Largest Solar Powered Vessel Prepares for Maiden Voyage-

The world’s largest multihull vessel covered in a massive array of solar photovoltaic panels begins preparatory measures for its maiden voyage around the globe using absolutely nothing but clean, renewable energy from the sun. Planned to embark in April of this year, the 100 foot boat has been developed to perform soundlessly and produces enough energy to send 50 people across the sea with ease. PlanetSolar, the group of inventors who created and built the ship, has expressed their eagerness to demonstrate the ship’s energy efficient design and are anticipating to establish a new world record for the fastest journey around the world in a solar powered boat. Although the liner is extremely large in size, an exclusive crew of two men will guide the vessel around the world, stopping in various counties to greet journalists and fans at each port of call. Video below demonstrates the energy efficient solar powered boat designed by PlanetSolar.

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Environmental Advocacy Groups Fight to Pass HB 10-1001-

Environment Colorado, a Denver-based environmental advocacy organization, and Vote Solar, a San Francisco-based solar grassroots alliance, has released a study entitled, “Investing in the Sun”, which illustrates the environmental and economic benefits of implementing solar electricity on homes and businesses throughout Colorado. The report suggests that installing 1,000 megawatts of solar across the State of Colorado would produce enough energy to power 146,000 homes, create around 23,000 jobs, earn $4.3 billion in fiscal output, save 6.8 billion gallons of water, and avoid 30 million tons of carbon dioxide from being discharged into the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking 670,000 cars off the road. To fulfill this solar objective, both environmental groups are supporting a bill which would require two utility companies, Black Hills and Xcel Energy, to obtain 30 percent of their power from renewable energy sources. If approved, HB 10-1001 would raise the bar for statewide renewable energy applications from the present goal of 20 percent by 2020 to 30 percent by 2020. The bill – in its current form – could provide Colorado with roughly 700 megawatts of solar power installations by 2020, and create around 23,450 new jobs, according to the study. “This report proves what we already know: the New Energy Economy is creating jobs in Colorado for Coloradans,” said State Senator Gail Schwartz in a statement. “By raising our renewable energy standard, we will see thousands of new jobs and prove that Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to innovation.” Take action to support the passage of HB 10-1001 here. The full report is available by visiting VoteSolar.org.

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Mayor of Los Angeles Suggests Rate Increases to Support Renewable Energy Citywide-

Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, plans to increase energy utility fees to help fund renewable energy sources for the city. A survey released by the mayor asked Department of Water and Power consumers if they would be willing to pay a monthly surcharge of $2.50 to assist the city in terminating its dependence on coal-fired power plants – with 64 percent stating they would comply with the rate hike. Nevertheless, Deputy Mayor Sean Clegg disclosed that the mayor has not yet come to decide on a specific amount for the rate increase. Villaraigosa plans for the DWP to obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal and wind energy by the end of 2010. City Councilwoman Jan Perry maintains that the supplementary fees will be difficult to validate to most DWP patrons, especially as the unstable economy and lack of jobs continue to strain countless Los Angeles residents.

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Internet Giant’s Technology May Slash Costs of Solar Thermal Facilities-

Google, Inc. has recently reported its newest breakthrough with innovative mirror technology that may well slash the costs of building a solar thermal plant in half. The company’s Green Energy Czar, Bill Weihl, confirms that the development could be ready in one to three years if all goes well. He states, “Things have progressed. We have an internal prototype.” Solar thermal energy utilizes radiation from the sun to heat matter by means of concentrated mirrors which, in turn, generate steam to run a turbine. Google has been exploring diverse materials for the archetype’s reflective shell, as well as the substance on which the mirror is fixed. The internet giant has been performing long-term research on renewable energy applications, as well as investing in companies like eSolar & BrightSource, with its chief goal to offer reasonably priced clean energy. Google’s aim is to reduce the associated costs of manufacturing heliostats, the array of mirrors which track the sun throughout the day. “There is a decent chance that in a small number of years, we could have a 2-X reduction in cost,” Weihl said. As of now, the model is not at the point to facilitate external testing, but Weihl confirms that both eSolar and BrightSource are interested in the technology. “If it works, it would absolutely be something they would use,” he said. Video below, courtesy of TheTakeAway.org, features Bill Weihl discussing the promising prospects of solar thermal energy.

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Intergovernmental Budget Request to Offer Clean Energy Funds Nationwide-

On February 1st, President Obama announced a $28.4 billion budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) to utilize in 2011, which includes $2.36 billion toward the new DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Maintaining America’s shift toward clean energy and conservation, the proposed plan targets untenable energy use, renewable energy sources, and clean energy research. The budget consists of significant increases for several EERE projects; with a 53 percent increase for wind energy, 43 percent for the Weatherization and Intergovernmental program, 32 percent for the Federal Energy Management Program, 25 percent for geothermal energy, and a 22 percent boost for solar energy. An additional $57.5 million will also be applied for facility and infrastructure development at DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and $50 million will go towards a new program called ‘Regaining our Energy Science and Engineering Edge’ (Re-Energyse) which will educate and guide students, as well as workers, to pursue careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship related to renewable energy; professions which are seriously lacking in America. Moreover, Obama’s initiative necessitates a 43 percent increase in funding for program management; virtually doubling the total amount exhausted for program support. Budget resources will grant the DOE $500 million to support approximately $3-5 billion in loan guarantees for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, along with $10 million to support the continued management of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. $35 million of the proposed funds will also work to develop clean energy transmission and reliability, $39.3 million will be applied toward Smart Grid research and improvement, and $40 million will be used to develop energy storage on the electrical grid. The Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA-E) is also included in the budget proposal with $300 million to aid in transformational energy research; while Energy Frontier Research Centers are anticipated to receive a whopping $140 million for two new facilities, and $107 million for Energy Innovation Hubs. Both the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior are planning to increase renewable energy funding and energy efficiency program fulfillment in their budget requests for 2011 which span from wildlife protection to biofuel production, and are available in-depth by visiting Energy.gov.

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CA Residents to Receive $350M in Rebates for Installing Solar Water Heating Systems-

SolarCraft, solar energy installation experts based in Novato, California, has been approved by the California Public Utilities Commission to provide a $350 million rebate program for California-based residents and businesses that install solar water heating systems in their homes and offices. Together with an existing 30 percent federal tax credit, the rebate will save around 60 percent on the cost of solar water heating installations – as well as excessively reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions. The new program was initiated through Assembly Bill 1470, with its objective to establish over 300,000 systems over an 8 year period. This goal, in turn, will help the California population to conserve roughly 6 million cubic feet of natural gas and 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity every year; all the while creating countless new jobs. Beyond standard federal tax credits, owners of single family homes are qualified for rebates around $1,500; while multi-unit properties and commercial buildings are eligible for substantially larger discounts based on size and design. However, residents that wish to obtain larger rebates must participate in the program as early as possible since stimulus incentives tend to decrease in time based on participation. Program rebates will be available until December 31st, 2017, or until funds have been used up. Video below, courtesy of KPBS Public Media in San Diego, demonstrates the considerable benefits of solar water heating systems.

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Innovative Company Utilizes Solar Energy to Power Biofuel Factory-

Biofuels are an exceptional diesel and gasoline alternative, especially as technology advances and companies begin adopting more avant-garde methods of production. Based out of New Mexico, Sundrop Fuels has developed a hybrid solar-biofuel refinery which will employ concentrated solar power (CSP) to heat plant remains and wood chips; in turn creating biofuel. By using solar power to supply the immense heat needed in biofuel production, the refinery will significantly increase energy-efficiency and will offer a product that can truly be labeled as ‘green’. Solar heat that is collected “blasts organic materials with super high temperatures…tearing apart the materials at the molecular level…which creates a synthetic gas that can be formed into gasoline or diesel,” said Wayne Simmons, Sundrop CEO. Although burning of biomass is essential to achieve required temperatures, the company asserts that nearly 30 percent of heat will come from the sun – with about one-third less fuel being burnt in the manufacturing process. Currently, the company is in need of $100-$150 million from investors to aid in developing a facility that is capable of manufacturing up to 8 million gallons of the renewable fuel annually. Subsequently, Sundrop intends to expand into foreign markets with sunny, dry climates such as North Africa, China and the Middle East. The company plans to present their demo project on the web near 2012. Video below is courtesy of The University of Memphis Center for Biofuel Energy & Sustainable Technologies, and highlights the newest biodiesel microrefinery added to the college campus in an effort to improve sustainability and increase environmental awareness.

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The 2nd annual Go Green Expo in L.A. kicked off January 22-24th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and featured over 300 exhibitors from all around the world looking to market their pioneering green products and services to environmentally responsible shoppers. In addition, attendees had the pleasure of listening to keynote speakers, such as Ed Begley, Jr. and Mariel Hemingway, give their advice on the easiest, most affordable ways that the everyday consumer can go green. Due to increasing water shortage and contamination issues in America and throughout the world, water filtration and conservation were a major feature at this year’s exposition. Green Energy News, video below, had the pleasure of dropping by to help spread the cause.

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President Obama Highlights Initiatives & Goals for 2010-


Last night, President Barack Obama gave his first official State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress and went into heavy detail on the topics of federal deficit and national job loss. The President proposed policy changes that would eliminate programs which are unaffordable or do not work; repeal the ‘don’t-ask-don’t tell’ policy which currently bans homosexual persons from being allowed to serve in the military; reform immigration laws; improve earmark allocations; provide major reorganization in the health care industry; nearly double the child tax credit for the middle class; expand tax credits for the middle class workforce who starts a retirement fund; refinance to make mortgages more affordable; increase Pell Grants for students; as well as renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

New legislative initiatives and goals were also proposed, such as placing fees on the country’s largest banks to follow up on the Trouble Assets Relief Program (TARP); offering $30 billion from recovered TARP funds to community banks to extend credit to small businesses; building clean energy facilities to spur the nation into affordable, renewable energy generation; providing rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient; encouraging new jobs by cutting tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas, as well as giving incentives to companies that create jobs in the U.S.; building nuclear power plants for domestic energy production; exploring off-shore for oil and gas to eliminate the country’s need for foreign oil; investing in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies; adding a comprehensive energy and climate bill to make clean energy economically lucrative; launching a National Export Initiative which would double exports in 5 years; giving access to a retirement account for every worker; revitalizing community colleges to encourage sustainable education in America; ending taxpayer subsidies for student bank loans; supplying a $10,000 tax credit for families that enroll a student in for years of college; allowing all student loan debt to be pardoned after 20 years, or after 10 years if they choose a career in public service; cutting costs at colleges and universities; immobilization in government spending for 3 years on discretionary programs (excluding Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and national security), starting in 2011; extending middle-class tax cuts; restoring the pay-as-you-go law; implementing a bipartisan fiscal commission to provide solutions; and some of the most important which aid to cease dishonesty in legislation, with the proposed policies requiring lobbyists to disclose every contact they make; placing limits on contributions that lobbyists give to candidates; as well as cracking down on violations of equal pay laws. His wife and First Lady, Michelle Obama, also added an inventive program which will help to tackle childhood obesity. The speech appeared very dubious indeed to many, seeing that there is still much further to go in the battle for a sustainable future; however, if President Obama is able to push these policies through with bipartisan support, America may be on the right track after all. Video below is the full State of the Union 2010 video speech, courtesy of CBS News.

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Boulder, Colorado Implements New Program to “Green” Local Businesses & Residents-

The City of Boulder, Colorado, along with Boulder County, has implemented a new campaign designed to stimulate the local economy by providing financial support, green education and other related services to residents and businesses that wish to make energy improvements to their homes and commercial buildings. Dubbed ClimateSmart, the program will work to connect residents and businesses to cost-effective programs for reducing energy use and saving cash; supporting local greenhouse gas reduction goals; developing a community rapport; and establishing an ideal for urban sustainability. The program also endorses the switch to low-emission vehicles and alternative fuels, as well as mass transport alternatives to help lower the city’s carbon emissions. Video below, courtesy of Boulder County, discusses the innovative program in further detail.

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