Writing on the Sun

Let There Be Light

2012-01-20T23:51:00.002-05:00

For three years many people in South Carolina have worked to give the opportunity of affordable, clean, domestic energy to all.
We are so close to seeing this happen in 2012.

Please come to the
South Carolina Senate lobby day
On Tuesday, February 7th 2012.

We will meet at the OLD Nickelodeon Theatre (behind state house)at 11.00am

We will call out our state Senators and ask them to support Solar businesses, domestic energy and job creation in SC. This has to be a grass roots effort we need your help for one day.

If you believe that South Carolina can and should develop a portfolio of future energy supplies that will strengthen our domestic economy and lessen our dependence on finite fossil fuel sources, take a few hours out of your busy lives and let your voice be heard.

The senate is normally business attire but we want you, your kids, and your neighbors to be heard and seen. The SBA, David and I look forward to seeing you there.

Feel free to email me with questions.

Step by step

2011-12-18T11:10:00.002-05:00

Breakthrough design will produce conversion efficiency far in excess of current solar technology

Solar3D has announced the results of a simulated test of its new solar cell design that projects the conversion efficiency to be in excess of 25%. The test results indicate that the company's innovative design will produce conversion efficiency far in excess of current solar technology.

"We are very encouraged by these test results," said Jim Nelson, President and CEO of Solar3D.

"We are now evaluating various methods of fabricating a prototype. If the results of our tests hold up in fabrication, as we expect, then our product's performance will be among the very highest conversion efficiencies achieved by silicon solar cells."

After completion of its prototype, the company's management plans to seek a manufacturing partner that will participate in bringing its 3-dimensional solar cell to market. Likely manufacturing partners include some of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers.

Nelson continued, "These test results are very exciting and give us a great deal of confidence in the development path we have chosen. We think that our novel 3-dimensional solar cell has the potential to dramatically change the economics of solar power. A high efficiency solar cell manufactured with low cost silicon could result in the lowest cost per watt in the industry."

"Increasing conversion efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs will ultimately drive solar to economic parity with the low cost alternatives," said Nelson.

"With the increased efficiency that comes from our new design, we take a giant step in that direction."

Solardaily.com
staff article

Steep learning curve

2011-12-04T22:08:00.003-05:00

811MW of solar installed in the use in the 4th quarter of 2011. That is almost the equivalent of a nuclear reactor. While today's grid tied solar only has a 25% capacity factor; meaning it is producing peak electricity only 6hrs a day, this is a significant amount of power. 1MW powers approximately 200 US homes.

In the 4th quarter of 2011 South Carolina approved installs for approximately 90kw that's 1000th of the overall US market. California is still the US leader with 38% of the US market. NJ is 11% of the overall market leaving the 47 remaining mainland states to divide up 51%. Assuming the top 5 of those take 8% each that leaves 11% for the remaining 42 states. That is a 1/4% for each state. That gives SC a target of 2MW a quarter and 8MW a year goal to be considered even thinking of contributing to a domestic energy policy. That's a steep curve but one we could easily achieve if we worked together.

In Q3’11, the US PV market grew by 32% from Q2’11 and could reach 1.9 GW for the year, which would mean that the market has doubled in size for the second consecutive year. For large-scale non-residential and utility-scale projects in Q3’11 and Q4’11, the scheduled expiration of the US federal cash grant has encouraged progress to meet qualifying requirements; ongoing installation will continue throughout 2012, stimulated by the progress requirements for these cash grants.

Solar Shakeout Could Soon Reach China

2011-11-08T22:17:00.002-05:00

The price of polysilicon, the key material in conventional solar panels, dropped more than 90 percent from its February 2008 high of $475 a kilogram, to the end of last month. Source: Graphic by David Yanofsky
By Eric Roston and Ehren Goossens Nov 8, 2011 9:48 AM ET

If oil prices fell from their 2008 peak as far as solar component prices have, a barrel of oil would cost about $10 – a 93 percent drop. Everyone could afford to fuel his own Formula One racecar.
Instead, more utilities and companies can now afford to install solar power. A kilogram of polysilicon, the basic material in solar panels, dropped from $475 in February 2008 to less than $35 Oct. 31. Not every manufacturer can stay in business with prices so low. The great shakeout has begun in the U.S. and elsewhere -- even as the largest producers continue to ramp up output. But what’s going on in China?

The price drops are a stunning turnaround for this alternative to traditional power generation, the economics of which have long prevented its widespread adoption.
Polysilicon manufacturing has been growing at an annual rate usually reserved for another silicon product, computer chips. By the end of 2010, the world produced enough photovoltaic panels theoretically to power about four New York Cities. At about 42 gigawatts, that's 43 percent more solar capacity built than in 2009, which itself was a third higher than 2008.
Solar is already competitive with fossil fuel power in many markets around the world, especially where supply is unreliable and diesel backup generation is uncommon.

"People are missing out about how cheap solar power has become,” said Ramesh Misra, senior analyst covering solar and technology at Brigantine Advisors in New York. "There is no other energy source that can make that claim."
The falling prices have changed the competitive landscape and knocked smaller manufacturers out of business, including Evergreen Solar, the Marlboro, Massachusetts panel-maker, and Solyndra, the thin-film solar manufacturer whose bankruptcy kicked up a solar storm in Washington, DC, because the Obama administration backed $537 million in loans.

Analysts and investors are studying the effect of this price shakeout on the global solar industry. Leading companies in the U.S., Germany, Korea, Norway and Japan are easier to read than their secretive peers in China. A Chinese analyst, Xie Chen, gave Bloomberg News a glimpse behind the Chinese Wall at the end of last week.

About 90 percent of plants in China risk suspensions in production because of the low prices, said Xie, an analyst at the China Nonferrous Metals Industrial Association, something of a cross between a think tank and a government agency. Those factories, most of them quite small, produce about half of China’s overall polysilicon output.
The closings, though perhaps temporary, will lead China to import more polysilicon from large international competitors, Xie said, such as Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., in Hemlock, Michigan, and Wacher Chemie AG, in Munich.

Aaron Chew, a senior analyst at Maxim Group LLC in New York, attributes the price drop to aggressive sales from larger firms such as GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., in Hong Kong, and OCI Company Ltd., in Seoul. "I don't think the smaller polysilicon manufacturers are responsible for the current downward pricing pressure,” he said. "Even if all of the capacity of these smaller players went offline, there would still be enough to supply the industry."

DOE Regains Its Clean Energy Chops

2011-10-04T09:14:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON — Throughout September, Energy Secretary Steven Chu heard the jeers. They came from Republican legislators who used the Solyndra bankruptcy for political fodder. They came from taxpayers who wanted him to halt the loan guarantee program ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline. And they came from Beltway pundits clamoring for a clean energy scandal. Mostly, he sat silent.

But it was on a rain-soaked first day of October when the clouds finally lifted. Fresh off a flurry of nearly $5 billion in loan guarantees closed the night before, Chu allowed himself to listen to the cheers. They came from hundreds of students from universities across the country in an event that also included some of the best young talent from four continents.

This was the awards ceremony for the fifth Solar Decathlon, an event put on by the Energy Department. Chu had the stage on the National Mall, and he had something to say.

Of course, he was up there to commend the students for another highly successful event that served to educate and inspire those who built the solar-powered homes and the tens of thousands who toured them. He was also there to crown the University of Maryland, winners of the 20-team competition.

Perhaps unexpectedly, Chu was also there to set the record straight. He’s been awfully quiet over the past month in regards to Solyndra and the deal that went bad. But on Saturday, Chu reaffirmed his stance on clean energy, and he signaled how the Obama administration views the challenge.

Consider some of his key points from his speech:

On Asian dominance: “China gave $30 billion in government financing to solar last year. These countries have studied our playbook, and they want to beat us at our own game.”

On American ingenuity: “We invented solar cells, wind turbines and the lithium-ion battery, but we no longer lead in manufacturing. We’re working to recapture the lead.”

On historic achievement: “The question we now face is ‘Where do we go from here?’ In past times of national stress, we took the long view.” Chu spoke about endeavors launched during difficult periods. The groundwork for the first transcontinental railroad, the creation of the National Academy of Sciences and the foundation for land grant schools, which eventually led to places like UC-Berkeley and MIT, all came during the Civil War.

On making an investment: “Did we say then that we could not afford to do these things, that government intervention wasn’t needed, that the free market will solve all our problems?”

On retaking the lead: “It’s not enough for our country to invent clean energy technologies. We have to make them and we have to use them, and they have to be sold around the world.”

This speaks loudly against the growing chorus that American manufacturing can’t compete with the lower-cost options in China. Under the current scenario, it may be true. But that’s largely because the deck has been stacked against America’s favor at exactly the moment when the solar industry and other renewable industries started their march toward achieving scale.

The question now is how does the U.S. catch up? Yes, it’s through innovation and, yes, it’s by fusing solar into the building process as the homes on display at the Solar Decathlon show. More than anything, though, it’s about our federal commitment to making it happen. It’s also about our leaders’ ability to explain that to a public that may be skeptical about new solutions to old problems, and the larger bill that may come at the outset.

This past weekend’s final loan approvals also set up an interesting autumn on Capitol Hill. Chu is scheduled to testify before the House energy committee within the next few weeks. The Congressional Super-Committee will also continue to meet as it searches for ways to drastically cut federal spending. A key Republican member of that group, Rep. Fred Upton, is a strong critic of the Energy Department loan program and has shown scant support of federally backed clean energy programs. We’ll also start to see some of the groundwork being laid for many of these large-scale renewable energy projects that once installed would significantly boost clean power capacity.

Maybe Secretary Chu said it best on Saturday when he told the young crowd — the ones he called the next generation of leaders in the clean energy race — that we’re at a crossroads. Which direction we take will be defined by the resolve of those in charge.

If last Friday and Saturday are any indication, things may bode well.

DOE Regains Its Clean Energy Chops

By Steve Leone
October 3, 2011

One of my favorite installs

2011-09-29T09:07:00.002-04:00

Bloody waters

2011-09-17T10:05:00.005-04:00

Evergreen and Solyndra have filed for chapter 11. These once promising manufacturers of solar panels based in Mass. and CA, USA, could not lower prices fast enough or gain enough market share or distribution partners to stem the increasing onslaught from Chinese manufacturers who are building US based factories and undercutting prices across the board.

While bankruptcy is always sad there are still 100’s of US based companies surviving and thriving in the overly competitive world of solar. This is also an incredibly exciting time to be in the solar industry. I can remember dreaming of a time when residential solar would be under $6 a watt installed. Well that day has come. I can also remember being disappointed when a utility industry leader told me that they would pursue solar when the install price was under $4 a watt. At that time I thought it was years away; well, that day has come too!

Solar in the US is actually an export business; $1.9B in 2011. The combined exports to China are in the $250 million dollar range. Most of this is in high-tech electrical components and industrial process machinery; areas of the market other than panels. (SEIA industry report 2011)

The political and economic uncertainty in the past 6 months has made this a very challenging time for most businesses but especially small solar companies in SC who have a product that is not yet critical to day to day operations. I think that is about to change.

Poly silicon prices have dropped dramatically and continued competition should propel that trend. The US economy is on the road to recovery. For the national market 1.8GWh of solar is expected to come on-line this year.

Several states currently have private leases for solar at the residential and commercial level. This influx of private capital has alleviated the up-front cost of solar and allowed securitization of solar projects. When investors get involved the market matures. $400m from Google to Solar City, $280m invested in Sungevity, Sun Edison offering leases in 6 states. This influx of capital is still generated by tax credits at the state and federal level so we are not at true parity yet.

What we do have is a way for both utilities and private companies to generate returns from solar projects that will enable growth and sustainable levelized costs.

One thing I have heard consistently from people in the energy industry in SC is that they do not want a mandate. We have mandates in 29 states; they specify a certain amount of energy must come from energy efficiency and renewable energy.

One way to ensure a mandate doesn’t materialize at the state level is to pre-emptively institute a PPA structure across the state that pays a small premium for renewable sources of energy. SC has the Progress Energy Sun sense program that is a perfect example of this.

If utilities paid 13c a kWh over a ten year contract then private equity can see returns, business owners can see the cost benefit and solar will grow in SC. 1% energy increases in NC has covered these costs. This creates jobs encourages out of state investment equity and shows a real commitment to community.

We have concrete proof in other states that capital market participation is the key to unlocking true ingenuity and job creation. I believe you institute this program and parity with coal will come years sooner. Ultimately diversifying our energy portfolio even on a small scale is good for all of us.

New rules for a changing energy landscape

2011-08-22T20:32:00.001-04:00

How do you find an equitable solution to the solar question?

I try to understand the whole energy issue. I have studied the history of the electrification of America, from the Rochdale Principals to the first hydro plant purchased by James Buck Duke and his subsequent decades of philanthropy. I have studied The french physicist A. E. Becquerel who discovered the photovoltaic effect, Thomas Edison's pursuit of a DC electric grid and his loss of market and eventual dominance of John Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla's AC grid.

The reason I have done this is because I knew very little about electricity before getting involved in solar except that I like electricity and want to continue to have access to it.

I have been extremely lucky in that I have been invited to see a working hydro, coal and nuclear plant. For someone who grew up loving motors and horsepower this has been fantastic, a lifetime memory. I have seen the immense raw power that drives our way of life and keeps our economy running. The bone tingling hum of 125MW of hydro turbines is more impressive than an F15 fighter jet or a 1000cc motorcycle at 150mph. I like to think I get it, the grid is immense, powerful, complicated and difficult to maintain. All of the people who run and operate electrical distribution or generation should be proud of what they do and are greatly under-appreciated. I recently had a capacitor break on my condensing unit in July during a 99' day, I sincerely recognize that electricity is the life blood of South Carolina.

I am a solar guy, I always will be. What does that mean? It means that I have looked at all the energy generation methods available to us, including fusion and I have come to the conclusion that only one resource can eventually permanently satisfy our energy needs and that is solar power.

The earth is a closed system, the only thing entering our atmosphere is photons from the sun. We are told the earth is round so we have finite resources other than the sun. That being said I need to emphasize that I said eventually. Solar today cannot directly compete with the energy output of coal or nuclear. Both of these combined currently account for 70% of our total electrical power generation in the US. I believe we currently consume 374 Terawatts or 374 trillion watts annually. This is a lot of power!

Solar today accounts for less than 1% of that power. If we covered every roof in the state with today's solar we could get 25% of our daytime power from solar. So the technical challenges are huge. I recognize that SC is a nuclear state with heavy investments from the federal government in research and development. Does this make SC mutually exclusive when we talk about starting a solar industry; far from it, I think it means we have a much higher threshold of integration before we have to worry about dispatchability or base load generation issues.

I also recognize we are asking for a new paradigm from our electrical generation and distribution companies. We want cheap, reliable, electricity all the time and we want you to shoulder the burden of research and development of the next generation of electrical production today at no cost to us the rate payers and members.

So how do we come together, the people of South Carolina, those that want solar and the thousands of engineers and other hard working professionals who provide today's electrical needs? Luckily I think it is possible, with careful steps, open dialogue and economic development we can achieve a new set of rules for this changing electrical industry.

Solar in North Carolina has been regulated and mandated. What has this achieved? 1350 solar jobs created during the recession, $300m dollars of economic activity and less than 1% increase in rates for North Carolina. This seems to be a positive step towards economic development, grid security and job creation.

It all has happened with no meaningful impact to the overall health and well-being of NC power generation and distribution companies. So if we promise to take into account the history, economics and politics of our energy landscape I am sure we can find willing partners to build a solar industry in the state we all love and live in.

Andrew Streit is the founder of the Solar Business Alliance, a trade association created to foster the growth of solar energy in SC.

Solar will continue to grow

2011-08-13T11:10:00.004-04:00

NC dominates Renewable energy in the SE but everyone I know in solar is eking by in this downturn and slow recovery despite the lack of incentives, low energy costs in SC, and uncertain economic outlook.

Why is that? I think it can be boiled down to three key issues.

1. It has been pointed out very well by a part-time SC resident and very successful oil investor Richard Rainwater. Back in 2001, Mr. Rainwater forecast oil at $129 a barrel. This is pre-Katrina. He had read a book called The Limits of Growth that scarily portends fights for scarce natural resources and a growing world population that can’t be fed without fossil fuel. So the first issue is energy. We need it and don’t have enough of it. Everyone quietly recognizes that we will have to create sustainable reserves of hydro-carbon fuel replacements. I believe that comes partly from electricity. We need mass transport-ation and personal transportation from electricity because we can produce it more efficiently than burning fossil fuels. We also need to find a way to produce new oil—not by drilling, but by massive algae farms that absorb Co2 and produce oil. I am not a scientist so if algae aren’t feasible there has to be something. Let’s find it.

2. The reason is weather. I think we have all seen record temperatures this year, maybe not in SC where it is always hotter than just about anywhere in the summer, but just as scientists predicted: tornadoes in MA, snow in UT in May, record heat waves across the US. No scientist ever said global warming would be predictable; just that it would impact known weather patterns and could hamper world food growth. Solar can play a small part in slowing this process.

3. We have economic returns. Everyone wants predictable costs in the future and solar can provide that. While the payback is long in SC, the risk return is great. As we get older, the investment looks better and better. Most people won’t outlive their solar install, which should be a great feeling. NASA has panels from the 1960s that still generate voltage. That’s a safe bet in my book.

New rules for a changing landscape

2011-07-31T22:29:00.003-04:00

How do you find an equitable solution to the solar question?

I try to understand the whole energy issue. I have studied the history of the electrification of America, from the Rochdale Principals to the first hydro plant purchased by James Buck Duke and his subsequent decades of philanthropy. I have studied The french physicist A. E. Becquerel who discovered the photovoltaic effect, Thomas Edison's pursuit of a DC electric grid and his loss of market and eventual dominance of John Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla's AC grid.

The reason I have done this is because I knew very little about electricity before getting involved in solar except that I like electricity and want to continue to have access to it.

I have been extremely lucky in that I have been invited to see a working hydro, coal and nuclear plant. For someone who grew up loving motors and horsepower this has been fantastic, a lifetime memory. I have seen the immense raw power that drives our way of life and keeps our economy running. The bone tingling hum of 125MW of hydro turbines is more impressive than an F15 fighter jet or a 1000cc motorcycle at 150mph. I like to think I get it, the grid is immense, powerful, complicated and difficult to maintain. All of the people who run and operate electrical distribution or generation should be proud of what they do and are greatly under-appreciated. I recently had a capacitor break on my condensing unit in July during a 99' day, I sincerely recognize that electricity is the life blood of South Carolina.

I am a solar guy, I always will be. What does that mean? It means that I have looked at all the energy generation methods available to us, including fusion and I have come to the conclusion that only one resource can eventually permanently satisfy our energy needs and that is solar power.

The earth is a closed system, the only thing entering our atmosphere is photons from the sun. We are told the earth is round so we have finite resources other than the sun. That being said I need to emphasize that I said eventually. Solar today cannot directly compete with the energy output of coal or nuclear. Both of these combined currently account for 70% of our total electrical power generation in the US. I believe we currently consume 374 Terawatts or 374 trillion watts annually. This is a lot of power!

Solar today accounts for less than 1% of that power. If we covered every roof in the state with today's solar we could get 25% of our daytime power from solar. So the technical challenges are huge. I recognize that SC is a nuclear state with heavy investments from the federal government in research and development. Does this make SC mutually exclusive when we talk about starting a solar industry, far from it I think it means we have a much higher threshold of integration before we have to worry about dispatchability or base load generation issues.

I also recognize we are asking for a new paradigm from our electrical generation and distribution companies. We want cheap, reliable, electricity all the time and we want you to shoulder the burden of research and development of the next generation of electrical production today at no cost to us the rate payers and members.

So how do we come together, me the rabid solar guy and the thousands of engineers and other professional who provide today's electrical needs? Luckily I think it is possible, with careful steps, open dialogue and economic development we can achieve a new set of rules for this changing electrical industry.

Solar in North Carolina has been regulated and mandated. What has this achieved? 1350 solar jobs created during the recession, $300m dollars of economic activity and less than 1% increase in rates for North Carolina. This seems to be a positive step towards the solar future I envision.

It all has happened with no true impact to the overall health and well-being of NC power generation and distribution companies. So I promise to take into account the history, economics and politics of our energy landscape if I can find willing partners to build a nascent industry in the state we all love and live in.

Where does all the money go?

2011-07-25T09:42:00.009-04:00

The cost of energy; this will make some historians chuckle and hopefully make some of you angry.
It cost Saudi Arabia $5-$12 a barrel to extract oil from 1986 to until 2002, 16yrs of steady prices.

Emerging countries saw economic growth over that period only hampered by the currency bailout in the 1990’s. Developed countries saw an overall decline of 1% over 20yrs all caused by the banking fiasco otherwise it would have been 1% growth.
Here is a quote from today’s Wall St Journal, the bastion of pure capitalism...

“Several OPEC countries have boosted spending this year to create jobs and build more housing. They therefore need a historically high oil price to cover the increased costs. Merrill Lynch said in an April research note that Saudi Arabia now needs as much as $95 a barrel to defray the costs after announcing the equivalent of $129 billion in new spending.”

While the US borrows to soften the economic impact of the downturn, Saudi Arabia and other Oil producing nations are charging us to bribe their people not to have democracy.

Does Saudi Arabia actually get $95 dollars a barrel? No of course not, how could Exxon report the single largest profits in history if it all went to the Arabs.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a capitalist, I just want you to recognize when people talk about ‘transference of wealth’ they mean they want it to continue to go to them and not to you.
So the cost of solar today per energy unit produced is high if you do not take into account 100yrs of infrastructure support from Governments for fossil fuel; the energy industry when regulated has guaranteed profits and receives between $23 and $52 dollars in incentives from government per ratepayer, per year; and new Nuclear cannot be built without government loans, insurance and guarantees, private capital won’t touch it with a ten foot stick.

I think we need Nuclear for one more generation of energy so we can develop dispatchable renewables or storage; which no energy source today has other than pump storage via fossil or nuclear. None of this broaches the subject of environmental impact, which is becoming so abundantly clear that to deny it makes you appear extreme and out of touch. So the next time someone tells you that solar is expensive please ask them in relation to what?

100 Percent Renewables: The Resources are There, Says UN Report | Renewable Energy News Article

2011-05-16T23:04:00.000-04:00

100 Percent Renewables: The Resources are There, Says UN Report | Renewable Energy News Article

25 yrs in the making

2011-05-08T21:18:00.002-04:00

I recently attended the SC conservation’s groups’ oyster roast. It was a fun event with a great turnout. The food, music and company were outstanding; there was also some adult beverages that I enjoyed as well.

I had a great conversation with an environmental activist who had been at it for a while longer than me.
She said that American’s use too much energy and resources, that nuclear was dangerous and things should be different. I was quietly asking myself how this socialist English boy I thought I was, was ambivalent with almost everything she said. The only way I could explain it was thus;

Feudal societies ruled Europe for much longer than our current form of democracy. Meaning 7ft dudes who were proficient with swords did very well and the rest of us fought over the crumbs. My conversation partner would likely have said nothing has changed except my liege is now a modern day CEO. As a 21st century serf I can’t help but disagree.

Most of us died before age 45 prior to democracy and fossil fuels; entertainment was watching your neighbor getting his hands cut off for stealing royal game or 12hr days fighting the elements to produce enough food to live. Your children could die from cuts, colds, malnutrition or violence and there was little you could do.

Today we use resources because we learned to utilize them. We have created modern life through cheap energy and brilliant engineering not to exploit the world but to lead, who else is creating the future?

We do need activists to stop greed and lethargy in business now more than ever but I do not believe there is an evil capitalist at the helm of earth’s future.
I see it more as a group of people trying to make their way and adjusting every 50yrs or so when and if they realize they’ve made mistakes. Feudalism and over consumption have similar paths, I believe we will eventually get it right.

My Prayers are with you and your family

2011-04-30T00:12:00.003-04:00

I have a dear friend who has quietly been a leader for solar and other renewables since I have worked in the field. With little recognition or praise this wonderful person has persistantly reached out to people, given solid advice and has lead with integrity. Not many people I know can say the same thing. I am so sick of these two dimensional arguments about how government is ruining the country. We are the government, you your kid's school teachers, the local police, your cousin in the national guard, yourneighbor who works for an engineering company. My dear friend can always be found friday afternoons at her desk well after 5pm and yet she had a government job?! She doesn't anymore, she quit because she has morals and ethics. On the day she quit she lost her father in an automobile accident. It breaks my heart that she has to carry this burden of sadness and loss when he was only 55 and she was getting ready to embark on a new chapter in life. Her husband is a good man and a strong soul so I hope he can help her in her time of mourning. I wish the both of them the very best in their future and I want them to know they are always welcome in our home for a meal or place to rest or to share some stories. Erika was one of the first to help me when I had no friends in the industry and I'll never forget that. Arron (forgive the spelling mate) would put up with me asking for their help on weekends when Erika and I would work on Solar videos for free, because we believe in a brighter future. Thanks to both of you and God bless.

2011-03-26T07:44:00.002-04:00

space travel is more important than lipstick

2011-03-22T07:20:00.001-04:00

Elon Musk on the 3 inventions that will change the worldElon Musk is a 39-year-old engineer and serial entrepreneur. At 28, he co-founded popular e-payment company Paypal. He then went on to start SpaceX, the first private company to launch a rocket into space, and Tesla Motors, which builds electric cars.

I recently talked to Musk about inventions he thinks will change the world. You can check out the transcript below and watch part of our Skype conversation, which encapsulates Musk’s particular brand of big, big thinking (in particular, why we should expand human life into space).

Amar Bakshi: What three inventions do you foresee changing the world in the years ahead?

Elon Musk: One of the most important things that I think that will be invented this century, hopefully by SpaceX, is the first (1) fully reusable orbital rocket. It’s the fundamental invention necessary for humanity to expand to the stars and to become multiplanetary. (Check out the video above to see why Musk thinks expanding to the stars is important for humanity.)

The cost of fuel is only about 0.2% or 0.3% of the cost of the rocket. In fact, the cost to refuel one of our Falcon 9 rockets is about as much as the cost to refuel a Boeing 747 plane.

However, a 747 can be used tens of thousands of times. And that’s the reason a ticket to London doesn’t cost a half a billion dollars (a 747 is about a quarter-billion dollars, and you would need two of them for a round-trip flight if you didn’t have reusable planes). Now you’re paying a few thousand dollars for the ticket because you can reuse the craft.

(2) Rapid, low-cost, perfect DNA sequencing will have a huge effect on humanity. Human DNA has not yet been completely decoded. The most that anyone has gotten is about 91% or 92%, and that has been with a huge numbers of errors. Trying to read our DNA is like trying to understand software code - with only 90% of the code riddled with errors. It’s very difficult in that case to understand and predict what that software code is going to do.

That’s where things are right now in DNA decoding. There’s a company called Halcyon that’s trying to solve that problem. I’m an investor, and I’m on the Board of Halcyon, but I think if Halcyon succeeds in doing perfect DNA sequencing, it will have a huge impact on humanity.

I should mention another important thing. With DNA, you have to be able to tell which genes are turned on or off. Current DNA sequencing cannot do that. The next generation of DNA sequencing needs to be able to do this. If somebody invents this, then we can start to very precisely identify cures for diseases. It will be a really huge advancement for humanity.

We’ll be able to design treatments specifically for individual people and be able to tell beforehand if certain treatments would result in negative side effects for certain individuals.

There are a lot of people that think (3) viable fusion is not possible. But fusion is the “energy forever” solution. You know all energy in the universe originates with fusion. We get our energy from the sun, so that’s indirect reliance on fusion.

Do I think it will be solved this century? It may not be possible – or at least, not on a commercially viable scale. It’s a very, very difficult technical problem, one of the most difficult technical problems that humanity will ever try to solve. But if we solve it, we will have “energy forever.”

Bakshi: Where do you think these innovations are going to happen? Around the world? Or mostly on the west coast of the U.S.?

Musk: Primarily the west coast of the U.S. It is remarkable how much is invented in California. It’s kind of ridiculous. It’s not necessarily the people who were born in California. It’s just that people come here because this is an environment that is really conducive to invention despite the high taxes and all the constraints that one faces.

I was born in Africa. I came to California because it’s really where new technologies can be brought to fruition, and I don’t see a viable competitor. It’s not to say that California is perfect – far from it. But it’s the least imperfect of any place in the world that I know of for bringing new inventions to mass market.

Silicon Valley has evolved a critical mass of engineers and venture capitalists and all the support structure – the law firms, the real estate, all that – that are all actually geared toward being accepting of startups.

You go to some other part of the world, and you know you can't get a lease because your company hasn’t been around long enough; the law firm won't give you legal advice, nobody will give you funding, you can't find the technical talent you need. But in California, all this has arisen organically.

Post by:

CNN's Amar C. Bakshi

NEW ENERGY NOW

2011-03-20T13:19:00.003-04:00

less than 200 miles from the epi-center of the earthquake these turbines stand tall and provide electricity to Japan. I recognize that the nuke plants were hit by earthquake AND Tsunami but the point still remains, a diversified energy portfolio protects you best from unforeseen disasters.

Oil companies have their hand in your wallet

2011-03-03T14:48:00.004-05:00

Why Oil Companies Need A Windfall Profit Tax .
Thursday, 03 March 2011 Green Chip Stocks .As oil prices rise, oil companies should be assessed a windfall profit tax to prevent profiting from deceiving their customers. Oil companies' failure to notify customers of Peak Oil is the same as cigarette companies deceiving their customers about cancer.

The following graph illustrates the basic nature of oil field geology. Oil companies understand oil field geology and have publicly denied it to the peril of their customers.

Trust is essential to free market capitalism. Profits drive action. Each of us specializes in order to profit from our primary talents. We pay a profit to vendors that specialize in filling other needs to be reliable suppliers. Society benefits as each of us specializes in tasks where we can compete most profitably, adding the greatest value at the least cost. Benefits of specialization and collaboration collapse as trust diminishes.

In his book The Wisdom of Crowds, James Surowiecki notes:

Modern capitalism made the idea of trusting people with whom you had "no prior personal ties" seem reasonable, if only by demonstrating that strangers would not, as a matter of course, betray you. This helped trust become woven into the basic fabric of everyday business. Buying and selling no longer required a personal connection. It could be driven instead by the benefits of mutual exchange.

Through social experiments, Surowiecki illustrates how free markets build trust through reciprocity, rewarding fair dealing with profits and punishing breaches of trust. Capitalism requires profits and punishment of vendors who violate their customers’ trust by incompetence, deceit or failing to inform them of critical information relative to the vendor’s specialty:

Cigarette companies misled their customers about links between cigarettes and cancer for decades. Eventually they were held accountable. Now that cigarette companies are more honest about cancer, lawsuits are fewer and less punishing.
Oil companies are dishonestly profiting from rising oil prices because they have failed to warn their customers about Peak Oil, misleading customers by reassuring them that there is plenty of oil (which there is) without informing them that:
The conventional crude oil on which we build our infrastructure and economy has peaked and is in permanent decline, as noted by IEA’s 2010 World Energy Outlook and the U.S. military’s Joint Forces Command’s Joint Operating Environment 2010.Six or more years are required to develop an oil resource. Customers are being led to believe they can currently rely on oil that will not be available for a decade.
Capital to develop these oil resources has not been allocated and may never be.
Previous attempts to develop some of these oil sources failed after billions of dollars were invested -- so there is no certainty that technical skills exist, within plausible financial limitations, to develop the oil fields.
Net Energy from these resources may be less than 5:1. Oil as the lifeblood of the U.S. economy is based on Net Energy of greater than 10:1. At 5:1, it will take twice as much oil, at far greater costs, to obtain the oil we use to accomplish the economic work that is required to sustain the current economy.
The price of gasoline from such sources may far exceed $5 a gallon.
Windfall Profit Tax on Oil Companies
Life requires energy. Less affordable energy, less life. Because energy is critical to life, and energy infrastructure takes decades to replace, energy vendors have a responsibility to inform their customers of energy risks far enough in advance of those risks for customers to adapt. Customers’ lives, livelihoods and families are at stake. Instead of warning their customers, oil companies encouraged and lobbied governments to subsidize the creation of oil’s Potato Famine potential: A monolithic dependence on a single source of energy 65% beyond the nation’s ability to control.

Peak Oil (the limits of oil field geology) was proven in 1970 when U.S. domestic oil production peaked as predicted in 1956 by Dr. Hubbert. World Crude Oil Production effectively peaked in 2005 at 74 million barrels per day (mb/d). Oil companies such as Exxon (XOM), Chevron (CVX), Arco, Shell (RDS.A), BP, etc., do not deserve to profit from deceiving, misleading and failing to inform their customers of these global conditions. Federal government officials also failed to warn citizens, and they are culpable for the consequences.

Awareness and Action
If you are surprised by rising gasoline prices, then hold the vendors accountable. By about 2030, there will be 95% less Net Energy from oil. If this surprises you, then your vendors have not informed you of risks in a meaningful way.

The United States of America existed in 1900 with little use of oil. Today we know far more about materials, technology, manufacturing and science than in 1900. We have applied these insights to the communications infrastructure since 1984, creating millions of jobs, vast innovation and re-tooling of a fundamental infrastructure. Power and transport infrastructure networks remain frozen in the government’s central planning that mobilized World War I (see below). We have the gas mileage of the Model T. The highway and oil are monolithic government solutions.

In a free market, the lifeblood of our economy will change from oil to ingenuity.

Investment Guide
Consequences of Peak Oil are so huge that picking single companies or even market segments is as difficult as forecasting Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Google (GOOG), and Facebook in 1984.

But this general principle will hold true. Life requires energy. Less affordable energy, less life. More efficiency, more life.

Long-term energy investments focused on Net Energy solutions of 20:1 or better will likely do very well; wind and solar both fit this category. Investments in efficiency products will do well. Investments in depleting resources will likely do poorly.

Investing in companies that deceive their customers is very risky. Protecting capitalism requires vendors be trusworthy or be prevented from profiting by deceipt or incompetence. My best guess is oil products will be rationed sooner than later, likely when gasoline hits $5 a gallon.

Network investments seem likely to be big winners. The government subsidies to oil and central planning of highways limit efficiency to 32 passenger-miles per gallon. Free market networks, such as railroads, are 97 times more efficient, averaging 436 ton-miles per gallon. When governments end central planning, innovations applied to communication networks will be applied to power and transport networks. Investing in this shift seems attractive.

Feed in tarriff's help or hurt?

2011-02-13T17:17:00.002-05:00

As you can see from the following article, Feed-in tarriffs or FITs can lead to a boom and bust mentality that I am sure we are all sick of. The question is are premium payments for energy a good idea? I think the answer is yes becuase the real question is, "Do we currently have a viable alternative to fossil fuel when prices spiral out of control?" The answer to that is NO we don't and currently all fossil fuel companies are happily waiting for prices to rise. FITs have been wildly successful in Germany, Spain and now the UK. The real issue is how much should the premium payment be and for how long. Scaling the payments to incentivize early system adoption is a good idea, coupling the payment with tax credits for system owners is a good idea too. Creating investment vehicles with strong profits by levying a premium payment against the utilities or govt is not a good idea when it is not sustainable long-term. Gradual growth and price decreases due to efficiency and scale are the way to go for all renewable energy's.

I fully expect the price of solar to drop below $4 a watt installed by 2013. This would mean a solar system could be financed by the savings with a 20% downpayment in the Southeast US.

The introduction of the Feed-in Tariff in the UK in April 2010 has sparked an explosive reaction in the UK renewable energy market, with the solar PV market seeing the largest growth

According to a recent report from the analysis firm Greenbang (of which I happen to be the lead author), in just a half-year since the tariff was introduced, more than 10,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations were recorded, with the majority consisting of domestic installations. This has led to an increase of twice the 2009 installed capacity in the first six months.

The overall installed capacity is also set to rapidly increase as larger-scale (5 MW) solar farms come into play in the next 12-18 months. These outcomes demonstrate the positive effect the feed-in tariff has had on the UK solar market, despite the poor economic conditions.

The only way for the UK renewable energy market to grow to a respectable size comparable with Germany is for it to have the full support of the incumbent government. The fact that large-scale solar PV farms are beginning to appear in the English countryside should be celebrated as a success of the government’s FIT policy.

Instead, the scheme is being portrayed as an enemy to micro-generation, with little regard for the fact that large-scale solar PV helps companies to achieve lower costs that can then be passed on to domestic installations.

This week, Chris Huhne, Britain’s Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, announced the government would start its first review of the FIT scheme for small-scale, low-carbon electricity generation. This news comes earlier than expected and will lead to uncertainty within the UK renewable market, in particular for solar PV.

Before we get into the changes, let’s have a brief explanation of the UK feed-in tariff.

The measure can be separated into two sections: one provides a fixed payment for electricity generated, called the “generation tariff,” and the other, which enables any unused electricity to be exported to the grid, is known as the “export tariff.”

Each type of technology (solar PV, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion (AD) and micro-combined heat and power, or micro-CHP) is implemented differently, with contrasting prices for kWh of electricity produced by each system. This is to ensure a level playing field by encouraging the installation of the more expensive technologies, such as solar PV, which receives the highest rates.

For the FIT to be sustainable, the tariff rates are reduced annually after the first two years of implementation, in line with predicted price reductions for each of the technologies due to advancement of production techniques and related cost reductions.

Today is the day for Solar

2011-01-29T09:04:00.003-05:00

Let’s talk Seriously now. North Carolina has a standard, a mandate and while some of it has been challenging to implement, solar is on time and under price on all original estimates, period!

We have invested 150yrs worth of infrastructure and private and government support around fossil fuel. Fossil fuel was all worthwhile but to say solar can’t compete is not telling the whole story.
SC Senator Glenn Reese who taught physics for 15yrs recently captured it best when he said “..the good Lord may be laughing at us, he gave us an infinite energy source right there in the sky..”

Today’s solar is 300% more efficient than 1958’s solar. I’d like to hear from leaders how we plan to transition away from finite fuel sources. Tomorrow’s solar is closer than we think.
Today we can feasibly put 20% generation from wind and solar and NOT require more base-load capacity.
Today we can put people back to work.
Today solar could easily grow by 35% a year with incentives and renewable energy goals in place from the legislature.
Today our utilities are making strides to do renewable energy and clean power production. SCE&G, Duke and Progress all have programs in place that are leaps and bounds from where they were 3 years ago. The Co-ops are leading the nation in an efficiency program they just need to initiate it. As leaders in business in the state and the region they have some of the brightest minds in the nation working for them. Ironically a few people still say they don’t see any customer benefit with renewables. NC has implemented 20MW of solar (and counting) for, at most, 83c a month per customer. 1000’s of people work in renewable energy in NC. New Coal costs $2.50 per month to build and fuel costs are subject to rise ad infinitum. Nuclear can meet our base load demand and we can build out renewable sources as they become more and more competitive. As business people and South Carolinians we ask the leaders of SC to figure out how can we create a renewable industry that protects rate payers, rewards utilities for a job well done and employs 100’s or 1000’s of South Carolinians so that they are paying into the state we live in. Incentives in 2011 and Goals for Renewable Energy before 2012 is the economic development we need. We are surrounded by states that have already improved their economies this way. Today is the day for solar.

SC lags in all areas of solar development

2011-01-03T22:21:00.001-05:00

States Drive Renewable Energy
14 December 2010

States continue to drive renewable energy according to the 2010 edition of the policy guide looking at net metering and interconnection procedures across the states, Freeing the Grid.
"Electricity rules and regulations can be incredibly complex and difficult to get right, particularly in the pioneering territory of renewables and self-generation. Freeing the Grid is intended to help states understand how their policies currently rank and how to improve them to achieve real renewable energy market and job growth," says Kyle Rabin, Director of the Network for New Energy Choices (NNEC).

"The tremendous progress we’ve seen over the four short years of the report’s publication leaves no doubt that states are able and willing to tackle these tough issues and advance our clean energy economy."

Freeing the Grid 2010 Highlights:
Net metering rules: In 2010, 37 states received A or B grades for their net metering policies, up from 13 states in 2007;
Interconnection procedures: In 2010, 20 states received A or B grades for good interconnection practices, a tremendous improvement over the solitary B grade awarded in 2007;
Head of the Class: Massachusetts and Utah received exceptional ‘A’ grades in both interconnection and net metering. This is the first time in the report’s history that any state has achieved ‘A’ grades in both categories;
Most Likely to Succeed: Colorado’s use of proven best practices and new policy models earned it the top score in net metering. Colorado allows many customer types and systems sizes to benefit from net metering, enabling broad participation in the state’s renewable energy economy. In 2010, the state also took pioneering steps to allow shared, community solar energy systems to receive net metering credits through Community Solar Gardens.
"I am proud that Colorado is leading the way on distributed renewable energy," says Colorado Governor Bill Ritter.

"We have worked hard to diversify our energy supplies and create jobs, while also trying to make distributed renewable energy affordable for our commercial and residential sectors. This is smart, forward-thinking policy that other states can, and should, follow."

Adam Browning, Executive Director of Vote Solar, adds: "With gridlock at the Federal level, state and local leaders have been busy expanding opportunities for Americans to invest in our new energy economy. These states are to be applauded for their leadership and vision in driving real renewable energy progress and job growth.

“In combination with policies that grow wholesale renewable generation for the utility sector, these state-level policies for customer self-generation are building robust and sustainable renewable energy markets across the country.”

Community Solar Programs
"One of the most exciting developments graded for the first time this year’s Freeing the Grid is the state-wide community solar programs that are moving forward in a number of places throughout the country. Community solar allows renters, customers with shaded roofs, and others who were formerly unable to participate solar energy to do so which supports green jobs in their local communities while simultaneously expanding markets for renewable energy," comments Joseph Wiedman, Partner at Keyes and Fox, LLP which represents IREC.

Freeing the Grid is produced annually by NNEC in partnership with Vote Solar, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the North Carolina Solar Center.

Columbia SC goes solar

2010-12-07T23:02:00.005-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM8VVFg-kuI

Hopefully the first of hundreds.

Central banks The coming financial disaster in a nutshell

2010-11-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

Central banks The coming financial disaster in a nutshell

Business goes solar

2010-11-21T11:07:00.001-05:00

Sustainability summary of SC companies

2010-11-06T09:01:00.002-04:00

This high level over view studies the public stance of some of South Carolina’s major employers. As you will see it was very easy to find information leading to each company’s thoughts and actions on how to achieve profits and growth and still have a sustainable business practice. It is important to recognize that action now will not make South Carolina a leader but will put us somewhat on par with the region and prevent our economy from losing jobs and economic activity because we failed to act on building a 21st century energy economy.

Boeing
Boeing has implemented aggressive targets for improving its environmental performance both for its operations and the lifecycle of its products. Boeing has a record of commitment to regulatory compliance and a legacy of environmental performance improvements in its products and services. And by learning from and enabling its employees to drive change, Boeing is embedding environmental thought and action into everything we do.
Boeing is committed to operating in a manner that promotes environmental stewardship.
Boeing will strive to: Conduct operations in compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and Boeing policies and procedures.
Prevent pollution by conserving energy and resources, recycling, reducing waste, and pursuing other source reduction strategies.
Continually improve our environmental management system.
Work together with our stakeholders on activities that promote environmental protection.
In addition to adopting this policy, Boeing has set aggressive and transparent enterprise wide performance targets to drive environmental thought and action throughout its operations.
2010 Web site

Duke Energy
“The global markets are clearly moving toward a low-carbon economy. This shift represents a unique opportunity for countries that develop and sell cleaner energy technologies. Nations that delay will lose more jobs and the ability to compete globally, and may end up buying clean technology from foreign suppliers.”
We have shared in the past two editions of this Sustainability Report our aspiration to reduce our 2006 U.S. CO2 emissions by 50 percent by 2030. In 2009, our U.S. generation fleet emitted about 91 million tons of CO2 – down from 105 million tons in 2008. However, some of this reduction is a “false positive,” driven by the weakened economy and resulting lower demand for electricity.
We continued to invest in renewable energy in 2009 to diversify our fuel mix and reduce our carbon footprint. Including our renewable energy assets, our nuclear fleet in the Carolinas and our hydroelectric assets in North America and South America, we are now the third-largest producer of carbon-free electricity in the Americas among U.S.-based, investor-owned utilities. Almost 40 percent of the electricity we generated in 2009 was from carbon-free sources.

Jim Rogers CEO Duke Energy

Sonoco
Sonoco is working to shrink the environmental footprint at each of its more than 300 manufacturing plants in 35 countries by:
• Reducing wastes going to landfills
• Reducing energy consumption
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Reducing hazardous air emissions
• Reducing water usage
• Implementing and encouraging internal recycling programs
Read Sonoco's Environmental Sustainability Policy.
2010 Web site
15% GHG reduction by 2013

Nucor Steel
“Sustainability—through profitable and responsible long-term growth. We are committed to being cultural and environmental stewards in the communities where we live and work. We are succeeding by working together.”
DANIEL R. DIMICCO
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NUCOR TENURE 1982-PRESENT

Nucor Corporation is made up of 20,400 teammates whose goal is to take care of our customers. We are
accomplishing this by being the safest, highest quality, lowest cost, most productive and most profitable
steel and steel products company in the world. We are committed to doing this while being cultural
and environmental stewards in our communities where we live and work. We are succeeding by
working together.
2009 Sustainability report

BMW
BMW has tremendous economic impact across the entire state of South Carolina. BMW’s investment in South Carolina supports over 23,000 jobs and produces $1.2 billion in wages and salaries a year. Additionally, BMW creates a multiplier effect of 4.3 meaning that for every one job created at the BMW plant that almost four jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.
BMW is committed to doing our part to protect and preserve the local resources upon which we all rely. Through corporate initiatives that encourage environmental awareness, financial support and conservation, we’re playing a leading role in sustaining the fragile eco-systems that make the Upstate community so unique. Our environmental responsibility is one we take seriously, in order to make sure the give and take between nature and business is a balanced one.
GE
Historical examples support both sides. Railroads criss-crossed the country in the 19th Century in part because of sweetheart land grants from states and the federal government. The U.S. freeway system, created for national security, lead to a population boom and new cities in the Southwest. The Internet? It grew out of military research program. Companies like Yahoo, Google, eBay and Amazon wouldn’t have ever been born if the government hadn’t built the basic infrastructure.
“To do something, you’ve got to do something” Jeff Immelt GE CEO.
Ecomagination website

SCANA
“At SCANA, we believe that now, more than ever, we must continue to be a good corporate citizen and take a leadership role in helping solve some of the issues facing our communities and do everything we can to strengthen them – by investing in education, protecting the environment and working to improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities.
It’s not just because it’s good business. It’s because it’s the right thing to do.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, really. None of our SBA members want to damage our local economy or stop fossil fuel or nuclear based energy production. We want the sustainable and smart implementation of support for small business, job creating, renewable energy policies that will enable South Carolina to grow and prosper as fossil fuel constraints begin to impact how we do business. Nuclear fission has limited Uranium sources, fossil fuel is the sun’s energy stored underground. These resources are both finite, meaning at some point as demand exceeds supply costs will go up dramatically and quite possibly dangerously. Until Exxon buys the sun, renewable energy and specifically solar will remain free. A .01% investment in generating capacity is smart policy, diversifying your energy portfolio and creating jobs is what South Carolina needs.

India to America, LEAD US, we believe.

2010-10-31T09:18:00.003-04:00

Saurabh Srivastava, co-founder of the National Association of Software and Service Companies in India, explained that for the first 40 years of Indian independence, entrepreneurs here were looked down upon. India had lost confidence in its ability to compete, so it opted for protectionism. But when the ’90s rolled around, and India’s government was almost bankrupt, India’s technology industry was able to get the government to open up the economy, in part by citing the example of America and Silicon Valley. India has flourished ever since.

“America,” said Srivastava, “was the one who said to us: ‘You have to go for meritocracy. You don’t have to produce everything yourselves. Go for free trade and open markets.’ This has been the American national anthem, and we pushed our government to tune in to it. And just when they’re beginning to learn how to hum it, you’re changing the anthem. ... Our industry was the one pushing our government to open our markets for American imports, 100 percent foreign ownership of companies and tough copyright laws when it wasn’t fashionable.”

If America turns away from these values, he added, the socialist/protectionists among India’s bureaucrats will use it to slow down any further opening of the Indian markets to U.S. exporters.

It looks, said Srivastava, as if “what is happening in America is a loss of self-confidence. We don’t want America to lose self-confidence. Who else is there to take over America’s moral leadership? American’s leadership was never because you had more arms. It was because of ideas, imagination, and meritocracy.” If America turns away from its core values, he added, “there is nobody else to take that leadership. Do we want China as the world’s moral leader? No. We desperately want America to succeed.”

This isn’t just so American values triumph. With a rising China on one side and a crumbling Pakistan on the other, India’s newfound friendship with America has taken on strategic importance. “It is very worrying to live in a world that no longer has the balance of power we’ve had for 60 years,” said Shekhar Gupta, editor of The Indian Express newspaper. “That is why everyone is concerned about America.”

India and America are both democracies, a top Indian official explained to me, but emotionally they are now ships passing in the night. Because today the poorest Indian maid believes that if she can just save a few dollars to get her kid English lessons, that kid will have a better life than she does. So she is an optimist. “But the guy in Kansas,” he added, “who today is enjoying a better life than that maid, is worried that he can’t pass it on to his kids. So he’s a pessimist.”

Yes, when America lapses into a bad mood, everyone notices. After asking for an explanation of the Tea Party’s politics, Gupta remarked: “We have moved away from a politics of grievance to a politics of aspiration. Where is the American dream? Where is the optimism?”
Tom Friedman NYT

Cost of solar keeps moving...down down down

2010-10-21T21:43:00.002-04:00

A company that secured a Department of Energy grant to pursue a breakthrough idea in the manufacture of solar cells plans to announce on Tuesday that it has raised $20 million to commercialize its technique, which it says will reduce the price of solar panels by 40 percent.

The company, 1366 Technologies of Lexington, Mass., has found a simpler way to produce the basic building block of solar cells: silicon wafers. It uses molten silicon to cast the wafers in their final form, six inches on one side and 200 microns thick, or about eight-thousandths of an inch.

The current method is to cast the silicon in huge ingots or grow it in giant crystals and then saw off thin pieces, which wastes about half of the silicon.
“Early indications show this could be one of our great success stories,” said David Danielson, the program director for solar energy at the Advanced Research Projects Agency — Energy, a new office within the Energy Department that provides relatively small grants to develop high-risk but potentially high-payoff technologies. It promised 1366 a grant of $4 million for an 18-month program to develop the wafer technology; 1366 is reporting success after eight months.

The company is expected to announce that it has raised $20 million in new capital, some of it from a major customer for the wafers, Hanwha Chemical of South Korea. Other investors include Ventizz Capital Fund, a European company that specializes in clean energy investments. Two companies that had previously invested, North Bridge Venture Partners and Polaris Venture Partners, have also added funds.

The chairman of Hanwha, Ki-joon Hong, said in a statement that his company had “every confidence that 1366’s innovations will fundamentally change solar manufacturing.”
The silicon, the basic material of solar cells and computer chips, is derived from a very cheap material, sand. But to function in electronics it must be made extremely pure, which makes it expensive.
The new technique, going from molten silicon to final product, is a bit like frying pancakes as opposed to slicing salami, except, as Mr. Danielson put it, “when you cut a salami, it’s not like half the salami ends up as salami dust that you have to throw in the garbage.”
The trick is to get the wafer out of the mold without breaking it. Company officials will not say just how they do that. The president of 1366 Technologies, Frank van Mierlo, predicted that the development would make solar power cheaper than coal power, although the technique has not yet been commercialized.

If the wafers go to market, 1366 would be one of the early fruits of the ARPA-e program, which was authorized by Congress in 1997 and signed into law by President Bush but was not financed until the passage of the federal stimulus act, which gave the program $400 million over two years. In December, 1366 received $4 million.
The company’s name is a reference to the amount of solar energy, measured in watts, that falls on a square meter of the earth’s surface.

The cell has other refinements, including finer wires to conduct away the electrons, so the shadow cast on the energy-gathering area is smaller. And the company drills small holes into the cast wafer to give it a honeycomb appearance, which allows light to bounce around inside the crevices, producing better absorption and less reduction, Mr. van Mierlo said.

October 19, 2010, 8:29 am NYT
A Cheaper Route to Solar Cells
By MATTHEW L. WALD

Sun Shines on Solar

2010-10-14T21:18:00.000-04:00

Sun Shines on Solar

Solar building educates kids

2010-10-07T22:51:00.003-04:00

Why Solar Will Make or Break its Own Future

2010-10-04T08:14:00.001-04:00

posted by
StephenLacey REW

Why Solar Will Make or Break its Own Future

Every industry has a rock star. The financial industry has Warren Buffet. The tech industry has Steve Jobs. The oil industry (and now wind industry) has T. Boone Pickens. And the solar PV industry has Jigar Shah.
So what makes someone a rock star in the business world? Well, success is a prerequisite. As the founder of SunEdison, a firm that pioneered the commercial solar power purchase agreement in North America, Shah's rise in his mid-thirties was one of the first high-profile success stories in the modern solar industry.
But achieving rock-stardom is about much more than being a good businessman. Even Shah (who has never proclaimed himself a star of the solar industry) admits that financial success is only a very small part of industry success – especially in renewables and efficiency.
“You can really make a ton of money in these areas and never make a difference. And that's really sad,” he says.
He points to the energy efficiency sector where numerous $50 million-a-year businesses have barely made a dent in Americans' wasteful energy consumption. The same could be said of the solar industry, where a company like thin-film manufacturer First Solar – with revenues of over $2 billion and a market capitalization of $12 billion – is leading a market that represents a tiny fraction of the overall energy mix.
But Shah believes that solar is on a path toward high penetration. He criticizes those who say solar is too expensive, or that we need breakthrough technologies to make any difference. He believes that the positive indicators are staring us in the face, and anyone who doesn't see them is blind or purposefully ignoring them.
And this brings us to another defining trait of a rockstar: Someone who is able to envision and articulate the future of an industry, even if that vision is not always consistent with conventional wisdom (i.e. solar is too expensive, solar is too intermittent, the technology is not ready).
I had the opportunity to co-host a web conference this week with AltaTerra research about the outlook for the solar industry through 2013. Shah was the featured speaker, and he offered a lot of insight into how this very volatile market will play out over the next few years.
The theme of his talk was “The Solar Industry Controls its Own Destiny.” By this, he means that the pieces are already in place for companies to put massive amounts of solar online. It's about building strong businesses now, not blaming politicians or the fossil energy industries for setbacks.

Here's a quick summary of the key points he made:

• The magic number for solar is $2 a watt installed. At that price, 30% of the global electricity supply could be cost-competitively met by solar PV.

• By 2012, the price of a 1 MW crystalline-silicon solar PV system will dip as low as $2.60 a watt installed, putting solar well within the $2 per watt threshold.

• Due to these prices (ranging between $4.60 a watt and $2.40 a watt), existing solar technologies will make a substantive impact today – no third-generation solar technologies needed. Shah believes the incessant focus on “breakthrough” technologies, while important in the long-term, distracts us from the realities of what we can do today.

• We can expect to see about a 35% compound annual growth rate through 2013, with a 65% growth rate in North America, 18% growth in Europe and 68% growth in emerging markets like India, Singapore and China. The industry will put about 20 GW of global capacity online in 2012.

• As solar reaches the $3 per watt installed range and starts to move below that level, utilities are developing solar for reasons other than regulatory pressure. For example, according to a Florida Power and Light executive, solar PV is now cheaper than new coal facilities in that utility's service territory. In addition, the Georgia PUC reported that a new nuclear facility would raise utility bills in the state by $1.30 a month. But a combination of solar, thermal storage and dynamic load control would have raised rates by only $1 a month.

• Due to fewer regulatory and capital constraints, distributed generation will rule the day. With over 3 billion square feet of flat roofs installed globally each year, around 20 GW of solar could theoretically be accommodated. While centralized generation like CSP will be important, Shah says that the complications associated with permitting and building new transmission lines for mega-projects will slow down growth of that sector.

• The best companies will be all-stars in international finance. As markets shift year by year, understanding how to finance projects across a variety of markets will be critical to success. Companies that are financially nimble and sophisticated will lead in solar.

• Most innovation will take place downstream, not upstream. Shah believes that the low hanging fruit to reduce costs is in the balance-of-systems sector (inverters, power optimization, tracking software, racking, wiring, labor) and in sales and distribution. (If we can create incredibly sophisticated channels for toasters and flat screen televisions, why can't we do the same for solar?) He also believes that lead generation, sales and installation will be separated.

• Given all these trends, Shah says that solar will reach a 5% penetration in the U.S. by 2020.

• He admits that the policy environment for solar is still sketchy in some markets. But rather than "bitch" about not getting equal support, he says the industry should be telling the fossil energy industries, "we'll get rid of our tax incentives if you get rid of yours."

Shah's main point throughout the presentation was that the industry already has a good business environment to build from – it is no longer about what “they” are going to do to support solar. It's about what “we” are going to do to grow the industry. Even without the full support of heel dragging politicians and utilities, there's still plenty of business to be done.

The US Military's Two-pronged Renewable Energy Initiative | Renewable Energy World

2010-09-26T20:23:00.000-04:00

The US Military's Two-pronged Renewable Energy Initiative | Renewable Energy World

LET THEM BUILD IT

2010-09-26T16:50:00.002-04:00

If you cut the power off for a day, it’s a party; blankets, flashlights and huddling around the fire. If you cut the power for 3 days, it’s a slog, grumbling and generally we’re pissed off about how long it’s been. If you cut the power off for 3 weeks there will be blood in the streets. This is what we are dealing with when we talk about energy security. If you think I am exaggerating stop and think about it, in three weeks all your food will have spoiled, so will the grocery stores’, business will be hamstrung and all electronic commerce will have halted. No banks, ATMs, gas pumps, internet, TV the list goes on. I understand the challenges of moving to a renewable energy grid, inconsistent supply, higher perceived cost, more engineering required, more transmission required, it’s tough. What’s tougher is the alternative. This is the greatest society in the history of our planet, American engineers built the 20th century, please don’t tell me we have to leave it to the Chinese to figure out what replaces fossil fuel. It appears to me that the energy policy committee setup by PERC has a difficult road ahead. They are going to talk about economics and DSM and federal loan guaranties and liability costs… or they won’t and they will push for the policy they decided a decade ago based on dated information. American society and brain power are the value of our currency and the definition of our economy. The real expense at stake here is the wrong decision. Let Americans build the 21st century. I would encourage all of you to attend the Oct. 6th meeting at the state house. Email me for details.

andrews@sunstoresolar.com

Senators talk about Clean energy standard

2010-09-23T22:23:00.002-04:00

By Tennille Tracy, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Several influential U.S. senators are introducing a bill to require power plants to generate 15% of their electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and solar power, by the year 2021.

Introduced by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D., N.M.) and Sam Brownback (R, Kan.) among others, the bill would require power plants to generate 3% of their electricity from renewable resources in 2012 and ramp up their use of renewables until reaching 15% in 2021.

The bill also allows utilities to purchase renewable energy credits or to make alternative compliance payments--worth 2.1 cents per kilowatt hour--to meet the standards.

Power plants that sell less than 4 million megawatt hours would be exempt from the law.

Known as a renewable electricity standard, the requirements have been a source of debate for U.S. lawmakers for several months.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) decided to bypass a renewable standard when pushing a broader energy this bill earlier this year, frustrating renewable energy supporters by saying he wanted to scrap controversial proposals in an effort to pass the measure more quickly.

After the bill failed to gain enough traction, Reid then said he would be willing to include the renewable standard in a future piece of energy legislation that could surface later this year.

Reid said he thought he could recruit at least two Republican votes for a broader energy bill by incorporating renewable electricity standards.

This most recent bill from Bingaman and Brownback--along with Sens. Byron Dorgan (D., N.D.), Tom Udall (D, N.M.), Mark Udall (D., Colo.) and Susan Collins (R., Maine)--marks an attempt to move the renewable energy standard as a stand- alone bill.

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201009211439dowjonesdjonline000304&title=ussenate-bill-would-make-utilities-use-15renewable-energy#ixzz10PT1DzsJ

trifecta of cool for solar

2010-09-15T16:01:00.003-04:00

I want solar powered cars,

I want electric cars, electricity is American energy

I want solar power

I want an smart grid that allows modern life and sutains a natural world.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/from-the-roof-to-a-battery-to-the-grid/?src=twt&twt=nytimesgreen

PERC to decide 25yr energy policy

2010-09-14T22:40:00.006-04:00

September 14th 2010 will impact SC for 50yrs. Perc Energy policy committee had its first meeting and it was a 'lovefest' for me. NO ONE FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SMALL BUSINESS ON the COMMITTEE and yet the overall tone of discussion was how do we make renewable energy work? However, judging by the opening statements you would have thought we had deployed 1000MW of Solar and Biomass and Everyone was GungHo about Solar. the reality is far from this assumption and the state should know that.

This should be a quick process, I can't wait to hear the recommendations.

Alex Cowsert Sings

2010-08-29T12:58:00.000-04:00

SunPower Install by Sunstore Solar

2010-08-07T17:23:00.000-04:00

New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells

2010-08-05T11:52:00.000-04:00

New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells

China moves closer to the sun.

2010-07-26T14:29:00.003-04:00

Markets .Rutgers' Chinese Solar Panels Show Clean-Energy Shift
By Stuart Biggs - Jul 23, 2010

An array of 7,600 solar panels manufactured by China's Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. converts sunlight into electricity on the Livingston Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Source: Rutgers University via Bloomberg
At Rutgers University in New Jersey, 7,600 panels convert sunlight into electricity, saving some $200,000 in energy costs this year in the biggest solar-power experiment at a U.S. college.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., China’s second-largest solar-panel maker, supplied the $10 million project. Yingli is one of several Chinese manufacturers that have slashed costs to reduce global prices for solar modules by about 50 percent in two years. The drive made them more affordable for buyers from Rutgers to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the biggest U.S. retailer.

“It’s all about economics,” said Chief Executive Officer Al Bucknam of SunDurance Energy, the South Plainfield, New Jersey, installer that picked Yingli over Western competitors on price and helped sell the deal to Rutgers as a money-saver.

China is slashing prices and moving to dominate solar energy in the way Japanese manufacturers ruled consumer electronics decades ago. The price declines inch the cost of solar energy toward what’s called grid parity, or renewable electricity at the same prices charged for conventional power.

“The ability of the Chinese to manufacture at scale is a very big reason why the cost of these panels has come down,” said Kathleen A. McGinty at venture capital firm Element Partners in Radnor, Pennsylvania. “They’re a big part of the reason why we can even start to talk about grid parity.”

Price Parity

Sun power may become as cheap as the retail price of grid- delivered electricity in certain markets as early as 2013, according to a June 29 report by Pike Research, a Boulder, Colorado, clean-energy consultant.

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association, a trade group, forecasts parity by 2010 in some southern parts of Italy, by 2012 in several regions of Spain, and 2015 in Germany.

Solar installations are spreading worldwide as governments from China to the U.K. and Italy offer subsidies, costs fall and cities seek to create jobs. Rutgers got a New Jersey state grant for half its solar plant costs, which included installation and an undisclosed price for the Yingli panels. Wal-Mart last month finished installing solar modules on two California stores that provide as much as 30 percent of their electricity.

China’s manufacturers grabbed 43 percent of the global photovoltaic-panel market in the last six years, pricing products as much as 20 percent cheaper than European offerings, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Chinese firms shipped 3,300 megawatts of panels worth $6.6 billion last year, enough to power about 2.6 million U.S. homes.

Asia’s ‘Vast Factories’

“The vast factories of Asia will drive prices down, just as they did with consumer electronics,” said Jenny Chase, head of solar energy analysis for New Energy Finance, the London- based research firm owned by Bloomberg LP.

The downside for manufacturers is falling panel prices. That, together with Spain and Germany cutting subsidies for clean power, has sent investors away from most solar stocks.

China’s largest panel producers, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Yingli, and Trina Solar Ltd., have all dropped on the New York Stock Exchange this year. Yingli lost 25 percent, Trina 13 percent and Suntech 37 percent in the year through July 21. The MSCI World Index fell just 6.9 percent in the period.

Some foreign competitors from Germany’s Solarworld AG and Q-Cells SE to Marlboro, Massachusetts-based Evergreen Solar Inc. fared worse. Solarworld has lost 29 percent in value, Q-Cells dropped 50 percent and Evergreen plunged 56 percent.

State-controlled China Development Bank Corp. so far this year has extended $24 billion in loans to Yingli, Trina Solar, Suntech, Solarfun Power Holdings Co. and others, according to data collected by New Energy Finance. That exceeds the $18.2 billion the U.S. government disbursed in fiscal stimulus funds for clean-energy companies through May 2010.

China’s Subsidies

Skeptics argue China’s solar industry is thriving on subsidies that obscure the true costs of solar, according to Kenneth Dewoskin, senior director at Deloitte China. Suntech and Trina didn’t respond to requests for interviews.

Min Li, a Hong Kong-based energy analyst at Yuanta Securities, said Chinese solar stocks are now attractively priced. He rates Yingli and Suntech as a “buy.” Overall, analysts favor Chinese over Western manufacturers.

Fourteen of 27 analysts tracked by Bloomberg recommend buying Yingli, compared with one “sell” rating. For Trina, all 22 analysts following the stock recommend buying it, while Suntech has 11 buy ratings and 8 sell recommendations.

In contrast, three analysts covering Q-cells rate the company a buy compared with 22 a sell. Evergreen has three buy ratings and 7 sell ratings. Solarworld is almost even, with 14 buys and 12 sells.

‘Just a Start’

China’s dominance in solar panels started in cities that subsidize clean energy. Baoding, a city of 1 million a two- hour’s drive south of Beijing, has used subsidies to attract about 200 renewable-energy companies including Yingli, whose panels power 80 percent of the local street lights.

“That’s just a start,” said Lian Shujun, vice director of the city’s renewable initiative.

China Development Bank lent a combined 116 billion yuan ($17 billion) this year to Yingli, Suntech and Trina while the central government’s Golden Sun program subsidizes as much as 70 percent of the cost of 294 solar projects. Beijing plans to install $1 billion of solar panels around the capital to heat water and light offices in 2012.

“China is beginning to think about what options are out there in terms of its new energy policy,” said Lu Yeung, a Hong Kong-based China energy analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “It’s not just fossil fuels, but how to make a green economy that is also a growth driver.”

‘Inevitable Choice’

The government is just getting started pushing solar, said Jason Liu, who quit his job at McKinsey & Co. to become a vice president at Yingli last year.

“Developing renewable energy is an inevitable choice,” he said.

China overtook the U.S. as the world’s biggest energy user last year, according to the International Energy Agency. The country is looking to firms like Yingli for renewable energy to reduce dependence on oil imports and coal.

China, the world’s biggest coal consumer, burns the commodity to generate about 80 percent of its power. The IEA projects China’s oil imports will almost quadruple by 2030 from 2006 levels.

China spent $34.6 billion on clean-fuel projects in 2009, almost double the $18.6 billion investment by the U.S., New Energy Finance estimated. China installed 160 megawatts of solar capacity last year, a four-fold increase from a year earlier, and may almost double it again this year to 311 megawatts, according to the research firm.

An Opportunity

Some European and U.S. companies view China’s solar growth as an opportunity. Germany’s Q-Cells last year agreed to a manufacturing joint venture with China’s LDK Solar Co.

Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar Inc., the world’s biggest solar company by market value, has agreed with the government of Ordos, Inner Mongolia, to build a 2-gigawatt plant.

Such opportunities are fading as China acquires the expertise to do large-scale solar projects itself, Frank Haugwitz, a Beijing-based renewable energy consultant, said in a telephone interview.

“It’s only a matter of time, one or two years,” he said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Stuart Biggs in Tokyo at sbiggs3@bloomberg.net Ying Wang in Beijing at Ywang30@bloomberg.net

One year passed, No energy bill, what a waste...

2010-07-25T10:56:00.002-04:00

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: July 24, 2010
Facebook
When I first heard on Thursday that Senate Democrats were abandoning the effort to pass an energy/climate bill that would begin to cap greenhouse gases that cause global warming and promote renewable energy that could diminish our addiction to oil, I remembered something that Joe Romm, the climateprogress.org blogger, once said: The best thing about improvements in health care is that all the climate-change deniers are now going to live long enough to see how wrong they were.

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
Thomas L. Friedman

Alas, so are the rest of us. I could blame Republicans for the fact that not one G.O.P. senator indicated a willingness to vote for a bill that would put the slightest price on carbon. I could blame the Democratic senators who were also waffling. I could blame President Obama for his disappearing act on energy and spending more time reading the polls than changing the polls. I could blame the Chamber of Commerce and the fossil-fuel lobby for spending bags of money to subvert this bill. But the truth is, the public, confused and stressed by the last two years, never got mobilized to press for this legislation. We will regret it.

We’ve basically decided to keep pumping greenhouse gases into Mother Nature’s operating system and take our chances that the results will be benign — even though a vast majority of scientists warn that this will not be so. Fasten your seat belts. As the environmentalist Rob Watson likes to say: “Mother Nature is just chemistry, biology and physics. That’s all she is.” You cannot sweet-talk her. You cannot spin her. You cannot tell her that the oil companies say climate change is a hoax. No, Mother Nature is going to do whatever chemistry, biology and physics dictate, and “Mother Nature always bats last, and she always bats 1.000,” says Watson. Do not mess with Mother Nature. But that is just what we’re doing.

Since I don’t have anything else to say, I will just fill out this column with a few news stories and e-mails that came across my desk in the past few days:

•

Just as the U.S. Senate was abandoning plans for a U.S. cap-and-trade system, this article ran in The China Daily: “BEIJING — The country is set to begin domestic carbon trading programs during its 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015) to help it meet its 2020 carbon intensity target. The decision was made at a closed-door meeting chaired by Xie Zhenhua, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission ... Putting a price on carbon is a crucial step for the country to employ the market to reduce its carbon emissions and genuinely shift to a low-carbon economy, industry analysts said.”

•

As we East Coasters know, it’s been extremely hot here this summer, with records broken. But, hey, you could be living in Russia, where ABC News recently reported that a “heat wave, which has lasted for weeks, has Russia suffering its worst drought in 130 years. In some parts of the country, temperatures have reached 105 degrees.” Moscow’s high the other day was 93 degrees. The average temperature in July for the city is 76 degrees. The BBC reported that to keep cool “at lakes and rivers around Moscow, groups of revelers can be seen knocking back vodka and then plunging into the water. The result is predictable — 233 people have drowned in the last week alone.”

•

A day before the climate bill went down, Lew Hay, the C.E.O. of NextEra Energy, which owns Florida Power & Light, one of the nation’s biggest utilities, e-mailed to say that if the Senate would set a price on carbon and requirements for renewal energy, utilities like his would have the price certainty they need to make the big next-generation investments, including nuclear. “If we invest an additional $3 billion a year or so on clean energy, that’s roughly 50,000 jobs over the next five years,” said Hay. (Say goodbye to that.)

•

Making our country more energy efficient is not some green feel-good thing. Retired Brig. Gen. Steve Anderson, who was Gen. David Petraeus’s senior logistician in Iraq, e-mailed to say that “over 1,000 Americans have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan hauling fuel to air-condition tents and buildings. If our military would simply insulate their structures, it would save billions of dollars and, more importantly, save lives of truck drivers and escorts. ... And will take lots of big fuel trucks (a k a Taliban Targets) off the road, expediting the end of the conflict.”

•

The last word goes to the contrarian hedge fund manager Jeremy Grantham, who in his July letter to investors, noted: “Conspiracy theorists claim to believe that global warming is a carefully constructed hoax driven by scientists desperate for ... what? Being needled by nonscientific newspaper reports, by blogs and by right-wing politicians and think tanks? I have a much simpler but plausible ‘conspiracy theory’: the fossil energy companies, driven by the need to protect hundreds of billions of dollars of profits, encourage obfuscation of the inconvenient scientific results. I, for one, admire them for their P.R. skills, while wondering, as always: “Have they no grandchildren?”

Solar energy expert visits "famously hot" Columbia - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

2010-07-20T23:48:00.000-04:00

Sunstore Solar founder is on WISTV talking about the future of solar.

Solar energy expert visits "famously hot" Columbia - WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina |

Sunstore with a little help from their friends...

2010-07-16T14:33:00.003-04:00

Take a look at a concept we developed for USC at Carolina Baseball stadium. Thanks to Fuss and Oneill for partnering with us to create a worthy project. We won't know if USC likes it until 8/11.

Happy Birthday America, 234 today

2010-07-04T08:29:00.003-04:00

I LOVE THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE...

Growing up in England the GI's would attend a Bar BQue at our house and they were cool. One Marine sgt would put us in a chair and lift it straight out in front of him and fly us around the room, he was a total badass.

As a kid 'McDonalds'
F16 fighter planes were cool
I have travelled to 33 states and met someone nice in every single one
Montana, it really is big sky country
California, Laguna Seca has a bar over looking the Pacific that I want my ashes sprinkled at.
South Carolina coast marshlands and bridges. Stop and sit on the Harbor dr marsh sometime.
NY city, be a tourist, look up at the buildings in almost any neighborhood, its great architecture.
Pizza.
My neighborhood in Lexington SC, I know all my neighbors by name and their kids rarely knock before coming in.
Still finding cool places in Cola, after 12yrs.
Veggie restaurant in Boone NC, groovy people with a great view.
Tallulah Gorge state park GA, 100ft rock slide.
Milkshakes at the Grill in athens GA.
FDR
MLK
Eisenhower
Thomas Edison
Warren Buffett
Stormin Norman
The Doors
My wife
Today

This is an awesome, diverse, beautiful, freedom loving country.
Happy Birthday America. Never let Kings take it away from you.

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Italy Surpasses US in Solar PV | Renewable Energy World

2010-07-03T08:45:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I'm jealous of Italy, they have art, architecture and pretty girls but now solar?!

Italy Surpasses US in Solar PV | Renewable Energy World

National ENERGY policy

2010-06-27T09:57:00.007-04:00

40% of our emissions come from utilities and most already operate under a mandate called an RPS.
National policy would help them plan for a cleaner future.

LA TIMES Reporting from Washington — With the gulf oil spill creating political opportunity, Senate Democrats will begin crafting a sweeping energy bill this week that could include a first-ever, though more modest, cap on global-warming pollution, believing they must act now despite differences within their ranks and political jitters in an election year.

Instead of regulating all sources of greenhouse gas emissions as originally proposed, lawmakers are considering placing a carbon cap initially only on utility companies. That idea was once dismissed by environmentalists as too incremental, but now is seen by some as better than no cap at all.

President Obama will meet Tuesday with a bipartisan group of senators to push for a new energy policy. "We are prepared and ready to move forward on a new energy strategy that the American people desperately want but for which there's been insufficient political will," Obama said recently. "It is time for us to move to a clean-energy future."

With political will running short before the midterm election, the Senate has shown little appetite for a broader, economy-wide climate change bill as passed by the House almost exactly one year ago.

Even a more modest carbon cap remains difficult for senators wary of another ambitious government program at a time of voter unrest over Washington's reach.

A broad carbon-pricing system would essentially require power plants, manufacturers and transportation industries to limit the pollution that scientists say is causing climate change and would tax entities that exceed their caps.

Republicans dismiss such a cap-and-trade system as a new tax on households and business — "cap-and-tax," they call it. With the Democrats' 59-member caucus intensely divided on energy issues, crossover support from Republicans would be needed.

Still, a majority of Democrats appear willing to risk legislative failure, believing a robust summer discussion on energy would establish a stark contrast between the parties before the fall election.

Tackling energy legislation gives Democrats a strategy they believe resonates with voters — though one that would expose them to GOP taunts over higher taxes, a fight Republicans would relish.

"If we spend our time always worrying about that 60th vote, we never get to do anything in a strong position," said Sen. Mark Begich (D- Alaska).

A group of senators is expected to meet this week to begin crafting legislation that could come to the floor in mid-July.

By Lisa Mascaro and Richard Simon

Tribune Washington Bureau

In the words of Elon Musk, founder of Tesla motors, “I am nauseatingly pro-American,”

2010-06-22T15:45:00.001-04:00

And that is why I am pro clean-energy. I am not in the renewables business to save the Sulawesian shrew rat or protect the Chinese river dolphin (not that I have anything against them). I am in solar because installing, running and fixing clean energy technologies like solar panels must be done on-site, creating jobs here at home.

I am in solar because I understand that the clean energy economy is the future — and if we don’t lead now, other countries challenging us for leadership will, and we’ll be left in the dust. If we happen to save some rats, dolphins and the planet along the way, so be it. What matters most is winning the race for leadership in the clean energy economy and winning the new businesses and the jobs that go with them.

In the short term, we cannot deny the immense power of fossil fuel or its employment capacities, but we also cannot fail to plan beyond the energy needs of today — and we need our public servants to understand both. Remember our recent banking scandal? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives traded our international monetary stability for a series of inflated paychecks and golden parachutes because they were focused on their short-term profits. Some farsighted legislation might have saved us a lot of trouble.

We need federal policies to keep our focus on the future. We need a comprehensive, “all of the above” energy solution. Because today, the United States is falling behind the pack, and China is moving out in front. In the words of our own U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., “every day that we delay trying to find a price for carbon is a day that China uses to dominate the green economy.”

With 20 million jobs at stake globally, China poured $440 billion into clean energy last year. But here’s the real kicker: Already home to one-third of global solar manufacturing capacity and 400 solar companies, Chinese competition has reduced global solar prices by 30% and is forcing rivals to shift production facilities to China.
It’s no wonder.

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, deployment of new technologies — like wind and solar power — has the potential to support roughly 3.5 million jobs and generate trillions of dollars in revenue and energy savings.
So, where are we? Congress has a comprehensive energy bill drafted with bipartisan support. It is designed to transform our economy and set us on the path toward energy independence, creating and keeping jobs here at home. But Congress has yet to decide to act. Without action, Congress will hinder the United States’ opportunity to lead the single greatest market growth potential of the 21st century. With action, the United States will do what the United States does best: win.
I love the potential of clean energy, and the patriot inside me wants to see the United States regain its lead in the booming clean energy field and the international economy. I hope the patriots in Sens. Graham and DeMint want the same and will work to pass legislation that produces more energy here in America and prepares our country for the energy future.
Andrew Streit is president of the S.C. Solar
Business Alliance and Sales Manager for Sunstore Solar llc.

NO TO SOLAR FROM SC SENATE

2010-06-03T10:20:00.003-04:00

The SC Senator from Florence stripped the economic stimulas bill 4478 of residential tax credits for solar.

Senator Hugh Leatherman stripped first the commercial tax credit for solar, then in a last second vendetta, stripped residential tax credits that would have improved South Carolina's return on investment for residential solar installs. I am not a politician or lobbyist but I did work fairly hard to get some improvement in the South Carolina solar landscape this year, so did alot of volunteer participants who took time out of their lives to get South Carolina close to par with other states that are benfitting from 30% growth of the green economy. Last night I lashed out on facebook, twitter and linkedin because I was disappointed and frustrated. Today I see that grace under fire is the only way to go. I will work harder next year, I will build a coalition larger and more prepared. I am doing this not to make money or make a point I am doing this because it is the right thing to do, because I want this state and our country to prosper and because I want a better life for those who follow.

Baseball pitcher shows grace under pressure, I didn't!

"I'm sad," he said later and then in another moment of grace praised Jim Joyce for apologizing to him, saying that not many umpires would do that. But then these were extraordinary circumstances, after the extraordinary game that Galarraga - in the minors earlier this season - had pitched against the Indians.

What should have been the third perfect game pitched in baseball in a month. But it wasn't. Still could be. The umpire apologized. Said he was wrong with the call. Selig could make a much better one.

This wasn't football, of course. Leyland couldn't challenge the call on the field. Because instant replay is only used - for now - to correct calls about home runs. And because Jackie Robinson was safe at home in the '55 World Series even though Yogi still says he wasn't, because Don Denkinger blew a call at first base in the '85 World Series that didn't cost a pitcher a perfect game, but cost a team the championship of its sport.

I was there that night. The Cardinals LOST their minds, oh you better believe they did. The call stood. The Cardinals never recovered, got blown out the next night, the Royals won the Series.

This time? The pitcher who got robbed of a perfect game smiled at the umpire and went back and got the last out of what had now become a one-hitter. Even later, when he'd watched the replay the way even people who don't give a whit about baseball had, he refused to be mean or call Joyce an idiot. You rarely get that kind of grace anymore in sports.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2010/06/03/2010-06-03_mlb_commissioner_selig_can_salvage_armando_galarragas_perfect_game_undo_jim_joyc.html?page=1#ixzz0pndofhBa

Blast from the past.

2010-05-30T10:35:00.002-04:00

Posted by Andrew M.D. Streit on November 23, 2006 04:38

GET SOLAR
Moving the world to sustainable energy production because you love your children

"Let there be light".

Genesis

I was lost, but now I am found. This is my first blog, my first foray into solar and my first step into the rest of my life.
I am a builder living in South Carolina. I have been working in construction for 12yrs with a 5yr stint as a business analyst/network engineer in the late 1990's. Most of my adult life I have been searching for a meaning or cause I could get behind, get involved in. It wasn't until I married, settled down and had children that I became stable enough to try and find out what that cause was to be.
Several months ago I fired a painter who had been working with me for more than a year. He was a great guy, Leon was 55, a decorated Vietnam vet, father of two and a raging alchoholic. We had just finished a week long job out of town and Leon asked for a half pint so he could nap on the way home. I had never seen him drunk so I acquiesced. The ride home was horrible, Leon was out of his mind, so the next day I said no more booze around me, ever! Part of my conversation with him was you've been a soldier/father, you've been a professional drunk, whats the third act going to be Leon, What is the third act?
Well Leon drank the next day at work, and so I fired him and told him not to come back until he had a token from AA because I did not want to watch him kill himself. My conversation with Leon Stuck with me, "the third Act" swirled around in my head until I realized maybe I wasn't just talking to Leon.
I read a lot, I have a BA from the university of Georgia, I am a dedicated husband and father and I am reasonbly good at what I do. It's not enough. Even before 9/11 I was distressed by the direction of American pop culture, the Lewinsky episode, bad TV, education slipping behind Asian and European countries, etc. When we got a cowboy president with oil on his boots I was downcast. The raw destruction of the twin towers shook me, my brother lives in NY and I had spent some happy times in the city.
Things went from bad to worse, no to the Kyoto treaty, which contrary to what the president said would create jobs and improve the environment, yes to dividend tax cuts and a reduction in income tax to the richest 1%. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett the richest and second richest men in america both said the tax cut was uncessary and to them and irresponsible for long term growth of the economy. No to education spending, yes to $87billion a year in killing Iraqis and not providing protection to our troops who are an average age of 22yrs old. No to prisoners rights, Iran held candle light vigils for the fallen on 9/11 but Bush and his cabinet have so sullied the moral imperative of the USA we have never been so disliked by the world. Yes to looting, after securing the oil fields we allowed the desecration of the artifacts of one of the oldest civilizations on the planet. $1 billion to renewable energy initiatives was stated in the 2004 state of the Union. $15 billion to oil company subsidies when they record more profit in a single month than ever before in human history!!!
"Let there be light". I read "Business 2.0", "Fortune", "This old House", and the "NY times". For more than a year I have been seeing articles on Solar, Solar towers in Australia, Solar water heat in Florida, Solar power in Bangledesh by Grameen bank, Solar power at WalMart, Microsoft and Intel. Thin film monocrystaline silicon for buiding exteriors, Solar concentrators for +20% effeciency the list was long and intriguing. I started doing research and Solar is no longer your sandeled Californian cousins' back yard disaster it is a maturing industry with alot of VC money to springboard it to the future. So with no business plan, seed money or experience other than my building and electrical knowledge I have decided to start my own Solar business and this blog is the beginning, the genesis if you will. All are welcome, advice is sought, conversation mandatory, tips optional.
Posted by Andrew M.D. Streit on November 23, 2006 04:38

Changing the mindset of an Industry

2010-05-24T20:00:00.005-04:00

If you drive on I77 South at night you will see the brightest area in all of Columbia. No matter the time of night there is a huge commercial complex of buildings lit up like Las Vegas on the fourth of July. These newly designed buildings are the new headquarters of South Carolina Electric and Gas and it is beautiful.

I have to say that I work with SCE&G, know a lot more about power production than I did 4yrs ago and I am an advocate for Solar power. Lighting the night is our way of proving our capabilities to conquer nature. Darkness is the unknown and potentially dangerous; this is why we all appreciate the tremendous job the power companies do.

In less than 150yrs man has completed his conquest over nature by:-
Using fossil fuel to ignore 10,000yrs of home building knowledge and build any building, anywhere we wanted;
Burn away the night and move to a 24hr day;
Disregard the local climate and burn fuel to meet our temperature needs.

Fossil fuel has powered the industrial revolution; the post industrial revolution and likely the 21st century economy. Living in South Carolina I have to say I love what it has done. I can comfortably live in 100% humidity and temperatures in excess of 90’, 8 months of the year without breaking a sweat, thanks to the power companies.

Now I have to ask them to change! Stop using energy without thought to our long-term well-being. No longer can these complex and large companies burn the ‘midnight oil’. I am asking every power company in America to stop being ‘Purveyors of Power’ and become something new, something better and more grand; ‘Engines of Efficiency’.

Turn off the lights; we know how innovative and ingenious you are. I have personally visited two power plants and they were awe-inspiring Tim Allen x1000). Now do something immensely more complex, challenging and difficult. Build motion sensors in every room and have the lights turn off automatically, utilize renewable energy, move to all electric vehicles, move to a tiered rate structure, build out a smart grid. Bring us the same 99.7% reliability and do it with zero waste! The laws of physics say it can’t be done, I think you can do it.

The state, the country and all humankind ask you to lead, will you lead us? In a state with regulated energy you have the capacity and support. We all know you have mandated profits and rate controls but within this construct you can also think beyond 20yr energy portfolios and do something we haven’t seen recently, long term planning. What do I mean by this? Let me explain,

I recently read about an english home that was built 400yrs ago, at the time huge oak timbers supported the great hall. The owner planted new trees with the instructions to never cut them down. Through multiple generations time passed and the trees grew. The house changed hands and families but eventually the old timbers dried and cracked. Can we plan tomorrow's energy trees for our children?

So what will it be; ‘purveyors of power’ in total disregard for the costs it could be exerting on the planet, our health and economic common sense or ‘Engines of efficiency’ leading the way for generations of new Americans and a world where everything changes but power availability stays the same.

TOMORROW, SOLAR SEMINAR

2010-05-21T16:21:00.002-04:00

CAN I INVEST IN SOLAR?

Get the answers at our Sunpower Seminar.

Learn more about solar and how you can make a positive impact on the

Environment. Better yet, find out how to take advantage of our

community pricing. So grab your neighbors and join us.

If you want to save money on solar energy come to the

Community Solar Event

Hosted by: Andrew Streit

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010

Time: 1.30pm to 3 P.M.

Location: 630 Skylark Drive #Q,630

West Ashley, Charleston

RSVP: 803.665.6688

AndrewS@SunstoreSolar.com

In Quadrangle Shopping Center at WeightWatchers.

Or just give Andrew Streit a call for more information!

Win a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne just for attending.

Andrew M Streit

Sales Manager,

www.Solarbusinessalliance.com

www.Scsolarguy.blogspot.com

www.Getsolar.net

www.Charlestonscsolar.com

www.Sunstoresolar.com

Andrew M Streit

Sales Manager,

435 Creek Side Lane

Lexington, SC

Cell 803 665 6688

Ofc 864 297 6776

Pres. Solar Business Alliance

INDIAN SOLAR, moves to 21st century

2010-05-16T09:38:00.004-04:00

New Delhi, India: Azure Power and SunEdison Partner on 15 MW PV System

Azure Power, the developer and owner of India's first privately operated, utility scale, solar power plant today announced its partnership with SunEdison.

Azure will jointly develop and construct with SunEdison a 15 Megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar power plant in Gujarat. As part of the arrangement, SunEdison will supply monitoring technologies at cost to Azure for projects up to 25 MW.

Speaking about the agreement Mr. Inderpreet Wadhwa, CEO, Azure Power said, "We are excited to work with SunEdison for our Indian projects. With this collaboration the Azure solar power plant in Gujarat would become a live case study for world class design, engineering, project management, operations and maintenance. From SunEdison we will derive the benefit of technology expertise and international execution experience of large scale solar PV projects."

SunEdison is an internationally reputed PV Project developer with proven experience in developing large scale solar power projects in many countries. SunEdison was the first company to introduce the Solar Power Purchasing Agreement and currently manages more than 350 utility scale and commercial solar photovoltaic power plants globally. They are currently executing a 70+ MW project in Italy, which is the largest PV project in the world.

"India is an ideal market for solar power production and we are committed to aiding the country's economic development by providing consumers clean, renewable energy solutions," said Pashupathy Gopalan, CEO of SunEdison India. "The Gujarat project is the latest example of SunEdison's focus on enabling the growth of global solar markets through strong capabilities in project financing, engineering, low-cost procurement and operations, and maintenance services. We are very happy to be partnering with Azure Power, a pioneer in this segment in India and we look forward to associating with other developers in the future for additional India-based solar power projects."

Norcross, GA, USA: Suniva® Solar Cells Power 3 MW Solar Project in India

Suniva®, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced the commissioning of its largest solar power installation with Titan Energy Systems Ltd., located in Karnataka, India. The 3MW, ground-mounted system is the largest grid-connected solar field in India, covering more than 12 acres.

The system was designed and deployed by Titan and is owned and operated by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. , one of India’s largest power providers. Karnataka Power will distribute power generated by the system to local farmers for irrigation purposes. Founded in the year 1800, Karnataka Power is one of the most established power providers in India. In addition to this solar project, Karnataka Power owns a number of renewable power plants, including the country’s first hydroelectric power station (opened in 1902) and one of India’s first wind power projects. Titan designed the 3MW solar project incorporating Suniva’s high-efficiency ARTisun® series solar cells while providing engineering, procurement and construction services.

“This project exemplifies Titan’s ability to execute large scale solar projects quickly and cost-effectively, which are key measures of success in rapidly growing solar markets like India,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “As we continue to increase solar cell and module efficiency and reduce costs, our customers will benefit from higher performance in large-scale applications.”

May 3, 2010
Hyderabad, India: Photon Energy Systems Commissions 3 Megawatt PV System
Photon Energy Systems has successfully installed and commissioned India's largest photovoltaic plant of 3 megawatt capacity in the country.

The plant has been set-up for Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. as demonstration plant in the tail-end of the grid to enhance and strengthen the rural power supply to the areas of Itnal & Chikodi towns situated in the district of Belgaum. With the erection of the power plant, all the agricultural pump-sets in the area have access to reliable and affordable energy.

The 3 megawatt photovoltaic plant was set-up in just 6 months constructed to world standards in an area of 17 acres using 13,000 modules and the best components from all over the world. This plant has already generated and fed 1.76 million units of solar power into the grid since commissioning.

Photon Energy Systems is one of India's oldest and leading solar company in India since 15 years, with extensive technical knowledge base and experience, actively participating in projects and marketing their products all over Europe, Africa, USA and other countries.

One of the few Indian solar companies to have products in all the major segments of solar energy, Photon is uniquely placed to tap the opportunities in both the solar power and solar water segments of the National Solar mission.

Will South Carolina get a Solar industry?

2010-04-27T22:14:00.003-04:00

Sen. Sheheen, Senator Reese, Sen. Leventis are putting an amendment on the Senate floor. This amendment addresses Senator Leatherman’s concern’s on the State funds’ and reduces the solar commercial tax credit to $1 million per install and sunsets the law in 2014.
Senator Paul Campbell and others are supporting this amendment. Rep. Dwight Loftis has shepherded this entire process from the introduction of his original bill. H.4374, the original NC language will be in house subcommittee 4/27/10 so that we have another avenue if the Senate floor fails. The Solar Business Alliance would like to thank Rep. Loftis and Frank Knapp of the Small Business Chamber of Commerce for their efforts on passing solar support in SC.

This month was going to be about new product coming to market. Instead I want to talk about some of the work being done at USC. Michael Koman is the Director of the Office of Sustainability at USC. A current US Marine with a Masters from USC he brings mission focus to a very complex and broad issue. How do you get an entire University system to carbon neutrality?
To start they have public awareness projects slated for all over campus and now they have the iconic, new, Darla Moore School of Business. If the school design stays on point it will be the most energy efficient building in the Southeast.
Meanwhile at the Electrical Engineering Dept I had coffee with Dr. Chandra who is doing some revolutionary research work with graphine, (new substance with amazing properties) Gallium Nitrite and Silicon Carbide that gave me a headache trying to contemplate (Think very cheap thin film solar, and air quality monitoring equipment capable of seeing 1pp billion) Bottom line is if they are successful then USC will bring some incredibly useful products to commercialization and attract some great undergrads to stay in state. I will say this one more time, the US solar industry will top $15billion in 2010, SC portion of that should be well over $100 million for 2010; in actuality it will be under $7 million.
Next Month will definitely be about cutting-edge solar innovations.

China is Leading the Renewable Energy Push | Before It's News

2010-03-31T22:51:00.000-04:00

China is Leading the Renewable Energy Push | Before It's News

Leigh Fibers Inc. Announces Expansion in Spartanburg County | MidlandsBiz

2010-03-29T21:33:00.000-04:00

Leigh Fibers Inc. Announces Expansion in Spartanburg County | MidlandsBiz

Politics at the state

2010-03-25T22:41:00.003-04:00

So this has been a difficult week, solar tax credit was stricken froma H4478 bill in Senate sub committee. The bill is by house speaker Bobby Harrell. So we thought it would pass. We will see. The logic for striking it was not physically possible but I had no recourse but to squirm in my seat and wonder what my next career choice was to be. In 5 seconds my ability to sell enough solar to feed my family was erased. BLIP. Without scale and commercial/utility size jobs solar will never have a real impact. The real Irony of the whole thing is that if the state ever had 100 companies max out the proposed tax credit, we would have close to $1 billion in direct economic impact in the state. 100's if not thousands of jobs created at considerably less than we gave Boing upfront to move here?! $250 million is currently impossible as we have a cap of 100kw systems as opposed to the 1000kw or 1MW systems the stricken matter was referenced to in economic impact.

What is a working boy to do?

Smart grid and renewable energy

2010-03-21T09:58:00.002-04:00

Smart grid and renewable energy

Posted using ShareThis

Energy Storage's Quiet Revolution | Renewable Energy World

2010-03-20T18:42:00.000-04:00

Energy Storage's Quiet Revolution | Renewable Energy World

Australian Solar Shines in 2009 | Renewable Energy World

2010-03-16T07:57:00.000-04:00

Australian Solar Shines in 2009 | Renewable Energy World

MIT Researchers Tip Their Cards - Renewable Energy World

2010-03-09T22:51:00.000-05:00

MIT Researchers Tip Their Cards - Renewable Energy World

THIS IS IT FOR SC

2010-03-09T22:08:00.001-05:00

This is it.

As most of you are aware H.4478 got a first reading in the Senate finance committee today.

This bill has a solar tax credit.

If you want a SOLAR INDUSTRY in this state NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

Please call/email/meet in person each of the senate finance committee members listed below. Ask them to amend the bill to include the following language, we can build an industry, stop fighting over scraps and help the country move towards a low carbon, job creating, New Energy Economy.

1. *Critical* - Property Tax Abatement - In NC and most other states

There is typically a business personal property tax abatement ranging from 85% to 100% of system basis as listed with the state Department of Revenue. Since these systems as have very high cost or tax values relative to the cash flows generated, un-abated business personal property taxes will significantly impair the economics of solar projects.

2. Give the ability to sell the tax credits, (bifurcation) said another way, you want to be able to strip the credit off the asset or be able to transfer the credit to a SC only taxpayer without any direct linkage to who utilizes the Federal ITC or Depreciation. Ensuring this flexibility with the incentive will dramatically increase the number of potential solar project investors who can utilize the SC State tax credits, be revenue neutral for the state for a viable project and directly result in an increase in the number of projects developed.

3. Explicitly state that the Federal 1603 grant is not included in taxable income. This should be amended so the proposed language reduces the credit to 85 percent if you take the 1603 grant. This item has prevented utilities from exercising cost controls when implementing solar projects, which severally hampers real growth for the industry.

None of these issues have been addressed so far and will come up as we develop commercial projects. Once this is passed we can address the shortfalls in the residential bill by supporting S.1208 and H.4703.

This is a critical bill for the state and the region. Either SC gets serious about solar or we lose out on a $15 billion dollar industry that is growing at 30% a year.

Finance
Subcommittee Assignments

Leatherman, Hugh K. , Sr., Chm.
Land, John C. III
Setzler, Nikki G.

Leventis, Phil P.
Peeler, Harvey S. , Jr.
Thomas, David L.

McGill, J. Yancey
Courson, John E.
Matthews, John W. , Jr.

O'Dell, William H.
Reese, Glenn G.
Hayes, Robert W. , Jr.

Ryberg, W. Greg
Alexander, Thomas C.
Grooms, Lawrence K. "Larry"

Pinckney, Clementa C.
Fair, Michael L.
Verdin, Daniel B. "Danny" III

Cromer, Ronnie W.
Bryant, Kevin L.
Elliott, Dick

Jackson, Darrell
Anderson, Ralph

Andrew Streit

Sales Manager,

Sunstore Solar

Mobile 803.665.6688

Direct 864.297.6776

President Solar Business Alliance

Board SC Small Business Chamber

The State of the Solar Industry | Solar Feeds News And Commentary Network

2010-03-03T22:10:00.001-05:00

The State of the Solar Industry | Solar Feeds News And Commentary Network

Posted using ShareThis

S.1208 SC Senator Joel lourie introduces job creation bill

2010-02-24T18:04:00.004-05:00

This bill would allow a 40% tax credit for 2010, 35% for 2011 and 30% thereafter for residential solar systems.

This bill has the commercial tax credit equal to NC but weights the availability of the credit so that business’s would have a greater return on capital and a huge incentive to start this projects sooner rather than later.

The residential tax credit is also weighted at 40% for 2010, 35% for 2011 and 30% therafter, increasing the probability that SC will grow quickly.

This bill would also allow a donation to a non-profit for solar to receive the same tax credits of 35% thus enabling charities to solicit for RE projects. This bill also has a tax credit for builders to incorporate solar into new construction (which has been a barrier to adoption up to now)

This is a great bill and would facilitate a lot of growth for solar in SC which in turn would enable job creation, energy independence and a hub for economic activity.

Senator Hugh Leatherman, Senator Paul Campbell and Senator Glen McConnell need to hear your support of these measures.

US based SunPower Taps a $100 Million Sale-leaseback Financing Program - Renewable Energy World

2010-02-23T10:23:00.000-05:00

SunPower Taps a $100 Million Sale-leaseback Financing Program - Renewable Energy World

Sunstore partners with Getsolar.net, charlestonscsolar.com

2010-02-17T22:47:00.004-05:00

Sunstore brings getsolar.net founder into the fold creating simply the best EPC in the Southeast

WWW.SUNSTORESOLAR.COM

www.getsolar.net

www.scsolarguy.blogspot.com

www.columbiascsolar.com

www.charlestonscsolar.com

all work together to promote solar power in the Carolina's.

Energy is prosperity, lets mine the sun.

2010 PV market

2010-02-17T08:07:00.002-05:00

Solar market begins recovery in 2010
While module shipments on a gigawatt basis are expected to show recovery in 2010, revenue recovery won’t be fully evident for a few more years, experts say.
By Ann Steffora Mutschler, Contributing editor -- Electronic Business, 1/12/2010
Simply put, 2009 was a very difficult year for the PV (photovoltaic) industry. For the first time, the PV market experienced a major market downturn during which contraction occurred on both a megawatt and revenue basis, with the revenue contraction much more severe due to ASP (average selling price) pressures.

According to experts, there are some reports of strengthening market conditions in the latter part of Q4, evidenced by the recent report that financing of $715 million (500 million Euro) has opened up for a solar PV projects portfolio in France and Italy.

Germany also appears to have some strength, according to James Hines, research director for semiconductors and solar at market research company Gartner Inc. “We’ve even heard of some products seeing increasing lead times as a result of an uptick in demand out of Germany particularly for some of the invertors and certain premium suppliers of panels have reported that they are sold out. In fact, SunPower is one of them and suggested they are sold out in their residential and commercial rooftop segments going into 2010.”

While this is an encouraging sign, he pointed out that it is limited at this point and not a broad-based market condition – there are a lot of suppliers that still have excess capacity and Gartner expects pricing pressure to continue through 2010. “The way we would characterize the market in 2010 is that this is the start of the recovery, but we will continue to have ASP weakness throughout the year,” Hines noted.

All eyes on the US

With the United States being one of the biggest developing markets, there is much interest here as to how it will fare in 2010.

Paula Mints, principal analyst for the PV services program and associate director of the energy practice at Navigant Consulting observed, “The US is still a developing market. There is only one state that continues to have incentives significant enough to drive the market, and that would be California. It’s not just the RPS [renewable portfolio standard], it’s not just the stimulus money which doesn’t all go to us; it’s also the debt markets recovering because this is expensive stuff to invest in.” For 2010, she projected sales of between 530 and 800MW into the US market.

However, the stimulus money is only part of the drivers, pointed out Henning Wicht, senior director and principal analyst at iSuppli Deutschland GmbH. “We expect the first wave of ground installations for utility scale projects to start especially in California. This is more about asset evaluation for the utility companies. So we definitely see strong growth in California.” He predicts installations will grow from 305MW in 2009 to 650MW in 2010 in the state.

“The issue in the US, and maybe to a lesser extent in Europe, is that we have two things that a coming together to drive some demand going forward,” Hines said. “One is the loosening up of credit markets and availability of project finance, which appears to be getting better but it is a very slow thaw. The other factor is the availability of stimulus funding. There is a fair amount of money in the US stimulus package that is available for solar projects but it has taken a long time to go through the administrative gauntlet to get the money actually into the hands of people that can actually do something with it and that continues to be an issue but we certainly see some of it starting to flow now.”

Gartner expects that to increase in 2010 and drive some of the demand. The company also expects a certain amount of latent demand from 2009 to begin to materialize in 2010 as these government incentive programs kick in and finance starts to free up, but it is a slow process, Hines reminded.

Gartner has raised its global PV solar module forecast since September, when it projected 4.6GW. It now it expects the 2009 figure will be closer to 5.3GW, growing to 20.9GW in 2013. This projection translates to $11.2 billion in 2009, growing to $26.5 billion in 2013, Hines said. (See figures below.)

In terms of PV shipments to the first point of sale, Mints projected between 5 and 6GW being shipped into the global market in 2010, from 4.7GW in 2009.

She asserted that it is important to look at shipments to the first point of sale in the market because due to the low cost of product in the market, many people are buying instead of making, which causes some numbers to be skewed based on recounting. “You can’t turn one megawatt into 10, no matter how many times you sell it,” Mints said.

She also believes 2010 will be “a wild and wacky year in terms of trying to size the industry. … Another interesting point on assessing 2009 is that because the year began with so much inventory – with just a bit remaining going into 2010 – installations as opposed to lagging sales in 2009 are probably going to be stronger than sales, and that may be confusing.”

For 2009, Mints expects revenue to be approximately $10 billion to $11 billion, for technology to the first point of sale (not resales) down by $20 billion from 2008. She projects $15 billion in revenue for 2010.

In terms of recovery, Gartner believes on a gigawatt basis, there will be growth from the earlier peak in 2008, but the same is not the case for revenue. Full recovery won’t happen there until 2012, Hines remarked.

“Between now and then, we’re going to have a market that has two faces to it. One is we’re going to get back to some fairly robust growth numbers, especially as we head into 2011 and 2012 in revenue terms. But at the same time, it’s going to be a market in which the total opportunity until 2012, is less than what it had been in its previous peak and therefore there will be margin pressure throughout the supply chain and the shakeout that’s been expected for several years is going to happen, and is already starting to happen,” Hines said.

The shakeout will begin to pick up steam in terms of M&A (merger and acquisition) activity with some start-up companies not making it in 2010 and 2011, while other suppliers show success during this period, and still others are either absorbed or go by the wayside, Hines said. “The large players with low cost structures – in particular – the ones that have managed their cash well are in a position to survive and even benefit from the opportunities created by these changing market conditions,” he added, pointing to Suntech Power and Yingli – both in China – as strong contenders, along with Sharp.

Overall, Wicht believes the market is doing better. “What we see from a supply/demand perspective is that the gap between module supply and installation is not getting bigger. From that point of view, we see that the oversupply of modules has peaked already. There is still a huge oversupply and there is a lot of capacity coming online in [2010] but the price collapse we have seen [in 2009] … will be smaller.”

Interesting to watch for in 2010 is whether or not any large semiconductor companies will invest in the solar industry. Indeed, TSMC recently confirmed it will invest approximately $193 million (NT$6.2 billion) in solar cell manufacturer Motech Industries Inc as the foundry expands operations in the solar arena.

Companies including Samsung, LG, and some Japanese vendors are also said to be looking closely at the solar market opportunity. Gartner estimates the total available market for semiconductor vendors in the PV space to be approximately $2 billion in 2013 for solar-related applications, most of which would be invertors and power optimization devices.

Bill Gates, energy and joeseph Romm

2010-02-15T20:49:00.001-05:00

Topic:
Global Warming
Monday, Mar 9, 2009 04:55 EDT
The heat is on Bill Gates

By Joseph Romm

"A big challenge in achieving this goal [of tripling incomes] is that climate change will be making weather conditions more extreme -- triggering both droughts and floods -- in the tropical areas where most of the poor live. The negative effects will fall almost entirely on the poor, even though they did not cause the problem. I hope that the increased public interest in reducing climate change will also increase the political will to provide aid that will help the poor mitigate its negative effects. It is interesting how often the impact of climate change is illustrated by talking about the problems the polar bears will face rather than the much greater number of poor people who will die unless significant investments are made to help them."

If they haven't already, they should read "Design to Win: Philanthropy's Role in the Fight Against Global Warming," funded by six foundations whose work was overseen by leading scientists and energy technologists. The report details clean energy strategies for China and India, and how to implement market-based solutions to preserve tropical forests in Africa, Asia and South America.

Since the Gates Foundation has seen the benefits of making U.S. investments in education, the options for action are almost limitless. One leading foundation, which works in the area of international development, on issues similar to those of the Gates Foundation, is contemplating a major effort to help develop a consensus-based process to speed the transition to a smart green grid in the United States.

Gates does not have to enter the messy political realm to make a major contribution. As a technology junkie who has built his foundation around technological fixes, he could champion transformational clean technologies, like concentrated solar thermal power (CSP), what I have called the "technology that will save humanity." A small piece of the north African desert could provide that continent (and Europe) with all of its electricity, sustainably, forever. Indeed, one of the big advantages of CSP is that it operates best in deserts. Employed near coasts, CSP can simultaneously provide clean power and desalinated water, another critical component for developing countries in a climate-changing world.

Even devoting a mere 15 percent of his current grant-making to clean energy strategies, a $500 million annual investment, would make Gates the leading grant-maker in this area. His leadership would focus the global climate effort on sustainable development for the poorest. And it would underscore the commitment that he and his wife have to spend out all the foundation's money by 2100. Which is just when the world's poor will need it most if we don't act now to preserve a livable climate.

UK feed-in tariff is announced: payback begins April 1 - Photovoltaics International

2010-02-14T09:53:00.001-05:00

UK feed-in tariff is announced: payback begins April 1 - Photovoltaics International

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Chinese Solar Giants will steal our chance to build solar

2010-02-11T19:21:00.002-05:00

When will South Carolina get in the game, yesterday I read of a 200,000 sq ft distribution center for Chinese panels and a solar center showcasing said panels when we NEED a SC based manufacturer to create jobs and compete. Solar is hi-tech and less labor intensive we can compete with anyone given the right tools. Let's wake the sleeping giant, US manufacturing today in SC!

Financial Crisis Paves the Way for Chinese Solar Giants - Renewable Energy World

she was my good girl

2010-02-08T11:04:00.002-05:00

I buried my beagle today, she was 14. Molly had been sick since December and I knew she was dying but selfishly I let the vet try one drug after another as she slipped away. Molly was a malnourished little pound puppy when I got her. Sweetest little thing you ever saw. She (or I) over compensated for her poor beginnings and she never had a lean day in her adult life. (she lost weight this last two months and I knew in my heart she was getting ready to chase squirrels again.) She didn't wag her tail when she went which I needed but I know she feels better now, I buried her in a blanket with her head propped up and her paws crossed like she always did whenshe was basking in the sun. Molly was the kind of good who would put her wet nose on you when you were troubled to say," pet me, I know you'll feel better...and you would. My winter has been surrounded by death, my life is full of so many blessings that I feel selfish asking but please give me a little respite this week, just a little. This post is for my Molly, she was my good girl.

Utilities Enter the Photovolatic Market, Why Now?

2010-01-31T13:32:00.001-05:00

Utilities Enter the Photovolatic Market, Why Now?

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A man died.

2010-01-31T07:47:00.003-05:00

Thomas Edwin Lawson died Saturday January 30th 2010. Tom was born in 1909. In his lifetime he lived thru more history than I can imagine. I am going to recall some of the things he told me about that have me in awe. When he was 12yrs old, living in the foothills of the Georgia mountains he saw the first automobile arrive by train to his town. The first automobile his family got he helped his father drive it with his three brothers because his father was nervous. When his youngest brother was born, Tom moved to the porch to sleep with his other brothers while his mother convalesced. Tom saw the invention and introduction of,
The automobile, radio, the telephone, the television, the tank, the airplance,
diesel boats (they were coal-fired) the nuclear bomb, WWI, WWII,
Korean War, The rise of Russia, plastic, the fall of Britain,
The vietnam war, space flight, the microwave, central heating and cooling,
the computer, video, cell phones, the fall of Russia, dvd, cd,
2 space shuttles destroyed,
the international space station,
nuclear energy and solar energy.
Tom was survived by his 98yr old wife, three children, 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Tom was once fired from a job because he didn't like one of the other managers sleeping with workers and reported him, (this didn't cause the firing but the other manager got his revenge) Tom was always pleasant, kind and honest. I am honored to have known him and lucky to have married one of his grandchildren. He will be missed.

H.4374 SPONSORS CONTACT INFO

2010-01-30T09:35:00.003-05:00

H. 4374
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill Sponsors: Loftis, Hardwick, Mitchell, Simrill, Bowen, Hamilton, Rice, Spires and Umphlett

Dwight A. Loftis [R]
Insurance Agent
Dist. No. 19 - Greenville Co.
(H) P.O. Box 14784, Greenville, 29610
(C) 522C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3101

Nelson L. Hardwick [R]
Businessman/Engineer
Dist. No. 106 - Horry Co.
(H) 714 Cedar Drive North, Surfside Beach, 29575 Bus. (843) 238-1142
(C) 320C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-2967

Daniel P. "Dan" Hamilton [R]
Businessman
Dist. No. 20 - Greenville Co.
(H) 9 Staten Lane, Taylors, 29687 Bus. (864) 527-7685
(C) 312A Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 212-6795

Don C. Bowen [R]
Retired
Dist. No. 8 - Anderson & Oconee Cos.
(H) 1176 Embassy Dr., Anderson, 29625 Bus. (864) 934-3272
(C) 306C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3038

Harold Mitchell, Jr. [D]
Executive Director, Regenesis
Dist. No. 31 - Spartanburg Co.
(H) P. O. Box 3046, Spartanburg, 29304-3046 Bus. (864) 583-2712
(C) 414C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-6638

Rex F. Rice [R]
Businessman
Dist. No. 26 - Greenville & Pickens Cos.
(H) 301 Providence Way, Easley, 29642 Bus. (864) 616-5657
(C) 418A Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3035

J. Gary Simrill [R]
President & CEO of Carolina Motorworks
Dist. No. 46 - York Co.
(H) 1515 Alexander Rd., Rock Hill, 29732 Bus. (803) 366-0445
(C) 420C Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3040

L. Kit Spires [R]
Pharmacist and Pharmacy Owner
Dist. No. 96 - Aiken & Lexington Cos.
(H) P.O. Box 396, Pelion, 29123 Bus. (803) 606-5749
(C) 326D Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-3010

C. David Umphlett, Jr. [R]
Retired Vice Pres., Govt. & Consumer Affairs, Berkeley
Electric Co-op, Inc.
Dist. No. 100 - Berkeley Co.
(H) 1145 Hwy. 402, Moncks Corner, 29461 Bus. (843) 899-1744
(C) 310D Blatt Bldg., Columbia, 29201 Bus. (803) 734-2946

Energy bill, jobs bill, get it done.

2010-01-22T18:12:00.002-05:00

Bloomberg

Energy Measures May Go to Jobs Bill After Brown Win (Update1)
January 21, 2010, 03:17 PM EST More From Businessweek

By Jim Efstathiou Jr. and Kim Chipman

Jan. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Measures to spur green-energy jobs may end up in a new economic-stimulus bill after Republican Scott Brown’s Senate victory in Massachusetts dimmed prospects for legislation to curb carbon-dioxide emissions.

Provisions to help homeowners reduce power use and make industry more energy-efficient may be shifted out of cap-and- trade legislation that’s stalled in the Senate, said Robert Stavins, director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“Those Democrats who may have already been nervous about a vote on climate policy are even more nervous now,” he said.

Brown, who on Jan. 19 won the Senate seat held by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy for almost 50 years, opposes the emissions-trading program that President Barack Obama says is needed to fight global climate change. Republican opponents say the cap-and-trade legislation would boost costs and cut jobs in an economy that already has a 10 percent unemployment rate.

“A large cap-and-trade bill isn’t going to go ahead at this time,” Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, told reporters in Washington yesterday.

Putting energy provisions into a bill to stimulate job creation instead “makes sense” because that’s the Senate’s next priority after health-care legislation, Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, said before Brown’s win.

“Everybody who’s got a job-creation idea is going to try to get on this train,” Brown said in a Jan. 15 interview, referring to a new jobs bill. “Anything that we’re thinking of doing in any energy related area that can produce jobs short- term, mid-term, long-term will be considered in this.”

House Jobs Bill

The House passed a $154 billion jobs bill before the Christmas break. The Senate was planning to take up a bigger package this year.

Some Republicans may support moves to help manufacturers make the transition to clean-energy production if the provisions aren’t too costly, said John Feehery, a Republican strategist who advised former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. The loss in Massachusetts should prompt Democrats to seek smaller-scale legislative victories.

“What Democrats are going to want to do more is get some discrete, easily understandable accomplishments that they can take back to the voters,” Feehery said in an interview. “They’re going to have to ditch climate change and push on more targeted agenda items, like energy independence and green jobs.”

Renewable-Energy Investment

The U.S. lost 85,000 jobs in December, and unemployment remains close to a 26-year high. Republicans have successfully cast the cap-and-trade bill as “as a job-killer and a tax- raiser,” Feehery said.

Climate-change legislation would penalize use of power from fossil fuels while guaranteeing long-term returns for investors in wind turbines and solar panels, said Jeffrey McDermott, the former co-head of investment banking at UBS AG who started Greentech Capital Advisors LLC in 2008 to advise and raise money for alternative-energy companies. Renewable developers in the U.S. must rely on a “patchwork” of state regulations and short-lived federal incentives, he said.

“There’s no way to spin it as positive,” McDermott said in an interview. “The failure of Congress to put in place policies which set a framework is that it’s just going to be more difficult for capital to make long-term investment decisions.”

Exelon, Nike

Chief executives officers of Exelon Corp., Nike Inc., and 81 other companies today urged Obama and lawmakers to enact climate legislation. In a letter, the group called for “strong policies and clear market signals that support the transition to a low-carbon economy and reward companies that innovate.”

The new Senate version of the jobs bill may include funding for a “cash for caulkers” program providing grants to make homes more energy efficient, said Lowell Ungar, policy director for the Washington-based Alliance to Save Energy.

“The money will run out from the recovery act and if there’s not further legislation to push these retrofits, there’s a real risk that the infrastructure we’re creating right now will wither,” Ungar said in an interview. “The people who are being trained right now to do these retrofits will no longer have jobs.”

The Obama administration credits last year’s economic stimulus bill with helping to stabilize the economy and creating 640,000 jobs, including 52,000 in clean energy.

‘Daunting’ Challenges

The cap-and-trade measure that the House of Representatives passed in June would limit emissions and establish a market in pollution allowances. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said yesterday that Democrats “will tackle our daunting energy and climate challenges” with legislation that creates “good-paying, clean-energy jobs.” He provided no specifics.

“The election itself means the loss of one vote,” Nikki Roy, who monitors Congress for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change in Arlington, Virginia, said of Brown’s victory. “Obviously the bigger unknown is how it affects thinking by moderates. Most moderate members of the Senate were already feeling very cautious on this issue.”

Some lawmakers were describing passage of the cap-and-trade measure as unlikely this year even before Brown’s win, which gave Republicans 41 votes in the Senate and deprived Democrats of the 60-vote supermajority generally needed to pass legislation.

‘Climate-Friendly’ Measure

There won’t be enough political will left to undertake such a disputed measure after the fight over health-care legislation, Senator Byron Dorgan, a Democrat from North Dakota who recently announced his retirement, said Jan. 19 on a conference call with reporters.

“It’s my assessment that we will not do a climate bill, but that we will do an energy bill instead.” Dorgan said. “The energy bill will be climate-friendly.”

The Senate Energy Committee approved a measure last year that would require utilities to get as much as 15 percent of their power from renewable sources. That bill, which wouldn’t place a cap on greenhouse-gas emissions, hasn’t been taken up by the full Senate.

Carol Browner, Obama’s top adviser on energy and the environment, said last week that an energy and climate bill limiting emissions from power plants, factories and refineries remains a priority of the White House.

Kerry, Graham, Lieberman

Senator John Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat who co- sponsored a climate-change bill last year, said he is beginning daily meetings with colleagues Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, and Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, to draft a compromise bill.

“The political atmosphere doesn’t reduce the urgency of dealing with pollution and energy,” Kerry said in an e-mail. “This is the single best opportunity to create jobs, reduce pollution, and stop sending billions overseas for foreign oil from countries that would do us harm.”

--With assistance from Simon Lomax in Washington. Editors: Larry Liebert,

State politics slows industry growth

2010-01-17T07:26:00.002-05:00

While most of us may not realize it day to day, without electricity, modern life ceases to be. Coal and oil have been the single greatest vehicles to wealth in the history of our species. It is this fact that makes it critical we address the depletion of fossil fuel. All utilities across the country make plans for production and growth several decades into the future and they watch energy prices every minute of everyday. The conversation we have today, directly impacts the next decades of our lives. When a single coal plant costs $2.2billion dollars and a nuclear plant costs 5 times that, we have to get these decisions right.

Every living thing on the surface of the planet gets its energy from the sun. Coal and oil are nothing more than storage units of the sun’s energy. Wind and biomass are also energy created from the sun. Nuclear plants are mimicking the sun’s fusion reaction but we use fission and fuel that is poisonous. To me then it seems abundantly clear that we should explore the mining of the sun’s energy directly. Spectra Labs a division of Boeing makes the most efficient/ most durable solar panels on and off the earth. American engineers can still create great things. USC located in Columbia SC is doing some amazing research into semiconductor materials and photovoltaic’s (solar electric, PV for short)

Since energy is one of the four critical things we need to have modern society, I believe it is the next arms race and the next vehicle of economic growth (actual sustainability) for the US and the world. 60% of the world’s oil is located near India and China. India and China have one third of the planet’s population. China is spending its $2.1 trillion dollars of currency reserves on energy bets globally; China is also outspending us on renewable energy infrastructure. The majority of American’s despite our political arguments and social differences are fat and happy. We need to put aside our differences at the local level and create the support needed to get solar energy on parity to coal, if we don’t someone else will. Food, shelter, communications and energy are the underpinning of our happiness.

So with the eventual rise of China and India (go to Wal-Mart or ask your telephone credit card representative where they got their college degree) we have to ask ourselves now where is our energy going to come from in 20-40yrs from now. Paul Campbell (R) Berkeley recently said “we need a clean energy standard in South Carolina.” We need this new leadership to prevail. It is lack of education and state support for new industries that will cause us to lag behind the rest of the country and the world.

Some people have been quoted saying South Carolina is too humid for solar. This is completely false. South Carolina gets 43% more output than Germany, the world’s leader in solar installs. Solar most certainly does work in South Carolina. We have the 13th best solar irradiance in the nation and we far outstrip Europe in sun mining potential. That is why we must mine the sun. Can solar meet base load demand (energy 24 hrs a day) right now? No, but not utilizing it where we can, (peak shaving, offsetting the most expensive energy at high demand times) is wrong. The internal combustion engine was industrialized in the 1870’s and yet even today only 10% of the used energy moves the vehicle, should we have waited for 20%, or 40%?!

While our house and Senate continue to resist helping entrepreneurs build a new industry in SC, other states like North Carolina and Georgia are creating jobs, gaining investments and creating energy security. Lindsey Graham US senator for South Carolina gets it. His approval of national climate legislation will bring jobs to our state. Not only thru solar and biomass but natural gas drilling off the SC coast and wind turbines and nuclear technology investment will bring billions to SC. Do we want to fight (running up the deficit and losing our most precious resources) over fossil fuel reserves or do we want to build the new energy economy?

So it’s a question of new jobs, new money, and new ideas or no ideas and the blind hope that our economy will create jobs by itself. Tell your state representative that North Carolina has fully supported solar with legislation and they have much lower unemployment due to this investment, we need to match North Carolina incentives. If we invest in new technology and innovation we secure our position as global leader and will prosper as these other economies buy our products and knowledge as they already do in relation to fossil fuels now. Its hard to give up what has been so good to us, fossil fuel powered America’s industrial revolution. We will remain the leaders in petro-chemical production and research for the foreseeable future but if we look back to why America is great its much easier to realize we can and must build a new energy economy on solar power because the sun is so integral to all life and energy is prosperity.

State politics slows industry growth

2010-01-17T07:26:00.000-05:00

Solar Jobs For SC

2010-01-16T12:02:00.003-05:00

Facts related to Solar power in South Carolina

1. North Carolina Unemployment rate 10.7% of the labor force –
Not seasonally adjusted - Nov 2009 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

NC RPS states:- 12.5% of 2020 retail sales with a minimum of 7.5% to be renewable based, in state generation, with 5% from energy efficiency. Municipal and Co-op to meet 10% renewable and energy efficiency by 2018.
Solar Tax Credit for NC, 35% residential, up to $2.5million for commercial

2. South Carolina unemployment rate 12.1% of the labor force –
Not seasonally adjusted - Nov 2009 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

SC Solar tax incentives 25% capped at $3500 per year, total $35,000.

NC gets less solar irradiance than SC!

NC still gets 43% more output per MW installed than Berlin, Germany, which is worlds leader in Solar installs.
National renewable energy laboratory NREL.gov/solar irradiance analysis (PV watts)

3. Georgia Unemployment rate 9.9% of the labor force –
Not seasonally adjusted - Nov 2009 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

GA Solar tax credit:- $100,000 solar thermal, $500,000 solar photovoltaic.

4. Florida Unemployment rate 11.5% of the labor force –
Not seasonally adjusted - Nov 2009 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Florida is one of 3 states listed nationally as being MOST effected by real estate bubble and still has lower unemployment than our state.
Florida tax credit is $5million per year total, Florida has a 50% rebate for solar up to $4 per watt.

5. SC total tax credits given in 2008, $132,058. (Department of Revenue)

Estimated increased cost of electricity if SC had an RPS 2-3% by 2015
(National Association of Manufacturers report on GHG emissions reduction legislation)
2010 increases in electricity cost for SC, 9.5%.
(State paper 2010)
NC number of solar install companies. 247
NC number of manufacturers 59

SC manufacturers 0

Sheep make clear climate change is real

2010-01-07T13:40:00.004-05:00

Money men ignoring climate change
Ecologist

7th January, 2010

Survey finds global financial decision makers ignoring climate risks and opportunities
An extensive survey of the world’s leading asset managers has found that only a few are including climate risks and opportunities throughout their investment analysis.

The report by US-based Ceres, a coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organisations, surveyed 500 of the world’s foremost assets managers on how they factor climate-related trends into investment decision-making.

Nearly three-quarters of asset managers reported that they did not expressly consider climate risks and opportunities.

Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres and Director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk said:

‘These findings make clear that the investment community is overly focused on short-term performance and ignoring longer-term business trends such as climate-related risks and opportunities.

'The recent sub-prime mortgage meltdown is a painful reminder of the fallout for investors who ignored 'hidden' long-term risks.’

One thing everyone should know for sure by now, Wall Street can't predict rain in a hurricane, since before 1929 they have consistantly failed to predict every major market shift. IT is because of this that I can now tell you with certainty that climate change is real and we will see its impacts in our lifetimes.

Richard Rainwater a billionaire investor who pegged peak oil in 2008 at $129 a barrel (just $18 short of all time high) when it was well below $100 and increased his net worth by $500million in doing so is leading the way to make a small SC town green and solar.

Rainwater is a proponent of peak oil, that we have already drilled and pumped all the easy deposits and oil shortages will severely impact the world economy. Hmmm if this guy has all the money in the world why would he waste any on energy security. Just sayin'

GREAT VIDEO BY A SCIENCE TEACHER

2010-01-06T20:17:00.002-05:00

Happy New year.

Solar Could Generate 15% of Power by 2020 | Solar Feeds News And Commentary Network

2009-12-29T10:03:00.002-05:00

Solar Could Generate 15% of Power by 2020 | Solar Feeds News And Commentary Network

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All I want for Christmas is some honesty

2009-12-28T11:27:00.000-05:00

HYPOCRISY RISES AGAIN

"Indeed, Brown has even attempted to use his resolution as a jab against President Obama. Declaring that the Obamas’ holiday card doesn’t mention Christmas, Brown said, “I believe that sending a Christmas card without referencing a holiday and its purpose limits the Christmas celebration in favor of a more ‘politically correct’ holiday.” Brown’s fight to preserve Christmas and shun “happy holidays” has earned him the title of “patriot” from noted culture warrior Bill O’Reilly.

However, Brown’s 2008 December newsletter wished a “happy holiday” to his constituents for the “holiday season.” Although the newsletter had a link to the White House Christmas tree website, it made no other mention of Christ or Christmas. (Click here for a screenshot) And as Slate’s Chris Beam has observed, Brown didn’t introduce his resolution last year, even though President Bush’s 2008 holiday card didn’t mention Christmas either"

holy COW batman, gesture based computing!

2009-12-24T15:26:00.002-05:00

What a cool world

Nothing to do with solar per se but wickedly cool!!

Check out the Interview on Copenhagen!

2009-12-22T21:01:00.004-05:00

CLICK HERE FOR SC RADIO NETWORK INTERVIEW WITH MOI

I'M MAD AS HELL

2009-12-22T20:52:00.004-05:00

The Irony of Joe"you lie' Wilson is I stood in his DC office last year and he said he was for a Tax on fossil fuels, which is supported by the Oil industry. He then came to a tea-party in Lexington SC and in front of 2000 rabid and uneducated voters he said the Waxman bill was a "TAX against business" ...dirty word that tax is, although it pays his salary and health benefits! So more or less, no in actuality he lied directly to me to suite his purpose. I am old school, if its a pig call it a pig, don't have different speeches for different people. Don't tell me one thing in your office and espose something completely different elsewhere. I travelled 600miles to hear his opinion and voice mine. This Wilson is "no southern gentlemen", or a gentlemen at all, he's just another political whore, no offense to the hard working prostitutes of our nation.

Utility Executives get it, incentivize it and they will build

2009-12-14T08:58:00.002-05:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR2009112002901.html?sid=ST2009120303828

Everyday I see things that make me believe we can make a bright and prosperous future.

Akeena Solar shares skyrocket on Lowe's deal - MarketWatch

2009-12-13T10:49:00.002-05:00

Akeena Solar shares skyrocket on Lowe's deal - MarketWatch

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I had told myself I would have accomplished my 'mission' when a quality solar kit was on the shelves of home depot for $4 a watt installed, we're not there yet but we are getting close.

solar hot water system SHW

2009-12-12T07:38:00.000-05:00

Long blog, worth every word.

2009-12-04T10:45:00.002-05:00

Clean energy conservatives can embrace

By James Murdoch
Friday, December 4, 2009

Conservatives champion the essential characteristics of America: liberty, enterprise and ingenuity. As world leaders consider how to transform the way we make and use energy in the face of a changing climate, it's time for an energy policy true to that spirit -- and it shouldn't be anathema to the American right.

Conservatives have a robust tradition of principled concern for the environment. It was, after all, Teddy Roosevelt who created five national parks and signed the Antiquities Act. It was Richard Nixon who established the Environmental Protection Agency, and George H.W. Bush who ushered in one of the greatest environmental success stories, the 1990 cap-and-trade plan to take on acid rain.

Today, Americans of all political persuasions want to see their country on a path toward an economy powered by energy that is clean, safe, secure and stable. With climate legislation pending and a binding global treaty being negotiated, conservative leadership is critical because the only way to get the job done is with broad bipartisan agreement.

How can they do it? By establishing a Red-Blue-Green agenda on whose principles conservatives, Democrats and independents can all agree. Which Americans would argue against energy that meets the following principles:

-- Freedom from national insecurity. The Western world's dependence on oil means transferring billions of dollars to nations whose interests are at odds with democratic ideals. This makes for geopolitical instability and forces the United States to compromise its role as a beacon of freedom just to secure traditional fuels.

-- A return to economic strength. Ultimately, the question is: Which countries will lead the world to a clean-energy future -- and reap the benefits? The United States is already falling behind. It has lost its dominance in solar manufacturing and ranks 22nd in energy efficiency. The Chinese market for clean tech is forecast to grow to as much as $1 trillion per year. America cannot afford to cede new markets and the jobs they create without even trying.

-- New employment, with lower long-term costs. Much of the U.S. debate focuses on the short-term costs associated with the transition to a clean-energy economy without considering its long-term benefits or calculating the costs of continuing business as usual. The wave of innovations around clean energy will not only create new industries and jobs but also allow businesses to have increasingly efficient -- and therefore more profitable -- operations.

-- Cleaner, healthier communities. Republicans once played a leading role in cleaning up our air and water, and conservatives of all stripes should champion that role again. The manufacturing booms that built cities such as Detroit and Cleveland left environmental degradation in their wake. Good climate legislation will bring jobs back to hard-hit areas, but this time factories will not pollute the groundwater or make the air unsafe to breathe.

-- Competition trumps regulation. A sensible clean-energy policy should free, rather than constrain, markets. Smart policy corrects market failures and provides certainty, stimulating investment in the technology and infrastructure necessary to build an economy based on clean energy. Washington must ensure that such investment will be rewarded. The government shouldn't "pick winners" -- it should unleash competition, ensuring that the cleanest businesses thrive and the dirtiest are held accountable. A well-crafted federal law to limit pollution is better than unfettered regulation by the EPA or ever-changing regulation by the states.

The seeds of these opportunities have already been planted. And companies that have taken the lead are prospering. At News Corporation, we have saved millions by becoming more energy-efficient, overhauling a range of systems from the production of such shows as "American Idol" and "24" to energy usage in our buildings around the world. This has yielded savings that help us invest more in talent and has inspired us to look for further opportunities to improve.

You do not need to believe that all climate science is settled or every prediction or model is perfect to understand the benefits of limiting pollution and transforming our energy policies -- as a gradually declining cap on carbon pollution would do. This is the moment to champion policies that yield new industries, healthy competition, cleaner air and water, freedom from petroleum politics and reduced costs for businesses.

Through market-based incentives we can achieve clean energy at the lowest cost and with the strongest incentives for innovation -- ensuring that the energy solution will help, not harm, the economy. Republicans such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) get this and are working across party lines to build support for new legislation. Previously conservation-minded conservatives are missing in the heated partisanship of today's politics. It's time they found their voice again.

The writer is chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia, News Corporation.

Coal has been great for energy, now its time for the Sun

2009-12-04T07:49:00.002-05:00

Byrd says coal industry must change
By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer
Page 2 of 2
Advertiser
Byrd also said the coal industry must acknowledge the growing body of evidence on climate change.

To be part of any solution, one must first acknowledge a problem," he wrote. "To deny the mounting science of climate change is to stick our heads in the sand and say "deal me out." West Virginia would be much smarter to stay at the table.

"The truth is that some form of climate legislation will likely become public policy because most American voters want a healthier environment. Major coal-fired power plants and coal operators operating in West Virginia have wisely already embraced this reality, and are making significant investments to prepare," he wrote.

Byrd pointed out that the coal industry has changed before, notably when it comes to mechanization. He noted that despite record coal production in West Virginia in recent years, the number of the state's coal miners has decreased from more than 62,000 to about 22,000.

MASSIVE COVERUP, SOME SCIENTISTS ARE FUNNY

2009-12-02T15:22:00.001-05:00

More interesting is what is not contained in the emails. There is no evidence of any worldwide conspiracy, no mention of George Soros nefariously funding climate research, no grand plan to ‘get rid of the MWP’, no admission that global warming is a hoax, no evidence of the falsifying of data, and no ‘marching orders’ from our socialist/communist/vegetarian overlords. The truly paranoid will put this down to the hackers also being in on the plot though.

http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/11/the-cru-hack/#more-1853

can anyone tell me

2009-12-01T11:59:00.002-05:00

Can anyone tell me where we will get our energy 100yrs from now?

Assuming we only increase usage a little, the USA will need 3 TERAWATTS of electricity a year for power.

A TERAWATT IS A MILLION MEGAWATTS. That is a lot of power.

SC used 81,000GW last year. Solar power investment now, for now, tomorrow and the future.

Cap and trade, tax or smart business

2009-11-30T10:28:00.002-05:00

Discussions are taking place right now all over the world about what to do about CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The release of East Anglia emails is being touted as a blow to 'global warming' scientists. The fact that these scientists tried to protect their opinion is straight out of the Lee Atwater political book.

IT DOESN"T MATTER.

Bottom line is we live on a planet that has physical boundaries. We pump and mine our energy from the ground, if Earth was the size of Jupiter I would not be in the solar industry I would work for Exxon.

We have a FINITE source of energy TODAY. We do not have a viable alternative today, or tommorrow. If we do not create a market where massive investment in energy production is promoted we will see $10 a gallon gas, ever rising energy costs and a huge strain on the economy, with the possibility of protracted and deadly wars over the last reserves of fossil fuel.

US Oil production peaked in the 1970's, our use of fossil fuel has climbed every year since. Renewable energy production is the new arms race. We have to win this one, for us and for our kids.

Red flag on the horizon

2009-11-29T10:25:00.001-05:00

Green energy: world's newest arms race

Just as the U.S. and China gave a welcome boost to upcoming climate talks, a cache of stolen e-mails was being used last week to discredit scientists who warn of global warming.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, called for an investigation into the e-mails written over 13 years by climate scientists and hacked from the Climate Research Unit at England's University of East Anglia.

An investigation would be fine, as long as it's an honest inquiry not just political grandstanding. The science on which policy is based should withstand tough scrutiny. And it looks bad that a prominent climate scientist considered undermining the peer-review process to stifle dissenting views.

The more telling development, though, by far, is China's intent to curb greenhouse-gas emissions. China announced plans to nearly halve the ratio of emissions to gross domestic product by 2020 and is aggressively pursuing that goal.

Unless Congress quickly gives U.S. business the necessary incentives and tools, China will corner the market on green energy.

Environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently wrote that "the Chinese are treating the energy technology competition as if it were an arms race," outstripping U.S. investment in solar and wind technologies and the electric grid.

Despite the e-mail flap, scientific consensus and physical evidence point to a buildup of fossil fuel emissions that threatens to cause catastrophic changes in climate and sea levels.

But, for argument's sake, let's just say that's wrong.

The future still belongs to those who harness free and endless energy from sun, wind and geothermal and make the most efficient use of energy. Even if climate change is a myth, there are security, economic and environmental imperatives for changing our energy ways.

President Barack Obama said he will stop by the climate summit in Copenhagen as he travels to Norway to pick up his Nobel Peace Prize. Obama will offer a 17-percent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2020. This is the plan the House approved while the Senate demonstrated its inability to walk (health care) and chew gum (energy) at the same time.

The Senate should quit dodging energy legislation.

The U.S. and Chinese goals fall short of what Europe is pledging and what island nations — which would suffer most from rising oceans — are demanding.

Defenders of the energy status quo will point out that China's emissions would still rise as its economy grows while Obama promises an absolute reduction in U.S. emissions.

China, with four times the U.S. population and less than a third of U.S. GDP, has vivid memories of mass starvation and says it must keep increasing GDP.

To ensure that China's growth doesn't come at this country's expense, the U.S. should commit itself to winning the green-energy race.

India and Renewable Energy

2009-11-26T20:21:00.004-05:00

India has more honor students than the USA has students.

Ambitious solar plans unveiled by India
New Delhi, India [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

"Over a period of time, we must pioneer a graduated shift … to renewable sources of energy. In this strategy, the sun occupies centre-stage, as it should."

-- Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India

One of the eight key National Missions which comprise India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, the so-called Solar Mission, launched under the brand name “Solar India” recommends a three phase implementation, leading to an installed capacity of some 20,000 MW in 2022.

The ambitious 2022 target of 20 GW or more will be dependent on the first two phases, which if successful, could lead to grid-competitive solar power by the end of the programme, MNES adds.

Already faced with crippling electricity shortages, prices of electricity traded internally have touched Rs 7/kWh (US cent 15/kWh) for baseload and around Rs 8.50/kWh (US cent 18.5/kWh) during peak periods, the country is also increasing the use of diesel-based electricity, which costs as high as Rs 15/kWh (US cent 32.6/kWh).

“It is in this situation the solar imperative is both urgent and feasible to enable the country to meet long-term energy needs”, observed Abdullah.

Sunpower messes up royally

2009-11-24T10:38:00.004-05:00

Sunpower announced that any orders placed after November 13th will not be met before the end of the year. Yes we had a recession, slowdown and then a mad rush to get PV systems in by end of year but this really, really hurts MY credibility with clients if I say Sunpower is the best but we can't install them prior to end of the tax year.

The bright spot in this is we, again have a strong push by homeowners nationwide to put solar on their roofs the recession is officially over when PV which is not critical to your immediate well-being is being put in in these numbers.

Please, please, please, let the Volt be good

2009-11-24T09:24:00.005-05:00

November 24, 2009, 8:23 am NYT
Answering Your Questions About the Chevy Volt
By LINDSAY BROOKE

Last Friday, we solicited you for questions on the Chevrolet Volt, which is scheduled to be released late next year. We forwarded some of your questions to Lindsay Brooke, who recently drove a preproduction Volt and wrote about his driving impressions for the Automobiles section last Sunday.

Mr. Brooke is a journalist with three decades of experience and is the author of “Triumph Motorcycles in America” (Motorbooks, 1993) and “Ford Model T: The Car That Put the World on Wheels” (Motorbooks, 2008). He has written extensively on hybrid and electric cars for The Times and other publications. His answers to a selection of your Volt questions are below.

Q.How will the batteries react to really cold weather? When it is 20 degrees below zero my iPod only functions for about one-sixth of its normal time between charges.
— Patrick, Minneapolis

A.General Motors recently began an intensive cold-weather testing program for Volt at a dedicated winter-test facility in northern Canada, so there are no definitive answers yet. Stay tuned for more information on this program in the Automobiles section.

Q.Is there a firm retail release date, and if so, what is the true price range?
— M Dickerson

A.No details yet on the exact start of production, only that it’s later next year. Nor is G.M. yet talking about pricing details.

A.Let’s tackle these questions one at a time. First of all, the words “Volt” and “slug” are incompatible, based on my drive of the prototype. The car proved to be quite sprightly around the Milford course (which would make a fine road-racing circuit). It was genuinely fun to drive in both battery-only and extended-range modes.

Secondly, my test drive covered 27 total miles on the proving ground, including eight miles depleting the battery before the generator kicked in (of course, the generator will continue to provide power to drive the car until the gas tank runs dry). The purpose of my time in the car was not to prove total range, but rather to evaluate the generator’s engagement and related performance and noise, vibration and harshness.

Q.Do you envision the extended-range hybrid as a long-term product or merely a bridge to an all-electric future for passenger cars?
– Dave

A.I’ve been writing about automotive technology for major publications for nearly 30 years, and I’ve become a believer in the progress made by the auto industry in general regarding vehicle electrification. Yes, I think extended-range (also known as series-type) hybrids are an important, viable solution for the short- and mid-term, until an extensive charging network from the grid is established.

On the Road, Again

2009-11-24T07:31:00.004-05:00

Demand for solar energy could be down as much as 17% on the year for 2009. This is the stark reality the industry is facing as it slowly emerges from the recession that has caused demand for energy across the world to drop for the first time in a half-century.

While this may put a damper on power industry growth in the short-term, long-term energy demand worldwide is expected to double by 2050 and with concerns about climate change on the rise, the prospects for the solar power industry remain bright.

In some ways, the recession may turn out to be a boon to the industry having allowed a number of companies that were, until recently, operating in stealth or R&D mode to strengthen their products and enter the market just as it's on the cusp of recovery.

DuPont Apollo has opened its silicon based thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facility in China. The 538,000 square foot manufacturing facility will have an annual capacity of up to 50 megawatts (MW) of modules that will be produced on a thin-film-on-glass PV module production line. Full-scale commercial production at the facility is targeted for the first quarter 2010.

"Through our work in this venture, DuPont will use its science to produce thin-film solar modules that can help make solar energy a more viable alternative for everyone."

-- David Miller, President, DuPont Electronics & Communications

In addition to providing innovative thin-film photovoltaic modules that are fully International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certified, DuPont Apollo said that it plans to offer a total system solution focused on the China domestic market to help safeguard customers’ long-term investments in renewable power generation.

“Next generation solar technologies are a critical market opportunity for DuPont to deliver more secure, environmentally sustainable and affordable energy sources for people everywhere,” said David Miller, president of DuPont Electronics & Communications. "REworld article 11/09

It appears the downturn has caused most US manufacturers to shift production to, you guessed it China. Maybe its inevitable, we create and China builds. For the last 50yrs USA produced and slowly lost out to cheaper labor countries, who I am I to question progress, its all I am about. As long as good paying jobs are made here and profits return here I guess its ok.

Good vets are hard to come by

2009-11-22T22:02:00.002-05:00

I took my 12yr old beagle to the vet on a Sunday, she was messed up pretty bad and she had me scared. They were quick, friendly and efficient.

The Vet talked over my options, explained cost and let me decide on what to do. She could have any number of things but he had to do x & y to find out. When we got back later they were again quick, polite and thoughtful. I need to remind you all this was Sunday, I got there at 9am and now it was 1pm.

Molly had a puncture wound on her eye, we think we know what happened but either way she will live, be happy again but may lose her eye. She is an awesome dog, licks only when you need it and takes food from your hand like a surgeon. She likes to be petted but is just as happy sitting near you.

She will bark only to tell you "hey something isn't right. I used to let her sleep at the foot of my bed, but kids...marriage etc she became an outside dog.

Well she's in for two weeks and I intend to spoil her rotten. Happy thanksgiving.

Getting older

2009-11-21T08:29:00.005-05:00

There was a time when I could party til 5am, go to a late night diner, eat and laugh to 6am, get up at 1pm and go do it again.

Last night we took my kids to see "2012" (absolutely awful, every cliche possible employed with no reason) my sister-in-law came over for dinner, we had a drink afterwards, by 9pm I was ready for bed. I was asleep before 10pm.

Leaving the theatre there was a huge line to see "Twilight" I have no interest in and am not aware of the phenom of this movie. And then it hit me, I am officially no longer young! I didn't realize it would happen just like that.

Has anyone else had this same single event let them know, hey you're not 30 anymore.

2009-11-20T09:47:00.001-05:00

The Coal Industry's $47 Million PR Spending Spree

— By Kate Sheppard | Fri November 20, 2009 3:00 AM PST
—Photo courtesy of America's Power website
.
The coal industry's major lobby group, the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, shelled out a stunning $47 million last year on lobbying, advertising and "grassroots outreach" efforts to fight climate legislation and tout the benefits of "clean coal." Its efforts to actually develop clean coal technology, however, were a lot less impressive.

ACCCE's most recent IRS filing, obtained by Greenwire (sub. req'd), lists the contributions to the coalition by the nation's biggest coal companies. Arch Coal Inc., Consol Energy Inc., and Peabody Energy Corp. each chipped in $5 million; Foundation Coal Corp. gave $3 million, Southern Co. $2.1 million, and American Electric Power Co. Inc. and Duke Energy Corp. (which has since left the group) gave $2 million. ACCCE is among the biggest spenders when it comes to influencing the debate on climate and energy.

But for all their expensive efforts to sell the public on the wonders of clean coal, ACCCE isn't working quite as hard to make the technology a reality. The coalition's members have committed the comparatively paltry sum of $3.6 billion to research the technology between 2003 and 2017, according to an April report from the Center for American Progress.

That's just $257 million on average each year to develop the technology to capture and sequester carbon. To put that in perspective, ACCCE's members made a combined total of $297 billion in profits between 2003 and 2008—meaning, as the report notes, that they're spending less than two cents on clean coal research for every $1 of profit.

In fact, the climate legislation that ACCCE fought—and fought dirty—to defeat in the House would devote far more money toward developing clean coal than the companies have. (Its "grassroots" efforts hit the news after one of its subcontractors, Bonner and Associates forged letters to Congress opposing a climate bill.) If the Waxman-Markey legislation becomes law, it would hand the coal industry $60 billion for so-called carbon capture and storage (CCS) research and development through 2025.

The House measure provides an additional $1 billion each year for demonstration and deployment of this technology, to be funded by a fee on consumers. Plus, early adopters of CCS would get bonus carbon credits for every ton of carbon dioxide sequestered by electric utilities.

Yet just days after Waxman-Markey passed the House, a number of ACCCE's biggest funders were complaining to the Senate in public hearings that the bill doesn't give enough money to the coal industry.

They also griped that carbon capture and storage technology is more than a decade away from viability, so it would be unreasonable to demand big emissions cuts from the sector anytime soon. "I don’t think CCS will be widely deployed until 2020 or after," Chris Hobson, senior vice president of research and environmental affairs at Southern Company, told senators in July. You'd never guess that from the coalition's website though, which still proudly proclaims: "The technology isn’t 20 years away—some of it is here today."

US, China, win win.

2009-11-20T08:46:00.002-05:00

November 18, 2009
The Emerging US-China Strategic Alliance on Clean Energy
by Louis Schwartz and Ryan Hodum, Contributors
Pennsylvania, United States

The bilateral relationship between the United States and China has begun to take on a more pragmatic and secure quality under the Obama Administration, a welcome contrast to the past, when the U.S. was mostly uneasy about the rise of China and China was often uncertain about assuming its emerging role as an economic and political center of gravity.

Though disagreements over the value of the Yuan, trade restrictions and human rights issues will continue to be present in the Sino-U.S. relationship, the exigencies of the worldwide economic downturn and the opportunities for cooperation in the development of a new energy future, are paving the way for a sustainable and productive bilateral relationship.

Renewable energy investments in the U.S. by the Chinese are but one side of the coin; on the other side are the enormous opportunities for American companies to participate as the Chinese spend some $2 trillion over the next 20 years to fundamentally restructure the way they produce and consume energy.

It is in this latter area — cooperation on clean energy development — that the Obama Administration already has laid a foundation that presages unprecedented opportunities for Sino-U.S. cooperation. President Obama’s meetings with the Chinese leadership this week give further impetus to the significant efforts by the two countries to forge a new energy future based on Shuang Ying the Chinese term for “win-win.”