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solar voltaic power

  • Solar has arrived

    Pacific Gas & Electric is buying 550 MW of concentrated solar. It’s one of the biggest solar purchases ever, from what will be the world’s biggest concentrated solar plant. The company is trying to conform to California’s mandate that it get 20% of its power from renewables by 2010. According to Mr. [Fong] Wan [VP […]

    David Roberts Technology

  • Hillary pays tribute to Iowa politics

    This is (bitterly) funny: As Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton climbed onto a makeshift stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and embraced motor fuel from corn as a key to America’s future, she completed a turnabout from being an ethanol opponent, a position she held only two years ago. … Political observers view her about-face as […]

    David Roberts Politics

  • We want some

    Hmmm. This is interesting. Seems that American Express is running a contest, and the winning project gets $5 million.

    I mention this for two reasons: out of civic duty, and because our project is in the running for five million freakin' dollars.

    We are currently about 1,200 measly votes from making it to the next round.

    The project, "Harvest the Sun," is a collaboration of Vote Solar and the Center for Resource Solutions, and would go toward our work bringing solar into the mainstream.

    For the love of God -- I currently expend a ridiculous amount of time, energy, and dignity raising money for the work we do, and we do it on a shoestring. With $5 mil we could damn near guarantee a defeat of global warming.

    So, if you are an AmEx cardholder, I would be eternally grateful if you'd take the time to go to the Members Project website and vote for "Harvest the Sun".

    Thank you.

    Adam Browning Climate & Energy

  • DIY solar

    DIY Solar. Love it. Just don't let your homeowner's association see it.

    In other news, at the American Solar Energy Society conference in Cleveland last week, First Solar -- the same First Solar that recently announced the sale of $1.28 billion worth of modules -- gave a presentation in which they announced that based on current cost curves, they will be selling around $1.25/W in the 2010-2012 time frame.

    That, friends, is cheap solar. If the industry can continue to bring down installation costs commensurately -- and that is done by developing local solar programs, creating local solar markets, and investing in local solar installers -- then solar will be at grid parity in a lot of locales.

    Adam Browning Climate & Energy

  • Better than the redhead

    So you want to get in on the solar boom, but don't have the cash to buy a manufacturing plant. What to do, what to do ... I know! Why not try the same place that got you a date with the redhead on the bus, your last apartment, and your '79 Mercedes that you'd run on biodiesel if you could ever get the damn thing to turn over?

    Yes, Craigslist. They are having a sale on triple junction thin-film amorphous PV manufacturing plants.

    Give it a shot. Maybe it will work out better than the redhead.

    Adam Browning Climate & Energy

  • More rockin’ for the planet

    Seattleites, take note:

    For anyone not willing to stand on an ice floe in subzero temperatures or pony up the cash to make it out to one of the other Live Earth concerts, you have another option. Local public-radio darling KEXP is hosting a benefit concert on July 7, 2007, to raise funds for the Shoreline Solar Project. The project promotes the use of solar energy and has installed solar photovoltaic systems in a couple of local schools. Part of the show will be streamed live on the KEXP website.

    What about other cities? Anybody know of other enviro-shows happening on July 7?

    Katy Balatero Culture

  • Umbra on solar funding

    Dear Umbra, I have been looking high and low regarding ongoing tax credits and incentives for solar installations on private residences. I may be looking for something that doesn’t even exist, but the rumors certainly do. Is there some website I can confer with to see if there really is such a thing? I have […]

    Ask Umbra® Culture

  • A hearing before the Science Committee

    There’s a hearing on solar power today in the House Science Committee. Sounds like they’re focusing on concentrating solar power and thermal storage — smart. Note this: [Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Vice-Chair] Rep. [Gabrielle] Giffords expects to soon introduce "The Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007" to address issues in solar research, […]

    David Roberts Climate & Energy

  • Umbra on installing solar power

    Dear Umbra, I live on Long Island, N.Y., and am interested in getting solar power for my home. I am not sure, however, if that is viable in this area. Do you have any recommended reliable sources that I can reference? There is just so much confusing information in the marketplace. Thanks, Rick Port Washington, […]

    Grist staff Climate & Energy