Caribbean’s Largest Solar Array Goes Live

Joanna Schroeder

The largest solar array in the Caribbean is now producing energy. Monte Plata is a 33.4 MW PV solar array located in the Dominican Republic that will produce more than 50,000 megawatt hours of energy each year. The “power switch” was turned on by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina. The project was designed and deployed by Dubai-based Phanes Group along …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Solar

Wind Energy Provides $7.3B in Health Savings

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report from the American Wind Energy Association, U.S. wind farms reduced electric power carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 132 million metric tons in 2015. In addition, wind energy reduces other harmful air pollutants including smog-causing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which helps reduce rates of asthma and other respiratory issues. Electricity generated by wind …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Wind

Research Converts Tomato Paste to Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology have developed a way to convert tomato waste in electricity. Led by Venkataramana Gadhamshetty, Ph.D., he and his team used a biological-based fuel cell that uses tomato waste left over from harvests in Florida. The characteristics of the decomposing waste make it a “perfect fuel source” for enhancing electrochemical reactions, Gadhamshetty …

Electricity, Research, Waste-to-Energy

NJR Announces U.S. New Wind Project

Joanna Schroeder

NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV) has announced its fourth onshore wind project, Ringer Hill Farm. The 39.9 MW project is located along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh and will consist of 14 GE turbines. The new wind farm is expected to be complete in early 2017. “Wind is an increasingly important segment …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Wind

Armow Wind Farm Powers Up

Joanna Schroeder

The 180 MW Armow Wind power facility in Ontario has powered up. The Samsung Renewable Energy and Pattern Energy Group project used Ontario-made products. Towers for the 91 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines were made in Windsor and the 273 blades were manufactured in Tillsonburg. “Samsung is proud to complete our fourth wind project under our Green Energy Investment Agreement …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Wind

U.S. Wind Industry Celebrates Great Q4

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. wind industry continues to gain power with 5,001 MW installed during the 4th quarter of 2015 – more installations than all of 2014. In 2015 there was 8,598 MW was installed, a 77 percent increase over 2014. U.S. Wind Industry Fourth Quarter 2015 Market Report, published by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), finds strong market activity is …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Wind

Governor’s Wind Energy Coalition Adds Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition has added solar energy to its lineup of renewable energy promotion and has changed its name to reflect the new addition: Governors’ Wind and Solar Energy Coalition (GWSC). The Coalition’s goal is to support renewable energy technologies that among other benefits, help to put Americans to work in all 50 states. “We are proud of …

Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Electricity, Solar, Wind

Pattern Energy Completes Amazon Wind Farm

Joanna Schroeder

The 150 MW Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge project, located in Benton County, Indiana has been completed and is fully operational. Pattern Energy Group’s wind farm will sell 100 percent of the energy produced to Amazon Web Services (AWS) to power their datacenters. “It’s a privilege to team with AWS on the Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge, demonstrating the strong …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Wind

Clean Power Plan A Top Energy Issue

Joanna Schroeder

The Clean Power Plan (CPP) is among top issues that legislators will face this year in energy according to the Council of State Governments. “Energy issues will continue to receive significant attention in 2016,” said Liz Edmondson, director of energy and environmental policy at CSG. “Market forces, governmental regulations and increasing technology are changing the way we generate, transmit and …

Clean Power Plan, Electricity

61st Anniversary of 1st American Solar House

Joanna Schroeder

This week marks the 61st anniversary of the first house in America with solar heating and radiation cooling. Located in Tuscon, Arizona, the house featured a large, slanting slab of steel and glass that coverts sunlight into heat that was ducted into the house. Today, many homes use solar panels to capture the natural heat of the sun and solar …

Audio, Electricity, energy efficiency, Solar