Internet Giant Secures Second Fund for Residential Solar Leases in 3 States-

Google recently put up $75 million in funding for roughly 3,000 residential solar installations in Arizona, California and Colorado. Clean Power Finance will oversee the fund and will work with solar power installers to provide homeowners with financing options. The initiative will give consumers an option to enter into lease agreements or power purchase agreements with the installers, which is especially beneficial for the majority of homeowners who cannot afford cash down on expensive solar installations. This is Google’s second fund, with the first being a landmark residential solar deal between the company and California-based SolarCity to the tune of $280 million in project funding. The latter was established to provide installations, lease agreements and power purchase agreements in 11 states as well as Washington D.C. Currently, federal and state governments are providing long-term extensions of solar tax credits for residential and commercial solar installations which makes it a very good time to look into PPA’s and lease agreements in your state. Lowe’s, for instance, has partnered with Sungevity and are offering $0 down for residential solar installations in most states throughout the U.S.

Ecofriendly buildings are required in present scenario to deal with the increase in global warming and other natural disasters. To deal with it, sustainable technology is developed which offers a complete ecofriendly surrounding and doesn’t pollutes the surrounding and the environment. This has been taken as a step toward a greener tomorrow and people are supporting it in every possible way.

These buildings are not only beautiful, but are also Zero CO2 emission building which is a great contribution toward our green planet. There are many such buildings in world these days, so here we are with the best seven sustainable office buildings for the future.

1. Legion House to become the first carbon neutral office building in Sydney

This Legion house is one of the oldest sustainable buildings in Sydney. It was built 109 years ago and still its there as a symbol of green world. This awesome project was constructed by Grocon Construction Company. By next two years the company will be taking steps to modify this building and make it one of the historical buildings in the sustainable building concepts. There will be a number of features incorporated with this modification like water saving concepts, vacuum toilets, and renewable power generation.

2. Cactus-inspired building for MMAA’s new office in Qatar

This building in Qatar is a famous sustainable energy efficient building. This building is not only sustainable but is also stunningly beautiful. This cool building is designed by Bangkok based architects Go Group which is known for their awesome designs. This building is located in Doha, Qatar.

3. World’s largest solar-powered office building unveiled in China

China has always tried to adopt new technology and has always proved its superiority. This solar building in China is the world’s largest solar building ever built. This building is situated in Dezhou and is constructed in an area of 75,000 square meter and is built in a shape that looks completely awesome. Its inclined structure and the solar panels look gorgeous. The building is completely surrounded by solar cells to continuously generate energy all day.

4. HOK conceptualizes net zero emission office building for St. Louis

This unique concept building is being built by two companies named, HOK and the Weidt Group. This building is located in St. Louis and is believed to be a concept of complete sustainable environment and will have zero emission into the environment. This building is estimated to consume 76 percent less energy than the usual buildings. The building is especially designed to take off the load of heating and ventilation system.

5. StudioDosi designs solar-powered office building for Leeds

This building is a completely different one as it uses both water and the solar energy for its energy operations. This super-cool design was designed by Italian firm StudioDosi which is known for their exotic designs and structures. This building has a total area of 2260square meters with a 360 square meter public space suspended from above. This gorgeous building is completely covered by a green see-through-wall which adds to its beauty.

6. Sauerbruch Hutton to build sustainable office building for BSU

This building is really adorable for its design and awesome structure. This cool building is completely made to work on the renewable sources like solar heat, energy, and power. The development of this building also makes effective use of natural ventilation and harvests rainwater for various purposes. This building has already received awards for its super cool design and is scheduled to be completed by 2013. The complete structure of the building is divided into two parts. One of which is a high tower with two adjacent wing buildings.

7. Studiodosi unveils zero-emission office building for Provincia di Parma

Provincia di Parma is another cool creation by the Italian firm Studiodosi and this one is really stunning. The design again attracts the people and there is no way you can dislike this cool creation. Made completely green conveys a message of green future and a greener world. This building is a zero Co2 emission building and will help environment in all possible ways. It was constructed in 2009 and is located in Parma, North of Italy. This building is what defines a perfect sustainable building and there is no perfect competition to this exotic creation.

Article originally posted on EcoFriend.com.

An eco-friendly lifestyle can also be a treat for your wallet as many of the methods you can use to go green can result in substantial cost savings. Check out these ways to help the environment and save money.

Insulation

Moving into winter, gas and electricity bills are on the rise. Improving the insulation of your home means that your house will lose less heat and so you can cut down on both your heating bill and your contribution to harmful emissions. Forty percent of the heat in your home is lost through the loft and walls, so if you are choosing just one eco-friendly change then loft and wall insulation is the way to go. Government estimates put the cost of insulating a loft at around £230 (about $363.00), excluding labour, and cavity walls at £260 (about $411.00). You may even be able to get a grant from the Energy Savings trust to help with the cost. You can also insulate your hot water cylinder to gain savings of £20 (about $32.00) a year on your got water bill.

Energy-Efficient Boilers

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a new boiler can reduce energy bills by up to £240 (about $379.00) annually. They may offer you a grant to help with the cost of a new energy-efficient boiler.

Double glazing

Your windows can also be causing your house to lose heat. Double glazing throughout your home can save up to £100 (about $158.00) annually on your energy bills. Alternatively, make sure you draw your curtains behind radiators so that the windows are better insulated.

Draught-proofing

Simple draught-excluders can help to keep your home’s heat contained. This solution is low-tech and extremely cheap but can make a substantial difference to your energy costs.

Energy-Saving Electrical Goods

The more energy efficient the light bulbs, fridge and other electrical goods in your home, the less energy you use when they are running. Look for appliances that have a high rating on their European Union energy label as they will be the most energy-efficient.

Reduced Water Consumption

Installing a low-flow showerhead will reduce your water consumption and your water heating costs. Low flow showerheads can be bought for less than £20, and if you are on a metered water rate you can institute other water-saving measures such as putting a flush-saver in your toilet cistern and re-using any non-soapy washing up water in your garden.

This editorial is a guest post from the car rental comparison site vroomvroomvroom.co.uk.

If you have been concerned about the rising energy costs in your area, it might be a good time to look at ways in which you can save money with solar energy. Various areas in the world run on different power sources, which most of these sources being problematic in some way. The main problem is that even energy sources that are renewable use some sort of oil power to maintain them. This automatically increases the costs associated with the energy source, which is then passed onto the consumer. The vast majority of people are prepared to pay whatever the oil companies see fit, but you do not have to be one of these people if you are able to harness the money saving power of solar energy.

Durability

One of the most common ways in which people use solar energy is through solar panels. While these panels are somewhat expensive to install, they save you money over the years because of their durability. When you purchase a panel, it can provide you with energy for about 30 years. There are no other sources of energy that can come close to matching that level of durability. In addition, since it is at a one-time cost, you will be supplied with free green energy for many of these years after your original purchase. If you are a homeowner, having free energy coming into your home really adds up in a short period of time.

Power Levels

Another way in which solar power saves you money is by creating an unlimited amount of power for you. If you are running on gas power, you can use as much energy as the gas company will provide for you. Eventually, the planet will run out of fossil fuels and the gas company will no longer be able to provide you with this energy. As these levels get lower, oil companies will charge an even higher premium, which will cost you even more money. Solar power, however, is infinite because it comes directly from the sun. Since no one owns the sun, you can never be charged for harnessing as much of this power as you wants.

Taxes

While it might be a roundabout way to save money through solar energy, many locations will provide you with a tax break if you switch to solar power. It really depends on where you live, but some locations have made it very lucrative to switch over to alternative energy sources. In Australia, for example, the federal government supplies its citizens with an $8,000 grant for spending $16,000 on solar panels. When you factor in the monthly savings on your energy bill, it really makes sense to switch under those circumstances. As solar energy options become more readily available, we will likely see other countries jump on board with similar tax benefits.

Flexible Set Up

A common gripe with solar energy is that it costs so much to get started. This, however, does not have to be the case if you are smart about it. Your entire energy system does not have to be installed at once, as you can slowly add to it over the years. If you have enough money for one solar panel right now, you can install the first one and then wait to install a second. Having that first panel up will save you a little bit of money, as it can be used to store energy for when you need it. You can probably install these panels yourself as well, which saves money if you have to do it in multiple steps, since you will not have to hire someone each time.

Storing Energy

As was mentioned before, you can store your solar energy for when you need it the most, as long as you have a capacitor. If you produce too much solar energy for your home, you can either release this energy into a pool, where others would be able to use it, or you can store it for yourself. If you store the energy, you can use it whenever you wish. This comes in particularly handy if you have a prolonged period without much sunlight, as you can continue to rely on solar power. It is also useful during a blackout, as you can keep your house powered while the rest of the neighborhood is dark. Storing energy prevents you from having to rely on gas when you are not producing enough solar energy, which saves you money each time a cloudy period hits.

Other Methods

Solar power can also help you save money in smaller ways throughout the year, as long as you are smart about it. If you use flashlights when camping, bring a solar powered version to save on the cost of batteries. You can usually find radios that run on solar power as well, saving you additional money. All you have to do is remember to put the light or radio out in the sun during the day and you can enjoy the power when it is needed.

A simple way to harness some solar power to save money is to use black sheets on your bed or black curtains on your windows. If you do this during the winter months, you will find that your bed or room is warmer when you get into bed at night. This is because these black items store solar power naturally, which can cut down on how much you have to spend on heating your home each month. With so many ways to use the power of the sun, you should be able to find a money saving method soon.

About the Author: M.H is sharing his knowledge and passion about renewable energy sources at Alternative Energy Geek.com.

SIM Publishes 2011 Winners of its Annual Contest in Green Building-

Sustainable Industries Magazine recently introduced its winners of the sixth annual Top 10 Green Building Products award. The winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges from more than 100 entries based upon design aesthetic, environmental performance, innovativeness, scalability/market impact, as well as value and compatibility using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. “The green building industry has seen unprecedented growth and change in the six years that Sustainable Industries has produced the Top 10 Green Building Products awards. This year’s winners reflect the diversity of exciting opportunities in the green building space,” says Brian Back, Founding Editor & Publisher of Sustainable Industries. Selected winners are as follows:

1. Adura Wireless Lighting Controls, made by Adura Technologies, slashes lighting-related energy costs by up to 70 percent using a system of sensors and controllers that creates a network to turn off unneeded lights while offering consumers complete control over their electricity through a unique web interface.

2. Breathe Living Wall, made by DIRTT Environmental Solutions, improves air quality and conserves energy by relieving the load of ventilation systems. The system fits any flat wall or vertical building surface. Plants are watered at one point at the top of the wall, and as the water moves through the trough system, wicks from other pots bring water up to the plants.

3. Greensulate, made by Ecovative Design, uses mushroom roots to make its innovative insulation and packaging material. The company doesn’t need any light to grow their fungi and only uses heat during the final drying process – making this product almost entirely sustainable.

4. HydroRight Dual Flush Converter, made by MJSI Inc., created a “drop-in” service for already existing toilets which offers water conservation up to thirty percent. To boot, it only takes about 7 minutes to install.

5. Indow Windows, made by – you guessed it! – Indow Windows, uses thermal inserts that can achieve 94 percent of the energy savings of double-pane replacements at a fraction of the cost. The inserts plus installation run about $13 per square foot, so refitting a house with 14 average-sized windows costs about $2,400.

6. Juice Bar, made by Green Garage Associates, (although not exactly a green building product) is an electric vehicle charging station that can either be bought or rented by property owners. The product is considered sustainable by the judges in that it will encourage more widespread purchases of EVs.

7. Mobile Solar Power System, made by Pure Power Distribution, designed its Mobile Solar Power System to replace dirty, noisy diesel generators, which create air pollution in the form of carbon dioxide, particulate matter and carcinogenic compounds. The company also makes a hybrid system that combines solar power with a biodiesel generator that kicks in when needed.

8. Modlet, made by ThinkEco, aims to cut power wasted by plug-in appliances when they’re not in use. For an office or building that plugs in modlets throughout its facility, that could mean a reduction in overall energy costs of about 10 percent – or a cut of up to 80 percent in the amount of power used by each plugged-in device, according to the company.

9. SageGlass, made by SAGE Electrochromics, offers a unique product using electrochromic glass that can change from clear to darkly tinted using a simple light switch. The good news? It offers a significant reduction in energy savings, lowering peak demand by as much as 24 percent.

10. SmartSlope Living Retaining Wall, made by the Furbish Company, took its inspiration from the tightly-populated central European landscape where buildings are designed vertically rather than horizontally due to the lack of space. Using concrete blocks with a cavity for plant roots, the hollow centers offer space for various plants to take root and, apparently within months, covers up the wall with natural growth. It can be built in open spaces near buildings, highways and other not-so-aesthetically-appealing areas while encouraging the growth of carbon-eating plants. And while concrete isn’t exactly environmentally-friendly, it does offer a structural soundness that other building materials don’t. Longevity is definitely sustainable.

By looking to more energy efficient methods of powering your home and by reducing the waste that your household produces you can help reduce your homes carbon footprint. Choose the appliances that have a higher energy saving rating and change some of your lifestyle habits around your home, which will affect your carbon footprint. Through having a solar panel on your roof you can capture the suns energy which can power your whole home. Installing solar panels for your home will make your household more environmentally friendly and reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy efficiency is key

Contact your energy company and find out if they offer a green choice of energy, such as electricity powered by either solar or wind energy. You can also choose a greener option where you pay slightly more for your electricity and the extra funds go towards developing environmentally friendly power making methods. Choose appliances that have a high energy efficiency rating. When shopping for appliances look for those with a higher number of stars on the ticket. These have a better energy rating and will also save you money in running costs. You can buy washing machines that only use cold water and dishwashers that will retain the water from the final rinse cycle and then use this to give your next load of dishes their first rinse. There are newer and better energy efficient appliances being developed all the time so have a look online or ask your the shop assistant what are the most energy efficient appliances.

Invest in Insulation

By reducing the amount of electricity you use within your home you will help reduce your carbon footprint. By insulating your home properly you will find that you reduce your need for switching on your heater during winter and your air conditioner in summer. Go around your home and block up any gaps or cracks so that the cold air can’t come in during winter. Check your insulation, including inside the roof. As well as having proper insulation in your walls make sure your roof is lined properly too. Use a draught excluder to stop a cool breeze from coming in under your doors and think about having double glazing on your windows.

Unearth better habits

It is easy to reduce your carbon footprint by simply having better habits when it comes to using electricity. Don’t turn on the heater if you feel cold, just put on an extra jumper. Instead of switching on an electric light open the curtains or think about installing a sky light. Rather than switching on your air conditioner try and cool your home down by opening windows and doors to create a cross breeze. Switch off your appliances at the wall when they are not in use and turn off any lights in rooms that aren’t occupied.

With the increased importance of going green, more and more homeowners are beginning to consider clean energy options for their home. The alternative energy industries are relatively new so many consumers aren’t fully informed about the choices they have and the benefits and drawbacks of each. Wind and solar power are two growing alternative energy markets that many people speculate will play a critical role in sustaining our planet. While both wind and solar are clean energy sources, it is important to learn the pros and cons of each in order to determine which option is best for your home.

One benefit of wind power in comparison to installing a solar PV system is the lower initial cost. Studies have shown that the total cost per kWh produced is less for wind power. Therefore, at this time it is apparent that wind power is typically more cost effective than solar. Even though the initial cost of wind may be lower than solar, it is important to also consider the maintenance costs that will incur throughout the life of the system. Because PV systems have no moving parts, they require very little maintenance and can be operated unmonitored for extended periods of time. Every once in a while, the dust and dirt needs to be removed from the solar panels which can easily be done by spraying them off with water. On the other hand, due to the moving parts that comprise a wind turbine the system is much more complex and difficult to maintain. Another benefit of installing a solar system in comparison to a wind turbine is the unobtrusive nature of the system. In addition to the large size of a wind turbine, they tend to produce a considerable amount of noise in high wind conditions. Solar systems on the other hand make no noise and aren’t distracting to the residents. When considering these options, it is important to also factor in the local climate and weather patterns. Solar produces more energy during summer months, whereas wind tends to produce more during winter months. Some areas experience windy conditions and are therefore great for producing wind energy. In sunnier climates however, solar may be much more advantageous. The orientation of the home and yard space available also factor in to the feasibility of each system. Wind turbines are fairly large and require a large amount of yard space. They also need to be situated away from trees or structures that may obstruct the flow of the wind and hinder the efficiency of the system. For a solar PV system, an unobstructed Southern facing roof space is an ideal space to install the solar panels. As long as there is little or no shading and a large enough surface area, most roofs can accommodate a PV system. Investing in a clean energy source is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save on future electric costs. When determining which is the best energy source for your home it is important to consider the location and orientation of your home and property, as well as the initial and future costs of each system. Having these clean energy options is great for the future of our planet. Both alternatives are very promising, so it’s now a matter of homeowners discovering which option is the most feasible for their home.

Enerfusion’s New Technology Offers Attractive Solar Electronic Charging Stations-

Enerfusion Inc. recently announced the drop of its new charging stations that will power phones, computers, iPods, and similar electronic devices with 100 percent solar. Restaurants, schools, parks and recreation areas that already use WI-FI technology now have the benefit of supplying green energy to charge electronics without the pain of installing expensive wiring. “Currently we have installed the Solar Dok at Texas A & M, University of Florida and University of Central Florida” Tony Fata sales account manager Enerfusion “The response has been great, the students are really enjoying the Solar Dok”. Features include 100 VAC GFCI “green” power outlets, USB Type A power outlets, two 700 lumen high-intensity low-power LED lighting technology, battery bank for energy storage and usage for uninterrupted power even during evening hours, as well as 11 available colors for recycled table and seat top surfaces. Demonstration video is featured below: