Let’s face it in earthly terms as well as in business terms the solar energy industry is in its infancy as a maturing market for supplying and allaying the need for other energy such as oil. It is barely walking yet. There are many who would like to belittle its growth and even discount the eventual contribution of solar energy …

February 15, 2012—According to EnergyTrend, the green energy division of TrendForce, benefitting from the rush orders in Q1, first-tier manufacturers managed to keep their capacity utility rate above 80% while second-tier manufacturers above 50%. Although manufacturers take optimistic attitude toward 1Q12, there are some factors affecting the solar industry development. First, system manufacturers’ installation progress has been delayed as snowy …

In the effort to convert sunlight into electricity, photovoltaic solar cells that use conductive organic polymers for light absorption and conversion have shown great potential. Organic polymers can be produced in high volumes at low cost, resulting in photovoltaic devices that are cheap, lightweight and flexible. In the last few years, much work has been done to improve the efficiency …

A Case for Energy Efficiency Rebate Program by Katia Lundy, Sr. Marketing Specialist, Member of the Con Edison Green Team If you think it’s hard trying to get a loan from a bank or selling real estate in this economy, try “selling” money. Well, not actually selling money but giving generous rebates and incentives for energy efficiency projects. The sales …

Pepco Buys UMD’s Solar Decathlon-Winner for Public Education COLLEGE PARK, Md. – WaterShed, the international-prize-winning solar house built by University of Maryland students, faculty and professional partners, has found a buyer and a permanent site: Electric service provider Pepco is purchasing the high-tech building, and plans to locate it at one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The purchase …

Solar power systems are also known as photovoltaic panels plus the atoms which are present in these panels are excited by the action with the sun’s power. These atoms are present in a silicon layer that lies among two panels known as protector panels. A formation of electric current takes place consequently with the action with the electrons from the …

Utilities worry about a lot of things, such as keeping the lights on, earning a return for investors, and making regulators and customers happy with their service. Now there is a new worry: How can they protect customers from what one utility refers to as “mental fatigue?” By Elisa Wood January 11, 2012 In this particular case, the utility raises …

This is an interesting post about a recent conference where scientists are reporting on their efforts to mimic photosynthesis in order to extract cheap and efficient energy sources to power the world in the future. One of them in particular has to do with creating a synthetic leaf which absorbs sunlight and then converts it into fuel which can be …

Future technology may allow you to step into the sunlight and recharge a cellphone PITTSBURGH—Developing solar energy that is low-cost, lightweight, and energy efficient has proven to be one of the greatest challenges the science world faces today. Although current plastic solar cells are low in cost and easy to produce, they are not energy efficient and, therefore, not easily …

This is the kind of study and information that needs to get out to the mainstream public. They need to understand that we cannot and should not blindly listen to the oil companies or for that matter our politicians when it comes to energy policy and benefits. We clearly need to look at using renewable energy sources to wean our …

Does your business have a comprehensive energy plan? Implementing a plan can save energy and drastically reduce costs and emissions, while creating a culture that fosters continuous improvement in sustainability and building performance. High performance buildings operate efficiently and cost-effectively. Now is the right time to put your plan to work. Building technologies are rapidly improving while costs are declining. …

Poll: Americans Believe U.S. Headed in Wrong Direction on Energy AUSTIN, Texas — A poll released today by The University of Texas at Austin found less than 14 percent of Americans think the country is headed in the right direction on energy. Of more than 3,400 consumers surveyed, 84 percent were worried about U.S. consumption of oil from foreign sources …

By Elisa Wood Fortunately for the rest of us, some people missed the message, the one that says we’re in an economic slide so slippery there is no climbing back up. I had a chance to speak to several of these optimists recently. No, they are not members of the Pollyanna Club; they are green energy entrepreneurs, those who are …

Seven of the 19 Houses Built by Student Competitors Produced More Energy Than They Consumed Under Mostly Cloudy Skies WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 concluded this weekend on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Approximately 4,000 collegiate students from five countries on four continents invested countless hours of time and tireless …

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today highlighted the Department’s historic investment in clean energy technologies in remarks congratulating the 2011 Solar Decathlon winners. The following are the Secretary’s remarks as prepared for delivery: Good afternoon, I’m delighted to be a part of today’s ceremony. I want to start by thanking everyone who made the 2011 Solar …

Solar power is the generation of electricity using solar energy. It consists of a series of chemical reactions, all of which happens in the solar panel. But how do they work? Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic (or PV) cells, which can be manufactured from a variety of materials; the most popular being crystalline silicon. These cells are produced …

ClearEdge Power completes $73.5 million financing round Series E funding validates company’s technology and market position; follows strong customer adoption, DOE funding and company growth HILLSBORO, Ore. – August 23, 2011 – ClearEdge Power, a leading manufacturer of scalable, high-efficiency stationary fuel cells, today announced that it has raised $73.5 million in Series E financing through the sale of new …

Diesels fuels are now giving off cleaner emissions New Legislation The 2010 Emissions Regulations passed in by the EPA demand major reductions in the NOx and NMHC emissions produced by diesel engines. Under the new regulations, diesel engines manufactured after January 1, 2010, are required to emit less than 0.14 grams per brake horsepower hour (g/bhp-hr) of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) …

Today’s guest post: The global warming or climate change enthusiasts have created a huge focus on saving the planet by promoting environmentally friendly products. Savvy consumers should be careful not to fall for this marketing gimmick called greenwashing. Many of the products we already use are friendlier to the environment than their so-called green counterparts. Pay close attention to the …