MakeHeat

Onyx Service & Solutions Inc (otcqb:ONYX) is applauding news released from the University of Texas at Austin stating that one of its chemists has discovered a way that may allow solar panel efficiency to be doubled, possibly reaching as high as 66%. Such a development is capable of causing a positive “sea-change” in the solar power industry.

At the heart of current solar panel functionality, the panel absorbs photons from the sun. Photons are then converted into electrons. An issue with regular photovoltaic panels is that much of the energy delivered by sunlight results in the conversion of “hot” electrons, which are too high-energy to be converted to electricity in silicon and are instead lost as heat. University of Texas Chemistry professor Xiaoyang Zhu and his team discovered that an organic plastic semiconductor could double the number of electrons harvested out of one photon of sunlight.

 

“At current, approximately 31% insolation-to-electricity efficiency of a silicon solar cell is considered to be the maximum in the solar industry,” stated ONYX President Malcolm Burleson. “Being able to cheaply double the efficiency and even being able to reach 66% efficiency could potentially erase the barriers of competing with cheap fossil fuels very quickly.”

Professor Zhu’s process involves absorbing the photon of sunlight in Pentacene (a form of plastic) to produce a dark quantum “shadow state” from which two electrons can be retrieved, instead of just one.

ONYX management is closely following this new development and the timing of when this new technology could be available in the marketplace. The Company’s unique business model of concentrating on competing in energy markets that could yield higher margins and avoiding reliance on subsidies and government loans appears to have given the Company an edge in the current shakeout.

“It is apparent that the solar companies with weaker business models will struggle, possibly lessening the field of competition for ONYX in the future,” said Burleson. “Having access to economical 66% efficiency panels after the industry shakeout could potentially be extremely lucrative for a Company positioned like ONYX.”

ONYX is currently developing the construction of multiple solar power projects in Honduras – one as large as 22 megawatts, as well as developing solar projects in Panama and solar product distribution arrangements in Peru and Columbia.

Onyx Service & Solutions, Inc. acquires, develops and markets the most promising and potentially profitable energy projects and technologies possible. Management has focused on benefiting citizens of Central and South America with energy alternatives to costly power options by achieving multiple business accomplishments there. The Onyx mission is to manifest cutting edge energy technology, products, manufacturing advances and construction projects to successfully compete in a global energy marketplace, which includes GE GE +2.32% , JinkoSolar JKS +8.39% , Empresa Nacional de Electricida EOC +0.16% and CPFL Energia S.A. CPL +1.25%

For more information on the Company see: www.OnyxService.com

Southwest Solar Technologies Inc. announced this week the successful on-sun testing and proof of concept of an innovative concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar power technology. The CPV technology leverages other core competencies of the Company and will be a new addition to its product portfolio.

 

CPV technology is widely acknowledged to have the potential to be less costly than current flat panel and thin film photovoltaic (PV) products by exploiting the very high efficiency of advanced CPV cells, and thereby produce electricity at a lower cost per kWh. CPV cells have reached over 40% efficiency in production, and under current development efforts are expected to achieve in excess of 50%. Additionally, in sunny climates the two-axis tracking of CPV systems also increases annual energy production up to 30% or more, compared to standard non-tracking PV systems.

The Company’s new patent pending design utilizes currently available multi-junction solar cells combined with innovative approaches to concentrator optics, thermal management, power electronics, and ease of manufacturing.

The Company’s product demonstrates a unique flux management capability that enables non-uniform light intensity to be used, enabling its integration with a variety of optical systems including conventional Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) solar dishes and heliostat systems, instead of being limited to special purpose built optics and lenses. This can create broad market potential. The CPV system translates CSP concentrated light to efficiently deliver 1200 “suns” to the CPV cells.

Additionally, the new CPV system uses internal liquid-to-air cooling, which also can deliver free heat for on-site customer use enabling Combined Heat and Power (CHP) applications.

The primary factors that should lead to lower cost per kWh power include high efficiency, a design focus on low cost components and manufacturing processes, the ability to configure the product to leverage a variety of CSP optics, and the CHP potential.

“This new product introduction utilizes the Company’s core competencies in our solar dish concentrator designs and structures, thermodynamics, optics, and electronics. Leveraging our competencies into a diverse product portfolio is key to our business strategy,” said Brad Forst, CEO.

The Company’s product development and testing is conducted at its headquarters and operations facility at Southwest Solar Research Park in Phoenix, Arizona. www.swsolartech.com

SOURCE: Southwest Solar Technologies

The market for energy efficiency services and equipment is on the rise as national governments look to reduce energy consumption by improving the efficiency of the building stock. With buildings being one of the largest sources of energy consumption, the opportunity to improve efficiency is significant, ranging from high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to the utilization of energy-efficient lighting technologies to business models such as energy performance contracting (EPC) as employed by energy service companies (ESCOs) around the world.

According to a new report from Pike Research, the total market for energy efficiency in buildings will reach $103.5 billion by 2017, an increase of more than 50% from the 2011 market value of $67.9 billion.

 

“The structure of energy efficient building markets varies considerably from one country or region to another,” says research analyst Eric Bloom, “and vendors and service providers aiming to increase their coverage of energy efficiency markets must remain cognizant of the changing dynamics in order to maintain a strong presence.”

Bloom adds that, with regard to the existing building stock, ESCOs are leading the energy efficiency charge for commercial buildings in many countries, using EPC and other financing mechanisms to install energy efficient equipment and kick-start ongoing energy efficiency services. The market for energy efficient equipment, including efficient HVAC and lighting systems, is also in a period of transformation, as green building trends drive increase interest in efficient systems and as efficient lighting technologies, such as LEDs, continue to decline in cost.

Pike Research’s forecasts indicate that the ESCO market will represent the largest segment of the energy efficient buildings industry in the coming years, with revenues more than doubling from $30.1 billion in 2011 to $66.0 worldwide by 2017, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. Significant growth will also occur in the market for high-efficiency HVAC systems, which will expand from $3.1 billion to $6.4 billion during the same period.

Pike Research’s report, “Energy Efficient Buildings: Global Outlook”, provides data on the size and growth of energy efficient building markets, including ESCO revenues, energy efficient HVAC equipment sales, and energy efficient lighting sales from 2011 to 2017, as well as a qualitative description of key drivers and trends in energy efficiency in key markets, focusing on the commercial building sector. Readers will benefit from a country-by-country analysis that distills the complexities of developing international business in the energy efficient building industry into concise summaries that facilitate an understanding of how key markets compare to each other. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.

SOURCE: Pike Research

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week announced that USDA has selected for funding 67 projects nationwide that are focused on helping rural agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Funding is made available through the Rural Energyfor America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Under Secretary for Ru

ral Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of the Secretary while attending the Pennsylvania meeting of the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA).

 

“The Obama Administration is committed to making America more energy efficient, and in doing so, more competitive by encouraging rural businesses build renewable energy systems,” said Tonsager.

The projects announced today will provide rural small businesses and agricultural producers the opportunity to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy system installations. Eligible intermediaries, such as universities, will receive funds to conduct energy audits which will lead to energy savings and initiatives that will reduce energy consumption for years to come.

Tonsager said that Pennsylvania State University has been selected to receive a $99,676 grant to conduct a statewide initiative that offers technical assistance and workforce solutions through energy audits. Saint Francis University, also in Pennsylvania, was selected to receive $100,000 to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and cost through technical assistance provided by the university.

In Charleston, W. Va., the West Virginia Division of Energy has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to complete 130 energy audits for rural small businesses to help them reduce energy usage and operating costs. Boise State University in Idaho was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to offer energy savings- information and energy audits to more than 1,500 manufacturing-related agricultural producers and small business in the state.

Arbre Farms Corporation in Walkerville, Mich., was selected to receive $7,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing and operating an anaerobic digester that could produce and use biogas as a substitute for propane to power the farm’s boilers. “Last year, these same feasibility study funds provided through REAP assisted in a tremendous year of anaerobic digester development and are an important first step in a successful renewable energy project,” said Tonsager. “Construction is beginning on four USDA funded digester projects here in Pennsylvania and six digester projects next door in Ohio. These systems will provide additional farm income, contribute to better nutrient management, and produce clean, renewable electricity for thousands of homes in the community.”

Today’s announcement is in concert with an agreement signed by Secretary Vilsack in December, 2009. During climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Secretary signed a historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement between USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy calls for the parties to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms by 25 percent by 2020.

With today’s announcement, USDA is awarding more than $2.4 million in energy audits grants, Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants; and more than $1.2 million to support feasibility study projects.

Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) under the 2008 Farm Bill. REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, renewable energy development assistance and energy audits. More information on the REAP program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.html Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions for the grant. The following is a complete list of award recipients announced today.

Feasibility Study Recipients by State

Colorado

Northern Colorado WindPower, LLC – $50,000

Hawaii

Frank A. Cipriani dba Biofarms Hawaii, LLC – $14,255

Tawn I. Kenney dba The Honoka’a People’s Theater – $1,041

Pacific Light and Power, Inc. – $35,338

Iowa

Plymouth Energy, LLC – $9,829

Idaho

Don W. Gilbert Hydro Power, LLC – $14,650

Elizabeth Olson – $1,600

Indiana

e-Biofuels, LLC – $3,149

Maine

Corinth Wood Pellets, LLC – $9,000

Maryland

Berrywine Plantations, Inc., dba Linganore Winecellars – $11,625

Michigan

Arbre Farms Corporation – $7,000

Lowell Light and Power – $30,000

Suburban Aviation, Inc. – $10,000

Minnesota

Little Rock Wind, LLC – $50,000

Norfolk Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Whirlwind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Nebraska

Growth Design Energy Nebraska, LLC – $10,000

New Jersey

Renu Energy Inc., – $50,000

North Dakota

Carrie Piper Cummer – $10,000

Oregon

Donald G. Averill – $27,500

Puerto Rico

Recast Energy, LLC – $9,575

Rhode Island

Global Imaging Holdings Realty, LLC – $50,000

Plain Lane Acres, LLC – $50,000

South Dakota

Blue Cloud Wind, LLC – $50,000

Dakota Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Flandreau Windfarm, LLC – $50,000

Northern Wind, LLC – $50,000

West Pipestone Creek, LLC – $50,000

Texas

Gulf Coast Wind, LLC – $31,296

Hall Brothers Partnership – $25,000

Midwest Renewable Energy, Inc., – $50,000

Mr. E. Green, Inc., – $31,938

Wind Miner, LLC – $29,114

Utah

K.C. Ranches, Inc. – $50,000

Ticaboo Electric Improvement District – $50,000

Vermont

Green Mountain Clean Energy, LLC – $50,000

Lemington Solar Farm, LLC – $15,000

Virginia

Burnshire Hydroelectric, LLC – $10,000

Washington

SKS Management, LLC – $43,750

Western Pacific

Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation – $50,000

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Recipients by State

Alabama

University of Alabama – $97,500

Colorado

Colorado State University – $37,500

Delta-Montrose Electric Association – $97,325

Georgia

The University of Georgia –$100,000

Hawaii

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; State Energy Office – $100,000

Idaho

Boise State University – $100,000

Indiana

Purdue University – $96,531

Iowa

Department of Natural Resources – $99,552

Department of Economic Development – $32,875

Kentucky

University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc. – $100,000

Maine

Greater Portland Council of Governments – $100,000

Efficiency Maine Trust – $100,000

Michigan

Michigan State University –$100,000

Minnesota

Regents of the University of Minnesota – $100,000

Nevada

Nevada System of Higher Education Desert Research Institute –$99,935

New Mexico

Regents of New Mexico State University/Institute for Energy and the Environment – $100,000

North Carolina

Land of Sky Regional Council – $99,825

North Carolina State University – $100,000

Oregon

Oregon Institute of Technology – $100,000

Oregon State University – $74,209

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State University – $99,676

Saint Francis University – $100,000

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. – $50,000

Washington

Washington State Department of Commerce – $100,000

Washington State University – $100,000

West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Energy – $100,000

Wyoming

Office of Research, University of Wyoming –$60,000

Since taking office, the Obama administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu this week announced more than $145 million for projects to help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies and ensure that the United States remains a leader in this global market.

Sixty-nine projects in 24 states will accelerate research and development to increase efficiency, lower costs, and advance cutting-edge technologies. Funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the projects will also improve materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chains for a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and components of solar energy systems. Some of these investments also support efforts that will shorten the overall timeline from prototype to production and streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar energy systems.

“America is in a world race to produce cost-competitive renewable energy that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create manufacturing jobs across the nation, and improve our energy security,” said Secretary Chu.

The projects announced today under DOE’s SunShot Initiative will spur American innovation to help reduce the costs of clean, renewable solar energy and re-establish U.S. global leadership in this fast growing industry.

The SunShot Initiative seeks to make solar energy systems more cost-competitive, without long-term subsidies, by reducing the cost of these systems about 75% by the end of the decade. The achievement of the SunShot Initiative goals will encourage rapid, widespread adoption of solar energy systems across the United States.

SunShot is driving innovation in the way solar energy systems are conceived, designed, manufactured, and installed. The awards announced today will target improvements across the research, development, and demonstration pipeline, from next generation technologies 7-10 years away from commercial readiness, to scientific and technological improvements which can be rapidly implemented within 5 years. The programs will create entirely new and more economical approaches to collecting solar energy and tackle fundamental challenges to ramp up use of these renewable energy technologies.

The six categories of projects announced today are:

Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions: Nine projects to receive $42 million.

These projects will conduct research and development of new balance of system (BOS) hardware, or solar system components including power inverters and mounting racks but excluding solar panels or cells, that is inexpensive, safe, and highly reliable. BOS accounts for more than 40% of the total installed cost of solar energy systems and represents a major opportunity to achieve significant cost reductions.

Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency: Eighteen projects to receive $35.8 million.

Combining both the technical and funding resources of U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, this joint program will support research that aims to eliminate the significant gap between the efficiencies of prototype cells achieved in the laboratory and the efficiencies of cells produced on manufacturing lines. The projects under this award address cost and efficiency barriers, advance fundamental PV cell research, and develop materials and processes for more efficient, cost-effective photovoltaic cells.

Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems: Advanced Concepts: Eight projects to receive $25.9 million.

These projects will develop electronics and build smarter, more interactive systems and components so that solar energy can be integrated into the electric power distribution and transmission grid at higher levels. These technologies will help advance a smart grid that will handle two-way flows of power and communication, in contrast to the one-way power flow and limited communication that exists today.

Transformational PV Science and Technology: Next Generation Photovoltaics II: Twenty-three projects to receive $22.2 million.

These awards will fund applied research into technologies that greatly increase efficiency, lower costs, create secure and sustainable supply chains and perform more reliably than the current PV technologies. Investing in new classes of photovoltaic technology feeds the industry with the new innovations it will need to compete in the future and will help achieve the goals of the Sunshot Initiative.

Reducing Market Barriers and Non-Hardware Balance of System Costs: Seven projects to receive $13.6 million.

These awards will provide funding to create tools and develop methods to reduce the cost of non-hardware components for installed solar energy systems. These projects will develop software design tools and databases that can be used by local jurisdictions and installers, and tools to streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar systems.

SunShot Incubator: Four projects to receive $5.8 million.

These projects will fund two different tiers of transformational projects. The first accelerates development of new technologies from concept to commercial viability. The second level of funding supports efforts that shorten the overall timeline from laboratory scale development to pilot line manufacture. The SunShot Incubator Program is an expansion of DOE’s successful PV Technology Incubator Program, launched in 2007, which to date has funded $60 million in projects that have been leveraged into $1.3 billion in private investment

States across the country have been reaching or exceeding their energy savings goals established through Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS), thereby lowering utility bills for consumers and reducing the need to build costly new power plants.

The forecast is also bright for the future as states expect to achieve even higher energy savings for utility customers in years to come. These are the findings of two reports released recently by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

 

From 2004 to 2010, 24 states followed the lead set by Texas and Vermont by establishing an EERS, a policy that sets long-term energy savings goals for electric and natural gas utilities. Since then, utilities, regulators, and consumers in all corners of the country have embraced this approach to deliver energy efficiency programs that save energy and money in homes and businesses.

The first report, Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: A Progress Report on State Energy Savings Targets, documents the performance of every state with an EERS in place for more than two years. Comparing actual performance with the EERS targets, 13 of the 19 states with EERS policies in place for over two years are achieving 100% or more of their goals, three states are reaching over 90% of their goals, and the three states falling below 80% of their goals are working hard to catch up. In each case, state EERS policies are driving energy efficiency investments and energy cost savings to unprecedented levels.

“These states are demonstrating that energy efficiency programs deliver real savings for utilities and ratepayers, and it is more affordable than any supply-side energy source,” said Michael Sciortino, Policy Analyst and the report’s lead author. By law and rule, the energy efficiency programs implemented in a state with an EERS must cost less than the electricity that would have been produced if not for the programs. Accordingly, utility efficiency programs are saving customers significantly more than they cost.

For example, in 2009 and 2010, Ohio utility customers saved $56 million in energy costs over and above the costs to deliver the programs. Over the lifetime of these programs, they are likely to save customers in excess of three-quarters of a billion dollars—and this is just the beginning. Program goals increase over time.

“As a comprehensive national energy policy remains beyond the reach of Congress, states are taking action to show how bold energy efficiency policies can benefit residential, commercial, and industrial consumers,” said Steven Nadel, ACEEE Executive Director.

The future promises still more savings from state EERS, since most EERS targets increase over the next decade. The second report, Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: State Strategies to Reach Higher Energy Savings, documents how utilities are planning to ramp up their efforts to hit these higher energy savings levels.

The second report includes an analysis of six states with some of the largest and most successful energy efficiency programs in the United States—California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont. In these leading states, utilities are employing new strategies to expand existing programs and add new ones, enhance advertising and promotions, and conduct innovative pilot projects.

Six more states—Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—are also examined in detail as they rapidly ramp up to develop the state-of-the-art energy efficiency programs required to meet the increasingly higher targets. Utilities in these states are running fewer, simpler programs that can get the most energy savings as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

“Experts who specialize in these states say the potential for cost-effective energy efficiency is more than sufficient to meet the goals that have been established, and they put the likelihood of states continuing to meet their goals in the 90% range,” summarized Martin Kushler, ACEEE Senior Research Fellow. “The greatest challenge for the future isn’t technical—it’s inspiring the political will necessary to pass these energy- and money-saving standards in every state.”

To read the first report, Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: A Progress Report on State Energy Savings Targets, click here.

To read the second report, Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: State Strategies to Reach Higher Energy Savings, click here.

To read the fact sheet, click here

Join the forum discussion on this post

Cal-Bay International, Inc. today announced the company is testing a newly designed multi-tier solar panel system for the production of clean energy.

 

Company President Kevin Denniston commented that traditional Solar Energy panels work very well for the production of energy. The biggest drawback is the amount of physical space required to house the panels, and while many creative locations are being utilized, a multi-tier panel allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate multiple panel layers is a major space-saving and maximum efficiency operation, producing more power in a smaller environment. Cal-Bay is currently testing a prototype system that would possibly maximize the production of Solar Energy per location along with significantly reducing the installation costs based on return on Investment (ROI).

 

There are many Federal and State tax incentives available from the installation and use of Clean Energy Solar Panels for utilization in both Commercial and Residential applications. These incentives can be found at: www.solar-estimate.org

Mr. Denniston further commented that, upon satisfactory completion of testing, the company is anticipating the addition of its first Solar facility alongside the company’s soon-to-be-operational, waste to Clean Energy location in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to the installation of the company’s Solar facility, Cal-Bay plans to market the multi-tier panel system for both commercial and residential applications, by way of Direct Marketing and Distributorship opportunities.

More technical and statistical information will be available on the company’s redesigned website, which is currently under reconstruction and should be launched in the very near future.

source Cal-Bay  (PINKSHEETS: CBYI)

via PVTech NREL confirms 41.4%-efficient Solar Junction CPV cell; firm on DOE loan shortlist
Solar Junction has a suite of internal testing tools, such as solar simulator capabilities.The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed that CPV cell supplier Solar Junction has achieved conversion efficiencies of 41.4% on a multijunction cell sampled from the company’s demonstration production line. The early-stage firm also revealed it is one of a small group of candidates—and the only CPV cell company—that have been chosen for “post-selection due diligence” to receive a DOE loan guarantee, which would help support expansion plans for a 250MW factory at its base of operations in San Jose.

Jeff Allen, director of business development, revealed additional details about the latest announcements from the recently de-stealthed concentrator cell outfit in an email interview with PV-Tech.

He said that “the latest NREL efficiency tests concluded approximately two weeks ago.” The efficiency distribution of each of the cells tested at the lab “exceeded 41% peak efficiency.”

The newest hybrid model isn’t a car, but the world’s first hybrid solar energy plant that went on the grid last week in Martin County Florida. The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center is Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) latest innovation to launch Florida as the clean energy state. Working in conjunction with an existing natural gas power plant, the 190,000 solar thermal mirrors track and harness the sun’s rays via hydraulic motors. That energy is then converted into electricity and offsets the use of the natural gas. The natural gas plant then becomes a stored energy plant serving as a back-up energy source.

Sitting on 500 acres of FPL-owned land, the 75 megawatt facility will power 11,000 Florida homes and has already created over 1,000 jobs. According to FPL’s press release, the hybrid plant is expected to

reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 41 billion cubic feet of natural gas and more than 600,000 barrels of oil – which would prevent the release of more than 2.75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and save FPL customers approximately $178 million in fuel costs over the facility’s estimated 30-year lifetime.

Though many solar thermal plants function as hybrids by burning oil at times of low sunlight, the Martin Energy Center is the first to combine a natural gas plant with solar thermal energy. It’s the last of 3 solar facilities built by FPL in the past 2 years, yet plans are underway to add another 500 megawatts of solar power to the state.

While the 75 megawatt system may seem small in comparison to the 3,800 megawatt gas plant, the environmental benefits are still quite significant. Florida is setting itself up to be a leader in using innovative technology and finding economic solutions in the effort to diversify energy sources and harness that abundant Florida sunshine. Oh, and in the event of one of those Florida hurricanes, the solar mirrors turn upside down for protection.

Via: Palm Beach Post

Related posts:

1. 553 Megawatts of Solar To Power 400,000 HomesIt’s the largest single commitment to buy solar power. Pacific…
2. North America’s Largest Solar-Electric Plant Switched OnNorth America’s largest solar photovoltaic system is now running and…
3. Princeton’s Ivy Halls To Be Powered By Solar EnergyPrinceton University will soon be home to the largest solar…

Dated Post, but worth revisiting: Solar Industry to create more than 70,000 Jobs In Ontario by 2015

Despite the higher costs of Solar PV power generation, the net impact to the average Ontario household will be the equivalent of less than 1% of their electricity bills each year – less than the cost of one Tim Horton’s donut per month.

The stated rationale behind Ontario’s Green Energy and Economy Act and the associated Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program was to stimulate job growth and local investment while phasing out the use of coal in energy production. While solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation can help to achieve these goals, it is currently more expensive than other forms of power generation. Given this cost differential, the question is whether investing in solar PV represents good value for Ontario ratepayers and taxpayers.

A recent study by ClearSky Advisors has found that if the OPA continues to award FIT contracts to solar generators at the current rate over the next 5 years, it would translate into more than 70,000 person-years of employment in Ontario. Using data from official sources (i.e., IESO, OPA, Statistics Canada), peer reviewed studies and other recognized sources, the ClearSky Advisors’ report is the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of the expected results from developing solar power in Ontario.

In the study, solar PV generation was found to produce 12 to 15 times the number of jobs created by non-renewable sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear. With approval rates trending toward 3,000MW of solar power capacity over the next 5 years, the increased costs from solar PV to the average Ontario household would amount to the equivalent of 0.7% of their electricity bills per year compared to other energy sources.

“When you consider the economic impacts of solar, it is clear that it creates far more jobs than any other energy source while also decreasing health and environmental costs. Solar energy does, however, cost more to ratepayers than the alternatives,” says Tim Wohlgemut, Co-Founder of ClearSky Advisors. “The question to Ontario households is whether the job creation, lessened environmental impact and reduced healthcare expenses are worth the additional costs to their electricity bill.”

Source: ClearSky Advisors