Solar power: Good for the economy and the planet

2009 Dec 4

America’s dialogue about clean energy took center stage last month when President Obama traveled to Arcadia, Florida to showcase FPL’s DeSoto Solar Energy Center. It is currently the largest solar photovoltaic power plant in the country.

Comparing this project to the building of the interstate highway system, Obama at the time said, “Now, it's time to make the same kind of investment in the way our energy travels -- to build a clean energy superhighway that can take the renewable power generated in places like DeSoto and deliver it directly to the American people in the most affordable and efficient way possible.”

At the same time, 3,000 miles away, the Solar Power International 2009 Convention was taking place in Anaheim, California. This year’s event, the largest in its six-year history, attracted over 23,000 participants and more than 900 exhibitors. On display were products that collect, store, transmit, and change light and heat from the sun into electricity or hot water.

In addition, panelists from companies such as Suntech, Sharp, First Solar and GroSolar discussed the future of solar power to boost our economy and provide green, clean American jobs. Rhone Resch, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, presented a “Solar Bill of Rights” and told of provisions in the stimulus package that were expected to create over 100,000 solar jobs in the next few years.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis explained how 11 departments and agencies, and six White House offices worked to develop ideas to reduce energy costs for homeowners, to provide training for workers and support for entrepreneurs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., named as one of Time Magazine’s “Heroes of the Planet,” said to the audience, “You”ll hear people say that we have to choose between environmental protection on the one hand and economic prosperity on the other, and that is a false choice. In 100 percent of the situations, good environmental policy is identical to good economic policy.”

Kennedy also spoke about the hidden subsidies and health costs of the oil, nuclear and coal industries, to the tune of more than $1 trillion each year, and contrasted that to the economic advantages to the taxpayer as we switch to solar and wind energy.

Read more: http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3585&Itemid=188

Want to help with Global-Warming? Please visit http://www.whiteearth.org

Please become a fan of the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarthorg/119367692642 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarth/165767310764

Become a friend on Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/christopherbeau

Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/christopherbeau

When you buy art on http://www.artsymphony.com 100% of your investment goes to sponsor WhiteEarth

Zero Carbon City

2007 May 9

The Masdar Initiative is an environmental urban ambition by Foster + Partners to develop a sustainable city. They recently released these beautiful images of their conceptual walled city where residents would enjoy a carbon and waste-free environment. The 6 million square metre project is based on the principles of an ancient walled city, combined with modern alternative energy technologies. The mixed-use, high density city will include a University, Innovation Center, Company Headquarters and several economic zones. The company plans to launch the project at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2007. The initiative is being driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company.

There are critics who say that the city appears cold and uninviting, like a computer microchip. However, the fact remains that this project will be a world first, and that it “promises to question conventional urban wisdom at a fundamental level. Masdar promises to set new benchmarks for the sustainable city of the future.” The city will be entirely self-sustaining!

Masdar CEO, Sultan Al Jaber explained, “There is nothing like this in the world. We are creating a synergetic environment; it is a true alternative energy cluster. Here you will find researchers, students, scientists, business investment professionals, and policy makers all within the same community. It will be a living example of sustainable development that will position Abu Dhabi and Masdar at the forefront of intelligent resource utilization. It will combine the talent, expertise and resources to enable the technological breakthroughs necessary for truly sustainable development.”

Construction of this large-scale project will occur in two well-planned phases. In phase one of the project a large solar photovoltaic power plant will be built as a central energy source. In phase two urban growth will occur. The site is located in close proximity to Abu Dhabi’s transportion infrastructure, which will allow for easy access to and from surrounding communities. An efficient network of rail, road and public transit will link the city to central Abu Dhabi and the international airport.

Read more: http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/zero-carbon-city/

Want to help with Global-Warming? Please visit http://www.whiteearth.org

Please become a fan of the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarthorg/119367692642 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarth/165767310764

Become a friend on Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/christopherbeau

Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/christopherbeau

When you buy art on http://www.artsymphony.com 100% of your investment goes to sponsor WhiteEarth

Solar toys

2009 Dec 1

On Oct. 25, 2009, Barack Obama presided over the beginning of operation of the largest solar-energy facility yet built in the United States. "Largest Solar-Panel Plant in U.S. Rises in Florida" by Christine Armario, Associated Press, Oct. 23, 2009, brings word that this plant cost $150 million to build and is sited on 180 acres of Florida land. It is touted as a "25-megawatt" facility.

"Florida's New 90,000-Solar-Panel Power Station" by Energy Matters, Renewable Energy News, Oct. 12, 2009, reports that the builder, Florida Power and Light Company, estimates that it will produce 42,000 megawatt hours per year of electricity.

(42,000) / (24) (365) = 4.8 megawatts. (4.8) / (25) = 0.19 – so the plant actually produces, on average, 19 percent of the energy produced at its peak output under perfect conditions – the "25-megawatt" figure. This fivefold difference is typical of reports on solar installations.

The annual 42,000 megawatt hours at 6 cents per kilowatt hour (the current price in Oregon) is worth $2.52 million. At 10 cents (a reasonable national average for "on peak" power – "off peak" costs much less), 42,000 megawatt hours is worth $4.2 million.

Climate change? Sure – it happens four times a year. Get the bumper sticker that expresses your opinion about science hoax

Using 6 cents, ($150 million) ÷ ($2.52 million per year) = 60 years. At 10 cents, ($150 million) ÷ ($4.2 million per year) = 36 years. Moreover, these are ordinary consumer prices. Industry uses large amounts of less expensive "off peak" power – power generated when public use is lower, such as at night. These estimates of years to recover cost do not include maintenance and other expenses.

The Palo Verde nuclear-power station – long ago fully paid for by power generated during its first few years of operation – currently produces electricity at a cost of 1.65 cents per kilowatt hour. At this price, the Florida array would require 214 years to pay its costs of construction – if it were in competition with nuclear power that is available whether or not the sun is shining.

At current consumer rates and operating costs, the new Florida solar array will need to operate for a long time just to return the capital that was required to build it. In competition with Palo Verde, this would be more than 200 years. Since the estimated lifetime of solar panels is now about 30 years, maintenance and replacement costs will extend the payback period. Moreover, solar-panel output diminishes over time. The Florida array has a realistic capital return period of at least 50 years – about the same as the Nellis Air Force Base and Google solar plants.

Read more: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=117541

Want to help with Global-Warming? Please visit http://www.whiteearth.org

Please become a fan of the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarthorg/119367692642 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/WhiteEarth/165767310764

Become a friend on Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/christopherbeau

Follow me on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/christopherbeau