Solar Roof for French Farm

John Davis

A farm in Alsace, France is installing one of the world’s largest building integrated PV solar systems. Suntech Power Holdings Co. and Hanau Energies SAS are developing the 4.5 MegaWatt BIPV. The project will include installation of weatherproof roofs on five agricultural warehouses using Suntech’s ‘Just Roof’ design. The ‘Just Roof’ system was initially released in 1994 and has already …

Energy, Facilities, Solar

DuPont Powers Solar Plant in Hong Kong

John Davis

Hong Kong and Shenzhen will be homes to two new DuPont research centers. DuPont will use the new facilities for continued development of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy. DuPont expects growth in the photovoltaic market to exceed 30 percent in each of the next several years. The company has made significant investments in product development and capacity expansions to help keep …

Energy, International, Solar

Renewable Energy Bill Passes Florida Legislature

John Davis

A comprehensive energy bill has passed the Florida legislature, and now goes to the governor for an expected signature. This story from the Orlando (FL) Sun-Sentinel says the measure has provisions specifically addressing renewable energy in the state: The bill, which addresses Gov. Charlie Crist’s call for policies that combat global warming, is made up of 112 sections that could …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

Ohio Energy Bill Uses Renewables to Cut Usage, Rates

John Davis

An energy bill that will use a mix of regulated and market-based electricity rates starting in 2009 to prevent spikes in power bills and encourage a 22 percent reduction in power usage by 2025 has made it through the Ohio State Senate. This article from Reuters says the state’s governor has promised to sign the measure that uses renewable energy …

Government, Solar, Wind

Click & Clack Search for Ideal Hybrid

John Davis

I don’t recommend a lot of TV shows on this blog (you’re too busy reading Domestic Fuel, right?), but I did catch an episode of Nova on PBS tonight that I thought would be of interest here. In honor of Earth Day today, the show, “Car of the Future,” looked at the various alternative energy vehicles out there. Leading the …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Hydrogen, News, Solar

Report: Government Key to Green Investment

John Davis

Investing in green technology is still a good investment… with a little help from the government. U.S. News and World Report says a new report by Laurence Alexander, Paul Clegg, and Michael McNamara at Jefferies & Co. says what is being done to be green, such as biofuels, wind, and solar technologies, is very good with demand remaining strong. But …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Solar, Wind

Fuel Cell and Solar Vehicles Place in Shell Eco-Marathon

John Davis

Shell is touting its Eco-Marathon Americas race as a success in developing breakthroughs in fuel efficiency. The race also demonstrated the fuel-saving capabilities of alternative fuels, with hydrogen- and solar-powered cars making the top five. “Ladies and gentlemen, start your fuel-efficient engines” were the words that kicked off the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon(TM) Americas; and that’s exactly what more than 300 …

Hydrogen, International, News, Racing, Solar

Alternative Wine

John Davis

Parducci Wine Cellars is harnessing all sorts of alternative energy to produce its wine. The carbon neutral vintner now uses solar power, wind power and biodiesel tractors. Parducci effectively transferred all of its energy needs to non-polluting, renewable sources by supplementing its on-site solar power with Green-E(R) certified wind energy purchased from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. The annual positive environmental …

Biodiesel, Energy, Farming, Production, Solar, Wind

SC Bills Fostering Renewable Energy

John Davis

A trio of bills before the South Carolina legislature are designed to promote renewable energy in the state, as well as conservation by consumers. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell’s (R-Charleston) three bills were presented to a state Senate Finance Committee this week. This story from television station WFMY says the first bill dealt with tax breaks for making home …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

Greenest Bands Running on Biodiesel

John Davis

As the summer rock concert series are about to start across the country, Billboard Magazine is releasing its top 10 list of the greenest artists. Some of the more notables include major acts, such as Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, the Dave Matthews Band, and Pearl Jam. According to Billboard’s article (advance copy posted on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s blog), at the …

Biodiesel, Solar