Simpa Networks is using a ‘cell phone’ price model with solar panels
pink_dispatcher/CC BY-SA 2.0
I came across a great idea at Tree Hugger. There article “Selling Home Solar Like a Cell Phone Plan” article talks about how more and more new energy consumers are expected to come online in the developing world. If they use cheap and dirty power sources like coal, the effects on the global climate could be catastrophic.
Simpa Networks has a great idea. They are using the cellphone pricing model to make expensive solar energy a cheap option for new energy consumers. This could have a really positive effect on both solar energy technology and power production in the third world.
Solar Junction Achieves 43.5 Percent Efficiency
A Solar Junction wafer of high-efficiency solar cells. Each individual chip can produce about 20 watts. (Credit: Solar Junction)
A Silicon Valley start-up, Solar Junction has announced that they have achieved record breaking peak efficiencies of 43.5 percent. They claim this was verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Measurement and Characterization Laboratory.
To achieve this new efficiency, they designed a multijunction cell made up of multiple layers of photovoltaic materials. Each layer is then optimized to convert a different portion of the light spectrum. Similar multijunction solar cells have been used on spacecraft for decades.
Currently, this technology is oriented towards large utility sized projects using mirrors to concentrate the energy onto the cells.
Costco to Sell Solar Panels
You will soon be able to buy ready-to-install solar kits at Costco’s website (under the “Hardware – Generators & Backup Power” Category). They will be selling 880W, 2300W, 3680W, or 5060W ready-to-install kits from Grape Solar of Eugene Oregon.
From their press release: “In order to make this tremendous undertaking possible, and bring such a complex product to consumers, Grape Solar has established a network of 5000+ installers across the country to provide local customer support. “At first I was concerned that Grape Solar was undercutting us by taking such a direct approach to the end user, but with the increased customer awareness and the steady stream of referrals, our business has been booming,” says Ray Baxter, General Manager of Arizona Power-save, an Arizona-area installer.
The Home Solar Power kits are grid-tied systems that include Grape Solar panels, inverters, and racking systems that are ready to install onto a home or other roofed structure. This easy to install kit is designed with the potential for future expansion in mind. The consumer is able to start small, and generate a portion of their own power consumption, or upgrade and make the power company pay them by generating additional power that is sold back onto the utility grid. Users can create larger systems by linking more of the easily connected kits to one another.”
Van Jones tells Powershift 2011: “We can’t Afford for Poor People Not to Have Solar Panels”
Photo credit: Chris Eichler courtesy of Energy Action Coalition
Van Jones, green jobs adviser to President Obama recently addressed Power Shift 2011 (a gathering of 10,000 students and young leaders) and talked about the need to bring clean energy to poor communities and to fight for social equality together with climate action.
“Notice that the wealthy people have the solar panels, the poor people have the high energy bills” he said. “We can’t afford for poor people not to have solar panels.” He went on to discuss the need to change the stereotype of solar power saying that “The stereotype is that solar power is just hippie power. But it’s also cowboy power, farmer power, rancher power, and Appalachian mountain power.”
He also called for students to be more active and said “if you have a smart phone, you have more computing power than the US government had when it put man on the moon.Stop using them as toys, and start sing them as tools to change American … You have to make a decision not to wake your turn.”
Wind farms unscathed by the recent Japanese earthquakes.
With all of the damage in the recent Japanese earthquakes and the continuing concern about Japanese nuclear reactors after the quakes, it is good to hear that so far none of the Japanese wind farms have been reported damaged. As Kelly Rigg, from the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA), writes on the Huffington Post:
“Colleagues and I have been directly corresponding with Yoshinori Ueda leader of the International Committee of the Japan Wind Power Association & Japan Wind Energy Association, and according to Ueda there has been no wind facility damage reported by any association members, from either the earthquake or the tsunami.”
She goes on to say that even Kamisu Wind Farm, 300 km from the earthquake’s epicenter was undamaged thanks to its “anti-earthquake battle proof design”. Currently, most Japanese wind farms are operational with some still offline due to grid failures as a result of the Earthquake and tsunami.
How Photovoltaic Systems Work
The US Department of Energy put out this great series of videos on YouTube recently explaining some basics of solar power and home energy.
Energy 101: Solar PhotoVoltaics
Energy 101: Geothermal Heat Pumps
Energy 101: Wind Turbines
Energy 101: Cool Roofs
Energy 101: Concentrating Solar Power
Edmonton Alberta Eco Solar Home Tour
I came across an interesting website for the Eco Solar Home Tour in Edmonton Alberta. This is a great site full of a lot of information about Edmonton’s best solar homes.
The tour usually happens in the first or second week of June during Environment Week.
I just might have to head north and check it out this year.
Solar Powered Security
The eco-friendly movement seems to be taking over many technological products including wireless security systems. Wireless security systems are a great eco-friendly choice for several reasons. First of all, the fact that the systems are wireless makes them easy to take with you whenever you move houses. Instead of discarding or leaving behind your security system, you can simply take it with you! That means less waste. Another great green technology for security systems is the use of alternative energy sources. For example, the solstice camera pictured here is powered completely by the sun! That means less use of traditional and non-sustainable resources. Another good thing about going wireless where your security systems are concerned is that it means less use of fossil fuels — you can install these yourself instead of having a technician drive over to your home. There is also less wasted resources because no wires are used! Sometimes going green is the easiest and smartest choice for convenience and for the planet.
World Power Needs Perspective
Those tiny green square dots outlined in red are what would need to be covered with solar panels to power the entire world in 2030. Yes, the entire world!! Imagine that for a moment. 0 carbon emmissions. None at all from electrical consumption machinery or transportation. Absolutely incredible, right? I ran into this map by Land Art Generator while stumbling around the net. It reminded me of the ridiculous Verizon vs. AT&T coverage maps that are constantly being shown on television ads. You know…
Now, I know that these maps are not completely comparable. This one is only the United States. And it only shows areas that have cell phone coverage by the two companies but imagine what could be achieved if even 1/1000 of that space was covered by solar panels instead of simply having cell phone coverage!
Not convinced?? How about this popular map showing McDonald’s locations through the United States?
What if 1/100 of that space represented solar panel coverage? What if we simply slapped some solar panels on the roof of every single McDonald’s worldwide? Remember that the Mc Obesity epidemic is not simply an American issue…they are unfortunately spreading worldwide into the far reaches of pretty much everywhere. Imagine how much emissions could be saved simply by having self sufficient McDonald’s? Kind of makes me see things a little more clearly.
Solar Power Australia 2011 | Melbourne, Australia February 22nd – February 23rd, 2011
The Australian federal government has pledged $1.5 billion to fund soloar energy projects around Australian as part of their Solar Flagship program which sets ambitious targets for renewable energy generation by 2020.
IQPC’s Solar Power Australia 2010 will feature over 10 case studies from Australia and around the world to provide you with the opportunity to:
- Gain Key insight into some of the biggest solar power projects in the industry
- Discover key strategies for acquiring funding for your projects
- Network with your industry peers
- Explore the growth of solar power in Australia and around the world and scope future industry trends
- Hear from key government decision makers and solar power investors
For more information see the Solar Power Australia 2011 site.