Solar power is an impressive renewable energy resource

Calculations by Bloomberg New Energy Finance show that investments in renewable energy are surpassing fossil fuels for the first time in new power plant investments. Consider this: electricity from the wind, sun, waves and biomass drew $187 billion last year compared with $157 billion for natural gas, oil and coal.  All this results in lower materials and equipment costs.

Last week, Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that renewable energy investments, like those in solar power, are projected to double over the next eight years and reach $395 billion per year.  While it is not yet enough to stabilize emissions and control climate change, it is still a step in the right direction.

What do you think about solar power passing fossil fuels in investments?

Solar Energy is Our Answer to Rising Gas Prices

This turn of events has me reconsidering my father’s advice at least five years ago: reduce your reliance on foreign oil and you increase national security.  Instead of fighting wars in the Middle East to protect oil supplies, why not increase our use of solar power instead?

Gasoline prices in the U.S. are at $4 per gallon (as of this posting) and could rise as much as an additional $1 per gallon this year.  However, if we switched to electric cars that can be recharged with solar power instead of grid-based electricity, saving money and the environment would be much easier.

Among other things, government needs to make a shift away from subsidizing big oil and instead invest the money in solar technology.  When it comes to the impact of solar power on National security, the best thing we can do is to rely on our own, home-grown power.

Peak Oil?  Do we really have to worry about that?

Solar Poweron the uprise following the Japan Earthquake

While Japan struggles to recover after the disaster, other countries are taking note and hoping to lay the groundwork for safer renewable energy options, beyond nuclear.  The State of California, in particular is looking closely at two of its own operating nuclear reactors – Diablo Canyon and San Onofre – which may be vulnerable to earthquakes.

Quite simply, the Japan Earthquake may be causing a major shift in the way we approach alternative energy in the future.  In fact, some experts believe that nuclear power will likely play a smaller role in the future energy market, while solar and wind energy are much more secure, safer and easy to distribute.  But others, may still be placing stock in nuclear, despite fears.

Finally, the location of the earthquake will impact solar energy in general.  Japan currently makes up a quarter of the world’s solar production.  In the days following the natural disaster, the following plants shut down production of solar panels:  Sanyo, Panasonic, the Kyocera Corp. and Sharp.  Even when the workers return to the factories, the power grid still cannot transport clean solar electricity to the people that need it most.

More solar cities in Japan in the future?

Overall, the governments of Japan, China, France, Italy and Germany may add to the solar energy shares in their renewable energy portfolios in the coming months.  At the same time, plans for new nuclear power plants around the world are being scrapped.  All this momentum could result in promotion of solar power, and a cleaner, safer future.  If there is a single silver lining from the terrible Japan Earthquake tragedy, perhaps this foundation of hope is it.

Chevy's going to help the country go green!

Automobile manufacturer, Chevrolet, has been garnering positive headlines for itself recently!  In addition to the release of the 2011 Chevy Volt (a plug-in electric hybrid car), it recently announced it will invest $40 million for advancement of clean energy over the next several years.

More specifically, Chevrolet’s goal is to offset 8 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, which would be the emissions from the nearly 2 million cars it expects to sell in 2011.  It is also equivalent to the electricity used by 1 million average American homes.

General Motors CEO, Dan Akerson commented:

“Chevrolet’s investment is an extension of the environmental initiatives we’ve been undertaking for years because the solution to global environmental challenges goes beyond just vehicles.”

Chevrolet’s investment of $40 million will go to support nationwide projects that promote renewable energy, responsible consumption of natural resources and energy saving technologies, as well as investments in third-party organizations.

In December 2010, the automaker started selling the Chevy Volt in California, Texas, New York, and Washington D.C.

Electree Bonsai Solar Charger (image from Electree)

Renewable energy meets style with this inventive Bonzai solar charger from Electree!  Now you can be “green” and “cool” at the same time with this device on your desk.

Designer Vivien Muller created this contemporary design that is as functional as it is beautiful.  The solar battery charger is about 40 cm in height and includes 42 PV panel “leaves” that can generate solar power when positioned in a sunny window during the day.  Inside the Electree’s base is a battery that connects to a USB port.  Plug in your cell phone, mP3 player, your camera or GPS device and recharge with clean, free solar power.

The design is smart in that it allows users to position the solar power “leaves” to minimize shading, if possible.  Magnetized modules allow you to create your own bonzai tree, and even re-orient the PV cells to increase efficiency throughout the day.  While seriously effective, this solar charger is only intended for indoor use!

Portable solar power meets stylish design (image from Electree)

“Electree’ was presented for the first time on may 6th, 2010 at the palais de tokyo in Paris.  Although it has been produced commercially, only 20 units have been created so far.  So, you might just have to marvel from your computer at this cool solar power design, and await for copycats to hit your local design store in the future!

From Booklist

Packaged in a small, square format, this title presents a surprising amount of information about solar power in brief sentences that are calibrated to newly confident readers’ abilities. The short chapters start with essential definitions of terms such as solar system before moving into topics such as renewable energy and greenhouse gases. The selection of well-chosen color photos, which are crisply reproduced on each page, is particularly strong in final chapters (more…)

Review

‘Few missions are more important than solarizing the developing world – Few people have more experience of this task than Damian Miller. This unmissable book is the story of making it happen.’ Jeremy Leggett, Founder and Executive Chairman of Solar Century, and author of Half Gone and The Carbon War ‘Selling Solar sheds light on the failures, successes, lessons learned and best-practice in the history of solar innovation diffusion in emerging market economies. Its analyses (more…)

Studies have shown that the average North American family will spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on energy in a lifetime. What many other countries, including Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, China, Brazil, and even Iceland, have realized is that there is a better way to power our homes, businesses, and cars by using renewable energy sources. Recently, the United States has begun to understand the importance of reducing its reliance on coal, natural gas, nuclear pow (more…)

WordPress Amazon Autoposter Plugin

The Beatles on Abbey Road

I gave my youngest son a CD player for Christmas this year.  He is only 5 years old, but seemingly wiser beyond his years.  Of course, I had to also wrap up a few CDs for him to listen to, including a kids’ version of the Beatles Greatest Hits.  All day long today, I got to hear, “Here Comes the Sun,” among other 60′s favorites.

It wasn’t a bad experience.  I happen to love the song.  Want to sing along with me?  Check out this video:

Here Comes the Sun

What was the inspiration behind this classic Beatles song?  Well, George Harrison (RIP) had recently quit the band due to some personal troubles – an arrest for marijuana possession, among other things.  The year was 1969 – can you believe it – nearly 40 years ago!  The song was quickly produced in a number of days in July-August 1969.  In addition to the classic, original, there have been many popular covers of “Here Comes The Sun.”  Still, I think the original version is the best.

The lyrics to Here Comes the Sun are particularly appropriate for a solar blog (in my opinion).  If you haven’t considered them recently, please sing along with me now:

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,

and I say it’s all right

 

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

and I say it’s all right

 

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

and I say it’s all right

 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…

 

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,

and I say it’s all right

It’s all right 

Here Comes the Sun to provide solar heat and energy in 2009 and beyond.  Who knew the Beatles were such visionaries, as well as great entertainers?