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.