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Inter Solar Tradeshow Exceeds Expectations And Heads for San Francisco
The world's largest tradeshow for solar technology, Intersolar Europe counted more than 50,000 trade visitors at Messe Munich, an increase of more than 62 percent. The visitors from a total of 140 nations came to see the more than 1,050 exhibitors show off their innovations to the worldwide solar industry.
"Never before has Intersolar had more exhibitors, more visitors and more different nations represented. At the new Munich venue, Intersolar has reached a new dimension. Both exhibitors and attendees are thrilled that we are expanding this legacy to our inaugural North American show," said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH, one of the two organizers of Intersolar.
The market for photovoltaic and solar thermal products, equipment, materials and services, is exploding worldwide with recent estimates projecting the PV market to grow from $13 billion today to over $40 billion in 2012.
It is because of these developments that SEMI and Intersolar have collaborated and are now able to bring together the latest innovations in solar energy technologies from the entire value chain under one roof, resulting in increased efficiency and market impact.
In July they have partnered to bring Intersolar North America to the US through a co-location agreement with SEMICON West 2008. Having a dedicated location will allow visitors who are looking for manufacturing technologies to focus on their needs, while the presence of all the industry players will allow for cross-fertilization and benchmarking.
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This is very positive. We can get this solar revolution going, and we have to do it now. We can solve the climate crisis one cell at a time and in the process work to bring peace to our world. It won't happen with oil, or coal, or ethanol, or nuclear. The solution comes up every morning and personally, it is my hope for the future. The world's largest tradeshow for solar technology, Intersolar Europe counted more than 50,000 trade visitors at Messe Munich, an incr... more -
Solar power takes off in Kenya
The expense and unreliability of electricity supply is fuelling East African interest in solar energy.
In rural Kenya, where there is no electricity, solar systems have proven popular with small-scale businesses and farms, where it is used to power water pumps and lighting.
Solar energy is cheap compared to electricity because, once the necessary equipment has been installed, there is no additional monthly charge.
Additionally solar systems require little maintenance, owing to the lack of moving parts, and solar energy offers "a stable grid quality output without power fluctuations".
Private company Solar World East Africa is set to launch "solar kits" that provide enough power for lighting, charging a mobile phone and operating an FM radio. These packs will cost 3,000 Kenyan shillings each (around US$47).
Another company, Jua Moto Systems, is planning to introduce solar-powered cookers and water heating systems.
But despite this growing interest, "solar power has not been as thoroughly explored as hydroelectric and geothermal power in Kenya … the use of wind and solar energy has remained low, just like in the rest of Africa".
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Solar power is peace.
Solar power is hope.
Solar power is self sufficiency.
The expense and unreliability of electricity supply is fuelling East African interest in solar energy. ... more -
BioSolar focused on petroleum-free solar cells
BioSolar has been cited in recent news media reports exploring the increasing demand for bio-based solar cell components, which will help the entire industry make photovoltaic solar cells more financially viable by substantially lowering the cost of the cells through the use of petroleum-free materials.
In this week's CLEANTECH column in energy trade publication California Energy Circuit, (CLEANTECH: Making Solar Power Fossil Free), energy correspondent William J. Kelly discusses the concept of life-cycle testing - utilizing the entire life-cycle of a product and its components to determine its total carbon footprint - noting that solar cells generate 0.04 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilowatt of electricity generated.
The article goes on to note that clean energy researchers see that level declining dramatically due to improvements in the materials used to make the solar cells.
"This article recognizes that BioSolar's BioBacksheet is quickly becoming a driving force in a shift to replace plastic petroleum-based solar cell components with environmentally-friendlier fossil-free ones derived from plant-based products," said Dr. David Lee, CEO of BioSolar.
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Solar power is peace. BioSolar has been cited in recent news media reports exploring the increasing demand for bio-based solar cell components, which will h... more -
Mundo Utility Bicycle
If you've been following our previous videos, you know about the Down Low Glow bicycle lights and our unique human-powered party bikes. Now it's time to turn to the Mundo Utility Bicycle, one of the bikes we sell at Rock the Bike. If you're getting serious about using your car as little as possible, or you want to live entirely car-free, you'll need a bike with cargo capacity, and the Mundo doesn't disappoint. It's extremely sturdy, great for carrying items like heavy boxes, crates, sports and music gear, and people. If you've been following our previous videos, you know about the Down Low Glow bicycle lights and our unique human-powered party bikes... more
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Renewable energy puts all eyes on the desert
Speculators have filed applications to develop more than 1 million acres of desert in Southern California with solar, wind and geothermal power plants, setting up a classic clash over land use with environmentalists and off-road enthusiasts.
They have submitted at least 130 proposals with the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees all of the territory, in recent years and especially since 2007. The interest is so hot that even if many of the projects fall through, the remaining ones would change the look of the arid landscape.
California, particularly the southern half, is the epicenter of the nation's push for renewable energy. While some of the bureau's parcels in the state already contain wind and geothermal facilities, the agency hasn't approved any solar project here or elsewhere.
Last week, leaders for the bureau called a timeout in accepting new applications for solar developments, the most active category of renewable-energy proposals. They want to assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of such activity in the Southwest, starting with public meetings this month.
Despite state and local demands to increase production of renewable power and growing concern about fossil fuels' influence on global warming, the agency “did not anticipate the level of interest that was shown in 2007 and in the first part of 2008. The applications started coming in fast and furious,” said Linda Resseguie, manager of the solar review process in Washington, D.C.
Although many of the bureau's properties may look barren, they generate interest from environmental and recreation groups. Off-roaders are fighting to keep their open space in spots such as Imperial County's Truckhaven, while conservationists are vying to preserve relatively pristine stretches of desert by encouraging renewable-energy projects for existing homes and businesses.
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I don't see why land can't be reserved for both.
Speculators have filed applications to develop more than 1 million acres of desert in Southern California with solar, wind and geother... more -
Ford's Drive Green Videos
Worth the LOOK because I Value their Turbo Diesel, AS IT MIGHT BE DESIGNED around BIO DIESEL.
JUST IN TIME GREEN Distribution is KEY IN MY BUSINESS.
Worth the LOOK because I Value their Turbo Diesel, AS IT MIGHT BE DESIGNED around BIO DIESEL. ... more -
Honda Solar Powered Hydrogen refueling station
Pictures of the refueling station of the GREEN FUTURE.
Leave it to Honda, when American Car companies can't get their act together.
I did everything in my power to buy American for years. Finally one day I said enough is enough and I went out and got a HONDA.
Three years later. Three new ACCORDS later.
I am sold on the company.
Not one service visit. Not one problem. Great gas mileage and the 4 cylinders will flat out GO.
Will be buying another one and that is saying a great deal coming from me.
Would I rather buy a CHEVY, SATURN, FORD, YOU BET.
BE REAL HARD NOW TO BRING ME BACK unless it was a TRUCK.
A Hydrogen fuel cell TRUCK maybe.
I am very big on boycotting energy companies, and all big caps who seek to control this Country. I don't see that with some of these excellent international companies and so they will get my support and my consumer consideration.
WHAT WENT WRONG WITH BIG CAP IN THIS COUNTRY? GREED.
Pictures of the refueling station of the GREEN FUTURE. ... more -
Jennifer Connelly, KarmaTube.org - 1.1 billion need safe water. Charitywater.org
Excellent video provided by KarmaTube.org. Supporting CharityWater.org, featuring Jennifer Connelly.
CharityWater.org is designed to assist with water projects around the globe. Without water there is no life.
I do not invite my friends to video's I like or those I find important during my research, however this is very important and so I have addressed to all I consider friends. Please share it with your friends as well.
If you have time, please go to the CharityWater.org site and sign up to see all of the water projects and their videos that are very POWERFUL.
I will add a few videos as I have time to this thread. I admire any leading Lady who will offer her time and effort to bring light to a very important issue like this.
Jennifer Connelly is such a leading lady. There are many others that support non-profit work and I will do my best to bring them here as I find time.
To all my friends. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration on this most pressing issue.
Current.com and KarmaTube.org go together well with regard to these non-profit efforts.
With a new leadership and Gov. perhaps soon this is what we as a NATION will be supporting globally. Not for our own gain, but to simply help the people in NEED.
Peace, Love, Joy, and Happiness to you all. Excellent video provided by KarmaTube.org. Supporting CharityWater.org, featuring Jennifer Connelly. ... more -
Back to the Land. YES, if you can afford it. I love this....
Great article.
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China coal demand unfazed despite winter storms
by Siobhan Devine
Washington, March 5, 2007
When snowstorms blanketed large swaths of China this winter they aggravated transportation bottlenecks and already-depleted coal reserves, provoking local power cuts and highlighting the vulnerability of China's reliance on coal. But despite such challenges and coal's damaging environmental side-effects, demand is unlikely to wane soon.
"The government is very aware of relying too heavily on coal, because it contributes to the energy security issue and the environmental issue," said Yingling Liu, China program manager at the Worldwatch Institute. Nevertheless, she predicts coal demand will increase in the near and medium term.
"Urban demand has driven the expansion of the heavy industry sector, and this trend will continue in the next two decades. This means that demand for energy, and coal specifically, will increase," she said.
Chinese demand for coal has registered 12 percent annual growth since 2001, and coal makes up almost 70 percent of China's energy consumption, according to a joint report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Peterson Institute for International Economics. According to a separate CSIS report released in October, demand is expected to triple by 2025, particularly due to growth in the nation's electricity sector. And coal demand in China's non-electricity, primarily industrial, sectors is expected to more than double by 2030, according to the Energy Information Agency.
Coal's widespread popularity in China derives from its abundance there. China is the world's top coal producer, providing 40 percent of global supply in 2006, according to BP. Such production is sustained by the world's third-largest share of proved reserves (13 percent of the total), and a healthy reserves-to-production ratio of 48 years.
As such, coal in China is relatively "cheap and stable, so it meets the demand for a reliable and affordable energy supply," said Liu.
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Based on this, how can we expect China to sign any global treaty when their rapacious and continuing use of coal would only negate any promises they make? by Siobhan Devine Washington, March 5, 2007 ... more -
Al Gore:Climate Crisis Getting Short Shrift In U.S. President Race
Nobel Laureate Al Gore is absolutely correct in this assessment. The most crucial crisis of this generation gets little to no attention in this horserace even with the scientific reports regarding the urgency of addressing it now. Even with The Inconvenient Truth laid out before us. Why is it that so many still consider this to be so unimportant? Because it isn't sexy enough as a topic? Because they are just uninformed about it? Because they are just too comfortable to care? Because they are afraid of change? Because it calls upon reallly standing up to the status quo that all the candidates still answer to in one way or another? On the climate crisis they all have to do much better because none of their plans meet this crisis as it should be met. Perhaps we will see more talk about this once the coronation takes place in each party but if not, it will be up to us to make sure it is covered. The question then is will we demand it be covered?
To me it is also truly a shame that this country has such a distinquished Nobel Peace Prize winner in Al Gore and his words fall on so many deaf ears in this campaign simply because he is no longer considered part of "the game." I truly hope we as a people and a species don't live to regret that. I have signed petitions, wrote the candidates, and spoken out about this crisis being given the attention it must have because it does directly relate to healthcare, economy, environment, war and peace, poverty, social ills, democracy, and our very survival. If we aren't willing to stand up for our planet now how will we ever have the courage to stand up for this country? Thanks to Mr. Gore for continuing to be the voice of reason. Nobel Laureate Al Gore is absolutely correct in this assessment. The most crucial crisis of this generation gets little to no attentio... more -
Nobel Laureate Al Gore And Cisco CEO To Host Virtual Discussion On Climate Change ...
This will be a great event and a way to get your questions in about techological advances that will help solve the climate crisis. There are links in this release that allow you to submit topics and also register for the webcast on March 19. This will be a great event and a way to get your questions in about techological advances that will help solve the climate crisis. The... more
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Food, Forests, and Fuel
An excellent commentary by Dr.Vandana Shiva who has been at the forefront of fighting for environmental democracy for many years. In this article she lays out the false solutions for climate change being used and discusses real ones. The problem however, is bringing down the old guard (mainly the WTO and The World Bank) that keeps perpetuating the false solutions for their own economic benefit at the expense of the poor. How can the world's poor gain an equal footing? An excellent commentary by Dr.Vandana Shiva who has been at the forefront of fighting for environmental democracy for many years. In t... more
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