by David Wagman, Chief Editor, Renewable Energy World North America magazine Published: August 16, 2010 Tulsa — Solar at the cost of coal. Sounds like the punch line to a joke, some might say. How can solar energy–with its reputation for high cost–compete with baseload coal, still the dominant fuel for U.S. electric power generation? But spend time talking with Frank van Mierlo and Emanuel Sachs, principals at 1366 Technologies based near Boston, and their conviction shines through: solar just may be able to reach grid parity with coal, and sooner than you may think. “I truly believe it’s doable,” says Sachs, pictured left....
Read More »

by Jennifer Runyon, Managing Editor Published: August 13, 2010 San Francisco — Similar to the way that the smart grid reflects the combination of energy management and information technology, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is the marriage of 3 industries that so far have only worked together in marginal ways: architectural design, renewable energy, and building products. Whenever you approach an industry from a different perspective, that’s when you produce very interesting products, said JD Albert of SRS Energy.  SRS produces curved roofing tiles made of PV that are designed to fit into the mission-style architecture of the southwestern region of the U.S.  Curved red...
Read More »

By Marc Lallanilla, About.com Guide British researchers have discovered that “green” exercise in a natural outdoor setting, like a park or forest, can cause a measurable increase in a person’s mood and self-esteem. The increase is even more apparent when the exercise takes place near a lake, stream, or other body of water, according to the study’s authors. So next time someone tells you to “go take a hike,” thank them.  Researchers from the University of Essex conducted an overview of 10 previous studies involving 1,252 people.  They found that even short periods of green exercise ­– as little as five minutes ­– were...
Read More »

By Kristi Heim, Seattle Times business reporter SHANGHAI — Inside China’s massive, $220 million pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, exhibits charting that nation’s path toward modernization start with the humble transistor radio and end with electric cars and homegrown technology powered by sun, wind and algae. The largest Expo in history has drawn more than 30 million visitors. It showcases the country’s ambitions to become not just factory to the world but a global leader in technologies of the future — particularly green energy. For a visitor from the Pacific Northwest, it’s hard to escape the parallels with the Seattle World’s Fair of 1962,...
Read More »

May 28, 2009 in Green Building by Jennifer Building a green home is a huge step in a healthy direction. If you’re considering this option for your family consider these ten important green building tips. Each of these tips should be part of your green building plan. Small is best: The best green homes have just enough space and no more. If you can’t build small, at the very least build smaller by optimizing the space you have and by building up when possible, not spread out. Figure in renewable energy: Make sure your home is designed to utilize passive solar, daylighting, and other...
Read More »

by David Appleyard, Associate Editor Published: August 6, 2010 London The latest in a series of global Roadmaps by the International Energy Agency (IEA) argues that solar electricity could represent up to 20%–25% of total global electricity production by 2050. This conclusion emerges from two new analyses from the agency: the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Roadmaps, which are designed to enable governments, industry and financial partners to implement measures to accelerate required technology development and uptake. Highlighting the fact that the technologies will deploy in different yet complementary ways – PV mostly for on-grid distributed generation and helping to provide...
Read More »

Minnesota State Fair (August 26-Sept. 6, 2010) Do you recycle your cans and bottles? Do you want to do more? This exhibit is the place for you! Explore the entire Eco Experience building during the Minnesota State Fair to find out how you can make a difference for Minnesota’s environment through your daily choices.  Fun, interactive exhibits to teach you about: Green building Healthy, local food Recycling, composting, and waste prevention Water quality Transportation Energy efficiency Renewable energy Renewable energy demonstrations. Outside the Eco Experience, you’ll find over a dozen renewable energy demonstrations, including grid-connected solar and wind electricity, solar hot water, and solar...
Read More »

  3-in-1 tribrid charging ability for collecting and storing power from wind, sun, or AC wall plug Ideal for mobile phones, iPods/mp3 players, iPhone, smartphones/PDAs, portable gaming devices, GPS units, digital cameras, Bluetooth headsets, and more Largest rechargeable battery capacity of its class (4,000 mAh) ready to re-use over and over again USB port built-in for adapter tips to charge various devices Also charges from any computer or car adapter via USB LED level indicators show power status with the press of a button Storage inside for multiple device adapter tips Stand up, lay down, or hang – durable design works in almost any...
Read More »

Published: August 4, 2010 Minneapolis Back in October 2008, Xcel Energy started an innovative study in which it installed a 1-megawatt (MW) capacity battery (20 50-kW NGK Insulator batteries) near an 11-MW wind farm owned by Minwind Energy, LLC. The battery was supposed to store, when possibly, the wind energy and release it to the grid when necessary. For the past 21 months the utility has been collecting data and this week it released preliminary results. The bottom line? It works. The test was the first use of the technology in the United States for direct wind energy storage. The preliminary test results are...
Read More »

Terri Steele – INMAN SOLAR The design flexibility, aesthetics and superior energy output of SANYO’s HIT® Double solar modules are creating a new design vernacular for architects, building owners, hoteliers, restaurateurs and public gathering places across North America. And it’s an improvement with multi-faceted revenue potential. One case in point is the solar canopy solution Inman Solar created for Bob Marshall, co-owner of the 18,000-square-foot Edgewood at the Beltline building in Atlanta’s historic Martin Luther King, Jr. District. Despite the fact that it was one of the newer buildings in the district, it featured an industrial design begging for improvements. Its vast third floor...
Read More »