brand new people in Washington.
New American President could change the Oil Power reality, which creates only a bunch of filthy rich people on the expense of the rest of the world population.
New President and his new administration could immediately organize all needed resources and legislation for massive solar photovoltaics production - solar panels, solar shingles, other PV devices. He and his power could accelerate large increase of efficiency rates of solar cells and massive price cuts, which are finally going to bring endless solar power into our every day reality.

Why Solar Power has Absolutely NO Chances under President Bush?

Endless Solar Power and other renewable energy source could have already powered the US for some time, now.
However, if there are such people as the President and his team of 'old corrupted and highly criminal boys', who are only interested in their dirty oil profits, there is no chance for a reasonable discussion about any real life topics.
I found following video, which analyzes last interview of President Bush. Video truly speaks for itself, is based on cold facts and intellect and need no further comments.





I hope, these totally corrupted and blood handed individuals are going to leave the public life as soon as possible, because they are truly dangerous for our very existence.
Due to terrible pollution, our future is possible only by much wider use of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power, endless geothermal resources, etc.

Q-Cells bets on Renewable Solar Power and Solar Panels

Following video is one year old and is promotion material of Q-Cells company from Germany. Q-Cells is one of the biggest world producers of silicon based solar (photovoltaic) cells. The company constantly improves their range of products by increasing efficiency rates of their solar cells and reducing the quantity of silicon and other materials - reduction of cell thickness.
Only constant improvements of solar PV cells could make solar powered photovoltaics technologies competitive to other energy sources.






The future (present) is bright for endless solar power, which is coming to our planet absolutely free of charge and free of tax and import duties, such as ultra expensive oil.

Solar Power could run Hydrogen Economy when Oil Lobby Dies

Absolutely Free and Truly Endless Solar Power certainly has a bright future.
Nanotechnology is a science field, which is going to profoundly effect the production of Hydrogen and the very beginning of Hydrogen Economy.
Hydrogen is energy medium of our future and is going to replace expensive and environmentally dirty oil, coal, deadly dangerous highly radioactive material.

Walter Varhue is professor of electrical engineering at the University of Vermont.





Try to think how much solar power do we throw away every day, which is delivered to our planet by our sun?
We simply do not even think about that immense solar energy, because we are taking it for granted.
We rather buy ridiculously expensive oil, than to use vast resources of our empty roofs or other suitable surfaces for solar panels and mirrors to harness solar power.

Oil Corporations are pulling out of Iran, is War there Imminent?

News: Oil corporations Royal Dutch Shell and Spanish Repsol have pulled out of Iran, due to American military attack threat.
Those companies were involved in South Pars phase 13 project valued $10 billion. South Pars is the largest gas field in the world!
It is very easy to predict that any changes in Iranian oil and gas production has direct impact to the price of oil.
American foreign policy is constantly pushing oil prices towards the mark of $200 per barrel. President and his team of 'old oil boys' have only a few moths to entirely 'cut off' Iranian oil and gas production, before American Presidential elections. This is going to rocket oil prices towards $200 per barrel.

Well, that are very bad news for absolutely all patrol consumers and Iran.

On the other hand, constantly rising oil prices are a very good news for Solar Power and other Renewable Energy Sources.
Public are slowly getting more and more disturbed by high prices of oil and totally catastrophic government energy policy. Instead of country's energy independence by use of free and endless solar power, power of wind, immense geothermal power resources, the government is pushing oil prices up by attacking world largest oil fields.

Instead of spending $5.000 billion in lost wars in recent years, US could have been totally energy independent for good.
Instead of bankrupting the country, the government could have started new, huge investment cycle in renewable energy and efficiency improvements all over US.
Instead of more than 4000 dead soldiers, US could have been the world leader in solar power photovoltaic and other renewable technologies, which could have generated hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Export of renewable technologies to the world could have earned tens of $billions every year.
Cut of American dependence to oil could have saved hundreds of $billions.
Wide US media promotion of solar power and other renewable technologies could have profoundly changed world attitude towards global warming climate changes.

I could end with one conclusion. Whatever is going to happen in oil department in following months it is going to support further introduction of solar power PV technologies, wind farms and geothermal power plants.


Photo by azrainman Thanks!

Shell-the biggest Oil Bully in Britain says NO to Renewable Energy

In the same week oil corporation Shell announced their truly fantastic $7.8 billion profit achieved in last three months, due to record historically oil prices, Shell also canceled its involvement in London Array wind farm project, which should have delivered 1GW of power to the households in the river Thames estuary. That would have been enough power to supply 25% of homes in Greater London area.

The last blow Shell has delivered to the British public and to the Greater London area, which is otherwise economic super power of England and Europe, only shows how very powerful Multinational Oil Corporations are these days. They completely control our life to a such extent, that their public relations departments do not even need to care when and where they publish so very negative announcement. This was a kind of 'total disintegration of British government renewable energy plan' of building new 33 GigaWatts of off-shore wind farms till 2020, as it was stated in official government plan about renewable energy sources.

Judging by Shell's decision and its loud public announcement, it was obvious that British government did not think seriously about renewable energy in its official paper, and it was all only Labour political 'public spin', again.
Luckily, Labor party was totally defeated on local elections all over Britain and they even lost the most powerful position in UK - the title of Mayor of London, last week. London Mayor controls more than $60 billion budget, which increases every year.

Can you imagine how did Shell attack government plan about renewable energy sources and showed off with the highest profit at the same time? Very courageous act, indeed.
That only shows, what Shell really represents in relation to British government. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is just a 'little servant' of this 'Grand Oil Master', who could order to Prime Minister what to do and what not to do, not to endanger the interests of Oil corporation. Millions of citizens do not count. They are useful only as buyers to pay for patrol and its ever rising prices, which have already broken the mark of $10 per gallon.

Even though, Britain is not located south and doesn't have many sunny days, there is more than enough solar power reaching the country's surface every single day to cover absolutely all its power needs, if only its government would have decided to become energy independent and environmentally sustainable.
Situation of solar power is much better in the USA, if we consider its geographic location and the average power of sun light there. USA has also a vast resources of non populated areas, which are more than appropriate for harnessing solar energy to produce electricity or heat.

The government could have achieved at least 50% price cut of solar panels, solar shingles, other photovoltaic devices and about 100% increase of their efficiency rates, if only their political leaders would have committed to such a goal.

Solar energy could power the world very soon, if America takes such a decision. Yet, there is a real problem there, if the president of this great country is a Oil Magnate. ):


Photo by kevindooley Thanks!

Petrol Crashed through the $10 per gallon in Britain

Petrol prices are constantly reaching record marks and they have climbed to the highest mark in the entire history of modern society! Patrol finally broke the mark of $10 (£5) per gallon in Britain
That is just a 'dry' news, nothing really new, what we could not have predicted before, however this fact is very painful for our consumer's pocket and for the health of national economy.

Solar Power and other renewable energy sources are Free of charge and absolutely Endless. Full stop. Obviously that is not a fact for our politicians, who are in charge and who are responsible for the economic condition of our country.

There will be NO economic growth, because of ludicrous oil prices and high inflation rate and we all know very well, what does that mean. It means a Crisis. A big economic crisis, because of dirty, stinky oil, we are all so very much addicted to.
Our politicians, such as George W. Bush, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are simply 'madly in love' with Oil. They worship the Oil at every possible occasion.
They have done absolutely their best to keep the prices constantly rising by using all military power of their countries for their selfish personal interests in Oil lobby. They almost bankrupted their countries by playing war games just to keep oil prices rising for their personal interests.

On this pages I am rising awareness considering wider use of solar power and other renewable energy sources, which could absolutely replace expensive and dirty oil, gas, coal and deadly dangerous highly radioactive nuclear material.

Algerian energy minister Chakib Khelil, high representative of the Opec oil cartel, has predicted, that the price of oil is soon going to reach $200 per barrel.
How much more 'oily facts and high numbers' do we need to see and to feel, that we are going to choose renewable energy, such as wind power, solar power, geothermal, etc.?

The government could cut the prices of solar panels, solar shingles, other photovoltaic devices, wind farms, geothermal power plants by at least 50% by very few, short and simple decisions, considering its own departments, and some 'closed deals' with existing technological corporations, if only its political leaders would have wanted to.
The government could double the efficiency rates of solar cells and consequently absolutely all photovoltaics devices on the market by a few, short and simple decisions and some 'closed deals', if only its political leaders would have wanted to.

I still believe, that our solar powered future is bright.


Photo by Asadbabil Thanks!

Japan pays huge price for not going green, renewable and solar powered

Japan is one of the wealthiest and the most organized countries in the world, especially if we consider the size of its population at 128 million.
Japan's transport system simply shines and incredibly outperforms any other country. Japan is truly a technological, knowledge and financial Super Power.

Japan is a world leader in high technologies, but it has totally failed in the department of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power, geothermal, ocean power, hydrogen etc.
Japanese corporations are the biggest producers and exporters of wind farms, solar photovoltaic devices, such as solar cells, solar panels, solar shingles, solar heat collectors, but their own applications of renewable in Japan are far bellow world standards for similarly developed economies. Even their National Plan of introducing renewable energy sources is very far bellow European counterparts and shockingly surprising for such a technologically developed economy.

It seems, that public sector in Japan is totally non adequate for new energy circumstances and trends on the world market. Government doesn't have a clear and precise plan, considering power generation, which could be suitable to new power reality. Power generation and utility is localized in many centers, and power companies have a true monopoly powers. They decide about all conditions (pricing, availability, other restrictions) towards generation of renewable power. In other words, business conditions of any possible renewable power producer are very bad and not viable at all.

Japan imports more than $200 billion of oil per year and that represents an amazing waste of financial resources and a real threat to their competitive advantage. Oil prices are rising so fast, that the country simply cannot replace this cost by higher productivity and other cost cuts to stay competitive on the world market.

There is no viable chance for Japan to address the problem of oil dependency and renewable energy generation considerably better, without strictly guided central institution, supported by all positive legislation and financial backing by country's budget. Only strictly legalized authority could create respected order and better conditions for much wider introduction of solar power, wind off shore farms, geothermal harvesting, etc.

Japan is also a home of the world famous Kyoto Protocol about cutting carbon emissions worldwide.
Just to show you , how very behind the 'World Renewable Scene' Japan is:
Japan's targets about renewable energy sources look totally embarrassing. The famous MITI, now renamed as METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry) set a target, that 1.35 percent of Japan’s total energy supply have to come from renewable energy, such as wind, solar power, and biofuels, by 2010. This energy target increases up to 1.63 percent by 2014.

These numbers loudly speak for themselves. What is happening with Japan after so many decades of great technological and financial successes? I think, they need a creation of another 'Renewable Energy MITI', as they had done so very successfully in seventies, eighties to rescue the country from decades of economic misery of fifties and sixties.

What is the name of the Prime Minister of Japan, who is going to refresh and renew Japan's energy market and who is going to introduce unlimited potential of free solar power, there?


Photo by PhotoFusion Thanks!

Solar Panels are very useful, yet Solar Shingles are more elegant

The easiest, the fastest and the cheapest way of applying solar photovoltaic technology to produce green electricity for your home or you business is by installing solar panels. You can place them, where ever you have enough free space, which is protected against any (sun) shadows, which could considerably lower the power output of these sun collectors.
I am particularly fond of using vast space of our empty roofs for harnessing endless and free solar power. If there is a chance to use a roof, go for it. If you live in the highly populated city, there is less chances for placing PV solar devices in any free piece of your land and the use of your roof is the only solution.

I admit, there are case, where the placement of solar panels directly affects their efficiency rate. In that case it is wise, if you place them to the appropriate pre-designed frame. That is mostly a static, firm, metal frame, which is meant to be fully functional for the next 20, 30, even 50 years.
Truly optimal positioning of any solar photovoltaics - PV panels would have been flexible - moving frame, specially controlled by signal processing unit and electronic sensor, which measures the power of light and calculate the best possible positioning of solar panel in accordance to the position of the sun.
We all know, that the position of the sun in the sky is constantly moving and if we want to extract as much sun power as possible, we need to move the PV surface of solar panel to face the sun at the right angle. Because of the higher price and maintenance needs these systems are mostly never used at home or in small businesses.

Efficiency rates of solar panels are constantly increasing and that is truly a wonderful fact. It means, that for the same investment and the same surface of solar PV collectors you are generating – producing more power – more electricity. Efficiency rate has increased from bellow 10% to above 20%, even 25% for the best devices on the world market (especially Germany prefers higher efficiency rates, because of its geographic position).
Massive production lines (China) are constantly lowering the prices of solar panels, even though, the prices are still at least 50% higher, that they could have been, if the American government would have really supported renewable energy sources.

Prof. Allen Barnett and Prof. Christiana Honsberg (University of Delaware, Newark, DE ) belong to the world scientific elite on the field of solar power PV devices. They hold the record in efficiency rate of solar cells. By their words, we are going to see solar panels with efficiency rates about 50% in 5 years time reaching the world market. (to be honest, they had really predicted shorter time frame for this fantastic scientific achievement, but I simply multiply that number by 2 to stay on the safe side/territory, because of the strong opposition by Oil lobby and absolutely NO support by American President, at all)

But, what I really admire are: Solar Shingles. Their true Simplicity and Elegance, when they reside on the roof surface and generate free green power. Actually, power roof shingles represent the roof surface, themselves. Some people prefer to call them 'solar tiles'.
I like these power tiles, because they add another very useful characteristic to any roof – producing green, renewable electricity. They also substantially lower carbon footprint of your family.

(Small print: they are more expensive than most solar panels, but I personally skip that part, because I prefer 'no nuisance', silence and 'cool look' of my own roof at home and of my business roof)


Photo by celegans Thanks!