IKEA continues sustainability efforts installing solar panels at its new Denver store

The über cool Scandinavian furniture store, IKEA, announced this week that it will install solar panels on its new Denver, Colorado store.  The retail outlet is under construction currently, with a projected grand opening in Fall 2011.

REC solar, one of the leading solar electric system providers in the U.S. is slated to design and install the rooftop solar array for IKEA next month.  Over 2,200 solar panels will cover approximately 60,000 square feet of the store’s roof, and will consist of a 498 kilowatt (kW) system.  The amount of solar electricity generated by the rooftop PV panels is the equivalent of removing 586 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year (emissions of 102 cars or powering 64 average homes).

Solar energy is already being generated at the following IKEA stores in the U.S.: Brooklyn, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ.  In addition, solar panel arrays will be installed this year at 8 additional California stores, plus 2 on the East Coast.  IKEA Canada is adding solar systems on three of its Toronto locations too.

Its all part of the company’s sustainability commitment, described in part here:

Doug Greenholz, IKEA’s U.S. real estate manager, stated:

“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment with solar panels on the future Centennial store.  Similar to geothermal, solar energy will reduce greatly the new store’s energy costs and carbon footprint as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”

The new Denver-area IKEA store will be located west of Interstate 25, north of Park Meadows, Colorado.  The construction site covers 13.5 acres and will be home to the new 415,000 square foot retail store.

Rooftop solar panels on an IKEA store

Worldwide, there are more than 300 IKEA furniture stores in 38 countries.  Founded in Sweden in 1943, the company is the world’s leading home furnishings outlet, offering quality items at low prices.  The installation of solar panels at many of its U.S. locations is consistent with the company’s sustainable efforts.  In fact, TIME has listed IKEA as one of the top eight most global eco-conscious companies.

New York Jets Solar Powered Facility

In 2010, several NFL teams decided to go solar.  The New York Jets has the largest PV (photovoltaic) panel system of any of the teams.  Recently, 3000 solar panels were installed at the team’s training facility.  The panels will generate 750,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar electricity, offsetting about 540 tons of CO2 emissions.

According to Thad Sheely, New York Jets executive VP of finance and stadium development:

“This project is the first of many green initiatives on behalf of the team, and we are proud to be green in color and also in deed.”

The panels installed on the rooftop of the NY Jets facility will save the company thousands of dollars each year in utility bills.  Perhaps more importantly is the potential influence of a professional sports team in showing the rest of the country the benefits of solar energy.  It goes without saying that many people emulate sports teams and players.  The installation of solar panels on an NFL team training facility might encourage others to consider the renewable energy resource.

Two other NFL teams have turned to solar power for their facilities. The New England Patriots have a 525-kilowatt solar array at Foxborough Massachusetts’s Patriot Place, and the Seattle Seahawks have an installation at Qwest Field.

Peel and stick solar panels

Thinking about a home solar power system?  Worried about cost and time for installation?  With new “peel and stick” solar panels from Lumeta, installation of PV solar panels can be achieved in 1/3 less time.  No rack mounting and half the labor expense ordinarily required to install solar panels.  Without potentially damaging roof perforation, you can relax while you generate clean, free solar electricity.

The PowerPly 400 uses photovoltaic (PV) thin film solar technology.  Basically, its a coating of solar cells on glass that, according to its website, “contains a DuPont™ Tefzel front sheet and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) substrate that allows module flexibility, yet provides the rigidity needed to assure module strength.”

In addition to the easy installation of the peel and stick solar panels, weight of the solar power system is minimal.  PowerPly 400′s design is low-height, which also prevents water pooling at the base of the panels, saving your investment – and your roof.

If you are interested in the peel and stick solar panels, you can get PowerPly directly from Lumeta in quantities greater than 250 kW.  Lumeta Inc. is one of four subsidiaries of DRI Companies, a California leader in roofing and solar technologies.

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film Manufacturing

Last week, technology company 3M  announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Columbia, Missouri, for its 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film. As a key component supplier to the thin film solar industry, the expansion will support the growing demand for high efficiency flexible PV modules.

Derek DeScioli, Business Manager for the 3M Renewable Energy Division, commented on the announcement:

“3M once again demonstrates the value it brings to the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector by bringing our high-performance Ultra Barrier Solar Film to commercial-scale production.  3M is a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.”

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film has been designed to be a glass replacement in thin film solar panels.  Solar module manufacturers can use the solar film instead of glass for additional flexibility, and lower weight panels that can be installed in less time with high light transmission, superb moisture barrier performance, and excellent weatherability.  In addition, PV panels manufactured with 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film do not need metal racking, which reduces logistics expenditures.  With 3M Ultra Barrier Film, manufacturers can commercialize large area modules, effectively reducing fixed costs associated with module manufacturing, assembled in a continuous roll-to-roll process.

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film is the result of more than a decade of development in transparent barrier technology, as well as over 45 U.S. patents and patent-pending applications covering construction, materials and processes.  The company  plans to begin high-volume production of the Ultra Barrier Film to supply 3M’s global thin film solar customer base, including manufacturers throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Solar ivy to generate "green" electricity for your home?

Solar energy is getting artistic.  Designers, artists and and architects are finding more and more ways to make green electricity attractive, as well as efficient.

The latest entry in the solar art arena is a solar-wind hybrid invention called “Solar Ivy,” pictured above.  When the sun shines on the photovoltaic (PV) leaves, or the wind blows through them, clean renewable energy is generated.

Created by Samuel and Teresita Cochran, a brother-sister team of Brooklyn-based SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology), Solar Ivy is comprised of thin film solar over polyethylene.  Consumers will have the option of also having a piezoelectric generator attached to capture kinetic energy generated by breezes.

Don’t head to your local hardware store looking for solar-powered ivy just yet, however.  The invention is still in the concept phase as developers work to lower the cost of the micro-generators.

But don’t they look cool?!

Close up of solar ivy "leaves"

Solar Ivy has been making news, even if it isn’t yet climbing the sides of your home or office building.  It was featured at the MoMa Exhibition, Design Philadelphia, by Dwell on Design, and by the New York Times for its 9th Annual Year in Ideas issue (2009).

At Design Philadelphia, the Cochrans installed Solar Ivy on a bus stop.  Can you imagine re-charging your phone or laptop with solar energy generated by mechanical leaves, while waiting for your bus?

Solar panels adjacent to Pocono Raceway are visible from outer space!

Solar energy at a NASCAR racetrack in Long Pond, Pennsylvania is the latest example of how sports facilities can defray rising utility bills and combat global warming by unplugging from coal-based power.

Pocono Raceway unveiled its new 3 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system yesterday.  Comprised of 40,000 solar modules, the solar panel system covers 25 acres adjacent to the 2.5 mile track.  Not only will the solar power generated by the panels cover the racetrack’s electrical needs, it will also feed excess solar electricity into the grid to power more than 1,000 additional homes!  The new solar installation will offset more than 3,100 tons of CO2 each year.

The new installation is so large, you can see it from outer space!  In fact, its the largest sports facility solar panel system in the world.

Brandon Ignalsky, President of Pocono Raceway, enthused:

“This is an important milestone for Pocono Raceway and our sport. Pocono Raceway strongly believes in the NASCAR industry’s commitment to operate in a more environmentally responsible way and is proud to be the first race track to power our sport with clean, renewable sunlight as the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility. This solar power system, built with timber, steel and solar panels made in the U.S., satisfies all our Raceway’s energy needs, while helping to power local homes. This project demonstrates real sustainability and proves that any business that truly wants to go green can do it.”

The Pocono Raceway Solar Project was developed by enXco on land adjacent to the track that used to serve as a parking lot.  The famed track hosts two annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series summer events.

The solar installation was in part due to a green mindset of NASCAR fans.  According to Brian France, Chairman and CEO of NASCAR:

“NASCAR is committed to becoming a leader in environmental responsibility by reducing our impact and serving as a testing ground for innovative new approaches for sustainability.  This meaningful green project reflects the NASCAR industry’s collaborative approach to preserving the environment and highlights Pocono Raceway’s significant contribution as the first major U.S. sports venue to go green with 100% renewable energy. We encourage other tracks and sponsors to follow this lead in making sustainable programs and renewable energy a continued priority for the sport.”

Pocono Racetrack is now powered by solar energy

Now, let’s hear it for a victory lap for renewable energy!

How clean is solar energy?

Why is it that, even though the U.S. invented much of modern solar technology, other countries around the world are generating more solar power than we are?  In spots such as Colorado and even my hometown of Bend, Oregon, there are more than 300 sunny days each year.  Why not tap into these abundant resources?

Could it be that there are concerns about how clean is solar energy?

Compared to other energy sources, solar energy does not need to be mined or transported, both of which can harm the environment.  It shines right here in our own country, so global politics do not come into play.  Still, PV panels are made from silica, which is not in itself hazardous, but they also include other ingredients that are mildly dangerous to health.  Nonetheless, they are not more so than those associated with painting vehicles or building furniture with resins and stains.

Its helpful to know how solar panels are made when deciding how clean solar energy is.

Clean solar energy?

If you work around silica dust, you will need a mask.  You won’t want to breathe it on a daily basis.  Still, even if you are involved in the manufacturing of PV panels, that is much safer than nuclear, coal, or other types of energy.

Unlike other types of energy, PV panels can produce clean electricity for more than 3 decades, and it is truly home-grown power.  That means that its not dependent on the state of the electrical grid (let alone utility rates and practices).

When you install solar PV panels, you should not have to worry about the cleanliness of solar energy – relative to coal-based electricity, its considerably more eco-friendly.  If you are off-grid, you merely need to consider an appropriate battery unit, in which excess energy can be stored.  When you do so, consider that the federal and state tax incentives and credits are applicable not only for solar panels, but also inverters and batteries.

Even if you can answer the question, “how clean is solar energy,” it may not be more widely adopted until its cost comes down.  Currently in the United States, coal and other fossil fuels are genearally a less expensive resource.  Yet, they will be depleted someday.  And, we import a great deal of that energy, which leads to political implications.

Its time for us to put aside the preconceptions of solar power being expensive and dirty.  We need to complete the shift to clean solar energy – and soon!

Build a solar panel system for free energy

We’ve posted before about easy, DIY solar energy kits for your home.  With electricity costs rising quickly, don’t you think its time to build a solar panel system for free energy?

Trust me – you don’t have to live in the desert southwest or near the equator to tap into solar energy.  Nor do you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars for an investment.  Just a bit of UV light each day, and PV panels that are unobstructed and angled to the south (in the northern hemisphere).

Heck, even the government wants to make it easy for you!  With generous federal and state tax incentives, you can re-coup up to 80% of the cost of a solar panel system.

Home solar power system

There are many benefits you’ll realize from a home solar power system:

• No greenhouse gas emissions.  Solar energy is not only free, its carbon-free!  There are no emissions or byproducts from generating electricity from the sun.

• Free energy.  Your only cost is for the solar panel system.  After that, electricity is free, and reliable (no blackouts during storms or emergencies).  After a few years, you’ll recoup the cost of a home solar energy system in utility bill savings, plus increased property value.

PennWell Logo

Exciting news for those that want to stay up to date with the photovoltaic industry.  PennWell Corporation, a global media company, announced last week that it will launch Photovoltaics World magazine, in which articles concerning the rapidly growing photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing industry will be published on a bi-monthly basis, starting in March 2009.  For nearly 100 years, Pennwell Corporation has been a leading authority in print and online publications, and also regularly holds conferences and exhibitions to highlight products to strategic global markets.

Despite the fact that the magazine will compete with blogs like this one, I think this is tremendous news!  PennWell definitely has the background and experience to bring technical, detailed articles on photovoltaic technology.  When it comes to conveying accurate information about new developments in this fast-growing field, my money is on PennWell!

As stated in the press release concerning Photovoltaics World, this is the prime time for coverage of this topic:

“By 2020, about 50,000 megawatts (50 gigawatts) worth of photovoltaic (PV) systems will be installed annually, up by a factor of nearly 20X from 2,538 megawatts in 2007. By 2010, as many as 400 production lines in the world that can produce at least 1MW of PV cells per year will be in place, representing a fourfold increase from about 90 to 100 production lines in 2007.”

As it establishes the new Photovoltaic World magazine concerning solar energy, it is somewhat ironic to note that PennWell was a pioneer in the emerging oil industry with Oil & Gas Journal magazine, founded in 1902.  Of course, it is an entirely different world now, a century later.  Nonetheless, Oil and Gas Journal has an online presence, as well as print, if you want to stay up to date on fossil fuels.

It can be a Photovoltaic World

But back to Photovoltaics World. PennWell already publishes articles covering aspects of the photovoltaics/solar cell industry in its Solid State Technology, Renewable Energy World, Laser Focus World and Power Engineering publications.  Therefore, the company states that the new magazine will be a logical extension of its existing circulations.  I can’t agree more.

PennWell’s Technology Group based in Nashua, New Hampshire will manage the Photovoltaics World magazine launch.  Explaining what readers can expect from the new magazine, Peter Singer, Editor-in-Chief of Solid State Technology said:

“Photovoltaics technology is all about bandgap engineering and looking for ways to increase cell efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. Many of the latest advances have come from applying know-how originally developed for semiconductor manufacturing, and we expect to see more of the same.”

Photovoltaics World will not be limited to a magazine.  The launch will include a website that will be updated regularly and PV Times, a weekly newsletter.  Pennwell expects circulation to be around 20,000 readers.  If you are a total geek, or know one – this has got to be the magazine for you!  As often as I research and write about solar panels and solar power technology, the described topics of articles is a bit over my head, based on this statement from the Photovoltaics World press release:

“[The magazine will] focus on solar cell design and manufacture, including cells made of multi-, mono- and nano- crystalline silicon, amorphous thin-film silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium diselenide (CIS) and GaAs. Multijunction cells and concentrator technology will also be covered.”

Learn more about solar panels at Photovoltaic World

Not surprisingly, PennWell is very excited about the new Photovoltaic World launch.  We can expect to see more renewable energy information come from this established media company in the years ahead, as PennWell strives to become the number one source for researchers, scientists, and many others interested in the PV industry.

Would you subscribe to the new magazine?  What do you think about Photovoltaics World?