What are Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)? Some homeowners are turned off by how solar panels affect the appearances of their homes. Building-integrated photovoltaics – basically solar panels incorporated into the construction of new buildings – can eliminate the negative visual impact of traditional solar panels; improve appearance and boost resale value. The installed capacity of building-integrated photovoltaics is expected to boom …

Efficient fossil fuel technologies will drive the ongoing growth of the global thermal power market, with generation expected to hit 19,869.1 TWh by 2020, as countries across the world work towards green, low-carbon and sustainable development, according to a new report from research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest report* states that recent years have seen heavier investment into …

The next big opportunity for growth in the global solar business lies in small, emerging markets where photovoltaic (PV) installations are forecast to rise at about triple the global average during the period from 2012 through 2017. Annual installations in these emerging countries are expected to increase to 10.9 gigawatts (GW) in 2017, expanding at a compound annual growth rate …

The Geothermal Energy Association today released a new report showing continued strong growth signals in the international market for geothermal power. The report, 2013 Geothermal Power: International Market Overview, identifies 70 countries moving forward with nearly 700 geothermal power projects. “The number of geothermal projects continues to grow as more and more countries recognize the potential economic and environmental benefits that geothermal …

Setting a minimum price and a volume limit on EU imports of Chinese solar panels has become the final solution to solar trade dispute between China and Europe. According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, the settlement is likely to increase entry barriers toward the European market and drive out destructive market price so first-tier manufacturers can focus on product and …

Despite demonstrating a slowed growth rate, China will continue to be the largest wind power market in 2020, as it attempts to reduce its carbon footprint while increasing electricity production in rural areas, says research and consulting firm GlobalData. According to the company’s latest report*, China has doubled its cumulative wind capacity every year between 2006 and 2011, growing at …

Microbial Fuel Cells How can we turn waste water in a fuel source to create electricity? Well this video will show you how it is possible to do it right now. Watch the video and comment below. The next challenge is to scale it up for use in industrial power generation. It now becomes an engineering problem since the bacteria …

In a simultaneous launch on three continents – North America, Europe and Asia – BMW Monday revealed its first all-electric series production vehicle, the i3. The three cities selected for the launch – New York, London and Beijing – indicate where the German automaker believes the best markets for electric cars are in the near future. The three events were …

More Business Travelers Opting For Green-Certified Hotels According to a new report from Timetric, an increasing number of business travelers are opting for green-certified hotels in an effort to curb the impact of their frequent travelling. Business travellers are increasingly prioritising green-certified hotels, according to a new survey by market research firm Timetric. According to its Global Business Traveler Survey …

Solar Modules Prove Long-Term Reliability in Colorado Mountains KYOCERA modules continue performing efficiently after 10 to 22 years in the field Kyocera Solar Inc. today announced that its solar modules installed on three individual sites in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains have demonstrated long-term reliability and longevity despite extreme circumstances including a racking failure, high irradiance, freezing temperatures and heavy snow for …

Replacing synthetic fertilizers with organic ones could help reduce climate impacts and improve agricultural systems By Deirdre Lockwood In efforts to mitigate climate change, we’re more likely to think about changing how we power our cars than how we grow our food. But as University of Washington geologist David R. Montgomery likes to remind people, farming has a huge impact …

Gerard D’Aboville is an experienced navigator — he’s rowed alone across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He’s accustomed to monitoring the wind and the current. But as the captain of the Turanor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar-powered boat, he’s had to factor in something else: the sun. And he marvels at its power. “I can feel it some days,” …

ABB demonstrates technology to power flash charging electric bus in 15 seconds No overhead lines and ultrafast charging times at selected bus stops enables new opportunities for next generation silent, flexible, zero-emissions urban mass transportation. ABB, the leading power and automation technology group has developed a new technology that will help power the world’s first high-capacity flash charging electric bus …

Japan Set to Become World’s Largest Solar Revenue Market in 2013 as Installations Boom in Q1   Japan’s solar installations surged by a stunning 270 percent (in gigawatts (GW)) in the first quarter of 2013, positioning the country to surpass Germany to become the world’s largest photovoltaics (PV) market in terms of revenue this year.   Although Japan is forecast …

With turbines operating in extreme wind regimes such as the Caribbean and northern Scotland, Northern Power Systems today announced that its fleet of gearless turbines that experience hurricane-speed winds has achieved 1 million run time hours, all without incident. That is equivalent to a cumulative 114 years of continuous, safe, high-performance operation. Proper design and control are essential for a …

Looming on the horizon is a future of high gas prices and disuse for most cars on the road today. More and more drivers are getting on board with alternatively-powered vehicles, and thus, more manufacturers are offering vehicle models outfitted with alternative engines to feed the demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in 2010, vehicle dealers in the U.S. …

Mosaic’s Biggest Solar Project Ever Tops $1M Invested from 823 Individuals in 42 States Solar Asset Class Beats Treasuries with 4.5% Est. Annual Returns With the carbon dioxide level at its highest in human history and more than half the population worried about climate change (Gallup poll), many Americans are looking for an easy way to minimize their carbon footprint …

Manufacturers caught in the solar industry shuffle According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, Europe’s anti-dumping and countervailing investigation on China suggested that the government has subsidized their domestic solar manufacturers, and Europe may impose a punitive tariff (more than 30%) on China’s PV products. In addition, the wide range of products that may be affected by the punitive …

As a commercial contractor, I have had experiences with working with green building materials. I have noticed that today, now more than ever, it’s important to take steps to conserve our natural resources. One way to do that is through the use of green building materials, such as seen at the Ritz-Carlton in North Carolina and the Las Vegas Palazzo …

New Energy Discovery Boosts Performance of See-through Solar Cells, Able to Generate Electricity on Glass Windows New Energy Technologies, Inc., developer of see-through solar cells for generating electricity on glass windows, today announced that researchers have successfully achieved faster fabrication time, improved transparency, and a two-fold increase in power conversion efficiency. Researchers achieved today?s advances by way of a novel, …