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   <title>Solar News</title>
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   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2008:/news/1</id>
   <updated>2008-11-05T23:41:11Z</updated>
   <subtitle>Solar News from TheSolarPlan.com</subtitle>
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<entry>
   <title>Half of Global Electricity To Come From Renewables IEA Says </title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/half-of-global-electricity-to.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2008:/news//1.116</id>
   
   <published>2008-10-01T15:57:44Z</published>
   <updated>2008-11-05T23:41:11Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Nearly 50% of global electricity supplies must come from renewable energy sources in order to cut CO2 emissions in half by 2050....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="256" label="carbon" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="77" label="energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="25" label="Green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="252" label="green power" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="196" label="renewable" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      Nearly 50% of global electricity supplies must come from renewable energy sources in order to cut CO2 emissions in half by 2050. 
      <![CDATA[This is the position of the International Energy Agency (IEA) as stated in its latest study, "Deploying Renewables: Principles for Effective Policies." 

Meeting these very ambitious objectives to "minimize significant and irreversible climate change" will require unprecedented political commitment and effective policy design and implementation, the IEA said. The IEA is also urging governments to adopt effective policies based on five key design principles to accelerate the exploitation of the "large potential for renewable energy."

Nonetheless, the IEA also recognizes the scale of such an undertaking, saying in a statement, "this is a huge challenge and part of the entire energy revolution we need to achieve."

Commenting at the launch of the study, Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the IEA, said, "Only a limited set of countries have implemented effective support policies for renewables and there is a large potential for improvement. Several countries have made important progress in recent years in fostering renewables, with renewable energy markets expanding considerably as a result. However, much more can and should be done at the global level - in OECD member countries, large emerging economies and other countries - to address the urgent need of transforming our unsustainable energy present into a clean and secure energy future." 

The report says that there are still significant barriers which hamper a swift expansion and increase the costs of accelerating renewables' transition into the mainstream. If these were removed, it could allow renewables to be exploited much more rapidly and to a much larger extent. 

"Governments need to do more. Setting a carbon price is not enough. To foster a smooth and efficient transition of renewables towards mass market integration, renewable energy policies should be designed around a set of fundamental principles, inserted into predictable, transparent and stable policy frameworks and implemented in an integrated approach," Tanaka said. "Moving a strong portfolio of renewable energy technologies towards full market integration is one of the main elements needed to make the energy technology revolution happen."

The report concludes that renewable policy design should reflect: 

1) Removal of non-economic barriers, such as administrative, grid access, poor electricity market design, lack of information and training, and the tackling of social acceptance issues 
A predictable and transparent support framework to attract investments 

2) The introduction of transitional incentives, decreasing over time, to foster innovation and move technologies quickly towards competitiveness 

3) The development and implementation of appropriate incentives guaranteeing a specific level of support to different technologies based on their degree of maturity
 
4) Consideration of the impact of large-scale penetration of renewable energy technologies on the overall energy system, especially in liberalized energy markets, with regard to overall cost efficiency and system reliability 

<em>Paris, France - David Appleyard, Renewable Energy World Magazine</em>]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Car makers discover solar power as additional energy source</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/car-makers-discover-solar-powe.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2008:/news//1.114</id>
   
   <published>2008-07-03T20:38:23Z</published>
   <updated>2008-07-03T20:50:33Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Car makers, particularly in Europe, are discovering solar power as an effective additional energy source at the same time lowering fuel consumption and the emission of pollutants....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Resources" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="253" label="auto" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="254" label="automobile" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="252" label="green power" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="251" label="solar automobile" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="228" label="solar cells" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="230" label="solar electric" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="84" label="solar panels" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      Car makers, particularly in Europe, are discovering solar power as an effective additional energy source at the same time lowering fuel consumption and the emission of pollutants.  
      Solar power is still a long way from providing all of the energy required to run an ordinary vehicle, but car makers are finding more ways of tapping into the sun&apos;s free energy, said Thomic Ruschmeyer from the German Association for Solar Mobility (BSM) 

So far car makers such as Audi have only made use of solar power for comfort functions. According to Audi spokesman, Udo Ruegheimer, the Audi A8 and A6 can be ordered with a sunroof complete with integrated solar cells that provide enough energy to power the fan and keeping the interior aired in summer. 

In several concept studies engineers are in fact looking at other ways of using solar power as an alternative fuel. At the recent Geneva Motor Show the Saab 9-X BioHybrid featured a roof fitted with a solar generator. The car transforms solar energy into electric power whether it is being driven or parked. The energy is stored in the lithium-ion batteries linked to the hybrid drive system. 

BMW also makes use of carbon-neutral energy in its Vision Efficient Dynamics concept based on the X5. The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) has a one-square meter solar roof that generates one kilowatt hour of energy on a sunny day. It can also be used to load a telephone or to keep drinks cool. The energy can also be used to warm the transmission oil, reducing fuel consumption by about 1 per cent, said BMW spokesman Wieland Bruch. But it will be a while before the technology can be used for production cars, says Bruch. &quot;We are working on a list of possible options. Those that benefit the customer the most and cost the least amount of money are the priority,&quot; he adds. In addition a solar roof carries much more weight than a conventional steel roof. Even a normal glass roof has less weight, Bruch cautions. 

Opel&apos;s CEO Hans Demant is watching the technology &quot;with great interest&quot; but he sees little direct use at present apart from utilizing it for caravans and for the car air fan. &quot;Together with our partners we are working on the further development of the lithium-ion battery that can store energy for later use by electric engines,&quot; Demant says. At present engineers continue working on increasing the performance of the lithium-ion battery and on reducing costs. 

Even solar lobbyists such as Ruschmeyer see little direct use of solar energy in the current types of cars most consumers prefer. &quot;Cars used in the solar rallies in Australia can reach average speeds of 100 kilometres (65 miles) an hour,&quot; Ruschmeyer points out &quot;but these racing cars have about as much similarity with a normal passenger car as a Formula 1 Ferrari with a Fiat 500.&quot;  But Ruschmeyer is very positive on other possibilities. Solar panels on the roof of a house can be linked with a cable to an electric car in the garage, recharging the battery with energy from the sun.  In addition a solar charger for less than 50 Euros (78 dollars) can be used for classic cars or other vehicles that spend most of the year in the garage. The charger is simply plugged into the cigarette lighter, preventing the battery from running flat

   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>94% of Americans Say Solar Energy Development Is Important </title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/94-of-americans-say-solar-ener.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2008:/news//1.111</id>
   
   <published>2008-06-10T15:01:29Z</published>
   <updated>2008-06-10T15:09:03Z</updated>
   
   <summary>A vast majority of Americans feel that the development of solar power and other renewable energy sources should be a major priority of the federal government....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="118" label="solar energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      A vast majority of Americans feel that the development of solar power and other renewable energy sources should be a major priority of the federal government. 
      <![CDATA[According to the recently released SCHOTT Solar Barometer report, a majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 97 percent of Democrats and 98 percent of Independents agree that developing solar power is vital to the United States, the survey results said. 

                     *********************************************************************************************************************************************************
"The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this month. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America's national energy security."
-- Rhone Resch, President, SEIA

                          *********************************************************************************************************************************************************

The survey revealed that 77 percent of Americans feel that the development of solar power and other renewable energy sources should be a major priority of the federal government. Independent voters felt strongest about this, compared to voters in other political parties, with 86 percent of Independents supporting the statement. When asked which one energy source they would support if they were President, 41 percent of Americans picked solar. Solar and wind together were favored nearly 20 times more than coal (3 percent).

According to the survey, nearly three-quarters of Republicans (72 percent), Democrats (72 percent) and Independents (74 percent) favor an extension of the federal investment tax credits (ITC) as a way to encourage development of solar power and fund continued development of the technology. In contrast, only 8 percent of Americans believe the ITC should not be extended.

"These results are an undeniable signal to our elected leaders that Americans want job-creating solar power, now," said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this month. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America’s national energy security. A vote against this bill is a vote against what the vast majority of Americans are demanding.”

The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between May 29th and June 2nd, 2008 using an email invitation and an online survey. The Solar Energy Industry Alliance (SEIA) and SCHOTT Solar commissioned the survey. Quotas are set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. 

<em>Washington, D.C., United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] </em>]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Where to store wind-powered energy?  How about Underwater!</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/wind-energy/where-to-store-windpowered-ene.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2008:/news//1.108</id>
   
   <published>2008-04-13T04:44:50Z</published>
   <updated>2008-04-13T04:56:17Z</updated>
   
   <summary>- Wind power has the potential to become a leading source of energy - Three quarters of the world&apos;s wind power is generated in Europe - Wind power is variable -- but one British professor has devised a way to...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Wind Energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="196" label="renewable" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="41" label="wind" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="111" label="wind generation" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      - Wind power has the potential to become a leading source of energy
- Three quarters of the world&apos;s wind power is generated in Europe
- Wind power is variable -- but one British professor has devised a way to store the energy for those non-windy times as compressed air 600 meters underwater

      <![CDATA[Since it became a viable energy resource around 20 years ago, wind power has emerged as a leading renewable technology. At the end of 2006 the worldwide capacity of all wind turbines was close to 75 gigawatts, which represents around one percent of all electricity use in the world. Three quarters of that wind power usage is currently based in Europe. The Danes lead the way with nearly 20 percent of their electricity created by wind. They are followed by Germany, which generates around half that amount and Spain around seven percent.  But although it's clean, plentiful and relatively cheap, there is an inherent problem with wind power. It's not always there when you need it, leaving more conventional, more polluting energy resources to take up the slack.

The wind's variability has been one of the sticking points for wind power growth in the UK energy market. Given the UK's famously inclement weather and its island status -- which offers unrivalled offshore facility - you might think that wind power capacity was being filled at a rate of knots. But in reality, wind power currently contributes about one percent of the UK's energy needs, with around 2000 on and offshore turbines up and running.

Whilst wind is no silver bullet to the energy problem, it can make an important contribution to the equation. This is especially true in the UK, which possesses 40 percent of Europe's total wind energy. The prospects for wind power could be greatly enhanced if cost-effective storage could be implemented. Some, like Minnesota based Xcel Energy, are putting their faith in new battery technology. But a UK professor, Seamus Garvey thinks he might have found another solution -- storing energy in flexible containers on the ocean floor.
Professor Garvey's idea of using Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) isn't a new one, but his methods are.

Traditionally, CAES stows energy in a vast underground reservoir. During peak energy hours, air is released powering a turbine, which in turn produces electricity. There are currently only two CAES sites in the world -- in Huntorf, Germany and in McIntosh, Alabama.
Based at Nottingham University, Professor Garvey -- whose interest in wind turbines stretches back to his school days -- began his research into compressed air storage two years ago. "I was thinking about how textile composites and textile structures might be relevant in the context of renewable energy," he told CNN.

In a moment of inspiration, Garvey realized that air could be compressed using a wind turbine or a wave-powered device. "Drawing a mass down within the blade of the piston itself compresses the air," he said. The prospects for his energy storage idea with tidal power are perhaps even better. "With tidal power you can use a hydraulic ram. This can take a large flow of water at a low pressure. Out of that it can then give you a small flow of water at a high pressure."  Naturally, storing vast amounts of air requires vast amounts of storage. Professor Garvey envisages a cone-like structure stretching 50 meters wide at the top to around 80 meters across at the base. The bags are made of a combination of plastics. "A polyester reinforcement at the core with probably a polythene layer around that," Garvey said.
At a depth of around 600 meters, Professor Garvey calculates that the bags would be able to store 25 megajoules of energy for every meter cubed. The deep water is essential. "Only in deep water, where the pressure is greatest, are the bags a good economic proposition," Garvey explained.

Although there is an additional cost in fixing reinforcement cables and ballast, Garvey believes the future economic prospects for his invention are good. He plans to put the storage bags through smaller scale land-based tests, with four-meter-diameter bags, to prove that his calculations are right. The centrifugal force required to compress the air is too great for small wind turbines to cope with, so much larger turbines will have to be installed for the project to realize its goals. Currently, wind turbines are situated in relatively shallow water -- around 40 meters. So how will the project work if the bags need to be at a depth of 600 meters?
Well, a series of pipes will link turbine and bag and Professor Garvey believes the distances, in Europe at least, wouldn't have to be too long.  Research into floating turbines is underway and, as Professor Garvey points out there are steep ocean shelves off the west coast of France and Portugal and around the entire periphery of the Mediterranean. "You could put wind turbines on these shelves and within a few hundred meters, or kilometers you could be in 600-meter-deep water," he said.

Professor Garvey, who has secured a three year grant from German energy provider E.ON, is confident that with the right funding the UK can achieve its stated aim of providing 20 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020. "We're probably the richest country per head in the world in terms of renewable energy," he said. "But we're way behind Denmark, Germany and the United States." He thinks that the realistic prospect for the future is a combination of nuclear and renewable energy as the best way to reduce carbon emissions quickly.
The argument against wind power being intermittent and therefore unreliable may dissolve as Professor Garvey continues his research. Plastic bags in our oceans might prove to be a cause for celebration and make wind power a much more attractive economic proposition than it is today.

<em>By Matthew Knight   For CNN-London, England  April, 2, 2008</em>]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>21 No Cost Steps to be Environmentally Green</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/21-no-cost-steps-to-be-environ.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.105</id>
   
   <published>2007-12-23T20:05:52Z</published>
   <updated>2007-12-23T20:48:07Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Here are some easy adjustments anyone can make that will not cost anything at all and several will actually save money....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="25" label="Green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      Here are some easy adjustments anyone can make that will not cost anything at all and several will actually save money.  
      <![CDATA[The general rule in becoming more “green” is to generally follow the principle that “less is more”. Less water usage, less electricity usage, less "disposables" usage, these all contribute to a greener home and lifestyle.   Here are a few that you can do right away - grouped by general category.  ENJOY!!!

<u>Heating & Cooling</u>
1. Remember to close the doors on rooms you use infrequently. In addition, close off the vents/ducts entering those rooms, which will enable you to not waste energy to heat and cool rooms that you infrequently use.

2. Adjust your home thermostat by increments of one degree. In the summer, set your thermostat one degree warmer and in winter, make it one degree cooler. In a day or two, you won't notice it, but you will when the utility bill comes.  (1 to 2 degree change  will generally translate into a 3-to- 4 % savings on the utility bill) 

3. When it is hot outside and you want to keep the house cooler, keep shades closed during the day on your east, west and north windows and delay heat-generating activities until evening.  When it's cold and you want it warmer during the day keep your shades open on your south and west windows, but closed on the east and north.  Always lower all shades at night to keep heat in.

4. Dry washed (or wet) items on a clothes line instead of throwing them in the dryer.

5. If you do need to use a dryer - keep lint cleaned out of the trap.  The dryer will be much more efficient; clothes will dry faster, and not require extra runs.

6. Adjust the water heater (electric or gas) down to 120 degrees because that temperature is hot enough for nearly all normal household purposes, except dishwashers, most of which all have their own heating coil for the power scrubbing cycles.  Just think how often you actually turn on the cold water faucet in order to cool off the hot water so you don’t burn your hands.  Keeping the same tank of water heated above 120 degrees day and night is just wasting energy, in fact, hot water accounts for about 30% of the average home's power bill.

7. Open windows and doors during the hotter spring days when there is a breeze blowing to save on air conditioning. 

<u>Electricity</u>
1. Dishwashers and washing machines should only be turned on when there is a nearly full load.

2. Let your dishwasher 'air dry' instead of using the heating element.

3. Close the fridge door after use.  Try to reduce the number of times you open the refrigerator. The fridge is one of our biggest energy users in the home.  Also while it may sound crazy, your refrigerator actually works best if the freezer is defrosted and full. This helps your refrigerator function at top efficiency and saves you money in the long run.

4. This is a BIGGY - Always make sure to turn things off when not using them. One of the biggest issues I have with a lot of people is that they tend to just leave a light on or a television on when they're not at home or in the room. What's the harm in turning them off? This is the simplest, easiest, most overlooked way to save energy and money. Remember your parents or grandparents always telling you to turn out the lights when you leave a room? Great advice! Do it now.  If you aren't going to be using your computer for several days - turn it off completely. Otherwise, consider using the computer's "sleep mode," which cuts energy consumption by 60 to 70 percent, according to EPA estimates.  We all have gotten a little forgetful or perhaps lazy an times and tend to leave lights and other types of electrical items on even when not in a room rather than just "flick" the switch.  

5. Open the curtains and drapes for light during the daytime.  

<u>Water </u>
1. Fill up & seal a reused plastic bottle with water (or a brick) and put it in the tank of your toilet so it uses less water with each flush – this is an easy thing is to! 

2. Grab that new spouse of yours then go wash & dry the dinner dishes by hand.    

3. Only use the amount of water needed to do the jobs you need to do. Don’t let the water run when brushing your teeth of washing your hands.  Many of us brush our teeth as we watch and hear the bathroom faucet pour water down the drain, or take 30 minute showers, in part for the feeling of just being there 20 minutes after we really are "clean."

4. Using a broom instead of the garden hose to clean your sidewalk and driveway can save a lot of water

5. Wash your clothes in cold water with cold-wash laundry detergent.  Studies have shown that washing in cold actually help the clothing last longer and they come just as clean. Apparently, hot water can shock the clothing and fade the colors after several washing even if you have the best detergent available. Cold water does not. 

6. Set a timer for sprinklers.  (Perhaps, an egg timer which you can set to make noise every half an hour). It's easy to forget you've got water running, so make an effort to remind yourself to either move the sprinkler or turn it off. This way you don't waste water.

<u>Lifestyle & Miscellaneous</u>
1. To cut down all that junk mail you throw in the trash, send your name, address, and signature to: Mail Preference Service, c/o Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 and ask to be taken off mailing lists. You can also opt out of the endless stream of credit card offers by calling the credit reporting industry's toll-free line at (888) 567-8688. 

2. Try to plan your route in order to combine errands when out with the car, so, you drive less.

3. Save your grocery & shopping bags (paper or plastic), they can be reused for all types of purposes:  cleaning the cat box, lining the bathroom garbage can, take them back to the store and reuse them again, the plastic ones are great for line paint trays with the plastic ones (just throw out when your done).    
]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Up Close, Personal &amp; Renewable: Solar Homes on Display - Oct, 2007</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/up-close-renewable-solar-homes.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.104</id>
   
   <published>2007-10-06T00:47:32Z</published>
   <updated>2007-10-06T01:05:47Z</updated>
   
   <summary>All over the USA, there will be a lot of places this weekend and over the next month where homeowners are opening up their personal homes to let anyone come see, learn and ask questions about what it is like...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Home Design" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="196" label="renewable" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="237" label="solar home" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      All over the USA, there will be a lot of places this weekend and over the next month where homeowners are opening up their personal homes to let anyone come see, learn and ask questions about what it is like to live in a real Solar Home. 
      <![CDATA[Tomorrow, October 6, 2007 thousands of Americans will open their energy efficient, solar, wind and renewable energy powered homes and businesses to show their community how to incorporate energy saving technologies into their own lives.

Also the 12th annual ASES National Solar Tour is taking place this weekend and the Solar Decathlon homes will be on display in Washington, DC until October 20th. 

<u>The Specifics</u> 
Hundreds of local organizations in partnership with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) are coordinating what has become the largest demonstration of installed renewable energy technologies and energy efficient building practices in the country.  The overall event is being called the <strong>"National Solar Tour". </strong>

Most tours are scheduled on Saturday, October 6, 2007 with tours from September through November included. To find business and homes on display in your area <a href="http://www.ases.org/tour/2007_tour/2007listings.htm">click here</a>.

Visit the Solar Village in DC - From October 12 through October 20, teams from 20 of the world's leading universities will transform the National Mall in Washington, DC into a solar village.  The teams are part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) third Solar Decathlon.
University-led teams will come from across the U.S., Spain, Germany, and Canada to design, build, and operate the most efficient and attractive solar-powered homes.  Many of these solar power and building technologies that will be showcased on the National Mall are currently available for purchase and use. Teams have worked for more than two years designing, building and testing their homes—this competition is the culmination of that work. The Decathlon's prototype solar homes are zero-energy, yield zero carbon, and will include the latest high-tech solutions and money-saving benefits to consumers, without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and aesthetics.  Each house must also produce enough "extra" energy to power an electric vehicle.   

This year, in addition to the largest number of competitors ever, the Solar Decathlon will include a new contest called "Market Viability," which will evaluate each home's market appeal, its ability to meet expectations of potential homeowners, and cost effectiveness of construction.
The houses are open for tours weekdays from 11:00AM - 3:00PM and on weekends from 10:00AM - 5:00PM, except on Wednesday, October 17, when the village is closed for competition purposes. 

<em>Thanks to: RenewableEnergyAccess</em>]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Mass Marketing Solar to Colorado Residents</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/colorado/mass-marketing-solar-to-colora.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.99</id>
   
   <published>2007-09-11T20:56:15Z</published>
   <updated>2008-05-10T17:22:01Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Metropolitan Denver and Boulder Home Depot&apos;s to offer complete, installed solar electric home power systems. Denver, Colorado has over 300 days of sunshine in an average year - This is going to be big!...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Colorado" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Home Design" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="233" label="Colorado" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
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   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      <![CDATA[Metropolitan Denver and Boulder Home Depot's to offer complete, installed solar electric home power systems.  
 <strong>Denver, Colorado has over 300 days of sunshine in an average year - This is going to be big! </strong>]]>
      BP Solar yesterday (9/10/2007) announced the availability of its BP Solar Home Solutions systems through The Home Depot stores in the metropolitan Denver and Boulder, Colorado, areas. The program enables customers to purchase complete, installed solar electric home power systems. 

&quot;The goal of our program with The Home Depot is to make it simple for home owners to generate their own clean solar power.&quot;  -- Geoff Slevin, VP of Sales &amp; Marketing, BP Solar

The BP Solar Home Solutions program has been available since 2004 in The Home Depot stores in California, New Jersey and Long Island, New York. BP Solar and The Home Depot are now expanding it to other areas of the country where incentives have made solar electric power more accessible and affordable to a wide range of consumers.

In Colorado, Xcel Energy electric customers can register to receive about 50% off the purchase price of a solar electric system through rebates and incentives from Xcel Energy&apos;s Solar Rewards Program. Several local governments have also started further incentive programs. Interested homeowners can find information and marketing materials at participating The Home Depot stores in the metropolitan Denver and Boulder areas. 

RenewableEnergyAccess


   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Mass Marketing Solar to Colorado Residents</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/colorado/mass-marketing-solar-to-colora-1.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.100</id>
   
   <published>2007-09-11T20:56:15Z</published>
   <updated>2007-09-11T21:06:36Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Metropolitan Denver and Boulder Home Depot&apos;s to offer complete, installed solar electric home power systems. Denver, Colorado has over 300 days of sunshine in an average year - This is going to be big!...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Colorado" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Home Design" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
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   <category term="120" label="solar tax credit" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      <![CDATA[Metropolitan Denver and Boulder Home Depot's to offer complete, installed solar electric home power systems.  
 <strong>Denver, Colorado has over 300 days of sunshine in an average year - This is going to be big! </strong>]]>
      BP Solar yesterday (9/10/2007) announced the availability of its BP Solar Home Solutions systems through The Home Depot stores in the metropolitan Denver and Boulder, Colorado, areas. The program enables customers to purchase complete, installed solar electric home power systems. 

&quot;The goal of our program with The Home Depot is to make it simple for home owners to generate their own clean solar power.&quot;  -- Geoff Slevin, VP of Sales &amp; Marketing, BP Solar

The BP Solar Home Solutions program has been available since 2004 in The Home Depot stores in California, New Jersey and Long Island, New York. BP Solar and The Home Depot are now expanding it to other areas of the country where incentives have made solar electric power more accessible and affordable to a wide range of consumers.

In Colorado, Xcel Energy electric customers can register to receive about 50% off the purchase price of a solar electric system through rebates and incentives from Xcel Energy&apos;s Solar Rewards Program. Several local governments have also started further incentive programs. Interested homeowners can find information and marketing materials at participating The Home Depot stores in the metropolitan Denver and Boulder areas. 

RenewableEnergyAccess


   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Organic solar cells, the next frontier</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/organic-solar-cells-the-next-f.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.98</id>
   
   <published>2007-08-30T23:25:10Z</published>
   <updated>2007-08-30T23:49:21Z</updated>
   
   <summary>With a discovery made at UCSB&apos;s Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, we are going to have less and less of an excuse not to go green!...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="226" label="orgainc solar cell" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="228" label="solar cells" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="99" label="sun" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      <![CDATA[<strong>With a discovery made at UCSB's Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, we are going to have less and less of an excuse not to go green! </strong>]]>
      <![CDATA[Alan Heeger, professor of physics at UCSB and a winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in chemistry, along with Kwanghee Lee, a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea, have discovered a method that increases the efficiency of organic (carbon-containing as opposed to silicon-based) solar cells. Their discovery, made in collaboration with other researchers here and from Korea, is in today's issue of the journal "Science". 

While conventional organic solar cells are comprised of single sheets of material, the new "tandem" organic solar cell is made of two multilayered parts that work together to gather a wider range of the spectrum: they collect both the shorter and longer light wavelengths. The architecture of the cells - two organic photovoltaic cells with different light absorption characteristics linked by a transparent layer of titanium oxide - is the equivalent of two cells in series, said Heeger.   

As a result, the tandem cell has a 6.5 percent efficiency. "This is the highest level achieved for solar cells made from organic materials," Heeger said.

Silicon-based solar cells typically convert about 12 percent to 15 percent of solar energy to electricity, while previous organic photovoltaic cells converted up to about 6 percent. 

Additionally, the cells can be produced in a more cost-effective way: processing from solution, where the plastic substrate is coated and printed. The light weight and flexibility of the cells can also lend themselves well to a variety of applications, while heavier silicon-based cells are more brittle. 

To provide energy for today's electronics, organic photo cells need an efficiency of around 10 percent, but it shouldn't take long to get there.   "I am confident that we can make additional improvements that will yield efficiencies sufficiently high for commercial products," said Heeger, who projects that this technology should hit the market in about three years.

<em>Sonia Fernandez (July, 2007) Goleta Valley Voice, Goleta CA </em>]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Financing Plan Helps New Yorkers Acquire Solar Energy</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/new-york/financing-plan-helps-new-yorke.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.96</id>
   
   <published>2007-07-12T18:51:45Z</published>
   <updated>2007-07-12T19:17:49Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Malta, New York - July 12, 2007 groSolar announced a new plan enabling New Yorkers to bring solar energy to their homes for a nominal increase to their daily utility cost. The financing program, available immediately, will allow New Yorkers...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="New York" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
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         <category term="Solar Resources listed by State" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
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   <category term="80" label="Solar Energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="223" label="solar financing" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      <![CDATA[Malta, New York  - July 12, 2007 

groSolar announced a new plan enabling New Yorkers to bring solar energy to their homes for a nominal increase to their daily utility cost. The financing program, available immediately, will allow New Yorkers to buy a solar electric energy system for their home for as little as 50 cents per day more than their current utility power supply. 

"For years, people have said solar energy was too expensive,'' groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe said. "Not anymore, especially not in New York. For the cost of a candy bar, New Yorkers can now improve their energy security and know that their electricity comes from the cleanest source available. They can now have benefits of solar power for an exceptional value.''

Coupled with incentives offered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and applicable federal and State tax credits, rebates to create this new low-cost program for New Yorkers wanting to go solar would become a lot more affordable. 

This program will enable homeowners to upgrade their home with a clean, solar electric system that would be connected to the homeowner's existing utility system, thereby reducing peak load demand, reduce dependence on conventionally generated electricity, and expand the renewable generation market. 

The special pricing and financing program is available on three groSolar power systems: 2,040 watts, 3,400 watts and 4,590 watts. 

For Further Information 
<a href="http://www.grosolar.com/">groSolar </a>
<a href="http://www.nyserda.org/default.asp">The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) </a>

<em>Please Note: There should be no implied endorsemment associated with listing the sites above and the links behind them. They are simply offered to assist you with additional research. After following these these links you can return to <a href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news"><strong>thesolarplan</strong></a> by using your browsers back arrow.</em>

Credit: RenewableEnergyAccess.com]]>
      
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>The Real Value of Solar Power for Your Home</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/the-real-value-of-solar-power.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.95</id>
   
   <published>2007-07-09T21:12:38Z</published>
   <updated>2007-07-09T21:29:19Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Environmentalists have long advocated living off the grid - using the power of the sun without relying on traditional public utilities....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="221" label="off grid" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      Environmentalists have long advocated living off the grid - using the power of the sun without relying on traditional public utilities. 
      <![CDATA[Solar power channels the sun's energy and produces electricity through photovoltaic cells and offers a clean alternative to coal-burning electricity that generates greenhouse gases that damage the environment.  Lining your roof with solar panels can be expensive but can save you cash in the long run.  In addition to getting free energy from the sun, many states have rebates and tax incentives that can offset some of the cost of home solar equipment. Moreover, a "green" house may be attractive to homebuyers and boost your home's resale price. And in the end, you just can't put a price on the future of our planet.

<strong>The sunny side of power</strong>
While many people lack the means for putting up solar panels on their roofs, smaller-scale solutions exist that also reap the economical and environmental benefits of solar power. Nowadays, solar-powered products span a wide spectrum, such as solar-powered lights and power chargers for cell phones, digital audio players, and more. 

Besides helping save money and the environment, solar-power products bring convenience, simplicity and flexibility to your life. Easy to use gadgets like solar yard lights are set-it-and-forget-it products that you simply take it out of the box, stick into the ground, and never worry about again. Most products are easy to install, requiring no power cables or wiring; installations can in many cases be completed in minutes without professional assistance.
 
The lack of wires for power also adds convenience and safety. Now you no longer need to run wires through your garden to the solar-powered yard lights or look for a power socket while camping or at the beach.  Solar cells require no moving parts, so they run silent, require little overall maintenance and thus last longer.

<strong>The downside of solar</strong>
Even as technology advancements have jumped by leaps and bounds, we still do not possess the ability to control the sun.  Solar power depends entirely on the whim of the sun, and thus it's major downside: inconsistency. Whether environmental, like clouds or smog, or man-made as with obstructing buildings or tinted windows, obstacles that block out the sun will render any solar-powered device powerless. So if you live under the canopies of the Amazon rainforest or in the long winter nights of Iceland where you get only 4 hours of daylight a day, solar power will not likely be an option.  Under the best conditions, a typical solar powered device, like a yard light, stays powered for 8 to 10 hours with about 10 to 12 hours of charging in the sun. 

<strong>Living the solar-powered life</strong>
Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or a couch potato, solar-powered devices offer a myriad of options.  For those that have the interest, technical know-how and most importantly, money, relining your entire roof with solar panels will pay off for yourself and the environment in the long run. 

However, for those just wanting to get their feet wet with solar power, many devices require little to no effort to setup. Many outdoor lighting devices are simple and inexpensive; choose from solar-powered yard lights to solar-powered floodlights. You can also keep your home and loved ones safe and secure with a solar-powered security camera that is not only easy to set up but requires only the power of the sun to operate. 

Credit: Lawson Wong, March 2007 web post
]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>90% of Americans think solar power should be available for all new home construction</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/90-of-americans-think-solar-po.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.89</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-31T19:42:03Z</published>
   <updated>2007-05-31T19:48:45Z</updated>
   
   <summary>According to a recent Roper survey commissioned by Sharp Electronics Corporation, nearly 90 percent of Americans think that solar electricity should be an option for all new home construction, up significantly from one year ago (79 percent). Three-quarters of survey...</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar Articles" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
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   <category term="77" label="energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
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   <category term="80" label="Solar Energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="201" label="survey" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      According to a recent Roper survey commissioned by Sharp Electronics Corporation, nearly 90 percent of Americans think that solar electricity should be an option for all new home construction, up significantly from one year ago (79 percent).  Three-quarters of survey respondents perceive solar power to be more important than ever, evidence that Americans recognize the value of solar as a clean, renewable form of energy. The survey was conducted in May of this year among 1,004 adults to measure their perceptions of solar power. 

      <![CDATA[“More and more, consumers are interested in solar energy, as the results of this survey clearly show. The message from consumers to homebuilders is clear – builders can differentiate themselves while satisfying customer needs by offering solar electricity on any home they build,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president, Solar Energy Solutions Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation 
Even as consumers embrace the technology, they are not fully aware of its capabilities and they have misconceptions about how a solar energy system works in a home. Survey respondents were more likely to recognize solar could turn lights on (82 percent) and heat bath water (82 percent) or a swimming pool (80 percent), than power common electric devices like computers or appliances (71 percent). 
There is a gap in understanding that solar electricity operates just like regular electricity and is the same kind of electricity that a local utility company provides. 
“As the world’s leading solar manufacturer, Sharp views this uncertainty as a strong reason for educating the public about the features and benefits of solar energy. It can power everything from air conditioning and computers to appliances and vacuums; consumers need to understand why it makes sense, both financially and for the environment,” added Kenedi. 
Sharp recently launched a unique awareness campaign under the tagline “Hello Sunshine” designed to demystify solar electricity for consumers. Components of the “Hello Sunshine” campaign appear in newspaper ads, Internet search results and web page banners – even a colorful traveling education trailer that will move from town to town throughout California increasing awareness and understanding of solar electricity. 
The survey also revealed that the financial benefits of solar energy play an instrumental role in a consumer’s decisions about solar electricity. Saving money on monthly energy bills was the primary motivation for consumers to install a solar system, with 84 percent of respondents citing this over any other reason. 
More than half of respondents said they would be more interested in learning about solar energy for their homes, if the system would cost them zero money down and they would start enjoying an immediate payback in the form of lower energy bills. 
This was the primary motivation for Sharp to create an alliance with CitiMortgage, which enables homeowners to fund the purchase of a solar energy system through a streamlined Home Equity Program where homeowners can use the equity in their homes to help offset the cost of installing solar panels on their roofs. 

<strong>The findings of the survey include: </strong>
– 87 percent feel that homebuilders should offer solar power as an option for all new homes; older Americans are less enthusiastic, with 77 percent of those over age 65 supporting solar on new homes
– Respondents understand that solar power can be used to turn the lights on (82 percent), heat bath water (82 percent) or heat a swimming pool (80 percent)
– Respondents are less likely to understand that solar can power electric devices such as computers or appliances (71 percent)
– Americans over age 65 are least likely to recognize this functionality (56 percent)
– Those in the Northeast (63 percent) and Midwest (65 percent) were significantly less likely to identify this functionality for solar energy, compared to those in the South (75 percent) and West (78 percent)
– 82 percent say that a decrease in monthly energy bills is their primary motivation for installing solar power; other respondents indicated it was to reduce overall energy usage (79 percent), reduce oil dependence (77 percent) or because it is a secure source of energy (75 percent)
– 56 percent would be interested in learning more about solar for their homes if the system could be obtained for zero money down and their utility bills would be lowered right away
– Younger adults, ages 25-34, are more encouraged by monetary savings, with 67 percent expressing interest in solar

<em>Business Wire;  May 30, 2007 </em>
]]>
   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>NH Governor Signs Renewable Energy Act</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/new-hampshire/nh-governor-signs-renewable-en.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.87</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-15T22:10:51Z</published>
   <updated>2007-05-15T22:14:19Z</updated>
   
   <summary>On May 11, 2007 Gov. Lynch signed the Renewable Energy Act, which is a key step in moving New Hampshire closer to reaching the goal of ensuring that 25 percent of New Hampshire&apos;s energy comes from renewable sources by 2025....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="New Hampshire" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
         <category term="Solar Resources listed by State" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
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   <category term="196" label="renewable" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      On May 11, 2007 Gov. Lynch signed the Renewable Energy Act, which is a key step in moving New Hampshire closer to reaching the goal of ensuring that 25 percent of New Hampshire&apos;s energy comes from renewable sources by 2025. 


      &quot;With this law, New Hampshire is poised to help lead the nation toward a cleaner, more independent energy future. The Renewable Energy Act will encourage investment in energy production in New Hampshire that will deliver economic and environmental benefits to the state and the region,&quot; Gov. Lynch said, as well as helping to stem global warming.

Increasing renewable energy will increase New Hampshire and the nation&apos;s energy independence, lessening the need for foreign oil and for expensive natural gas. A study by the University of New Hampshire estimated that by reducing natural gas consumption this law could help reduce total electric costs in New Hampshire by $5.6 million in 2025. And over time it could bring $16 million of new investment incentives to create new renewable generation in New Hampshire.

Right now the average wage for a job in a renewable energy facility in New Hampshire is $65,979, compared to the average wage of $39,794. UNH estimates that by 2025, renewable energy will create 1,100 new jobs in New Hampshire.

&quot;Passage of the Renewable Energy Act moves New Hampshire toward clean, sustainable and renewable energy sources. If we want to secure a more stable, cleaner electricity supply for future generations, the time to act is now -- and that is exactly what we are doing,&quot; Gov. Lynch said.

   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Solar Power Technology Harnesses the Heat</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/solar-power-technology-harness.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.77</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-08T19:21:00Z</published>
   <updated>2007-05-08T19:25:21Z</updated>
   
   <summary>Applying the most efficient solar technology available, researchers are building a new power plant that utilizes the heat from sunlight to generate electric power....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="186" label="New Mexico" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="118" label="solar energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      Applying the most efficient solar technology available, researchers are building a new power plant that utilizes the heat from sunlight to generate electric power.
      The solar dish, as it is known, is a joint project between Stirling Energy Systems, Inc. (SES) and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Sandia National Laboratories.

Based in New Mexico, the prototype contains 82 mirrors that focus the Sun’s rays, transmitting the heat energy to an engine filled with hydrogen. As the gas expands and contracts from heating and cooling, this motion drives pistons which power a generator that creates electricity. Five additional solar powered dishes and their engines are planned to boost the electricity production of the prototype to 150 kilowatts of electricity a day, enough to power 40 average households, according to researchers.

&quot;A farm 100 miles by 100 miles in the southwestern U.S. hypothetically could provide as much electricity as is needed to power the entire country,&quot; said SES general manager Bob Liden. The current project is not an abstract possibility for the future, however, and is actively selling electricity to power companies. 

&quot;These systems are currently grid-connected,&quot; Chuck Andraka, of Sandia Laboratory told LiveScience, &quot;and are designed to offset peak power demands at the utility.&quot;  Commercial electricity providers use grids to supply power to regions of the country, and the grids are interconnected. Power can be fed in at practically any point and shared between providers.
Secured behind a fence to deter people and animals from approaching the test field, the mirrors have been vigorously tested to withstand vandalism. The dish is capable of operating in winds up to 35 mph. In addition to its robust design, the automated dish-engine systems are able to turn themselves off when there is no sunlight. &quot;These systems produce when the Sun shines only,&quot; Andraka said. &quot;Maximum production is determined by the brightness of the Sun and ambient temperature. The more light, the more power.&quot;

Researchers hope to lower the cost of the $150,000 prototype to levels where the electricity produced by the solar dishes are comparable to that of other energy sources. &quot;Coal and nuclear cost 3-5 cents per kilowatt hour. Natural gas can cost anywhere from 6 to 50 cents per kilowatt hour,&quot; Andraka said. &quot;Consumers are typically charged in the range of 8-10 cents per kilowatt hour. SES has a goal to get the cost of generation to about 6 cents per kilowatt hour.&quot;

Ideally suited for regions with sustained sunlight, 20,000 solar dish engine systems could provide electricity to utility companies throughout the southwestern United States, Andraka said. &quot;This is the perfect type of electricity generation for the Southwest,&quot; Liden said. &quot;It’s a renewable resource, its pollution free, and the maintenance of a solar farm is minimal.&quot; 

   </content>
</entry>
<entry>
   <title>Wal-Mart Tests Solar Power</title>
   <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/solar-news/walmart-tests-solar-power.html" />
   <id>tag:www.thesolarplan.com,2007:/news//1.76</id>
   
   <published>2007-05-08T19:16:15Z</published>
   <updated>2007-05-08T19:19:18Z</updated>
   
   <summary>BENTONVILLE, Ark. 5/7/2007 - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday that it has launched a program to test the use of solar power at some of its operations in Hawaii and California....</summary>
   <author>
      <name>SolarGuy</name>
      <uri>http://www.thesolarplan.com</uri>
   </author>
         <category term="Solar News" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
   
   <category term="85" label="california" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="77" label="energy" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="24" label="green" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="81" label="greenpower" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="184" label="hawaii" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   <category term="11" label="solar" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
   
   <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.thesolarplan.com/news/">
      BENTONVILLE, Ark. 5/7/2007 - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced Monday that it has launched a program to test the use of solar power at some of its operations in Hawaii and California.
      <![CDATA[Wal-Mart is purchasing solar power equipment from BP Solar, SunEdison LLC, and PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corp. The equipment will be installed in California and Hawaii in 22 locations, including Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Club warehouse stores and a distribution center.

"We are taking aggressive steps toward our goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy," Wal-Mart's vice president for energy, Kim Saylors-Laster, said. "The pilot project is yet another example of Wal-Mart's commitment to making decisions that are good for business and the environment."

The world's largest retailer, headquartered in Bentonville, has been working in different ways to generate less waste and use less energy. The company has opened two Supercenters designed to use 20 percent less energy than other Supercenters. The stores use natural light whenever possible and employ energy-saving heating and cooling systems and construction materials. The company also is putting environmentally friendly items on its shelves, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs.

In the latest push, SunEdison will provide the four solar power systems in Hawaii and four in California, while PowerLight and BP Solar will each supply seven systems in California. Wal-Mart didn't announce how much it will spend on the venture.

The company said it is trying to determine whether it can harness the sun to provide electricity to all its stores. Once all the equipment for the test is up and running, Wal-Mart estimates, the system will generate up to 20 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The company said the initiative was among the largest of its kind.

The power generated by the solar panels will generate renewable energy credits, which Wal-Mart said it will keep. The solar systems are designed to supply up to 30 percent of power for each store where the panels are located. The company said the systems will reduce greenhouse gas production by up to 11,000 tons per year.

"Pilot project stores are expected to achieve savings over their current utility rates immediately - as soon as the first day of operation," Wal-Mart energy director David Ozment said.

<em>By The Associated Press posted: 07 May 2007 </em>]]>
   </content>
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