Latest blog entries

Solar industry reports record third-quarter growth

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:01:03 +0000

The 449 megawatts of power installed in the U.S. in the third quarter are more than all the installations in 2009, according to a new report on the solar energy industry.

The Solar Micro Generating Facility at Victor Valley College in Victorville in May 2010. In the third quarter of this year, 44% of solar power installations in the U.S. were in California. (Mark Boster, Los Angeles Times / May 24, 2010)

By Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times

December 15, 2011

Solar power is a booming business in the U.S., with more domestic solar installations completed in the third quarter of this year than during all of 2009, according to a report released Wednesday by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Assn

"The U.S. solar industry is on a roll, with unprecedented growth in 2011," said Rhone Resch, chief executive of the solar group. "Solar is now an economic force in dozens of states, creating jobs across America."

...is the national trade group for the U.S. solar energy industry, and it has 1,100 member companies.

Architecture 2030 issues The 2030 Challenge for Products

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:17:46 +0000

Buildings are the major source of global demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG). The raw resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, usage, and end-of-life stages of building products each generate significant GHG emissions. Slowing the growth rate of GHG emissions and then reversing it is the key to addressing climate change and keeping global average temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Going Green Could Be a $100 Billion Business by 2017

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:13:15 +0000

CNBC.com - Stephanie Dhue; December 15, 2011

Bringing greater energy efficiency to commercial buildings promises to be big business. Pike Research estimates the market will increase to $100 billion by 2017.

Companies doing retrofits — including Johnson Controls, Honeywell, United Technologies, and Ameresco — stand to reap the benefits from buildings going green. Property managers are also promoting the cost savings and other benefits of energy-efficient building.

Randy Harrell of CBRE said green buildings are more desirable, especially for high quality tenants.

DOE Secretary Chu: “We Can and Must Compete in Clean Energy – and I Believe We Can Win”

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:03:31 +0000

Nobember 18, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In his remarks after touring the GE solar manufacturing facility in Arvada, Colorado today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu highlighted the choice America faces on whether we should accept defeat and watch solar jobs go overseas, or play to win in the $240 billion clean energy market and create jobs here in the U.S.

Excerpts and full text of remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:

“I’m here at a critical time for America’s energy future.It’s a time of challenge, but it’s also a time of opportunity.”

DOE recognizes four leading organizations for expanding the market for electricity produced from renewable energy sources

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:56:54 +0000

November 16, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today recognized four leading organizations for expanding the market for electricity produced from renewable energy sources during the 11th annual Green Power Leadership Awards in San Francisco, Calif. These organizations’ innovative “green power” programs provide consumers with the opportunity to purchase clean energy from environmentally-preferred sources, such as wind and solar energy.

Organizations that offer and promote green power programs support an industry that creates thousands of jobs each year, making clean, renewable energy accessible and affordable to the homeowners and businesses they serve. DOE encourages the growth of these programs nationwide by selecting exemplary programs to receive Green Power Leadership Awards.

LEED "Pledge" to Replace LEED Bond

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:48:04 +0000

November 3, 2011

The Washington Business Journal reported on October 31 that legislation will be introduced in Washington D.C. that will create an alternative to the much maligned LEED bond requirement in the D.C. Green Building Act of 2006.

Under the Act, as currently written, as of January 1, 2012, all new construction greater than 50,000 square feet must obtain LEED certification. Under the proposed legislation, developers will be permitted to make a binding "pledge" that LEED certification will be attained.

USEIA Report - Renewables Surpass Nuclear

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:31:58 +0000

Renewables Surpass Nuclear

A new report puts renewables at 12.25% of domestic energy production, surpassing nuclear by 18%, closing in on oil.

October 6, 2011 - According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), with data through June 30, 2011, renewable energy has passed another milestone as domestic production is now significantly greater than that of nuclear power and continues to close in on oil.

During the first half of 2011, renewable energy sources (biomass & biofuels, geothermal, solar, water, wind) provided 4.687 quadrillion Btus of energy or 12.25% of U.S. energy production. By comparison, renewables accounted for 11.05% of domestic production during the first half of 2010 and 10.50% during the first half of 2009. (On the consumption side, which includes oil and other energy imports, renewable sources accounted for 9.45% of total U.S. energy use.)

US Department of Energy releases its 2011 Strategic Plan

Wed, 18 May 2011 16:48:35 +0000

May 12th - The US Department of Energy released its 2011 Strategic Plan, a PDF document that outlines the broad, cross-cutting and collaborative goals that stretch across our complex. It is intended to serve as a blueprint for the Department of Energy to help address the nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

Green Building Development - Project 319 - Green Project Marketing - Achieve Marketing Group Sponsorship Overview

Mon, 16 May 2011 07:40:01 +0000

Michel Stevens of Green Project Marketing and Achieve Marketing Group introduced and listed sponsors for Project 319 at grand opening event.

Green Building Development - Project 319 - Green Project Marketing - Achieve Marketing Group - Groundbreaking Ceremony

Mon, 16 May 2011 07:38:20 +0000

Living Green Homes Construction & Development, Inc. in conjunction with Green Project Marketing and Achieve Marketing Group staged the groundbreaking event of Project 319, a green single-family residential development in Huntington Beach, CA.