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A new type of crime wave is hitting the Napa Valley. And it hurts the burgeoning new solar power generation by Napa wineries. Thieves are stealing solar panels put up by wineries to generate power for their operations.

More than 100 wine lovers gathered in the Napa Valley town of Yountville on June 20 to mark the summer solstice with the 2nd annual Solarbration, a party dedicated to wineries employing solar energy. Winery staffers from solar-powered cellars such as Honig, Larkmead, Long Meadow Ranch, Saintsbury and Silverado poured tastes of their wines and explained their solar systems to guests. The evening highlighted a continuing trend among wineries, particularly in Napa Valley, of adding solar energy to their green bag of tricks. With roughly 80 percent of installation costs now being covered by federal and state funding, more and more wineries are jumping on the bandwagon.

But less than 10 miles away, another winery's solar energy equipment was being targeted by thieves. Last Thursday night, someone stole 40 solar panels from Harris Ranch Napa Valley, a winery nestled in the Mayacamas mountains about two miles from Highway 29. The 40 panels made up about a third of the winery's installation.

This was not the first theft of panels from a Napa winery. Both Honig Vineyard and Winery and ZD Wines have been hit by thieves not once but twice in recent months.

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Energy Tags: clean energy, hybrid cars

Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg today unveiled, at Dübendorf airfield close to Zurich, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA, the first aircraft designed to fly both day and night without fossil fuel or pollution. see the video

The presentation of the prototype took place in front of more than 800 persons, including 200 representatives of the international media, and many high-ranking guests among them H.S.H. Albert II of Monaco, the Swiss Minister of Energy and Environment, the CEOs of Solvay, Omega and Deutsche Bank and the CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The press conference was also relayed live on Internet and was followed by journalists all around the world. 60 media representatives gathered in Beijing and followed the conference in front of giant screen, in simultaneous translation for the occasion.

A revolutionary airplane
Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg first retraced the history of the project since it was launched in 2003. 6 years of intense work, calculations, simulations and tests were needed by the 70-person team to complete this totally unprecedented aircraft: with the wingspan of a Boeing 747-400 and the weight of an average family car (1600 kg), never has such a large craft been built with such low weight. Over 12,000 solar cells mounted onto the wing will supply renewable energy to the four electric motors with a maximum power of 10 HP each. During the day they will also charge the lithium-polymer batteries (400 kg), which will permit the HB-SIA to fly through the night.

The HB-SIA is the first prototype of the Solar Impulse project. Its mission is to demonstrate the feasibility of a complete day-night-day cycle propelled solely by solar energy. After fine-tuning on the ground, the aircraft should make its first test flights between now and the end of 2009, first of all at Dübendorf airport (canton of Zurich) and then from Payerne air base (canton of Vaud). A first complete night flight is programmed for 2010 and will take place over Switzerland.

The results from the HB-SIA and their analysis will serve to develop and build a second aircraft, the HB-SIB for circumnavigating the word in five stages, each lasting several days, in 2012.

A supporters program
In response to demands from many enthusiasts, Solar Impulse announced today a program specially reserved for people wanting to participate in the adventure and to express their support of the project’s philosophy. Supporters can enroll on www.solarimpulse.com to receive news in real time, to adopt a solar cell on the wing, reserve a VIP visit at the Solar Impulse base, or place their names on the aircraft's fuselage.

A symbol for promoting renewable energies
In a world dominated by fossil fuels, and given the urgent need to find sustainable solutions, the Solar Impulse project sets out to demonstrate the potential of renewable energies and to promote their use. It is also a symbol of the energy savings that can be accomplished using new technologies. The pioneering spirit which enabled man to conquer the planet and space in the 20th century should today allow us to find solutions to reduce our dependence on oil, not by reducing mobility and personal comfort, but by creating dreams, hope and enthusiasm.

Energy Tags: alternative energy, solar power

This is an extraordinary moment.

There are mere days before the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the most unprecedented clean energy and climate legislation in our nation's history. But, our opponents have stepped up a blatant distortion campaign on TV and behind closed doors to scare Congress from taking action.

They know this vote will be close. But, what the special interests have in money and rhetoric, we have in facts and supporters like you.

Let your Representative know that you want a cleaner and stronger economy today. Urge them to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act now.

Call your Representative: 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937)

When you call, you will be given talking points and simply instructions to be connected to your Representative. Afterwards, help us coordinate our campaign by reporting your call here.

Just a few days ago, Members of Congress who oppose clean energy paraded around a map that distorts the truth about curbing carbon pollution. Not only was the analysis misleading, the computer file still listed the original author — the coal lobby.

And another group, funded by the fossil-fuel industry, released targeted TV ads designed to drum up fear ahead of the vote.

We can't let the corporate interests fighting to keep the status quo scare us into sticking to rising fuel costs, more job losses and a continued dependence on foreign oil.

Congress has debated clean energy and the climate crisis for decades. Now is the time to act. Let's make sure the House passes this historic legislation.

Please call your Representative: 877-9-REPOWER (877-9-737-6937)

Thanks for all that you do,

Steve Bouchard
Campaign Manager

Energy Tags: solar power, energy resources