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Solar power as we know it has been around for almost a century. Many people believe that its still the same basic technology that helped power early spacecraft and the White House in the 1970′s. But advancements over the past 10 years have brought solar to the cutting edge with new investment and an emphasis on research. Here are three solar innovations that are making this type of renewable energy more affordable, easier to obtain, and more efficient for generations to come. 1
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Three Innovations That Will Make Solar Power Easier and More Affordable
Massachusetts clears Cape Wind for construction start The last regulatory hurdle for the start of construction of the first U.S. offshore wind project was overcome today with the approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) of the 15-year Power Purchase Agreement with National Grid to buy half of Cape Wind’s energy, capacity and renewable energy credits. However, the DPU did not approve a second agreement for the other 50 percent of the project’s power. That agreement would have allowed National Grid to assign the remaining portion of Cape Wind’s power to another customer under the same financial terms. The DPU’s refusal could hurt Cape Wind as the company seeks financing for the proposed 130 turbine project. The decision culminates a comprehensive six-month review of unprecedented scope, including 13 days of evidentiary hearings
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Energy and Global Warming News for November 23rd: Massachusetts clears Cape Wind for construction; Simple discoveries could enhance wind turbine…
One of our favorite projects is rain water harvesting. This is a great way to help ensure you have a plentiful, clean water supply. Rain water is typically much cleaner than groundwater (fewer dissolved solids), and is softer (almost mineral free), so you use much less soap for cleaning and showering, and no stains or pipe calcification. Combined with solar water heating, you have a very low impact water solution. We are going back to Anguilla in the near future, which is an arid Caribbean Island, and there is little fresh water available, so rain water harvesting is a big part of everyone’s life. We install solar powered pumps, solar water heaters, and simple filtration systems. We have a discussion group to talk about these solutions, and a suite of eBooks that describe how to build these solutions at http://www.green-trust.org/products/ .
China Studying Cap-And-Trade System to Help Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions China, the world’s biggest polluter, is studying a cap-and-trade system to help cut greenhouse gas emissions, said an official at a state-run research center. The government may set emissions quotas for large enterprises and a certain portion of them may be traded, Zhang Junkuo , head of development strategy at the State Council’s development research center, told reporters in Beijing today. The world’s fastest-growing major economy has pledged to reduce its carbon-dioxide output per unit of gross domestic product by as much as 45 percent through 2020 compared with 2005 levels. The cap-and-trade study is still in the early stages and is being considered among other options including a carbon tax, Zhang said. “It’s likely that China will introduce some kind of cap- and-trade system, although it’s not clear when and how it will operate yet,” said Wang Fan , an analyst at Ping An Securities Ltd
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Energy and Global Warming News for November 18th: China studying cap-and-trade to cut CO2; Green tech sector advances; Rare earths in US not so rare
by Jonathan Hiskes. David’s been writing lately about the intersection of technology and human habits and culture, arguing that energy is a behavioral challenge as much as a technological one. There’s a prime of example of how these things collide — and why climate hawks should pay attention — in the backlash against smart meters in California. The New York Times is the latest to cover the trend of residents responding in outrage when utilities install smart meters — home-energy computers that provide detailed information on what appliances you’re using, and when. They’re a necessary element in building a clean-energy grid that relies on wind and solar power, feeds electric cars, and supports greener dishwashers and other appliances ( here’s a good backgrounder). California utility PG&E has been a national leader in rolling out the devices.
