Plug-In Solar And Wind Power Systems On The Market In 2011
So you want to feel better about your “green-self”, but don’t know how to, or the affordability concerns. Well, here’s the first bit of knowledge to get you on your way – one step at a time – start simple and slow, then grow.
Your power for instance, there’s no regulation, mandate, nor physics law that requires you to completely (more…)
A Next-Generation Solar Powered Overhead-Suspended High-Speed Monorail
Sky Train Corporation (STC) and STC International, based in Palm Harbor, Florida is a unique team of world-class scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and associates all committed to their STC Green Transportation Mission.
STC in collaboration with the University of Central Florida’s Solar Energy Center (FSEC), designed and developed a solar Overhead-Suspended Light Rail System (OSLR) called Sky Train. A sustainable mass transportation system that made advancements in energy science by passing solar power through an Energy Transfer device to power an elevated light rail monorail and feed excess back to the grid. (more…)
The Orville and Wilbur Wright of the Green 21st Century
Ten years ago, on March 21, 1999, after close to 20 days in the air, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones’ balloon “Rozière” landed in the Egyptian desert, so ending the first non-stop circumnavigation of the earth in a balloon. And giving inspirational birth to the dream of Solar Impulse. (more…)
Solar Roadways Named A Finalists Of 2010 EE Times Ace Award
On January 30th Forced Green posted an article called “Riding The Solar Roadway To A Green Future“,
… well since then Solar Roadways, the little innovators that could from Sagle, Idaho has been named a finalist for the “Most Promising Renewable Energy Award” by the prestigious 2010 EE Times ACE Awards. AND they have completed the first prototype Solar Road Panel with funding from a U.S. Department of Transportation Phase I SBIR contract. Phase II involves a commercialization plan to begin the manufacturing process. (more…)
If our green future seems too far away — Open your eyes!
For California Homes, Clean Power From Space
In early December 2009, California Public Utilities Commission approved an ambitious project to beam solar energy from space to generate electricity starting in June 2016.
Under the terms of the contract between Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Solaren Corporation, PG&E will buy 850 gigawatt hours (GWh) for the first year of the term, and 1,700 GWh per year over the remaining years. The cost of the electricity is competitive with land-based renewable energy sources. (more…)
Want Some Green Energy With That New Roof?
In 2007, Dow Chemical received $20 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop “building integrated” solar arrays for the residential and commercial markets. Which lead Dow to form the Solar Solutions business unit and invest more than $100 million in solar solutions.
This past October the company unveiled its product called Powerhouse Solar Shingles, which can be nailed to a roof like ordinary shingles by roofers without the help of specially trained solar installers or electricians. The solar shingles should cost 30% – 40% less than other solar-embedded building materials and 10% less than the combined costs of conventional roofing materials and rack-mounted solar panels, according to company officials.
The majority of solar technology today is built around silicon-based solar cells, Dow’s technology uses a much more cost-effective and durable PV material called CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide). The new thin-film technology is incorporated into the product by over-molding the cells with a proprietary Dow polymer formulation, resulting in a unique product design that has similar reveal, weight, and installation practices as an asphalt shingle.
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