ecoSolargy Inc. has raised $150 million through private equity investors for its 2013 financing program. Led by the company’s utility project development division, the program’s goal is to finance utility-scale solar projects in various stages of development. “ecoSolargy’s commitment to clean energy expands beyond the provision of high-quality solar products and the development of strategic and installation solutions,” said Alan H. …
First Long Span R5 Canopy Completed
Solaire Generation has completed of its first Long Span R5 canopy, a solution specifically designed for new and existing parking garages. The 684 kWp installation, is at the New England headquarters of an undisclosed Fortune 100 company. According to the company, features of the canopy include Solaire’s Max Rack Water Management System and Max Rack Snow Guard, that provide protection …
Franklin County Wind Farm Powering Local Community
Here is a story about a new wind farm that is just a stone’s throw away. The Franklin County Wind farm, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, has begun operations in Franklin County, Iowa. Consisting of 60 wind turbines, the farm is capable of producing nearly 100 megawatts of wind energy – enough to power close to 25,000 homes. “We …
San Diego Zoo Goes Solar
The San Diego Zoo has gone solar. It’s Solar-to-EV-project, in partnership with Smart City San Diego, is run by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGR&E). The solar system is comprised of Kyocera Solar photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. All Kyocera solar panels used in this project were manufactured in the U.S. at the company’s San Diego facility. “Kyocera is celebrating 41 years …
Book Review – Who Turned Out the Lights?
Should we be entertained when reading about America’s energy crisis? Dare we be regaled by clever cliches, fun word pairings and sarcasm when learning our basic Energy 101 facts? Yes to infinity. And I experienced just these things when reading “Who Turned Out the Lights?” by Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson. Reading this book was a guilty pleasure because I enjoyed the …
Should We Shush Wind Turbines?
Scientists in Australia are studying where wind turbine noise comes from and how it might be reduced. Not a new concern, researchers from the University of Adelaide in the Flow and Noise Group at the School of Mechanical Engineering are building a scale-model turbine in a wind tunnel. They are also building an acoustic test room around the turbine. In …
Solar Exceeding Performance Expectations
According to SunPower Systems, who has solar systems operating at 25 California Water Agencies, their power systems have exceeded expectations for overall performance. The company estimates that the systems have saved the state’s public agencies a cumulative total of approximately $5.3 million over the past 12 months. SunPower has designed and built nearly 25 megawatts of solar power systems at …
Teaching Families About Solar Energy
Pacific Power Renewables has completed a 177.7 KW solar PV project that will provide all the energy needs for the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California, just north of Sacramento. As part of the project, the museum is using the solar system to help educate children and adults about solar energy. The roof-mounted system consists of 756 Motech 235 …
Yingli Americas Selected for Large Solar Project
Yingli Green Energy Americas (Yingli Americas) has announced the company has been contracted to supply 200 MW-dc of utility-scale solar PV modules for the Centinela Solar Energy Facility Project. This is the company’s largest order to date. The project will be completed in two phases and when complete, Yingli Americas believes the 170 megawatt-ac project will be one of the …
Message at Doha Climate Talks: CO2 Rising
There is a message that United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is delivering during the Doha Climate Change Conference taking place through December 7, 2012 in Qatar – despite efforts, carbon emissions are up 20 percent and greenhouse emission targets will not be met. The organization says if the world does not scale up and accelerate action on climate change immediately, …