Archive for the ‘solar’ Category
CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 01 May 2012
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:
- New study shows thriving jellyfish populations
- Time-lapse tools help people understand climate change
- Environmental and economic concerns emerge about forest bioenergy
The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list Subscribe Here or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.
Authors: Neil Thomson, Neil Salmond, Kristina Welch, Justin Bull, James Noble
Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Jessica Worsley (PICS), Tom Pedersen (PICS)
Solar Cells with 40% efficiency
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012New solar cell technique could more than double efficiency.
A joint Australian/German research team have developed a way to boost efficiency of solar cells up to a record breaking 40% efficiency. Current panels have around 12-17% efficiency.
Called photochemical upconversion, the process captures energy that is normally lost in solar cells.
“We are able to boost efficiency by forcing two energy-poor red photons in the cell to join and make one energy-rich yellow photon that can capture light, which is then turned into electricity,” Associate Professor Schmidt said.
Enbridge Buys First Solar’s 50-Megawatt Nevada Power Plant
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012Enbridge Inc. (ENB), Canada’s largest oil-pipeline operator, purchased a 50-megawatt solar farm in Nevada from First Solar Inc. (FSLR) to help offset carbon emissions from the electricity it consumes.
The Silver State North project, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Las Vegas on federal land, will be completed in May and First Solar expects to record revenue from the sale in the second quarter, the companies said today in a statement. They didn’t give a price.
The acquisition marks Enbridge’s first move in the U.S. solar market and will help it meet a goal of generating as much energy from renewable sources as its operations consume. The project will produce enough power for about 9,000 Nevada homes and will displace about 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, the equivalent of 8,000 cars, according to the statement.
Vessel finds new life in UVic research
Sunday, March 18th, 2012An old coast guard ship could be transformed into the “world’s greenest oceanresearch platform” off B.C.’s coast by next spring.
“It’s going to be essentially a mobile observatory in the Salish Sea that will be studying oceanographic conditions that are important to survival of fish stocks,” said Kim Juniper, lead scientist for the project.
Is the End of Renewables Nigh as Fukushima Anniversary Nears?
Saturday, March 10th, 2012Yes, the installation of solar PV must be reduced. 7,500 MW per year is too much for the German market. In two years, Germany has installed 15,000 MW. They now have a total of 24,000 MW of solar PV.The target last year was 2,500 to 3,500 MW. The current proposal maintains that target. The proposed cuts are intended to slow installations to the targeted amount.
Buffett Plans More Solar Bonds After Topaz Deal
Thursday, March 1st, 2012Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. is planning a second round of bonds to finance its $2.4 billion Topaz Solar Farm in California after investors sought more of the debt than was offered in the first public issuance for a U.S. photovoltaic power project.
via Buffett Plans More Solar Bonds After Topaz Deal – Businessweek.
First Solar sends jitters through the sector
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012Shares of First Solar Inc. dropped 10 percent Wednesday in early trading after the Tempe, Ariz. Company reported its 2011 financial results. CEO Mike Ahearn says that the industry is fighting “an aggressive competitive environment” that has dropped solar panel prices and forced many companies to slow down production.
Solar panel producers are having a difficult time with low cost competitors these days. It does however make things better for solar developers and will make solar a viable alternative in the next few years without subsidies.
Progress on Sustainability at IKEA
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012“The IKEA vision – to create a better everyday life for the many people – influences how we develop our range and run our business. Our roots in Smaland have taught us the importance of economising with resources and it is also at the core of our sustainability work. We want to enable our customers to live a more sustainable life at home in an easy, affordable and accessible way. At the same time, we continue to strengthen our positive impact on society,” said Mikael Ohlsson, President and CEO, IKEA Group.
Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third in EPA Green Power Rankings
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012The company’s purchases of wind energy in Texas provide up to 15 percent of the total energy for more than 360 outlets in that state. The electricity comes from a Duke Energy wind farm in Notrees, Texas, which produces about 226 million kWh a year.
Read more here Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third
Swiss offers solar technology for Dubai
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Guy Wolfensberger, managing director of Swiss-based Grove Boats, said on Thursday that he would meet RTA officials during the Dubai Boat Show in March and discuss the proposal.
“We have a plan for the RTA to provide solar power technology for the abras. We can provide the technology to replace the diesel engines with the solar power. With the technology, the traditional image and looks of these boats will not be affected. The solar-powered boats will also help protect the Creek’s environment as there will be no diesel discharge and no engine sound,” he told Khaleej Times at the fifth World Future Energy Summit (WFES 2012), which ended on Thursday.
The solar boat is making waves in Dubai. Next place for this solution may be Vancouver. Read more here about the Swiss solar company in Dubai Swiss offers solar technology for Dubai
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Marketwire – Alternative Energy
- BacTech Begins Tailing Sampling at Telamayu, Bolivia May 17, 2012
- W2 Energy Completes Purchase of British Columbia-Based Agri-Green Biodiesel Inc. May 17, 2012
- Lumenpulse Receives U.S. Patent on Technology That Converts Analog to Digital Signals Allowing Lighting Control Over AC Power Lines May 17, 2012
- WEPOWER Ecolutions Presents Orion Lighting Solutions at 2012 RECon, Las Vegas May 17, 2012
- World Mobile Holdings Inc. Approved for OTC Listing May 17, 2012
- Ceradyne Board Approves Regular Quarterly Dividend May 17, 2012
- ILG Energy Helps Clients Maneuver New Fracking Guidelines May 17, 2012
- Vectren CEO Says Natural Gas Prices Good News for Customers, Electric Environmental Investments Paying Off; Mays Retires From Vectren Board May 16, 2012
- Unusual Market Activity in Venoco, Inc. Common Stock May 16, 2012
- QSolar Limited Provides Update on Delay in Filing of Audited Financial Statements Pursuant to Management Cease Trade Order Granted May 16, 2012
Globe Newswire
- Velti CEO Alex Moukas to Present at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference May 17, 2012SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velti plc (Nasdaq:VELT), the leading global provider of mobile marketing and advertising technology and solutions, today announced that Alex Moukas, Chief Executive Officer and Wilson W. Cheung, Chief Financial Officer will present at the Barclays Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference, to b […]
- Washington Gold's Chief Operating Officer Elected President of Recreational Gaming Association May 17, 2012HOUSTON, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE Amex:UWN) announced today that Victor Mena, Chief Operating Officer of Washington Gold, owned and operated by Nevada Gold, has been elected President of the State of Washington's Recreational Gaming Association ("RGA"). […]
- SSP America Awarded Major Food and Beverage Contract at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport May 17, 2012LANSDOWNE, Va., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SSP America, the North American division of SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide is proud to announce today its 10 year, $800 million contract with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport that will bring the diverse culinary arts of Phoenix's most celebrated […]
- Photo Release -- Northrop Grumman's Charlottesville Campuses Host USO Stuffing Party May 17, 2012CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 10,000 deploying service members will receive "care packages" from the USO thanks to a stuffing party held recently by 130 employees from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC). […]
- BIDZ.com, Inc. Signs Going Private Merger Agreement May 17, 2012CULVER CITY, Calif., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIDZ.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIDZ), a leading online retailer of jewelry, today announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Glendon Group, Inc. ("Glendon Group") to be acquired for $0.78 per share in cash. This per share price represents a premium of 59.2% over the Company […]
- Nanophase Announces Plans for Rights Offering to Stockholders May 17, 2012ROMEOVILLE, Ill., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nanophase Technologies Corporation (OTCQB:NANX), a technology leader in nanomaterials and advanced nanoengineered products, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a rights offering to existing holders of its […]
- Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation Announces Cash Dividend May 17, 2012NAUGATUCK, Conn., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:NVSL) declared a cash dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, of $.03 per share to stockholders of record on May 28, 2012. Payment of the cash dividend will be made on or about June 15, 2012. […]
- Mercury Computer Systems Awarded Contract to Deliver Rugged, High Density Solid State Data Recorder for Airborne ISR Applications May 17, 2012CHELMSFORD, Mass., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRCY) (www.mc.com), a trusted provider of commercially developed application-ready ISR and EW subsystems for defense prime contractors, announced that it has received a contract from a leading defense prime contractor to provide an advanced solid state data recorder fo […]
- OKI Data Americas to Demonstrate Cloud-Based Total Managed Print(TM) Portal, Serve as Platinum Sponsor of Photizo Group Transform 2012 Global Conference May 17, 2012MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKI Data Americas announces its sponsorship of the Transform 2012 Global Conference, hosted by the Photizo Group, taking place May 24-25, 2012 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL. There, OKI will demonstrate the company's proprietary, cloud-based Managed Print Services (MPS) offering, Total Mana […]
- Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. to Present at Investor Conferences May 17, 2012COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:BBRG), owner and operator of the BRAVO! Cucina Italiana (BRAVO!) and BRIO Tuscan Grille (BRIO) restaurant concepts, today announced that the Company will be presenting at the following conferences. […]