By SolarPromoter

If you venture to CES 2010 in Las Vegas this week, you will see a lot of companies preaching green initiatives, concepts, products and more.  You might think that big business was trying to save the world, but in reality much of it is lip service and marketing.  Greenpeace has created an Electronics Guide to help consumers understand which companies are really doing something meaningful.

January 7, 2010

Greenpeace’s Electronics Guide cuts through the greenwash at CES

Apple, Sony Ericsson and Nokia products free of worst hazardous substances – Samsung, Dell, Lenovo and LGE disappoint

LAS VEGAS – As technology companies jostle for attention at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) , Greenpeace’s newest edition of the Guide to Greener Electronics, released at CES, cuts through the greenwash. Apple, Sony Ericsson, and Nokia lead the way for introducing products free of the worst hazardous substances with HP following just behind.

Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, and LGE pick up penalty points in the Guide (1) for failing to follow through on a promised phase-out of toxic chemicals in their products. The majority of the companies in the Guide had pledged to remove toxic PVC vinyl plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) (2) from their product range by the end of 2009, which would have meant a greater show of greener, toxic-free products for visitors to preview at the CES. But, for now, it’s a no show for these companies, who have delayed their phase-out to 2011 or beyond.

“It’s time for a little less conversation and a lot more action on removing toxic chemicals,” said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International Electronics campaigner. “Apple is leading and HP is playing catch up, but the lack of action from other companies is ensuring that customers and the environment are still losing out.”

Several companies see their scores reduced in this edition of the Guide, with the bar being raised on hazardous substances. Having endorsed the precautionary principle, companies now need to actively support bans on PVC, BFRs and chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs) during the revision of the European Union‘s Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electronics Directive.

“Companies need to support legislative bans to ensure a consistent phase out of PVC and BFRs across all electronic products,” said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. “Sony Ericsson and Apple are already calling on EU institutions to support such a ban. Other big players, such as HP and Dell – who have so far been silent – and Acer, need to ensure the ban is passed in the European Union parliament.”

Nokia leads the ranking with a score of 7.3. Sony Ericsson follows closely, and is the only company to score full marks on all the toxic chemicals criteria. In third place is Toshiba, but it risks losing points if it fails to meet its commitment to market new models of all its consumer electronics products that are free of PVC and BFRs by April 1, 2010. Philips comes in fourth place, while Apple rises from ninth place to fifth.

Samsung drops dramatically from second place to a tied seventh place for failing to eliminate BFRs in all its products by January 2010. With only its latest models of mobile phones free of toxic substances, it has set January 2011 as the deadline for eliminating them from new models of its notebooks and still has no definitive timeline for removing them from its TVs and household appliances. Nintendo continues to languish at the bottom of the ranking.

“In 2010, we should see significant developments, with products free of PVC and BFRs in the PC and TV markets,” continued Harrell. “Any company failing to achieve this goal is taking a big gamble with its green reputation. More positively, it’s good to see non-ranked companies beyond the PC and TV sectors, like Cisco (3), committing to eliminate these harmful substances.”

By SolarPromoter

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6 /PRNewswire/ — Intersolar North America, the most diverse global business-to-business exhibition in the United States dedicated to the transformation of the solar marketplace, today announced that growing demand in booth sales has prompted organizers to open another floor, tripling the size of last year’s exhibition and bringing the 2009 total floor space to approximately 120,000 net square feet — Intersolar North America 2009 now expects to accommodate around 500 exhibitors. Currently more than 370 exhibitors from 20 countries worldwide are confirmed to exhibit with 15,000 expected attendees anticipated at this year’s event, co-located with SEMICON West, in San Francisco on July 14-16.

“Solar is a complex global market with a wide variety of participants — from banks and governments, to manufactures and distributors. As evidenced by the massive increase in size of Intersolar North America 2009, this is an event that brings together the entire solar value chain to connect, develop partnerships and help define the vision for solar’s future,” said Markus Elsaesser, CEO of Solar Promotion International GmbH, organizer of Intersolar North America. “With the massive infusion of public and private capital over the last year, there has never been a bigger opportunity for solar’s growth — despite the economy. Intersolar North America 2009 will help our industry seize every advantage to advance solar as a ubiquitous energy source,” Elsaesser said.

For a diverse global industry including photovoltaics and solar thermal for both residential and commercial markets, the challenge of patchwork of regulations, incentives and quality standards can hinder market success. Intersolar North America’s exhibition will help both domestic and international solar businesses connect with other businesses to strengthen their positions and further the industry. Exhibitors from around the world, such as Solar World (Germany), LDK Solar (China), Nexolon (Korea), Schuco (Germany), Applied Materials (U.S.A.), Canadian Solar (Canada) and Acciona Solar Power (U.S.A.), will be among the 500 companies featured at the 2009 expo, designed to create access for attendees to the entire value chain of companies that make up the $50 billion international solar industry.

Intersolar North America is the premier exposition, attracting the top suppliers, buyers and technologists who are leading the charge toward the greening of America,” said Dan Martin, executive vice president of the SEMI PV Group. “Visitors will gain keen insight into the North American and global solar industries by taking part in the vast array of educational programs and discussions offered to create strong global relationships for those within the industry.”

Intersolar North America 2009′s exhibition programs are also expanding to accommodate the growing needs of the solar industry this year, including the expansion of the Innovation Exchange and the addition of the Job and Career Forum. The Innovation Exchange, which showcases innovative and new products or services in 25 minute presentations, will feature double the amount of planned presentations by exhibitors.

To help the industry fill the potential 5 million green jobs needed by the renewable energy industry over the next 15 years, according to The RAND Corporation, the Job and Career Forum, powered by Solarjobs.com, will host a variety of presentations on available training programs, the solar job market and details on future career opportunities within the solar industry. To connect attendees seeking solar jobs and companies looking to fill positions, the Job and Career Forum will provide free job search computer terminals, and will feature Solarjobsplus – Executive Search and Talent Management, a dedicated program to address the recruitment needs of senior and specialist candidates.

About Intersolar North America

Intersolar North America is the most diverse international business-to-business trade show in the United States for the global solar industry. As the only solar trade show in North America dedicated to recruiting companies across the solar supply chain from around the world, Intersolar helps the industry improve global supply, distribution, training, regulation and business issues in order to accelerate market transformation and advance solar as a significant part of the global energy supply. Intersolar North America 2009 features an expected 500 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors in San Francisco’s Moscone Center West on July 14-16. Intersolar North America was created in 2008 as a sister event to Intersolar in Munich, the world’s largest and longest-running solar technology trade show. http://www.intersolar.us/.

SOURCE Intersolar North America

By SolarPromoter

Having spent a decent amount of time writing articles for Solar Gold Mine Digest and slicing my drive way off the green, I wanted to share a cool gadget/vehicle I just stumbled upon at CNET.News; The Solar Powered Golf Cart. Apparently a Florida-based company has created a street legal golf cart that runs on solar energy and is capable of speeds up to 65 mph. The cart runs for about $7,000 (of which $1,500 is due to the solar panel). I suppose if you are looking for simple sports gifts, you may want to pass this one by. 

As of the moment the golf cart can be found in a few retirement communities as well as some clubs in Arizona and South Florida. Personally, I wouldn’t mind having one to cruise around town down here in Texas. I mean, it wouldn’t be wise to take this cart on the highway, but at 35 mph. I think it might be fun to cruise down to the post office or maybe the local park and work on that horrid drive of mine.

Source: CNET.News

By SolarPromoter

Over the last few years, the very definition of solar powered cars has changed dramatically. Sure, when we think of traditional solar powered “anything”, we imagine solar panels or photovoltaics etc., but as I mentioned earlier those perceptions are changing as is technology. The newest wave of solar powered vehicles are utilizing solar/electric power in order to function. Basically, homeowners are installing solar panels at home (usually above their garage or carport and using that technology to store electricity with which to charge their car in the morning. 

We all know that this technology isn’t new, but now more than ever more manufacturers are looking into implementing this new plug-in technology. Think about it, automakers are now able to shift focus away from all inclusive technology and focus more on supplemental applications. I mean, consider the cost of a new vehicle including some sort of solar array to power the vehicle. Granted, solar panels on your home will cost some cash, but for the automakers and homeowners it is really a win-win situation. 

With the current financial crisis taking its toll on many businesses, especially the automakers, it is cool to see that they are trying to find innovative ways to move their companies forward. My understanding is that the big three Detroit automakers are utilizing this technology in many new models, but I wouldn’t expect to see solar Ferrari parts anytime in the near future. Then again, if you could afford a Ferrari I suppose you wouldn’t be too concerned about the cost associated with solar anything. Regardless, there are a lot of cool new innovative vehicles moving out of the concept phase and into production. These are exciting new times for those of us interested in solar energy and applications.

Source: AboutMyPlanet.com

By Warren Whitlock

Sempra Generation announced completion of El Dorado Energy solar power plant, the largest solar power plant in the United States. At the same time Sempra announced that the 10 megawatts the Boulder City, NV plant generates will go to California’s Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

"This is a significant step in the development and deployment of renewable solar power," said Michael W. Allman, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation in a press release.

The project’s solar modules employ an advanced thin-film semiconductor technology to convert sunlight into electricity without air emissions or water use.  These modules will generally produce more electricity under real-world conditions than conventional solar modules with similar power ratings, according to the release.

Unlike some solar power projects, El Dorado Energy’s solar power plant will not use water or other liquids in the power-generation process.  This water conservation feature makes the project especially suitable to the arid U.S. Southwest.

Sempra operates natural gas fueled electric plants throughout the Pacific Southwest and northern Mexico. The company plans to expand the Nevada plant and is looking to build another near Phoenix.

Sempra sees a ready market in California. That state is requiring utilities to use renewable sources for 20% of the power it sells by 2010.

By Warren Whitlock

A refinery in California collects rain water for industrial use. The pond covers over 6 acres and has about 4 feet of sludge on the bottom.
They had problems. The pond stunk. They tried using brush aerators. But there was no power to the pond. So they brought in two diesel generators to power brush aerators which needed to run constantly. The pond smell was partially reduced. The smell of diesel and brush aerator aerosols brought new smells.

Nearby residents and employees were affected by the noxious odors. The refinery was looking at a $150,000 cost to run power to the pond and begin upgrading the system.
In December 2004, SolarBee installed two solar powered odor capping machines. One machine is tethered to shore mounted photovoltaic panels. Panels are mounted directly on the other machine. The two machines look like a small boat on the water. Each looks something more like a communication satellite when seen in whole.
The SolarBees circulate the water and eliminate the smell.
The generators and brushes are gone and so is the $150,000 annual cost to operate and maintain them. The SolorBees have had no maintainance issues and work quietly 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Energy savings alone paid for the two SolarBee units in less than a year.

By Brett Bumeter

The team from solar gold mine will be covering the Consumer Electronic Show in 2009. We will be heading out to vegas on January 6th. We’ll be covering CES through January 11th.

We’ll also be doing some unrelated coverage of ASW, a marketing convention that kicks off on the evening of the 11th and ends on the 13th.

Last year the number of solar products at CES was a little disappointing, but that was before oil hit $142 per barrel. It will be very interesting to see how many CE solar products or solar home products are at the show.

By SolarPromoter

Having discussed a number of cool solar gadgets over the last couple of months, I wanted to take a second to talk about one of my favorite new gadgets; the Glow Brick. The Glow Brick is a regular sized solar powered lightbulb that is housed in a glass brick. Upon soaking up sunlight all day, the bulb glows an eerie green at night. I have no idea why I think this is so cool? I suppose this post would have been a bit more helpful around Halloween, but I’m sure you found that Leptovox post on one of those other blogs more helpful.

Currently, the Glow Brick is about $19.99. I’m not too sure about any practical applications for this gadget other than ambient light while camping or perhaps a night-light for the kids (or nerdy adult “kids”). I’m also not terribly certain as to whether or not this product would really lessen your monthly utility costs due to the miniscule item (night-light) that it would be replacing. I suppose I am reading a bit too deeply into this one. This product is meant to be fun for folks interested in solar energy and creepy glowing green things.

Source: Coolest-Gadgets.com

By SolarPromoter

The solar power industry received a nice “bump” a few months ago when Utah scientists and solar power guru’s got together and announced that they believed they could successfully (cost effectively) compete with fossil fuels in regards to electricity generation. There project, taking place in the Great Basin Desert in California, utilizes extremely thin solar film lenses to collect energy then convert it into super-heated steam. The super heated steam would in turn be used to propel a turbine creating enough energy (in theory) to power the entire region (if of course enough of the lenses were set up and functioning at capacity).

The science behind it all isn’t new. Thin solar film was coined several years ago in Europe and has led to many other solar gadgets and applications, but hasn’t been implemented on any ambitious/large-scale projects that I am aware of. Honestly, I don’t think they have used this technology on anything larger than a pair of Nikon binoculars. I suppose only time will tell if this project will function at capacity and yield the results that so many i the community are hoping for. I for one, am excited to see that there are so many different people working together to find a solution to one of our times greatest crisis.

By SolarPromoter

Description:
• Refine and document processes that company follows in the design and engineering of PV systems including such things as steps to be followed, review and sign offs required, order in which engineering tasks are performed, etc.;
• Develop, refine and maintain standardized tools used by the engineering group on a daily basis in the design and engineering of PV systems. These tools include excel worksheets and CAD drawing library templates;
• Monitor the pipeline of residential and commercial projects; anticipate engineering resources required, allocate resources to specific projects, establish milestones, monitor progress, mentor and support staff so that engineering does not bottleneck the flow of project implementation;
• Serve as the company spokesperson on engineering related issues both internally and externally;
• Mentor and train members of the engineering team increasing individual and company engineering capability;
• Build-out engineering team. Interview and hire engineers as company grows;
• Assist the sales team in understanding the engineering impacts of site specific or customer specific requirements, preparing cost estimates and technical proposals. Build infrastructure that increases the company’s ability to perform high quality pre-sales engineering with minimal overhead expense;
• Assist with contract review and negotiation in terms of engineering, testing or monitoring requirements;
• Assist project managers and construction mangers with the successful completion of projects and participate in the resolution of field related issues that require engineering input;
• Have overall P/L responsibility for the engineering team where the engineering department is considered a service provider to other departments in the company;
• Assist purchasing manager to understand and evaluate various products from an engineering/technical standpoint. Periodically meet with vendors to learn about the technical aspects of their products. Disseminate this information appropriately throughout the company.

Requirements
• Degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering.
• Experienced engineering manager or construction manager for commercial /industrial construction projects;
• Highly organized and detail oriented. Able to prioritize and multitask effectively;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to convey technical concepts in a concise manner to customers, sub contractors, co workers and executive management;
• Strong understanding of the NEC and UBC and other related codes and standards;
• Fluent in ACAD, MSWord, Excel and MS Project;
• Confident, assured and easy going style and able to manage to both timeline and profitability requirements;
• Ability to translate company vision into actionable plans that result increased capacity for the company to efficiently respond to and secure commercial projects;
• Experienced in large commercial photovoltaic power systems preferred but not mandatory. Training will be provided if candidate has no previous solar electric design experience;
• Able to foresee the human resources required for growth and effectively hire, mentor and build a world class team that is able to parallel our fast- moving commercial sales team.

Company
Now is the time to consider REC Solar. Our vision is to make solar electricity part of the mainstream energy supply. By commercializing energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, we can contribute to a more secure and sustainable world.

This is a multidisciplinary management position based in San Luis Obispo, CA linking sales, engineering, construction and project management. This position would not only allow you the chance to impact the careers of a team of bright and passionate engineers, but improve the planet in the process.

Location:
San Luis Obispo

Compensation:
BOE

As the listing says, this job can give you an opportunity to ‘improve the planet in the process’.  If you are on the West Coast considering this option, you might even consider a spring trip to the Outer Banks and spend some time in Outer Banks rentals to soak up the warm ocean water and the plush surroundings to get your head straight and build your motivation levels even higher.