Solar power’s bright future in Japan

SOURCE: economist.com

“UNTIL five years ago Japan made around half of the world’s solar cells, thanks to its thirst for native energy and its expertise in the related fields of computer chips and flat screens for televisions. Sharp, which alone has made a quarter of all the solar cells ever produced, dominated the industry. . . . → Read More: Solar power’s bright future in Japan

More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price

SOURCE: NYT

“When Greg Hare looked into putting solar panels on his ranch-style home in Magnolia, Tex., last year, he decided he could not afford it. “I had no idea solar was so expensive,” he recalled.

But the cost of solar panels has plunged lately, changing the economics for many homeowners. Mr. Hare ended . . . → Read More: More Sun for Less: Solar Panels Drop in Price

China eating our lunch in solar-panel marketplace

SOURCE: signonsandiego.com

” Over the past year, President Barack Obama has suggested that adopting solar power and other green technologies not only could help the United States improve the environment but also revitalize our manufacturing sector, which has been hard hit by competition from abroad.

“We can remain the world’s leading importer of foreign . . . → Read More: China eating our lunch in solar-panel marketplace

Four Years Later, New Orleans’ Green Makeover

SOURCE: time.com

“After Hurricane Katrina flattened New Orleans exactly four years ago, on Aug. 29, 2005, the city emerged as an inadvertent symbol of global warming, the first American victim of climate change. Over 200,000 homes were destroyed during the Category 5 hurricane. But in the years since, the Crescent City has quietly embraced . . . → Read More: Four Years Later, New Orleans’ Green Makeover

Colorado is ground zero for energy debate

SOURCE: examiner.com

“Colorado is emerging as the focus of nearly all things “energy.” In the past week, the state has been on the travel itinerary of such notables as Senator John McCain, Senator Mark Udall, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, US Representative Betsy Markey. All have focused on energy issues ranging from “renewable energy” . . . → Read More: Colorado is ground zero for energy debate

Massive new solar power projects in the California desert

SOURCE: thedailygreen.com

“This will give you a sense of how much green power Southern California Edison (SCE) buys: only five percent of the renewable energy the company purchases is solar, but it is also the largest buyer in the entire United States. The sources supplying SCE represent 65% of the nation’s solar supply. And . . . → Read More: Massive new solar power projects in the California desert

Canadian Solar to build 500 MW project in China

SOURCE: reuters

“Chinese solar-cell maker Canadian Solar Inc said on Wednesday it obtained development rights for a 500 megawatt (MW) solar power plant system in China.

The news makes Canadian Solar the latest Chinese solar manufacturer to unveil plans for a large solar power project in China since the country last month launched a . . . → Read More: Canadian Solar to build 500 MW project in China

New solar-cell efficiency record set

SOURCE: scientificamerican.com

“Here’s a seemingly simple solar power factoid: the sun bathes Earth with enough energy in one hour (4.3 x 1020 joules) to more than fill all of humanity’s present energy use in a year (4.1 x 1020 joules). So how to convert it? In the world of solar energy harvesting, there’s a . . . → Read More: New solar-cell efficiency record set

In praise of the University of Houston’s electrifying Energy Research Park

SOURCE: chron.com

“Houston took a big step toward becoming an energy city, not just an oil city, this past week when the University of Houston officially closed the deal to buy the old Schlumberger Well Services property. On that roughly 70 acres, not far down the Gulf Freeway from the main campus, UH plans . . . → Read More: In praise of the University of Houston’s electrifying Energy Research Park

First Solar Powered Passenger Ship for Berlin

SOURCE: alternative-energy-news.info

“Manufacturers who are concerned not only about profit but about future too are developing such products that are clean and green and run on alternative fuels. Though currently clean and green products are costly, efforts are on to make them easy on pocket too. Solon SE is a Berlin-based solar company that . . . → Read More: First Solar Powered Passenger Ship for Berlin