Alternative Energy Press

Morgan Solar Announces Low Cost, High Efficiency Solar Power System

Alternative Energy News — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:07:56 +0000

(Toronto, Canada) Morgan Solar Inc., a Toronto based solar energy start-up specializing in concentrating solar optics, has developed a new type of high concentrated photovoltaic system called the Sun Simba HCPV. By reducing the required materials and complexity of the system, Morgan Solar will deliver a highly efficient HCPV system mounted on a dual axis tracker, at a significantly lower cost per watt than current solar panels. The system is designed for solar farm applications, where dual axis tracking allows for very high concentration factors and much higher power output per tracker. Future designs can also be adapted to smaller roof-top tracking applications. The Sun Simba HCPV boasts many advantages over other systems, including significant reductions in wind loading leading to higher system uptime, effective passive heat shedding and a low environmental footprint. (more…)

System Operators Better Quantify the Value of Wind

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:38:02 +0000

Precision Wind, LLC of Las Cruces, New Mexico presented on the value of accuracy and service at the International Wind Forecast Techniques and Methodologies Workshop, July 24. The technical workshop for utilities and balancing authorities was sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration and the California Independent System Operator. (more…)

60% of Turbines May Be Behind in Critical Maintenance

Alternative Energy News — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:57:09 +0000

Frontier Pro Services of Banning, California conducted an informal survey of approximately 75 wind farm operators in the United States. Designed to assess the specific operation and maintenance service needs of wind energy operators, the survey reveals potentially serious threats to wind farms owing largely to the industry-wide shortage of qualified turbine technicians. (more…)

Airport Breaks Ground on $6 Million Solar Facility

Alternative Energy News — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:02:26 +0000

BAKERSFIELD Calif. - The Kern County Department of Airports in conjunction with the Kern County Board of Supervisors and Regenesis Power, LLC will officially break ground on a $6 million solar array at Meadows Field (BFL) on July 31, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.

The public is invited to attend the ground breaking which will take place northwest of the William M. Thomas terminal at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008. (more…)

Ultra-Short-Pulse Laser for High Efficiency Cell Concepts

Alternative Energy News — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:13:29 +0000

Coherent, Inc. introduces a new laser system – the TaliskerTM - optimized for next-generation high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing, and designed as a drop-in, turn-key tool for both production line equipment suppliers and cell manufacturers.

Traditionally, laser scribers for Edge Isolation, Laser Grooved Buried Contacts, and Wrap-Through hole drilling have had to rely upon lasers operating with short-pulses of nanosecond duration and often laser emission only in the infra-red spectral region at 1064 nm. However, to optimize the scribing precision and minimize laser damage - or microcracking - within c-Si wafers, the use of a) ultra-short pulse ‘picosecond’ durations, and b) ultra-short laser emission with green or UV outputs, is highly beneficial. The new Talisker laser brings these features to solar cell manufacturing for the first time. (more…)

Businesses, Institutions Join Biomass Fuels Study

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:28:53 +0000

(Boulder, Colo.) - Two major businesses, a religious center, a school and an education center are teaming up with Boulder County to research the feasibility of using woody biomass – including wood material from mountain pine beetle kill – as a sustainable fuel source. (more…)

Plug-In Electric Station

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:49:50 +0000

We American are at present living with the prospect of paying more than $5 a Gallon for gas. It has turned our mode of life upside down.

We at house housedna.com are working to bring to life, the old joy of driving, by paying 40 cents a gallon of gas. It will be a pleasure going around in your car for grocery buying, long distance travel, neighborhood driving and vacationing, etc. We have a ready solution, with our concept of plug-in-electric station. (more…)

Increased Market Value of Wind Energy

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:25:05 +0000

Precision Wind, LLC of Las Cruces, New Mexico unveiled its Wind Resource Management Suite™ at the WINDPOWER 2008 Conference and Exhibition, North America’s largest wind energy event organized by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). (more…)

Ship Green, Save Green

Alternative Energy News — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:17:31 +0000

Consumers’ growing awareness and rising concern of global warming has certainly pressured businesses to consider more environmentally friendly solutions. While you may be well aware of green packaging, energy saving equipment or reclaiming practices, sustainable transportation is a seldom talked about aspect that deserves attention, especially considering the amount of trucks, planes and trains used to deliver products to consumers. (more…)

Seagen Tidal Power Installation Completed

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:50:34 +0000

Marine Current Turbines Ltd, the global leader in tidal stream technology, has successfully completed the installation of its 1.2MW SeaGen tidal energy system in Strangford Narrows in Northern Ireland. There will now be a 12-week period of commissioning and testing before it starts regularly feeding power into the Northern Ireland grid. (more…)

Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders Should Come from Energy Industry, Too

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:30:06 +0000

(Washington, DC) Today’s conservation leaders are starting to retire – who will fill their seats? The National Conservation Leadership Institute is calling for industry associated with natural resources to nominate their “rising stars” or individuals with high potential to be considered for acceptance as a Fellow for its 2008-2009 leadership development program. (more…)

Printed and Thin Film Photovoltaics and Batteries

Alternative Energy News — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:31:55 +0000

IDTechEx has just launched a comprehensive report that gives a thorough analysis of printed and thin film photovoltaics and batteries - covering the technologies, markets and players. The report covers companies, research institutes and universities that are active in developing and commercializing thin film and printed technologies for photovoltaics and batteries. Photovoltaic technologies covered include CIGS, CdTe, DSSC, a-Si and organic photovoltaics. Each of them is at a different stage of development and adoption and they are all driven forward by both government incentives in different countries around the world and leading companies in the field. (more…)

Biofuels: The Next Generation

Alternative Energy News — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:56:53 +0000

Scientists and researchers say renewable forms of energy can help give America a new energy future that is cleaner, improves national security, strengthens the economy and contributes positively to the quality of life for all. Contributing to the urgency of developing this new energy future is the prediction from the Energy Information Agency that U.S. energy consumption will grow nearly 20 percent by 2030. Global energy consumption, says the EIA, is expected to grow nearly 60 percent by 2030. (more…)

Solar Lighting Systems for Peru Earthquake Victims

Alternative Energy News — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:39:34 +0000

(Palm City, Flordia) Sol Inc. (Solar Outdoor Lighting) has arranged for the donation of 42 solar lighting systems to 11 communities in Peru affected by the August 2007 earthquake. Philanthropist David Russell, who, funded the donation with the assistance of Practical Action of Peru and local governments facilitated a partnership with Sol Inc. to ensure the donated lights were installed where they were needed most. (more…)

The Key to Low-Cost Solar Cells

Alternative Energy News — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:34:26 +0000

While thin film technologies are receiving worldwide attention with their potential to lower the cost of solar energy, there are researchers who are thinking outside the box and are looking into different approaches that will result in cost reductions for photovoltaic technologies. (more…)

Turn Your Old Nalgene Bottles into Solar Lights

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:08:46 +0000

Don’t throw away your old polycarbonate water bottle - turn it into a solar lantern! The last thing this planet needs is any more plastic in the landfills. But what do you do with your old polycarbonate water bottle (Nalgene or similar) that you don’t want to use any more? Don’t throw it away! With the incredibly handy LightCap200 you can turn your old (or new) bottle into the coolest home, deck, boat or camping lantern anywhere! (more…)

Printing Electricity from Sun and Heat

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:57:50 +0000

Solar cells are needed on everything from clothing to packaging, toys, spaceships, consumer goods, medical testers, skin patches and tools. Mostly, they must be thin and flexible, lightweight, environmental and low in cost - even disposable in many cases. Optical transparency would prevent them defacing items and higher efficiency and working from heat as well as light are sought. Working well in real world conditions of reflected or low level light would help. In other words, a multi-faceted $100 billion market is emerging that will consist of very different requirements but most of them can never be met by today’s opaque, expensive, crystalline or amorphous silicon in its heavy, thick glass encapsulation and limited module area. A much better route is printing, at least to the extent of reel to reel production on low cost substrates and increasingly by ink jet like processes and other techniques of the traditional printing industry which is already developing printed transistors, batteries and other devices that will sometimes be printed on this “printed” photovoltaic film. (more…)

Eco-friendly Inflatable Solar Panel for Domestic Use

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:17:17 +0000

As a leading sustainable product designer, Industrial Design Consultancy (IDC) is delighted to announce its latest product development; an inflatable solar collector called SolarStore. The SolarStore harnesses the sun’s natural energy to warm domestic water and can heat up to three full tanks of water per day at temperatures close to 80°C. (more…)

Renewable Energy Marketers Form Trade Association

Alternative Energy News — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:52:34 +0000

(Washington, DC) Some of the most influential and competitive organizations in the renewable energy industry have now joined together to create the first trade association for organizations that market renewable energy. The Renewable Energy Marketers Association (REMA) has formed to vigorously promote the economic and national security benefits of domestic renewable energy. (more…)

Fuels from Waste and Biologically Regenerating Raw Materials

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:39:06 +0000

Fuels from waste and biologically regenerating raw materials represent an increasing alternative to the mineral oil production for the decentralized energy-technical future. They are to replace the missing oil quantities of the future increasingly. (more…)

British Columbia Invests in Solar Power

Alternative Energy News — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:43:37 +0000

The Government of Canada is advancing the development of clean technologies through a $20,000 investment to harness solar power for the Osoyoos Desert Centre in British Columbia. The funding will help the Osoyoos Desert Society to purchase and install solar equipment designed to provide the Osoyoos Desert Centre with a source of year-round power. The Centre is dedicated to becoming a leader in the growth green energy and tourism. (more…)

Report: Education Priorities for Renewable Energy Future

Alternative Energy News — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:22:54 +0000

A significant role can be played by universities in research, in extension education and in educating professionals if the United States is to achieve a 25x’25 renewable energy future, according to a white paper issued today by the National 25x’25 Steering Committee. The paper, Research and Education Priorities in Agriculture, Forestry and Energy to Achieve the 25x’25 Renewable Energy Vision, is currently featured in the March issue of the NACTA Journal, a quarterly publication of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture. The paper is also featured at www.AgrowKnow.org, the Web site of the National Center for Agriscience and Technology Education. (more…)

Pennsylvania Commits to Clean and Renewable Energy

Alternative Energy News — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:36:59 +0000

(Washington, DC) SmartPower announced today that they have commitments and actions from 22 municipalities in Pennsylvania to purchase 20% clean energy by 2010, as part of the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign. Collectively, these municipalities serve a population of 350,000 people. Further, as a result of this campaign, the participating municipalities will increase the number of enrolled clean energy customers by 20% to 400%, dramatically accelerating the expansion of the clean energy market in southeastern Pennsylvania. This effort will keep 35 million pounds of greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, which is equivalent to approximately 1.8 million gallons of gasoline burned. (more…)

Tellurian Biodiesel Acquires Superior Process Technologies

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:35:31 +0000

(Los Angeles) Tellurian Biodiesel, a leading independent maker and marketer of sustainable high-quality biodiesel, today announced an agreement to acquire Superior Process Technologies (SPT) from Baker Commodities, one of the nation’s largest renderers.

Early to identify the emerging opportunity for biodiesel in the U.S., Baker Commodities invested in SPT in December 2003 to develop technology for the conversion of rendered materials into high-quality biodiesel. Tellurian has been collaborating with Baker and SPT on the construction and upgrade of biodiesel plants since 2006. (more…)

College Launches Solar Energy Research Park

Alternative Energy News — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:18:12 +0000

Northern New Mexico College, Espanola, New Mexico has launched an initiative to establish a dynamic Solar Energy Research Park and Academy (SERPA). Its current funding request of $9,000,000 has been introduced in an appropriations bill this legislative session (House Bill 146) and is sponsored by Speaker of The House Representative Ben Lujan. The bill has passed unanimously through the House Education Committee and now has moved on to the House Appropriations Committee. (more…)

Rethinking Residential Solar Energy in the United States

Alternative Energy News — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:47:13 +0000

You can decide to use renewable solar energy without the barriers such as cost installation challenges, or permitting hassles. Upgrade to solar generated electricity in your home by renting the solar energy system. (more…)

Betting on Solar Power: It is Our Future

Alternative Energy News — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:44:28 +0000

A new solar manufacturer is on the horizon; one that allows American homeowners to produce their own clean, renewable energy from the sun and keep the energy savings every month - year after year. You could save thousands of dollars powering your home with solar generated electricity. (more…)

Solar Powered Mass Transit

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:53:47 +0000

Solar Transportation Technologies Inc., is developing a solar powered transportation system that will reduce greenhouse gases, air pollution, and oil consumption. In addition it will make travel faster, safer, and more secure without costing tax payers one cent more than they currently spend on transportation. FreedomTransit merges individual, privately owned, electric cars with a highly efficient two tiered solar powered mass transit system. (more…)

Virginia Takes First Step Toward Energy Independence

Alternative Energy News — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:39:44 +0000

(Warrenton, VA) A 78-page study (see attached executive summary) concluded recently that it was economically and technically possible for Warrenton and Fauquier County to convert unusable landfill trash into electricity and fuel by employing the latest gasification technology, According to the feasibility study just completed for Mayor Fitch and the Town of Warrenton, this move will lead to local-level energy independence and rid the community of wastes and residues normally buried. (more…)

SmartPower Slams U.S. Energy Bill

Alternative Energy News — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:46:39 +0000

(Washington, DC) Today SmartPower released the following statement voicing their strong disappointment with the US Senate Energy Bill, passed yesterday. While the Senate Energy Bill raised CAFÉ standards and offered a biofuels mandate, it eliminated the requirement for a National Renewable Portfolio Standard, as well as eliminating the production tax credits for renewable energy products. SmartPower is the national, non-profit marketing organization that is leading the creation of a vibrant, voluntary market for clean energy and promoting energy efficiency measures. (more…)