Wind Tax Credit Extension Critical

Joanna Schroeder

The Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, an information network for local chambers of commerce, is calling for Congress to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for the wind industry. There are 240 chamber of commerce members from 47 states supporting PTC and in a letter explained that the expiration of the PTC would hurt local economies, send jobs elsewhere …

Electricity, Energy, Legislation, Wind

Eisenhower Corporate Campus Goes Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The Eastman Companies’ Eisenhower Corporate Campus in Livingston, NJ has flipped the switch on a 500 kW solar PV system. New Jersey is one of the leading states for solar installations. A portion of the solar system, 68kW, was installed on a hillside near the campus allowing those passing by to see the solar array. The solar system is just …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Offshore Wind Part of Europe’s Blue Growth

Joanna Schroeder

The European Commission is looking at the marine and maritime industry to help Europe’s economic recovery. The European Commission has released its ‘Blue Growth‘ strategy and included in areas of growth is the offshore wind energy industry. The European Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is predicting the offshore wind energy industry will have a five-fold increase in offshore wind jobs within …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Indiana Tech Installs Wind Turbine on Campus

Joanna Schroeder

Universities across the country have been integrating renewable energy classes but Indiana Tech has gone one step further than most. They have installed a wind turbine on its Fort Wayne campus to help engineering students learn about alternative energy. The turbine is located next to the Zollner Engineering Center and a gift from the Steel Dynamics Foundation covered the cost …

Education, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Solar Market Spikes

Joanna Schroeder

According to the “U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2nd Quarter 2012” report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar industry achieved its second best quarter ever. In the second quarter of this year, 742 megawatts of solar power was installed. The utility market hit 477 megawatts during the same timeframe with eight states now having installed 10 …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

Jurupa Unified Schools Go Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Another school district has taken advantage of the California Sun. Jurupa Unified School District has completed a 2.7 megawatt solar and energy efficiency program expected to reduce energy costs by nearly 26 percent among 27 school sites. Estimates show that the solar system should save nearly $34 million in energy costs. Solar Photovoltaic panels were mounted on parking and shade …

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Solar

Kohl’s Expands EV Charging Station Initiative

Joanna Schroeder

Kohl’s is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging station initiative with 36 new stations across 18 different locations in the U.S. Once the additional EV stations are complete this fall, the company will have 101 charging stations at 52 Kohl’s locations across 14 states. Customers are able to charge up at no cost while they shop. “Since Kohl’s EV charging …

Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy

Have You Signed up for a Solar Tour?

Joanna Schroeder

October is National Energy Awareness Month. The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour is taking place beginning the first Saturday of the month with additional tours being held throughout the month. The largest grassroots solar event in the U.S., last year more than 160,000 people visited over 5,500 buildings in 3,200 communities across the country. The national event …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

SoloPower Adds Another Patent to Portfolio

Joanna Schroeder

SoloPower has added another patent to its growing solar portfolio. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of thin-film solar cells and modules. This patent is the company’s 50th with 41 patents in the U.S. and nine patents internationally. SoloPower was the first to receive certification of flexible CIGS panels to both UL and IEC standards. “The strength of SoloPower’s intellectual …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Wind Energy – There’s an App for That

Joanna Schroeder

There is an app for pretty much anything you can dream up and now there is an iPad app for wind and solar energy. Developed by Capstone Turbine Corporation, “Capstone World 2.0,” is an application where a person can determine energy cost savings and carbon dioxide emission reduction numbers of city buildings if he switched to microturbines, solar power or …

Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind