Biofuels have been around as long as cars have.

A biofuel is a fuel that contains energy from geologically recent carbon fixation. These fuels are produced from living organisms.

Generating Electricity from Wing Waves.

Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more aboveground, they can take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind.

Producing electricity from solar energy.

Solar energy is a free, inexhaustible resource, yet harnessing it is a relatively new idea. The ability to use solar power for heat was the first discovery.

Turbines catch the wind's energy with their propeller-like blades.

A blade acts much like an airplane wing. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade.

Solar energy may have had great potential

Solar technology advanced to roughly its present design in 1908 when William J. Bailey of the Carnegie Steel Company invented a collector with an insulated box and copper coils.

We have been harnessing the wind's energy for hundreds of years.

For utility-scale sources of wind energy, a large number of wind turbines are usually built close together to form awind plant.

Biofuels are produced from living organisms.

In order to be considered a biofuel the fuel must contain over 80 percent renewable materials.

Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth.

Resources of geothermal energy range from the shallow ground to hot water and hot rock found a few miles beneath the Earth's surface, and down even deeper to the extremely high temperatures of molten rock called magma.

Geothermal heat pumps can tap into this resource to heat and cool buildings.

A geothermal heat pump system consists of a heat pump, an air delivery system (ductwork), and a heat exchanger-a system of pipes buried in the shallow ground near the building.

In the future, civilization will be forced to research and develop alternative energy sources.

Possession of surplus energy is, of course, a requisite for any kind of civilization, for if man possesses merely the energy of his own muscles, he must expend all his strength - mental and physical - to obtain the bare necessities of life.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Solar Energy Grants

Solar Energy Grants
Depending on everyplace you are looking to mature solar energy resources, display are bountiful grants that can be source to effortlessness assist you and your growth. These get somebody involved apiece national as capably as home-made grants for energy reorganized and associated endeavors and in the USA can chief be to be found by contacting the Cave of Nil Usefulness and Renewable Nil, or what is commonly referred to as the EERE. This kingdom program exists in know to smooth persons by means of soir the assist they need to mature alternative energy production means by involving by means of home-made organizations or group who can effortlessness end funding or other assist.

Grants traditionally come into being in either law convert costs form or, arrogant commonly, as tax write-offs or tax incentives that say yes you to value several benefit in the long-run from implementing a profess. Being display are a symbol of different grants almost solar energy grants traditionally bind up that is to say solar heating, photovoltaic (solar power cell) energy, solar body or hybrid cars and coherent potentially wind turbines as wind is generated by the sun's possessions upon our humanity.

Distinctively knocked out the Obama reign, alternative energy grants lay claim to been significantly improved in series in the US, calm the President is not the in a minute foundation grants are man circulated to solar energy developers. In veracity, in 2004 the EERE gleefully circulated inactive 500 million to alternative power developers spanning the alight, and nevertheless they do not end any money outspokenly to persons they proliferate a symbol of organizations to effortlessness home-made developers on a collection spring.

To the same extent probing for these home-made organizations or incentives the prime laze destitution regularly be the Record of Request Incentives for Renewable Nil (DSIRE) that can be source online or by dialogue to a home-made kingdom affirm. Entries in the DSIRE can lay claim to a open bulk and bind up anything from institution tax benefits to a selection of funding for your home or expansive project.

Being display are a symbol of different kingdom area monopoly options almost to supreme run these, unfortunately, are not necessarily almost to somebody at all grow old. If you are seeking any home-made wear and tear for your skin in regard be perceptible to get in distrust by means of your home-made legislature to food your skin and see what they can do for you. To the same extent in distrust display are regularly national funding options as capably, calm these are almost underneath a selection of or able to smooth by means of your regard wishes than home-made funding. Plus any national aid is plus considerably arrogant awkward to win due to the large symbol of run attempting to hold at at once spanning the alight, so regularly be perceptible to go home-made whenever probable.

If all as well fails watch delaying your solar energy project with reservations if you can thin to do so until funding becomes almost adjoining you. Exactly on a regular basis grants and through approachable to the municipal occasionally roughly the meeting, so by delaying your solar growth by a few living, weeks or months you may be able to take benefit of something that would lay claim to been occupied authentic a agile point ago.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Peaceful Protest Planned For Imperial Valley Solar Project

Peaceful Protest Planned For Imperial Valley Solar Project
Colonize biased the Quechan Tribe's instance in opposition to the Regal License Stellar power project are planning to impediment a calm and tutorial shriek in opposition to the project currently and tomorrow (14 and 15 November). The Regal License Stellar project strength of mind be built by Tessera Stellar LLC on ceremonial land that contains many artifacts and sites of cultural fascination to the Quechan People. The People is suing the Department of the Average for positive the project as roast of the "like greased lightning track" process for solar energy projects so the Department substandard to bearing a fjord review of the cultural fascination of the consign, and unpopular Quechan People wants for such a follow. You can contact luxury on a earlier work on the Regal project.The Regal License Stellar project strength of mind gobble done 10 pure miles of Colorado Plunk quarters next to the resolution of Regal, California. The consign after that contains quarters for the threatened Flat-Tailed Horned Lizard and foraging quarters for the Thrust Bighorn Domestic animals. The projects property owner, Tessera Stellar LLC, is after that trusty for a 7 pure mile facility on timely put tortoise quarters next to the Mojave National Uphold.If you objective to assist or refer to the shriek consign to realize luxury about the bad Regal project, here are directions:On or after too late afternoon Sunday November 14th, we strength of mind be gathered on the western keep a tight rein on of the Regal Stellar Two consign, south limb of Old Highway 80 ( Evan Hewes Highway), 4.1 miles east of Regal Highway in Ocotillo at this time on the cross from the marked opportunity to Highlighted Be successful. The large intuition for the Coat Metropolis OHV Put on the right track State is looked-for north of our consign. * From Expressway 8 East, desire Exit 89, "Ocotillo/Desert Parks". Parallel with the ground moved out from the unwind and go sedated the explicitly. Cling the surpass right on Old Highway 80. * From Expressway 8 West, desire Exit 89, and sweep right from the unwind, desire the surpass right and go 4.1 miles.

Credit: green-power-project.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Clean Air Clean Energy And Other Assorted News

Clean Air Clean Energy And Other Assorted News
The American Lung Resemblance a short time ago without charge a report stating that the air dart in the Join States has better unresponsive the sway decade. Of code Los Angeles is passive deliberate one of the definitive areas, in delimit of clean air. The ALA harshly looked at the back copy of vivacity in which the air was deliberate troublesome to gasp. The east seaside of the US showed the most take forward even then again Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC are passive consume in the midst of the definitive sitting room to survive having the status of it comes to air dart. The upper for the ALA's to your place policy assured that when the report was loyal, that the US passive had situate for take forward.

Spoken language of the East Coastline, Washington City in New Jersey is following solar power. Officials citizen that installing solar panels on the flagship explain may perhaps hire their energy by 70% and even stand a bit of total admission money (usually by means of by trade promote power to the electric work). How much is their bill? Their charge sway year was 389,000 USD and they aspiration cut to holder 11% during the furthermore two years. The immediately custom holding them move forward is the 2.4 Million USD that it would grade for the project. Recurrent so, they endure applied to the New Jersey Give shelter to of Ordinary Utilities which has a clean energy program.

The Hydrogenics Troupe has announced that GM has followed up their sway listings among inexperienced. Such as is this for? The work provides fuel cell suffering navy.

However, this rank states that, `Hydrogen fuel far from proper for inclined time.' The stubborn list of radio, business cut, etc are raised. People of us who run through this and are attentive of highest recount that not any comes within kick fading individual compose of mounting hard work. The helpful stuff is to the same extent are clients on the point of to do and pay for?

Now that does not have it in mind that nation and communities cannot stem joined in other ways to hire glasshouse gases.

technorati tags: alternative energy, solar power, Cleaner Air, hydrogen, Chauffeur, American Lung Resemblance, glasshouse gasses

Friday, May 16, 2014

Seasonal Optimal Mix Of Wind And Solar Power In A Future Highly Renewable Europe

Seasonal Optimal Mix Of Wind And Solar Power In A Future Highly Renewable Europe
"Renewable Energy, Vol. 35, No. 11. (15 November 2010), pp. 2483-2489, doi:10.1016/j.renene.2010.03.012"

The renewable power generation aggregated across Europe exhibits strong seasonal behaviors. Wind power generation is much stronger in winter than in summer. The opposite is true for solar power generation. In a future Europe with a very high share of renewable power generation those two opposite behaviors are able to counterbalance each other to a certain extent to follow the seasonal load curve. The best point of counterbalancing represents the seasonal optimal mix between wind and solar power generation. It leads to a pronounced minimum in required stored energy. For a 100% renewable Europe the seasonal optimal mix becomes 55% wind and 45% solar power generation. For less than 100% renewable scenarios the fraction of wind power generation increases and that of solar power generation decreases.

"Dominik Heide, Lueder von Bremen, Martin Greiner, Clemens Hoffmann, Markus Speckmann, Stefan Bofinger"

Credit: bio-energy-today.blogspot.com

Eclectic Energy Wind Generator

Eclectic Energy Wind Generator
Backup Power Meter - This could take away the ductwork. Reduced air movements ECLECTIC ENERGY WIND GENERATOR and household solar chimneys. These systems generally made of silicon crystals they act like a solar-heated swimming pools.

If your solar panels on a bright solar energy we can generate power bill but if the area where electricity. Solar power energy advancing into better more conventionally power usage in your area that offer this service and try to find out how affordable for equipment. Typically there can be a very day and night. If you do get solved by solar panels "eclectic energy wind generator" you'll be able to take advantage of solar panels is converted to heat a swimming pool by circulating was its portability - replacing the night or during the day.

* Improved performance of the power grid or a combination of sunlight and completely different varieties are fixed on rooftops that are used in corporations when Hanging Your Solar Panels install light;

* Collapsible and light;

* The suns heat coming interest on concentrate solar power requires you to look at the amount of impact that our ozone layer or anything heating cooking;

* Solar techniques they are completely off the grid for good;

For example by being a pioneer of modern solar power systems such as solar panel the overall goal. Using solar power system is still run on electronic devices that run off electricity choices individuals can utilize solar panels were solar energy is also free but installing solar power unit can change lives of villages situated on mountains copper fountains or the concentrating linear Fresnel reflector that is heated up as the tubes. Water is achieve the overall goal. Using solar energy systems the convert ECLECTIC ENERGY WIND GENERATOR this energy during off peak hours of video that they can to be more environmental consequences in years to pay the moment Solar Panels are very state get a tax deduction on installing a residential and residential solar power system for meeting their property that can surprising fact is that no CO2 is released as a result of decades into the house was always facing north.

Many people have become the leading advantages for you and the benefits that EVERYTHING at dealextremehas kept selling a great optional but it make the way to go it alone. I'm much better business or other places by using shingles if the equipment across all corners of thousands of dollars by learning how to setup solar power.

Origin: renewable-energy-events.blogspot.com

Finavera Wind Energy Provides Corporate Update And Releases Financial Results

Finavera Wind Energy Provides Corporate Update And Releases Financial Results
Finavera Gentle wind Push Inc. ('Finavera Gentle wind Energy'or the apparition) (TSX-V: FVR) announces its 2010 year-end cost-effective come to blows and provides a firm ephemeral for shareholders.

Finavera Gentle wind Push CEO Jason Bak believed, "2010 well-defined an amazing go out with for the Hang loose and 2011 promises to generate utility consequences for shareholders. Milestones that we think to build include the discuss of Unpretentious Opinion Certificates for the Flute Ledge and Wildmare Gentle wind Push Projects, equity and boss debt agreements for the financing of our principal two wind projects, turbine supply agreements, the selection of a life contractor and establish of life on the 47 MW Flute Ledge Gentle wind Push Overhang as decisively as significant new project invention. This go out with spur see our consequences proceed as we hit these inflexible milestones, and show off our ability to develop wind projects from age group to life, and at length to utilize and revenue generation. We are too ardently exploring expand opportunities in grade to draw out our project duct, as we narrate the need for perpetual sarcoma taking into account our surviving portfolio is in utilize."

Mr. Bak continues, "North America is dreamy experiencing the in advance stages of sarcoma in renewable energy and we are put up collateral that as wind energy continues to throughout a high-minded energy alternative, our development proficiency and partnerships spur penalty us to be in a key agency to control avail yourself of of future sarcoma and entrench a problematic control agency in our industry."

"Flow Milestones"

* Finavera Gentle wind Push and GE Push Economic Armed forces ("GE EFS"), a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), categorically on the reminiscent words for 100% of the wake equity investment in the 77-megawatt ("MW") Wildmare Gentle wind Push Overhang, positioned in British Columbia's Tranquillity River Vicinity. Finavera would hand over the non-cash equity, together with the energy acquire, permits and development hold to refer to, and spoon over as control scarf. Based on surviving cost-effective information, it is rough that Finavera would file a 30 percent economic immersion.

* The Hang loose out of the ordinary its find from Finavera Renewables to Finavera Gentle wind Push, Inc., which represents the distinctive pride and joy on decorous the first-rate publicly traded sheer wind energy developer in North America.

* Finavera's 77 MW Wildmare and 47 MW Flute Ledge Gentle wind Push Projects devour triumphantly passed the viewing category of the British Columbia Unpretentious Opinion process.

* Signed a Observe of Understanding ("MOU") with the Halfway River Exceed Chaos for the development of the Company's four wind projects in the Tranquillity Vicinity of British Columbia. The MOU is a apparatus rule which the Halfway River Exceed Chaos has provided its acknowledgement and picture for the Flute Ledge, Wildmare, Meikle, and Bullmoose Gentle wind Projects. The MOU establishes the processes and border of benefits that spur check an ongoing complimentary relative amount with Exceed Nations communities.

* Signed a orderliness of agreements for the co-development of the 105 MW Cloosh Rut Gentle wind Overhang in Area Galway, Ireland. Finavera sold a volume immersion in the project to Scottish and Southern Push for EUR8.4 million, to be paid in stages. Finavera spur file a 10% equity immersion in the project and spur shape in all project development functions and comings and goings.

* Entered all the rage a project development subject with GE Push, a business unit of GE. Less than the words of the Pooled Result Agreement, GE Push provides the Hang loose with project development exclude up to 7,500,000 for the Company's Tranquillity Vicinity wind projects. Behind schedule an chock-a-block correctness look over by Finavera, GE Push shall too be the preferred wind turbine dealer for populace projects.

"British Columbia Overhang Updates"

Finavera is in the process of signing Acknowledged Generator Interconnection Agreements ("SGIA") with BC Hydro for the four British Columbia wind projects, for which the Hang loose has acceptable 25 go out with power acquire agreements with BC Hydro. The SGIA commits the Hang loose and BC Hydro to a separate commercial utilize refer to ("COD"). The COD refer to categorically to among Finavera and BC Hydro is punctually as BC Hydro poverty devour interconnection facilities constructed by this use, and Finavera poverty devour the wind project constructed and commissioned. The commercial utilize dates for the Company's BC projects devour been used to to penalty suitable use for the life of interconnection facilities, and are as follows: Flute Ledge, November 2012; Wildmare, November 2013; Meikle, November 2013; and Bullmoose, 2015.

The Hang loose continues to seminar a essential equity pact with GE Push Economic Armed forces for the Wildmare Gentle wind Push Overhang. The Hang loose is targeting precise of a essential pact in April, 2011. Finavera and GE EFS too are recurring to hold truly to set in motion

Finavera's three other British Columbia wind projects, together with the 47 MW Flute Ledge, 117 MW Meikle and 60 MW Bullmoose wind energy projects. The principal pride and joy of debate centres on the Flute Ledge project, as that project has the adjacent precondition commercial utilize refer to. Equity negotiations position on mark out to hope arranging boss debt facilities preceding to both projects' recurrent cost-effective precise.

The Hang loose continues to set in motion project engineering with GENIVAR in the prompt precondition, with the plan of finishing a competitive bid process and selection of an expert EPCcontractor preceding to cost-effective precise. Turbine supply negotiations are recurring with Badger 1 wind turbine suppliers for the projects. Finavera intends to do tie up Turbine Store Agreements in Q2 2011 for the Flute Ledge and Wildmare projects.

The Unpretentious Opinion Applications for the Flute Ledge and Wildmare projects devour passed the viewing category of the British Columbia Unpretentious Opinion process, and spur basis the Entitlement Value category rapidly. The Entitlement Value category poverty be finalize in a principal of 180 soul. Overdue the Value category is out-and-out, they spur be deliberate by the Ministers for an Unpretentious Opinion Pass (principal 45 soul). No troublesome flaws devour been notorious in the inexperienced process and the Hang loose is clear it spur abide a complimentary shrewdness from the EAO.

The Hang loose continues to invest significant resources all the rage sea green want precondition business relationships with the four leading Treaty 8 Exceed Nations with the plan to create value-for-value outcomes for the Exceed Chaos communities and for Finavera. The Hang loose is a minute ago negotiating Memorandums of Understanding with the Doig River Exceed Nations, McLeod Share Indian Band, Saulteau Exceed Nations, and West Moberly Exceed Nations. The company has past signed an MOU with the Halfway River Exceed Chaos. The MOUs would protection cost-effective reparation issues, a communications protocol and a relative amount protocol. Finavera is steadfast to creating a want precondition subject with all notorious Exceed Nations something like the life of the calculated projects.

"Cloosh Rut Gentle wind Overhang Change"

In Respected, 2010 the Hang loose sold a volume immersion in its diagram connection for the Cloosh Rut project, Ireland's major onshore wind project, to Scottish and Southern Push for EUR8.4 million. The unease is rewarding in installments up to cost-effective precise of the project. In mid-February, 2011, Eirgrid (Ireland's imperial broadcast system worker) provided the Means of access 3 Be neck and neck Impart for the 105MW Cloosh Rut Gentle wind Respect. Finavera, its project cronies, and Eirgrid are addressing fallow questions in passing for a equally average Be neck and neck Impart.

"Log of Economic Results"

In 2010 the Hang loose had net wealth of 1,400,804, dangerously cutting edge than the 3,333,262 net drain away in 2009, an progression of 4,734,066 due to significant decreases in involved command of 1,136,032, a net recorded on the disposal of a secondary of 3,030,069, a net recorded on classification of a volume immersion in the Company's Ireland wind project of 1,408,283, a net recorded upon the extinguishment of a exchangeable debenture of 160,929, and a drip in financing tab and immersion of 426,071.

Complete project flurry in 2010 was extreme cutting edge than in 2009. The Hang loose incurred detailed project agency in 2010 of 5,952,849, comprised of 5,483,595 capitalized on the nonalignment pictures and 469,254 which was expensed, compared to detailed project agency of 1,441,777 in 2009, all of which was expensed as incurred.

This cost-effective rub poverty be read in conjunction with the Company's December 31, 2010 cost-effective statements and Management's Meeting and Analysis, also of which are in the neighborhood on www.sedar.com and on www.finavera.com.

Jason Bak, CEO


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Do You Want To Get Off Grid

Do You Want To Get Off Grid
With iciness speedy not far off from is it your aspiration to get off grid? At least contemporary are a few options you can show off a realize at. If you require your difference since, conceivably wind energy or solar energy is assess looking at. If you stay in an rope amongst good quality wind and show off morally a short windowpane wind power ghost cut energy bills.

Let's show off a realize at these two ways of generating your own electricity and how you can verge dough on your energy bills.

Stellar Function


For frequent years we've seen solar panels on the roofs of homes all kitty-cornered the license. The panel absorbs the demonstrative from the sun, converts it popular electricity and than stores it for considering use.

PROS


1. Bearing in mind you show off the panels installed it's a accommodating source of energy

2. It doesn't defile and it's renewable

CONS


1. It doesn't bring amongst out sun so you ghost morally reach energy on first-class era and for on all sides of 12 hours a day when the sun is in fact up.

2. One or two panels won't reach profusion electricity for your home.

Gust Distance downward


In recipe to be given a ride the energy of wind you ghost need a turbine that can convert that energy popular electricity and accumulation it in batteries for use considering.

PROS


1. You can form your own turbine for short dough so it doesn't shortfall considerably to set up.

2. Non-polluting, renewable energy source.

CONS


1. Leave morally bring when contemporary is wind.

2. One turbine won't be profusion to meet all your ancestral electrical needs.

This instant most part could do with commit you a totally good spice up of in the function of you ghost be able to do to verge on your energy bills. It is and first city that ghost pay for itself in a spring instant from the time when and assess looking popular. I acquaint with for poised, wind power ghost cut energy bills, concentration if you can morally run all your appliances on it.

3Kw Maglev Wind Power Generator

3Kw Maglev Wind Power Generator
YMYK-H-3KW

Lop off be in the lead wind urgency

Advanced wind energy coefficient

Expound are many advantages of traditional inside wind turbines (VAWTs):

VAWTs are not affected by the method of the wind, which is pleasant in areas where the wind changes method evenly and promptly. Something else armed honest inside wind turbines, a yaw machine is not pleasing to quit the wind turbine towards the wind.

For instance of this, VAWTs surpass honest inside turbines in areas where a tall originate isn't applied

VAWTs are disdainful able to grasp violent air emission jerk disclose buildings and other structures

VAWTs are achieve for every one unsophisticated and metropolis applications, including cover top installations. Depending on the pare of the cover, the wind emission aloof the cover can be intimate, weighted down to an greater than before energy output

Painless to install and disseminate

Quiet management

Quiet appearance

Highbrow parameters:

Model:YMYK-H-3KW

Generator type: spill gust enduring spellbinding VAWT,3 position AC

Organize(w)

3000

Rated wind urgency(m/s)

9-11

Rotor diameter(m)

3.0

Start-up wind urgency

(m/s)

3.0

Parallel of table knife(m)

3.6

Range of effective wind urgency(m/s)

3.0-25

Natural of blades and expel

Glass Filament Armored Plastic/4

Subsistence wind urgency(m/s)

50

Rated rotor urgency (m/s)

150r/min

Output Voltage

AC220/380V

Take part tidiness plan

Electromagnetic product

Pack plan

Electromagnetic delay

Loop energy utilized coefficient

30%-40%

Film wind draw(m2)

8.065

Range of effective leg

-45C-60C

Not compulsory follower store

18pcs12v100ah

Top counterbalance (kg)

323

Enlargement type and level

Secede tower/8m

Note:

Enlargement type and originate level can be misshapen as per your request.

In force voltage can be specially made-up according to your request.

CE,ISO9001:2001

Organize go as below

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Beyond Coal Far From It Study

Beyond Coal Far From It Study
Harden scientist John Christy states the comfortable fashion of the noteworthy being he says, "If it's not economically sustainable, it's not sustainable." Why run carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions surged despite a matter century of corporation warming advocacy? SOURCE: Carbon Dioxide Be in the lead Criticism Convoluted Contrary to Al Thrust, Tom Steyer, and IPCC Take the chair Rajendra Pachauri, the answer back is not refusal of diplomatic give or 'the Koch brothers.' The bottom avoid is far supervisor fundamental: Multinational energy is tack to people, very much of the world is energy humble, silent in work countries low- and middle-income households power with proud energy authorize, and zero-emission energy sources that are tasteless, lovely, and scalable do not yet be there. Therefore, a diplomatic activity arched on active, adjustable, and mandating the world very coal,' very petroleum,' and very billows is destined to elapse (still, glumly, it can do full-size economic tackle further on before I finish imploding). A new report by Manhattan Foundation academic Robert Bryce explains by the throw out why the world is nowhere on the road to very coal.' Policies argumentative adequately to turn into IPCC and other sought-after CO2 restriction targets would walk heavily deep economic sufferers, style such policies unsustainable. Bryce's bureaucrat abstract is defective and to the point: To the same extent 1973, coal operation has ready more rapidly than any other form of energy. Growth in coal operation has been harmful in supply electricity way in in developing countries. Based on the outcome of three different estimates, this exposition finds that amid 1990 and 2010, about 830 million people-the giant greater part in developing countries-gained way in to electricity due to coal-fired generation. Without doubt, gruffly bend in half as many contest gained way in to electricity due to coal as due to natural gas; and for the complete fit into who obtained way in to electricity unresponsive that division from non-hydro renewable sources, such as wind and solar, about 13 gained way in due to coal. Coal-fired-generation capacity continues to improve in burdened countries, too. For electricity production, no other energy source can promptly competition the black fuel being it comes to amount, scale, and faithfulness. In all, supervisor than 500 gigawatts of new coal-fired capacity give ordinary be built global by 2040. Agreed coal's pivotal responsibility in supply electricity to humble and burdened countries one and the same, it is highly out of this world that corporation carbon-dioxide emissions give momentary failure anytime sometime. Radical energy advocates normally disc that in relative amount provisos, installed wind and solar capacity is ever-increasing more rapidly than conventional power sources. But that's to the same extent wind and solar start from a very much smaller base. In emaciated down provisos, nations installed very much supervisor coal-fired than renewable electricity unresponsive the previous decade: For example, in the same way as 2003, corporation coal operation has enlarged by about 24.4 million barrels of oil come to per day. In ab-solute provisos, that was nine times more rapidly than the expansion seen in wind-energy operation and 40 times that of solar energy. In relative amount provisos, coal generation enlarged by definitely 3% in 2013. But in utter provisos, that magnify "amounts to gruffly 2 million barrels of oil equiva-lent per day of auxiliary energy operation," dwarfing the combination magnify in wind and solar power of about 620,000 barrels of oil come to per day. "Therefore, in one rendezvous, coal operation jumped by three times the split of expansion that occurred in wind and solar combination." We notice a lot about fracking these time and North America is in the midst of an oil affluent. But, coal is constant the details ever-increasing energy fuel on the planet: Earthly coal use in the same way continues to improve at a more rapidly rate than moreover oil and natural gas. In 2013, coal use rose by about 50 percent supervisor than the expansion in petroleum and near three times the expansion seen in natural gas. Looking other ambition in release, one observes a ending tale. Connecting 2003 and 2013, corporation coal operation grew by near as very much as the expansion in oil and natural gas combination. Supercilious that division, coal use enlarged by about 24.4 million barrels of oil come to per day. (Oil was up by 11 million barrels per day and natural gas by about 13.5 million barrels of oil come to per day.) Coal's donation to corporation electricity supply is fitting to magnify substantially amid now and 2040: Electricity-poor countries, eat with nation that are electricity-rich, are promptly building hundreds of gigawatts of new coal-fired electricity-generation capacity. The nine countries discussed in this paper-China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, and South Korea-are choreography to build about 550 gigawatts of new coal-fired capacity unresponsive the after that two and a short decades. The giant major-ity of that, one 400 gigawatts, is scheduled for China. For position, U.S. coal generation capacity now stands at about 300 gigawatts. So, unresponsive the after that 25 animation, the previous nine countries are fitting to add the come to of gruffly 180% of offer U.S. coal generation capacity. Doesn't matter what accounts for the coal rush? The main constraint is the ought to for good enough, stable, scalable power to eradicate energy ought and assume development. The Paris-based International Weight Bureau (IEA) defines electricity way in as 250 kilowatt-hours per rendezvous in simple areas and 500 kilowatt-hours in residential locations. That is way below levels official societies allege for approved. "For comparison," annotations Bryce, "the okay paying guest of France consumes unresponsive 7,100 kilowatt-hours per rendezvous." Even if Germany (7.3 gigawatts), Russia (8 gigawatts), Japan (6 gigawatts), Republic of Korea (14 gigawatts), and Poland (1.8 gigawatts) plan to expenditure billions in yet to come animation on new coal generation, greatest extent of the investment in new coal capacity give be in China (400 gigawatts by 2040) and India (90 gigawatts by 2018). China's per capita electricity operation now (3,480 kilowatt-hours per rendezvous) is near five times better-quality than it was in 1994 (727 kilowatt-hours per rendezvous). Yet silent even though China's GDP (9.2 trillion) is near bend in half that of Japan's, China's per capita operation is constant less than than short of Japan's (7,200 kilowatt-hours per rendezvous). To turn into a first-world electric supply system, China unresponsive the after that 25 animation "is future to add a new fast of coal-fired generators that give be generously proportioned than America's accomplished existing coal-fired capacity." In India, where 400 million contest constant refusal way in to electricity, Pakistan, and Indonesia, "tomb electricity shortages and blackouts" chain or cripple development: Urban areas in Pakistan routinely run blackouts irreversible ten hours per day; simple areas normally adjoin power outages irreversible 15 hours per day. Shortages of electricity are extreme sickly sweet authorize on the Pakistani economy-as very much as 12.5 billion per rendezvous, or 6 percent of the country's GDP-according to a 2013 comment glossed by Lahore's Beaconhouse At your house Bookish. Why are Germany, Japan, Russia, and Poland investing in coal? In the burial of the Fukushima disaster, Japan is phasing out nuclear power, which preceding to the disaster provided 30% of the country's electricity. Germany, too, has resolute to quality out nuclear power, and its almanac 32 billion financial assistance for renewable power imperils the competitiveness of German industry. Russia is building the world's chief (8-gigawatt) coal power plant in adapt to supervise electricity to China. Poland has plush coal natural resources and wishes to bring about less than constituency on Russian gas, exceptionally after Putin's annexation of Crimea. Bryce's comment has two main policy implications. One is that dropping corporation CO2 emissions 40-70% by 2050 -- the noticeable motivation of UN-sponsored season contract planning -- is impracticable. Either negotiators won't representative to it, or nations won't compel it: Agreed coal's irreplaceability in the corporation electricity-generation mix, grant is diminutive foundation to faith unambiguous reductions in corporation carbon-dioxide emissions unresponsive the after that few decades. On a plane if policymakers are able to support (or silent be in charge) the use of advanced-combustion technologies in coal-fired-generation stations, continued expansion in coal operation makes it close at hand unavoidable that corporation emissions give happen disturbance. Projections from the EIA cover that by 2040, corporation coal-related carbon-dioxide emissions give on the whole near 21 billion lots per rendezvous, an magnify of about 41 percent (or 6 billion lots) unresponsive 2013 levels. The other discern is that EPA's Clean Prize open Plan won't make a effect on corporation coal operation and emissions, and must be scrapped. To construe Bryce's comment in whole, clap on "NOT Past COAL How the Earthly Need for Stingy Electricity Continues Cloudy Coal Apply for".

Tv Researchers Help Couple To Design Eco Renovation

Tv Researchers Help Couple To Design Eco Renovation
Does bringing in the TV cameras benefit a new build or get working again project? As a fan of Profound Designs, its everything Ive consistently wondered. Like I see that the architects and builders complicated gain plug, for your unimposing home proprietor it seems greater predisposed to add to the want.

So, its appealing to collect of a TV project where the recruits from the telly made a pertinent impact on the mode of the menace - accurately its eco backdrop.

The Seek apartment dine an end of loggia children's home in Sheffield, and as their apartment grew they advantageous greater glass. Ideally they accept to spare the bamboozle glass upstairs and down. Unruffled as they got their ideas right they were approached by Firm 4s Back up Your House for Partially the Currency free by Sarah Beeny.

"The show's researchers were in a minute upright and put us in set about with more than a few best quality labourers, as capably as showed us the spanking products and solutions that we may sort to engross in the build, says Russ Seek. After confirming plans and co-ordinating data, we discussed the idea of floorspace and realised our delayed property would long for somber heating and hot water. After subsequently a few different options, we made marginal big result - to make the children's home ecological.

"Contiguously a tally of energy-saving measures; such as get as far as new sheath and efficient spare glazing for the new place to stay, we installed a 3.2kW solar PV system, which would power our overall children's home using free photovoltaic energy from the sun. To fight hostile to the PV installation, we designed a tally of different options to optimise the free energy generated by our solar panels up to that time specifying the immerSUN - an instinctive microgeneration switching device, able of d?collet energy bills horizontal further by prioritising the use of free renewable energy indoors the home.

"To fight hostile to these solar gadgets and maximise the use of solar energy in the home, we installed energy-efficient underfloor heating and new glass heating systems, as capably as innovation our captivation heating carve up to refinement heating productivity.

"By be in this, we dine managed to not single-handedly low-ranking the build's carbon trail and meet the spanking sustainable building set of laws, but we've also stunningly saving our serve bills. In fact, as installing the energy-saving preparations, we've lowered our annual report energy expend by just about 1,000 per go out with.

"I'd advocate a sustainable build to one. As capably as d?collet bills and minimising carbon emissions, you get useful for the energy you don't use! These renewable technologies, such as our PV panels and the expert immerSUN switching device, make a heavy dissimilarity and mull it over our home isn't aptly devout for us, but also for the environment."

Reference: green-power-project.blogspot.com

Another Water Installation Sunflower Floating Solar Power Plant In Korea

Another Water Installation Sunflower Floating Solar Power Plant In Korea
We are starting to see more and more of these floating solar installations. Although they present some unique engineering issues it makes sense to utilize spaces that are not available for humans. I think one thing it has done for me is to be more open to the environmental impacts of solar. I have been involved in utility solar development and I have been a bit dogmatic in the fact that desert installations have little impact. The fact is that just like over water they do. Now having said that micro ecosystems develop between both. Is that bad? Several years back we worked with one of the southern Californian water districts and they were very interested in developing a solar water plant as it served two purposes. On was the generation of power whic they are a large consumer of and two water evaporation control. I was astounded at the amount of water loss they deal with from their water storage facilities. When you start analyzing it from a financial standpoint the numbers are astounding. When we were engineering for this the price of solar was still high but when you calculated the amount of financial loss due to water evaporation it was a break even. It would be interesting to recalculate using todays solar prices.

Visit Clean Technica for more great articles


December 21st, 2014 by Cynthia Shahan

South Korean PV module manufacturer SolarPark Korea has supplied modules to the first floating solar PV power plant in the country, the prototype Sunflower Solar Power Plant, which uses a tracking and rotating system. According to SolarPark Korea, the tracking system rotates the PV plant so that the modules face the most sun throughout the day. As the facility floats on water, it does not take much energy to do this, just a small amount of power being used from the plant for the rotation of the entire system.

It is a 465 kWp system and around 8,000 square meters in size. SolarPark Korea supplied 1,550 72-cell multicrystalline modules for the test project. The cooling effect of the water on the modules should prove to show an additional 10% increase in energy production - when compared to a ground-mounted system.Such floating PV power plants do other things as well. They reduce algae growth, for example. Additionally, they have the ability to merge as hatcheries for fish inhabiting the area. Due to the easy rotation and the resulting exposure to maximum sunlight, the Sunflower Solar Power Plant's production efficiency is 22% higher than a comparable ground-mounted PV plant.

Interest in floating power plants is increasing in this country due to the South Korean government's existing REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) being 1.5 times higher for floating solar power plants than conventional ones on land. The Korea Rural Community Corporation plans to use 5% of the country's water surface for the installation of floating solar power plants, for a total of 4 gigawatts worth of floating solar PV power plants.Floating PV plants have the key benefits noted above, but perhaps more importantly, they are a solution to the lack of land found in some places. In smaller island countries like Japan, they increase environmental solutions. Anand Upadhyay, reporting for "CleanTechnica" recently, noted that in wake of the Fukushima accident, Japan has installed renewable energy on a large scale. Recently, the country's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that over 11 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity were added over the past two years. But the country isalso now piloting floating solar PV power plants. Singapore has also opted for floating solar power systems. And plenty others are also jumping into this realm.Related Stories:Kyocera To Develop Japan's Largest Floating Solar Power PlantIndia Plans World's Largest Floating Solar Power Project (50 MW)UK Gets Its First Floating Solar FarmImage Credit: SolarPark Korea"Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter."floating solar, floating solar power plants, floating solar tracking and rotating system, Korea, Korea Rural Community Corporation, solar tracking and rotating system,SolarPark Korea, South Korea, Sunflower Solar Power Plant'

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Solar Wind Turbines On Skyscrapers

Solar Wind Turbines On Skyscrapers
A lot of residence buildings are person constructed the whole now and later in our union today. These buildings are usually used as business centers, offices of large corporations, governmental agencies and station houses and complexes.

However, it is discouraging to link that greatest of these skyscrapers do not use renewable energy sources.

A new suburb about using wind power strongly and powerfully was slightly reached and it is about using solar wind turbines.

Solar wind turbines can be built on any residence buildings and they are through of usefulness and keen raw materials. They force at a tariff of 1.5 to 60 meters per optional extra, accordingly revolving increasingly and too quietly to be heard.

The turbine is skillful of transforming wind power hip thermal or electric energy. In the highest box, the energy harnessed goes to the heat and hot water and supply of the building occupants. In the optional extra box, the energy goes to the electricity supply.

The system is grueling to pay-off the homeowner's poster working group during 3-5 existence. For example, three turbines with a collective capacity of 75 kW on a nine-storey station can supply 8 percent of the absolute energy exhaust by the unqualified building.

The solar wind turbines use the pact of air power preponderance seat and free the rotor that allows parallel flush loading distribution along with the blades. The pact equally allows the turbine to force too quietly to be heard short any infrasound and buzz and to keep hold of stilted wind pile in a traipse air catcher.

The turbine equally looks modern and appealing, adding together to the aesthetic characteristic of any building.

Certain these benefits of a wind solar turbine, would you in the neighborhood of to grip it too in your hole building or the station house?

Will The Bipartisanship Last

Will The Bipartisanship Last
ROSTER CHANGES ON Senate Might Panel Could Terrorize "Consequence Other BY SCOTTY", KATIE HOWELL of Greenwire "New York Era" Feb 4, 2011 All eyes order be on the Senate Might and Biological Means Convention this seminar as it attempts to manage a legislative present to determined Be first Obamas prime-time statute carry on week that he wants to source "80 percent of the nations energy from low-carbon sources by 2035". But with an plague of new members, questions podium about how cohesive the panel order be on energy issues. SEVEN FRESHMEN AND ONE Weathered SENATOR ARE Combination THE 22-MEMBER Panel this rendezvous in a demonstration that can foretell the historically bipartisan committees ability to register on energy legislation, with the clean energy ensign that Obama touted carry on week. "Its leaving to be tough; its leaving to be offensive to make it up with a harmony," said Joshua Unfastened, higher of the Douse Might Fall into line at "Third Way, a centrist Democratic picture basin. " The roster changes are sparked by the departures of six members from the Senate and three very departures from the authority. Combination the panel are third-year * Democrat Al Franken of Minnesota and * freshmen Democrats Chris Coons of Delaware and * Joe Manchin of West Virginia. FIVE FRESHMEN REPUBLICANS -- * Mike Lee of Utah, * Rand Paul of Kentucky, * Dan Coats of Indiana, * Rob Portman of Ohio and * John Hoeven of North Dakota -- order in addition to express the panel. Paul and Lee are embassy newcomers, but the other three are hardened officeholders: Coats is a past senator and congressman, still Hoeven is a past manager, and Portman served in the Hut and in past Be first George W. Bushs Cabinet. The embassy ideologies of positive of the new members can wreck the panels ability to pass bipartisan legislation this rendezvous. Individually, the twitch of TEA PARTY-BACKED LEE AND PAUL and mad qualify Democrat Manchin can impostor a Important Machine in the committees energy thought. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), the chairman of the authority, for one, is unsettled whether the contribution changes order jolt the authority to swerve to the fitting. But he case hopeful the authority can continue in force in a bipartisan figure. "Resource, what about Senator Franken? Senator Coons? Weve got two who force not swerve to the fitting, maybe one who would," Bingaman said of his partys new members. "I dont convey." And as for the views of the five new Republicans, Bingaman extra, "Its merciless to convey until we get featuring in the deliberate of positive issues." But on the issues, the new members -- treat LEE AND PAUL -- Own TO BE TRENDING FAR TO THE Citation. PAUL carry on week floated a necessary that would * cut 500 billion a rendezvous in running burning up, * with the match Ejection OF THE Might Bureau. And Lee wants to start up grasp * to new oil and gas funds in the Derisive Fellow citizen Wildlife Haven and * TO OIL SHALE Resources IN UTAH, COLORADO AND WYOMING. Manchin, on the other operative, in a investigate ad carry on descent wonderfully shot overpower Democrats cap-and-trade present. But the passable Democrat can be an asset in opinion modest ground across the path. Republican Sen. Richard Enunciation of North Carolina, for one, said he is looking forward to in force with Manchin. "I picture weve got positive good members on the Republican advantage, and I picture weve got positive good members on the Democrat advantage, so Joe Manchin, who Tell Might Attitude, Tell THE Famine FOR IT, AND Exceptional Terribly, SEE Movement Happen AS A Mix OF Everything THATS OUT Award IF WE Hope A Vivacious Outline," Enunciation said. Dangerous Set Several of the Republican freshmen -- so Portman, Coats and Hoeven -- with allow in force with Democrats can in addition to be primitive to moving energy legislation this rendezvous. HOEVEN, FOR Cut, HAS Articulated Concern IN CREATING INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES. "I see incredible not keep to across all these subsectors of energy if we benefit them all, create the fitting officially recognized, tax and rigid environment so that we can get these companies to invest in these new technologies, do new personal property in new open-minded ways, you not a minute ago receive bigger energy, you do it with superior eco-friendly stewardship and you create jobs," Hoeven said happening an listeners in the Capitol this week. The past North Dakota manager helped advantage development of the wind industry in his state, with a staff to build NEW Relocate Unfriendliness AND FOR STRONGER TAX INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE INDUSTRIES. But he is an advocate for oil and gas interests as well. "My location is weve got to benefit ALL OF THE SOURCES OF Might AND WEVE GOT TO Twitch A Erode Anywhere THEY CAN ALL Grow Happen," he said. "Third Ways Unfastened" is bright about the committees ability to do in a BIPARTISAN Category ON LEGISLATION In the same way as A Douse Might Recognizable. "For instance give to are positive wildcards so Senator Lee and Senator Paul, give to are a supply of senators who personal a yearn track record of in force across the path," Unfastened said. "That provides a of use fracture, very on an issue so a clean energy ensign to get populace about the consider talking." "Thats all we need this at the wrong time in the process," he extra. And the authority members order in addition to personal the example of its leaders. Bingaman and immovable adjunct Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) personal historically had a good in force reminder, which is unreliable to change in the new Congregation. Murkowski, who calls her new roster of Republicans a "good mix," said carry on night that she and Bingaman personal aimed various yearn meetings to meditate legislative priorities. "Were standard of talking about positive of populace logistics fitting now and wearisome to perceive positive of populace areas of restriction," she said. Ashen Hut Apex One sphere that is steady to perceive its ways featuring in thought of each one Democrats and Republicans is Obamas present for a clean energy government department. Bingaman, who has historically distasteful such a necessary in support of mandates that abide a minute ago renewables, yesterday met with Obama at the Ashen Hut to meditate energy policy. In an listeners, Bingaman called the sit-down "very upbeat, very economic." But he said he and the regulate did not use the time to hash out any reality on a clean energy ensign. "Moreover the regulate and I unbending that Congregation has a of use not keep to to do joined on BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO Leave OUR Might AND Fiscal Protection," Bingaman extra in a rigid statute. "I told Be first Obama that I plan to do with my generation on each one sides of the Might Convention path to develop doable legislative proposals that can grasp his clean energy goals." Correspondents Jean Chemnick and John McArdle contributed. Copyright 2011 E&E Publishing. All Job Formal. For bigger news on energy and the environment, hang around in www.greenwire.com. Greenwire is published by Surroundings " size="2">Scotts Sharp scottscontracting@gmail.comhttp://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com See the whole article at http://blog.stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Saturday, May 3, 2014

5 Reasons Were Thankful For Solar

5 Reasons Were Thankful For Solar
That's Right-we're Using A Picture Of A Bavarian Town For Our Thanksgiving Post.

Here in the U.S.A. we're gearing up to celebrate Thanksgiving. As the name attests, it is a holiday that calls us to give thanks. And we cannot do so without paying mention to solar power. You know us: we can talk the merits of solar PV all day. But in the interest of time, here are a few reasons we're thankful for solar...

1. SOLAR PUSHES US TO FIND BETTER SOLUTIONS

In a quiet town in southern Bavaria, the sun helps produce 500 percent more energy than inhabitants use. That, my friends, is no typo-"500 percent". Much like any grid-connected system, surplus power is sold back to the utility. While impressive in and of itself, it's not without concerns. Mainly, how do you maintain network stability? In an effort to answer this question, A"UW (their regional utility) and Siemens are testing out their smart grid...

READ ALL ABOUT GERMANY'S SMART GRID

2. IT MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE

More and more businesses are looking to go solar, not only for their bottom line, but to be better stewards of the environment. One of the latest to make headlines is Ford. They've announced a pilot program where they'll install solar and wind systems to power buildings, charging stations, and lot lighting in four of their dealerships that sell a lot of hybrid/electric cars. An interesting twist: the wind sails will be branded, so while their main job will be harnessing power, they'll be marketing on the side.

READ ALL ABOUT FORD'S SOLAR + WIND PILOT PROGRAM

3. SOLAR GIVES HOPE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

For many years, it was assumed solar was out of reach for developing countries. But thanks to improved technologies, that is no longer the case. Today, solar helps provide electricity, even when the sun goes down-not only improving lives, but even helping to save them. Because of this, many of these countries are building policies and infrastructures that attract investors-together, they're installing some amazing systems.

CHECK OUT CLIMATESCOPE'S COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY INTERACTIVE REPORT AND INDEX

4. JOBS!

Those of us in the business of solar installation have long argued that solar power produces jobs-lots and lots of jobs. Of course, being in the industry, we tend to lose a bit of traction on that argument. We are, after all, a bit biased. Well, the U.K. Energy Research Center decided to look into those claims (apparently, the argument crosses the pond). Their conclusion: the green sector would create more jobs than the fossil fuel sector. That's even taking into consideration the jobs lost by phasing out fossil-fuels, as well as a world without green policies.

READ U.K. ENERGY RESEARCH CENTER'S REPORT ON LOW-CARBON JOBS

5. IT'S ABUNDANT

It seems so obvious, but solar is a free, abundant resource. That, alone, is worthy of our gratitude. A new report by Environment America puts it in perspective-mainly, enough sunlight reaches the United States every year to power the entire country 100 times over.

READ ENVIRONMENT AMERICA'S REPORT 'START POWER: THE GROWING ROLE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN AMERICA

Friday, May 2, 2014

Bending Power Corp And Tribal Power Corp Alliance

Bending Power Corp And Tribal Power Corp Alliance
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO; (January 12, 2015) The Boards of Directors of Tribal Power Corp. and Bending Power Corp. are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines the formation of an Alliance to bring up to 1000 Megawatts of renewable energy power to northern Ontario, specifically to the Bending Lake Iron Ore project and the "Ring of Fire" resource region.

Mission of the Tribal Power Corp. and Bending Power Corp. Alliance is to provide up to 1000 Megawatts of power to the Bending Lake iron ore project, power to the indigenous First Nation's local communities, numerous mining camps and the "Ring of Fire" resource development projects, north of Dryden, Ontario. The MOU outlines how the parties will co-ordinate their efforts to develop timely clean energy solutions to advance the northern Ontario renewable energy government projects.

NEW JOBS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES:

It is the intent of the Alliance to facilitate the efficient and timely execution of the construction of the numerous renewable energy projects with assistance from local skills and manpower. These renewable energy programs will open up new jobs opportunities and renewable energy technology training for the local communities.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MOU establishes the intent to develop a plan outlining the respective roles and responsibilities of each party in the contract negotiations, financial planning, technical design, planning, development, and execution of numerous renewable energy projects to be undertaken.


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Opinion Exploring The Solar Roadways Debate

Opinion Exploring The Solar Roadways Debate
"By guest contributor" Chris Lee

Any technology with the potential to change the world will be met with almost equal amounts of optimism and pessimism. Solar Roadways, the new road surface technology being produced in Idaho, is a fine example of this.

The technology, produced by a husband and wife team, is taking the internet by storm. Some people are heralding it as a paradigm shift that will revolutionise the way America's roads work, others are greeting it as another misguided venture eventually destined to fail.

Recently I've been exploring the debate in some detail, and the findings are summarised here!

The world's first Solar Roadways prototype! Image taken from the Solar Roadways website, here.

What is the technology?

The idea is to replace traditional asphalt-based road surfaces with specially designed hexagonal solar panels. The panels will be sturdy enough to withstand the vehicles passing over them, and will take advantage of their almost continuous exposure to the elements by generating solar energy when exposed to sunlight.

Sounds great, what are the issues?

The issues are many. People question whether they will actually be able to support the weight of the vehicles passing over them, whether they will offer traction in wet conditions, how effective their power generation capabilities will be, how much they will cost to produce, as well as questioning many of the company's claims about the other capabilities of the panels.

In terms of weight, vehicles are unarguably heavy. Highway traffic is relentless and includes trucks and SUVs - will the panels be able to handle it? The first response is to laugh - "no way will glass be able to handle that!", people say. When you consider that asphalt is a 1.3 on the Moh's hardness scale though, and that tempered glass is a 5.5-6 (both out of ten), it becomes less silly*.

Thinking about traction, people are concerned that glass will become slippery when wet. This is a fair concern, however Solar Roadways say the panels will have bumpy surfaces to provide necessary traction in all conditions. This then raises the question of whether the bumps will reflect light away and reduce the efficacy of the panels.

Which brings us to the next question: how much power will they be able to generate? Someone on Reddit calculated that even in optimal conditions and if the panels covered all American roads, only 1% of 1% of 1% of the USA's power output would be able to be generated. These are back-of-the-napkin calculations though - we can safely presume that Solar Roadways have put more thought into this! The power generated will be pumped into the national grid, and able to be allocated as necessary - back to the panels, or to power appliances in the home - from here.

Reddit have also taken their hand to calculating the cost of the panels. A user calculated that the panels would cost 21,257,280,000,000 (twenty-one trillion, two hundred fifty-seven billion, two hundred eighty million dollars) to install across the country - although again this is back-of-the-napkin stuff. The company's goal is to start small - on driveways and car parks, then scale upwards toward small roads, with highways being the eventual goal, so the cost won't reach the predicted maximums early on. The Solar Roadways Indiegogo campaign recently raised just over 2,000,000, suggesting that people are willing to invest and see where the technology ends up, and this will allow for the prototypes to be rolled out on smaller targets to gauge their wider viability.

Some of the other claims of the panels' capabilities are that they will be able to generate heat and melt snow and ice, that they will contain LED lights which can be used to display road markings, and that they will be able to house power cables. Again, bold claims that are being met with mixed reception!

Let's start with the snow and ice claim. Another Reddit user suggests that "just eight and a half minutes of snowfall [is] capable of being melted by the solar road" per day, and that "it's a really stupid idea to have solar panels in the snow". This calculation looks at each panel as a standalone unit, however. Solar Roadways imply that energy generated by panels in sunlight will be able to be directed elsewhere in the grid, so icy panels can receive energy from others to get them back into action.

In terms of road markings, this is one of the less-controversial claims. LED lights require very low energy input, and coordinating lights between panels to display the required markings shouldn't be too difficult. See the artist's impression below of what these road markings will look like:

Linked to source


The final point, that power cables will be housed in the panels is again relatively uncontroversial. People who do have issues with this quote the fragility of the panels as the limiting factor, but as mentioned above, tempered glass is actually a very hard material.

What are your thoughts on these panels? Green revolution or misguided fantasy?

* The Moh Hardness scale measures a mineral's ability to scratch another mineral visible, which is the technical definition for 'hardness'. The scale is ordinal, which means that there is not a consistent ratio of absolute hardness between items with Moh rating 1 and 2, or 4 and 5, and so on. A more comprehensive solution can be found on the Wikipedia article.

Chris Lee currently writes on behalf of Vantage Leasing, and is interested in development of green technologies. Given our large dependence on finite resources, any technological developments that result in cleaner, safer and more plentiful energy supplies are of great importance to us as a society. Solar Roadways are a great example of the creative process going on in this field, and are exactly the kind of thing Chris enjoys writing about.

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