Los Vientos I & II Wind Farms Completed in Texas

Joanna Schroeder

Los Vientos I & II wind farms have been completed in south Texas and now operational, have the capacity to produce 402 megawatts of wind power. Both projects are owned by Duke Energy Renewables and the project marks the company’s largest wind-power project to date. With the geographic location, approximately 120 miles south of Corpus Christi and 20 miles inland …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

Ocotillo Wind Project Online Via New Transmission Line

Joanna Schroeder

There is a new transmission line up and running between San Diego and the Imperial Valley in California. The 117-mile 500-kv transition line, “Sunrise Powerlink” is transmitting energy from the now operational Ocotillo Wind project to residents and businesses in Southern California. The 265 megawatt (MW) wind power project consists of 94 turbines with an additional 18 turbines to be …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Now is the Time to Invest in Renewables

Joanna Schroeder

The renewable industry remains abuzz about the American Tax Payer Relief Act that included the extension and modification of energy tax provisions. The tax extenders make investing in the renewables industry and in energy efficiency technologies a good move. Why? The firm of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP put together a brief overview of several key provisions that aid the industry …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, energy efficiency

Mexico’s Future Shines Bright

Joanna Schroeder

There is gold in Mexico. Not the kind you wear around your neck and fingers in the form of jewelry, but the kind that produces renewable energy. The field of energy dreams lies in the Sonora Desert in Northern Mexico, and some experts believe that only 25 square kilometers could provide enough solar energy to supply Mexico’s 114 million residents with …

Alternative energy, conferences, Electricity, Energy, International, Solar

MyEnergi Lifestyle Initiative Launched

Joanna Schroeder

A new initiative, MyEnergi Lifestyle, has been launched to demonstrate how a typical American family can significantly reduce their electricity bills and carbon dioxide footprint. The campaign is a collaboration between Ford, Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool and combines energy efficiency tips with plug-in vehicle technology. Specifically, MyEnergi Lifestyle showcases how combining renewable energy generation with “time-flexible” loads optimizes energy consumption …

Alternative energy, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Smart Grid, Solar

Wind Power Makes Gains in China

Joanna Schroeder

According to Liu Qi, deputy director general of the National Energy Administration, wind power is the third-largest source of electricity in China. He proclaimed that there is no electric power to substitute the position of wind power as No. 3, during the 18th CPC National Congress. He added that China “is determined to promote the revolution of energy generation and …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, International, offshore wind, Wind

Two Solar Projects Kick Off in South Africa

Joanna Schroeder

Two ground-mounted solar power projects totaling 33 megawatts are underway in South Africa, a joint venture between AE-AMD Renewable Energy and Tenesol, a subsidiary of SunPower. Tenesol will construct both projects, located near Douglas, South Africa in the Northern Cape Province. The ground-mounted solar systems will feature 138,000 Tenesol TE 240 photovoltaic solar panels on single-axis trackers. The solar panels are …

Alternative energy, Electricity, International, Solar

Free Solar Panels Brighten San Diego Family Homes

Joanna Schroeder

Several families in San Diego county will have a brighter 2013 as a result of the 2012 Solar Holiday Drive led by Sullivan Solar Power. Five low-income families were selected to receive free solar panels for their homes. The solar drive was part of a partnership with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit that installs solar energy on homes for families who …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

First Solar Extends Agreement with Intermolecular

Joanna Schroeder

First Solar has entered into a two-year collaboration and licensing agreement with Intermolecular (IMI) focused on further increases to the conversion efficiency of First Solar’s cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell technology. Within the new collaborative program, the two companies will work together to develop disruptive new approaches to increasing the performance of CdTe solar cell technology using Intermolecular’s proprietary High …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Start the New Year with Some Solar Education

Joanna Schroeder

Start off the new year with some solar education. According to The Solar Foundation, and the third annual National Solar Jobs Census report, the U.S. solar industry currently employs 119,016 people. Over the past month alone, the industry has seen a 13.2 percent growth rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 1 in 230 jobs created nationally during 2012 …

Alternative energy, Education, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Video