Planet half from Crestock Stock Photo

The future looks bright for solar panel manufacturers, as the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference is about to get started next week.  Leaders from countries all over the globe will converge in Copenhagen to look for solutions with regard to the dangers of climate change.  This is a major step in the battle against global warming.

One sector that would closely monitor the results of the Copenhagen Summit are solar panel manufacturers.  At present China is the world’s top manufacturer of solar cells, with industry leaders Suntech and Trina calling it their home.  Chinese manufacturing plants have increased their production capacity in 2009 to eight gigawatts, which is more than the projected global demand of 7.5 gigawatts.

The only downside to this surge in demand is that solar cell prices are at a record low due to the global financial crisis.  Large solar projects were canceled.  The Copenhagen Summit will hopefully turn things around in this area, as one of the agenda items at the conference is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Dr. James Hansen, one of the first scientists to warn of the dangers of global warming, stated that the world leaders must not compromise anything if they really want to solve the problem.  He opposes the carbon market scheme being proposed, under which permits to pollute can be bought and sold.

Before the Copenhagen Summit has even begun, four of the major carbon gas emitters have stated they will be decreasing their carbon emissions.  The four are the United States, the European Union, China, and India.

China will be launching an ambitious scheme aimed at increasing the country’s use of sustainable, clean energy.  Chinese solar manufacturers used to import most of their products, but in the next three to four years the local market will be the largest one in the world.

Further, China has commenced its Golden Sun stimulus plan, wherein the government will subsidize half of the cost of transmission facilities and solar power generation.  This will reduce the Chinese manufacturers’ dependence on the overseas market.  If everything goes as planned, 10% of China’s energy will come from renewable energy by 2010.

One of the goals of the Copenhagen Summit is to make the wealthier countries cut down on their emissions so poorer nations will follow their example. With luck, something good will come out of COP15 that will benefit all of us.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Solar Panel Manufacturers to Benefit from Copenhagen Summit.

Countryside sunset from Crestock Stock Photo

TIME named Solar Shingle the 13^th best invention of 2009. Dow Chemical Co. developed the Solar Shingle, a type of roof shingle that doubles as a solar panel.  The shingles, which can be used alongside traditional asphalt shingles, use inexpensive thin-film cells made of copper indium gallium diselenide.

What’s nice about Solar Shingles is that they can be installed by a roofer with nails used to install regular shingles. Their installation costs are therefore much less compared to photovoltaic solar panels since there’s no need for a solar installation crew on the site during the installation.  And just like regular asphalt roof shingles, Solar Shingles can be palletized, walked on, and dropped from a roof without causing damage to them.  You don’t need to look for a location to install them because they replace your roof’s shingles.  Homeowners who don’t like the sight of solar panels now have this alternative option.

An electrician will need to connect the Solar Shingle array to an inverter and to the home’s electrical system.  Solar Shingles can be easily plugged into each other to create an array, and there is no need to wire them together like the conventional solar panels.

Dow Chemical plans to begin the test market phase of the Solar Shingle in mid-2010 and will target new home constructions.  The company anticipates around $10 billion in revenue by 2020.  It should be noted that 90% of residences in the US use asphalt shingles, which is Dow’s target market.

Thin-film has not been used for residential solar power systems because of its low efficiency and because it would take a much larger array to produce the same amount of electricity that can be generated using the typical solar photovoltaic panels.  Dow Chemical states that even if that’s the case, a solar shingle array will be 10 to 15% cheaper than the rack-mounted solar power systems and 40% cheaper than building integrated systems.

Solar Shingles might be the solar power solution many homeowners are looking for.  They might diminish the beauty of a home to some extent, but they also provide 40 to 80% of its electricity consumption.  They are also durable enough to last a lifetime.

TIME issues the list to honor the best new gadgets and breakthrough ideas each year.  The 50 Best Inventions of 2009 can be viewed here.  Topping this year’s list is NASA’s Areas Rocket.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at TIME named Solar Shingle as one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2009.

Global Warming Factory at Dawn 2 from Stock Photo

Solar power, and other forms of alternative energy, are slowly becoming more mainstream. As technology and public opinion progress, it will become more economically feasible for companies to invest in sustainable energy use. Even before renewable energy hits the mainstream, however, some companies are at the forefront of reducing their energy consumption right now.

GoodGuide.com is a new website that rates products and companies on their environmental, health and social impact. Of the 200 data points that go into creating the GoodGuide rating, many are related to energy use. A few examples:

Best Companies on Energy Conservation – This rating is derived from a company’s energy consumption divided by its net revenue. Leading the pack, perhaps surprisingly, are a handful of big pharmaceutical companies, including GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Worst Companies on Greenhouse Gases – The inverse of the list above, these are the companies who emit the most carbon dioxide (or similar gases), relative to their sales or revenue. Food companies are prominent on this list of worst offenders, including Dean Foods and ConAgra Frozen Foods.

Worst Companies on Clean Air Act – The companies on this list, which counts violations of the Clean Air Act, include some major retailers like K-Mart, Sears, and Albertson’s.

Solar energy has the potential to drive greenhouse gas emissions far lower than they are today. While solar energy continues to develop, however, consumers can already see which companies are the most progressive in conserving energy.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Companies Conserving Energy Right Now.

People purchase solar gadgets for different reasons, but one of the most common is to save money. Gone are the days when the only handiest solar item around is the calculator.  A wide array of solar powered products are being developed to help simplify our everyday life. Here are six current bestselling solar gadgets on Amazon.com:

1. Moon Jar Solar Light

This blue sun jar is made with a traditional Mason jar that features an energy-efficient light source. Inside the jar is a solar cell rechargeable battery and three low energy blue LED lights. During the day sunlight recharges the jar so it can glow throughout the night.

Solar Tulip Lights can bring life back to your garden. During the day three pretty tulips adorn your garden, and at night these beautiful blooms light up the path. These tulip lights work without wires and batteries, making them maintenance-free.

4. S-1113: 12V Solar Panel Battery Charger

You can employ this 12V Solar Panel Battery Charger for various uses. It can be used as a battery maintainer for your motor house, marine boat, or any large vehicle. Used in conjunction with an inverter, you can use it to power your electronic devices such as satellite phones, laptops, and electric tools. A portable device, and you can easily tote it with you on camping trips. It features a blinking charging indicator to let you know that the Solar Panel Battery Charger is working and also has a built-in diode that prevents reverse charging.

5. Sunlinq 12 Watt Folding Solar Panel

Sunlinq Folding Solar Panel generates enough power to charge flashlights, rechargeable batteries, lantern, GPS units, satellite phones, portable gaming consoles, and MP3 players. Maintenance-free and easy to install, the Sunlinq Solar Panels work in all weather conditions. It is made from durable nylon with a high-efficiency thin film solar cell and features a built-in blocking diode to prevent the battery from discharging during nighttime.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Six Best Selling Solar Gadgets.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time once again for the annual Black Friday sale. Here’s a list of solar power Black Friday deals you can score on Amazon.com. But you’ll need to hurry because some of the items are only on sale until Friday.

Sunforce 50044 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
This is a sweet deal. Marked down from $599.99 to $299.99, that’s a 50% savings from the original price. An amorphous solar charging kit that can generate up to 60 watts, it’s perfect for RVs, homes, cabins, etc., whether for back-up or remote power use. It is built to last in the outdoors and can withstand hailstones up to 50 miles per hour. The kit includes 15-watt solar panels, durable mounting frames, a 7-amp solar charge controller, a 200-watt power inverter, and wires. It’s easy to install, and with its built-in LED you’ll know when it’s charging.

Xantrex Technologies 852-2071 Xpower AC/DC Powerpack Solar With 400 Watt Inverter, Two AC Outlets, USB Port, And Digital Display The kit’s name says it all. Xantrex Technologies Xpower AC/DC Powerpack includes a built-in 400 watt inverter, one 12 volt DC socket, two 120 volt AC outlets, an USB port, and a three digit digital display to monitor the battery status. It is portable so you can carry anywhere, and it can be used to power any 120 volt AC or 12 volt DC device. During Black Friday week you can buy it for only $127.90.

Designers Edge L-949 10 LED Rechargeable Solar Panel Shed Light Model
This rechargeable solar panel shed light is ideal for the garage, home, or workplace. It has ten super-bright LEDs that are guaranteed up to provide 100,000 hours of light. The multi-crystal solar panel is covered with glass to protect it for outdoor use. It comes with a 20-foot wire so you can position the solar panel under direct sunlight. The solar panel can be pole- or wall-mounted. It features two power settings, so you can select from 10 LEDs that can last for two hours or 5 LEDs that can last for four hours. The Rechargeable Solar Panel Shed Light lights up Black Friday with a price tag of $21.54.

Brunton Solaris 26 Solar Panel

This might be one of the best solar power Black Friday deals around. Running for $619.99  at regular price, you can have the Brunton Solaris 26 Solar Panel for only $282.86, which is a savings of 54%. This solar panel has the ability to produce energy even in low-light conditions. The kit includes a vehicle outlet adapter that allows you to charge any 12 volt electronic device with a car plug.

Sunsei 70440 Solar Vent Stainless Steel Day/Night Solar Powered Vent
The last item on our solar power Black Friday deals list is the Sunsei Solar Vent Stainless Steel Day/Night Solar Powered Vent. It’s used to provide silent and reliable ventilation for hot and humid locations. It is ideal for boats, RVs, sheds, cabins and greenhouses. Its design is aerodynamic and can provide double the airflow than similar sized solar vents. The best part about it is that it runs on solar energy.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Solar Power Black Friday Deals.

Mongolia map from Free photos

Great things are happening in Inner Mongolia when it comes to solar power. This Mongol autonomous region located in northern China is becoming a powerful player in the alternative energy sector, and as such China wants to use the region to house various solar farms.

The Chinese government, in partnership with the American company First Solar, is planning to build a 2000 megawatt solar photovoltaic farm in the Mongolian desert. Set for completion in 2019, the Inner Mongolia solar farm project is the biggest one to date. Previously, the largest project involving First Solar is a proposed 550 megawatt solar power farm in California.

This project will also be part of the proposed 11,950 MW alternative energy park proposed in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia. The alternative energy park will feature solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind, and hydro power plants. According to the plan, wind farms will produce 6950 megawatts, solar thermal will generate 720 megawatts, and photovoltaic farm will produce 3900 megawatts of what. Hydro storage will contribute 70 megawatts, and the balance of 310 megawatts will be from biomass sources.

First Solar is considering building a manufacturing plant in China to provide the thin film panels for said project, which will lower the overall project cost. The construction phase will begin next year for a 30 MW demo module. Over the next ten years additional modules will be added, and the solar farm should be able to power around three million homes in China. If there are no hitches in the plan, by 2014, 100 megawatts and 870 megawatts should be completed. The final 1000 megawatts will go online by December of 2019.

The Ordos solar power project will help China achieve its goal of having 20% of its energy coming from alternative, sustainable sources by 2020. China is home to a blooming solar power industry, but local companies such as the third-largest solar panel maker Suntech, export most of their products.

There is talk that First Solar’s cadmium telluride solar panels are less effective in generating electricity from the sun than Suntech’s crystalline silicon cells. However, the advantage of using First Solar cells is that they are cheaper, which translates into big savings considering the size of the proposed project.

First Solar continues to expand its business beyond manufacturing solar photovoltaic panels into building power plants. In addition to the proposed Ordos solar farm, the company has signed with two California utilities to produce 1100 megawatts of electricity.

The Ordos renewable energy park will be operated by First Solar but will eventually be owned and run by a Chinese utility in the future.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Mongolia on Its Way to Becoming a Solar Power Giant.

You’ve probably received a solicitation in your mailbox from your electric utility asking you to add on your monthly electric bills for 100 percent clean solar or wind power.  Some are even selling green power certificates to offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 2005 the number of consumers who voluntarily signed up for such an agreement with utilities has tripled.  This is almost certainly influenced by the increasing awareness about energy security and climate change.  But their number is still a minority, with a sign-up rate of around two percent nationwide.

A majority of Americans favor the government’s effort to provide clean energy, and yet many people are reluctant to participate in these programs that require them to pay extra for their green power and wonder why they have to pay more for clean and sustainable energy.

Many Americans think the added monthly expense is too high.  At present wind and solar power generation cost more when compared to power generated using fossil fuel.  While it’s true that people want to support clean alternative power, many can’t afford to spend more on their monthly electric bills because of the state of the economy and other reasons.

People are also concerned about whether the money is really going toward green energy projects rather than anywhere else.  The federal government has looked into this issue, but the results were inconclusive.  Experts agree that some green power programs work better than others.

Last year Florida Power and Light’s Sunshine Energy was terminated by the state’s Public Service Commission after an audit found that the utility was lagging behind on its promised solar power facilities.  The Sunshine Energy program has more than 38,000 customers and was the sixth-largest program in the country.  Additionally, 76 percent of contributions to the program were used for administrative and marketing expenses.  Florida Power and Light countered that the utility used the majority of the contributions to educate the customers.

Around one-fourth of the country’s utilities offer green power programs, and at present big utility companies can’t deliver 100 percent renewable power to their customers.  Rather, their electricity comes from different sources such as coal plants, solar power farms, and wind farms and go through the same power grid.

Some consumer advocacy groups have stated that the short-term nature of the voluntary green power programs have little effect on the long-term goal of providing 100 percent clean energy to consumers.

Because the country is still feeling the effects of the economic crunch, paying extra each month is something many people aren’t able to do financially.  For this reason, it’s in the best interest of power utilities to create new ways to subsidize their alternative energy projects.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Will You Pay Extra for Green Power?.

Chinese-owned solar panel giant Suntech has announced plans to erect its U.S. headquarters in a 100,000 square feet location in Phoenix, Arizona. The building of the site, which will also house a manufacturing plant, was announced last Monday by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

The Suntech Power facility is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2010, creating at least 250 new green jobs in the state. Once operational, the facility will likely be the first ever company to be eligible for Arizona’s Renewable Energy Tax Incentive program. Through said program, Suntech can earn refundable tax credits and additional property tax reductions.

According to Roger Efird, managing director of Suntech, the company will initially hire 75 full-time employees, but that number may well double withi none year if North American demands for solar power continue to increase.

Suntech has been planning for some time to build a plant in the US to reduce the costs, time, and its overall carbon footprint in connection to shipping its solar panels. This means Suntech will be able to distribute its panels more quickly and inexpensively than in the past and marks the company’s first step in a long-term investment in the North American solar power market.

Arizona was chosen as the site for the plant because of the state’s leadership in solar research through Arizona State University.  Additionally, it helps to have favorable statewide renewable energy policies. Texas was also on top of Suntech’s short list of possible locations, but the state lacks the same benefits from a legislative standpoint. The exact location for the headquarters and manufacturing plant will be announced in the coming weeks.

Suntech is mum on its budget for the project, but representatives say the company has applied for a 30% investment tax credit from the stimulus package for solar manufacturing in the United States. Recently, Suntech solar panels were scrutinized by local solar panel manufacturers because they are cheaper and taking away business from them.

Suntech’s planned growth is good news because it will bring in more green jobs and can help decrease the overall cost of solar panels. Yingli, another Chinese solar panel manufacturer, is said to be eyeing American locations as well. Local solar manufacturers can perhaps take cues from the Chinese regarding how to make cheap but efficient solar panels to better succeed in the solar power business.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Suntech Eyes Phoenix for its HQ and Plant.

The days of coal being used as the main power source in Upper Kittitas County are coming to an end, thanks to plans for a large solar installation just four miles northeast of the Cle Elum city limits. It’s to be built on 580 acres of logged timberland.

The Teanaway Solar Reserve was proposed by businessman Howard Trott. Once it is approved by the county, he will install 400,000 photovoltaic panels which are expected to generate enough energy for 45,000 households. The proposal has received mixed reactions from local residents and businesses.

The proposed project should result in 225 construction jobs which would span the following three years. Additionally, the city of Cle Elum and Kittitas County would get at least two million dollars in new property tax revenue. Businesses in the area are also eyeing contracts to make parts needed for the project.

But some residents and environmental groups are concerned about the impact the proposed solar installation may have on the environment. It might disrupt elk migration, and some trees will need to be cut down. However, according to the proposal, each tree felled will be replaced by three trees. Some residents worry that the view from their home will be obstructed by the solar panels, but the solar arrays will be placed amidst the vegetation below the ridge lines.

The question in most skeptics’ minds is “Will the solar installation project ever see the light of day?” They’ve said that the proposed solar farm sounds too good to be true. Trott tells these detractors that the solar power installation will indeed become a reality. He plans to start the construction in April of next year. All he needs is that a commitment be made by the big utility companies, and then the project will be pushed through.

According to Trott, the primary reasons why the Teanaway Solar Reserve is possible are favorable solar panel pricing, federal and state tax incentives, and the Obama administration’s green agenda. He saw the opportunity, and he wants to capitalize on it.

According to a study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California, prices for rectangular solar panels have been on a decline for the last several years. The average cost of going solar in the United States decreased by more than thirty percent between 1998 and 2008. This can be attributed to successful market-building policies at local and state levels. Such policies include federal and state tax credits and a voter-approved renewable energy mandate.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at Eastern Washington Goes Solar.

Colorado residents can now enjoy cheaper solar power, with the entry of SunRun Inc. in their area.

SunRun is a company that allows homeowners to use solar energy, without having to shoulder heavy start up costs.

It does this by leasing solar power systems to homeowners. People can thus save on the cost of initial installation of the solar panels, as well as on repair and maintenance. To date, the company is already serving residents in Massachusetts, Arizona, and California. As of now, there are no plans of expanding into other states.

Even with all the government subsidies, homeowners typically pay around $17,500 for a solar power system. SunRun clients pay a maximum of $1,000 for the installation of the solar power system, and then they are billed monthly for their solar energy usage. The company is in charge of monitoring, insurance, and repairs of their system. Homeowners don’t have to worry about other expenses.

Colorado’s new Senate Bill 51 allows companies such as SunRun to operate in the state. The law states that solar companies are permitted to own solar panels on the property of another entity. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter states that this law can lead to creating new jobs, lower energy costs, and increase the state’s energy security. Colorado hopes to lead America towards a new future in energy.

SunRun partnered with local Colorado companies, such as Namaste Solar, Real Goods Solar, and REC Solar, to install solar power systems in homes. This is in alignment with the state government’s goal of producing more sustainable jobs. The green industry in the state will be given its much-needed boost from this project.

Sunrun Inc. relies on outside tax equity investors to run their business. Due to the global recession, the market of tax equity investors has decreased in number. Thus, customers have had to wait for a solar power system to be leased from the company. They hope to raise enough money to accommodate those on the waiting list.

For their Colorado venture, SunRun has secured $105 million from U.S. Bank. That’s enough fund for 2,500 new solar power systems. The company also managed to raise $18 million, in a round of venture funding, with Accel Partners leading the pack. Companies such as SunRun (and its rival, SolarCity Corp), are needed to make solar power systems affordable for those who don’t have enough money for them. This will make sustainable energy available for the masses. Hopefully, more companies will venture into this business as well.

This post was originally published on Solar Power Updates & News at SunRun Expands to Colorado.