solar energy

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Solar Fun in the Sun

“Northern California Solar Regatta.” SMUD Community Solar. SMUD,

n.d.Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

 

https://www.smud.org/en/about-smud/environment/renewable-energy/solar-regatta.htm

 

This is a boat racing event where teams from different high schools and colleges compete to build the fastest boat. There is a twist however, these boats are powered by solar energy that they collect as they race, meaning that the efficiency of energy collection is what is really being tested. This competition is open to all schools north of Fresno and is held in the Rancho Seco Recreational Area. SMUD loans out the solar panels to schools, due to the large price tag that is still associated with these products.

 

This is an incredible thing for the future of solar power. It is undeniable that very often seeing is believing. Having a program where young people can work with solar panels and build a machine that they can use to compete with other schools allows them to see solar energy at work directly. This in turn cements the concept to them as not only feasible but as an immediate solution to the energy problems of the future. These young people will go on carrying these ideas into their adulthood, spreading the idea and in all likelihood being more likely to install solar panels of their own.

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Corporate Accountability

 

unknown.(August 26, 2014). Verizon On Track to Be No. 1 Solar-Power Producer

Among U.S. Communications Companies, Environmental News Network:

Energy, Retrieved September 18, 2014, from

http://www.enn.com/business/article/47756

 

 

Telecommunications company, Verizon, is set up to become the industries leader in solar energy. With the installation of eight new solar power systems and eight of their facilities Verizon will install 10.2 megawatts of solar. This added on to the already impressive 15 megawatts of solar power will make them the national leader in their industry with 25 megawatts of green energy produced. To reach this point Verizon has already invested $140 in the project and will now be spending $40 million more to finish the project. With the completion of the new installations Verizon will be one of the top ten competitors for most solar energy produced.

 

It is important to remember that in our country the heavyweights in economic maters are the corporations and conglomerates. Without the assistance of these groups our nation will never be powered by green energy. That said it is rare, though as we see here it does happen, that large companies pay attention to the growing concern for environmental damage. The few times this does happen I think it is important that we recognize and reward the company for doing it so that other try to emulate their success and in turn aid in saving the environment. This is something that I think we all need to do personally when we see a company, or any group, doing something that we approve of.

 

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Solar Islands

 

Major, Jon.(2014, September 15). Japan: ‘solar islands’ replace nuclear power,

Environmental News Network: Energy, Retrieved September 18, 2014, from

http://www.enn.com/business/article/47833

 

Following the disaster at Hiroshima the Japanese public has lost much of its trust in nuclear power. Once seen as the clean energy future the risks the nuclear power plants pose in an earthquake heavy region have become very clear. The response to this has been a surge in interest in alternative clean energy solutions. Unfortunately the Island nation of Japan has little space to put large solar fields unlike America with its large lightly populated territory. To circumvent this problem Two large Japanese corporations have worked together to design and launch the first of thirty “solar islands”. The floating barges produce electricity via solar panels and this energy is transmitted by sunken cable to the mainland.  The best part of the idea is that it takes up space that was not already being used.

 

This is one of those ideas that makes you sit back and realize that the crazy sci-fi future might not be too far off. If we start making barges that produce their own electricity then the time of floating cities and towns might not be that far off. That aside this technology is just one more promising story of crazy new innovation that has taken hold of the energy industry of late. While this might not be the most practical solution for America this idea and others like it are part of this promising new wave of innovation that is going to define this coming era.

 

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Rocky Mountain Institute

 

Greenville, J.( 2014, June 22). The Rocky Mountain Institute and Weaning Ourselves

off of Oil and Coal. Emagazine, Emagazine: EarthTalk, Retreved July 15, 2014,

from http://www.emagazine.com/earth-talk/the-rocky-mountain-institute-

and-weaning-ourselves-off-of-oil-and-coal

 

 

The think tank Rocky Mountain Institute has proposed a plan to wean the country off fossil fuels. Instead of organizing large renewable energy plants, though they support the creation of such plants, they want to encourage a more grass roots effort to reduce our oil and coal dependence. By convincing architects to build new buildings in an energy conscious way and get people to install solar panels in their homes to reduce the weight on the energy grid. RMI also intends to push for large-scale improvements in cities that already embrace green technologies so they can lead the way for less progressive areas. The group has the goal of eliminating oil and coal dependence in America by 2050.

 

I think the plan that the Rocky Mountain Institute is following is wise because it does not depend on large private interest and political groups spending large quantities of money on new technology. By trying to make it possible for individual homeowners to eliminate the need for outside power. The best part of this plan is the way it defuses the cost of building the solar installations. Instead of the government or corporations spending billions replacing existing power plants with new ones, this cost is the main reason that all energy does not come from solar power today. Hopefully the movement takes root and solar energy becomes more common in the coming years.

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Solar Chimney

Grose, T. (2014, April 16). Solar Chimneys Can Convert Hot Air to Energy, But Is

Funding a Mirage?. National Geographic, National Geographic: Daily News,

Energy.Retrieved July 13, 2014, from

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/04/140416-

solar-updraft-towers-convert-hot-air-to-energy/

 

An inventive idea for a harnessing solar power that has long been looked to as a solution to the demand for energy has met numerous delays and issues. The solar chimney is an old idea that has been considered for years to be a possible solution to the question of green energy, but it is facing increasing problems with funding due the sheer size of the projects. Currently only one chimney in is under construction. Built in the arid central plains of Australia the chimney is going to be one kilometer tall and will cost more than a billion dollars. The towers are also much less efficient than solar panels.

 

 

The solar chimney is a valid energy production method and is made feasible by its lack of maintenance problems. The only moving part in a solar chimney is the turbine so there is little risk of mechanical damage. Because of this there is no need for constant maintenance as there is when using solar panels. Unfortunately the enormous up front cost of building these structures is preventing them from becoming common. However, due to the chimney’s convenient durability they may be sound investments in the future and could provide large quantities of clean cheap energy.

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Growth of Solar Power

Hayes, D. (2014, April 22). As nuclear power dies, solar rises. CNN, Cable News

       Network: CNN Opinion. Retrieved July 12, 2014, from

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/22/opinion/hayes-denman-solar-

       power/index.html?iref=story search

 

Solar energy is now massively outgrowing nuclear power. In the last year alone solar energy has grown by 4.2 gigawats in the United States and in that time nuclear energy has grown by only 1.2 gigawats worldwide. This trend has caused some to call this the “true dawn of the Solar Age”. With growth in solar power comes the demise of nuclear plants across the country.  Upgrades to reactors and new plants are being canceled and big players from the nuclear industry such as Warren Buffet have invested in solar technology, heralding an end to the nuclear age.

 

 

The surge in growth for the solar power industry is a promising start to what I can only hope is an environmental revolution. The technology to make efficient solar panels and to avoid the hazards that come with using nuclear technology is here. That we have a real chance to create a green society and to reduce the impact we have on our ecosystems is incredible. However the production of energy by solar power still does not come close to meeting the required levels needed to support our societies consumption of energy. This progress is great but only the beginning and the trend must continue for years before it makes a serious impact.

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Clean, Safe, Renewable. Why Not?

Associated Press. “University of California Signs Major Solar Deal.”Washington Post. The

Washington Post, 8 Sept. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/university-of-california-signs-major-solar-deal/2014/09/08/12e30964-37b1-11e4-a023-1d61f7f31a05_story.html

 

The University of California has made one of the largest solar energy purchases by a university system in the entire United States. This solar energy project will provide enough solar power to offset the electricity use at five of the state’s 10 campuses, as well as some university medical centers. A San Mateo solar energy company will provide 80 megawatts in solar energy to the university campuses. The university schools have set a goal to be carbon-neutral across the California system by 2025.

 

This article shows how many universities in California want to improve the environment throughout California. This also shows how hard the university students have worked in order for this deal to be signed. I would say the students throughout California that are majoring in Environmental issues or Environmental Science at universities are the ones that have a big affect on this deal. I would say this is an excellent deal that has been signed; it manages the utility bill at universities very well. This is a very effective and innovative bill that has been signed for our future because it helps the environment in many ways; one being, the amount of energy used throughout the entire United States. We know that renewable resources is the way to go when it comes to getting energy.

 

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Cleaner Energy for a Cleaner World

Overly, Steven. “Local Solar Energy Companies Have Enjoyed Growth in Recent Years. Will It

Continue?” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.

Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/local-solar-energy-companies-have-enjoyed-growth-in-recent-years-will-it-continue/2014/08/29/8310cb3c-2ec3-11e4-9b98-848790384093_story.html

 

Many solar energy companies are expanding rapidly. The companies are experiencing growth and are doing financial well as a business. These companies are experiencing growth due to economic forces and government policies that have made renewable energy more attracted to customers. Due to the governments policies, the rapidly increasing solar energy companies will now have to face federal tax and solar has to compete with other renewable energy sources. The companies in the industry have enjoyed growth so far but with the federal tax, who knows if the growth will continue.

Competition of many companies in industries is very common. The solar energy companies should have predicted that they would soon have to face federal tax. And if for those companies who continue growing with the fact that they have to pay federal tax will have no competition with other renewable sources. But all this growth is meant to be a good thing, this only means that the amount of solar energy that is being demanded is helping out the environment a lot. It is also saying that solar energy is the highly renewable resource that is being mostly used today.

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Giant battery packs that store Solar energy!

Roach, John. “Big Batteries Are Starting to Boost the Electric Grid – NBC News.” NBC News.

N.p., 5 Aug. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/big-batteries-are-starting-boost-electric-grid-n172621

 

Many research labs are looking for innovative ways to take care of the environment and use solar energy. These researched have created a very effective way to use solar energy, along with wind energy. They have created rechargeable battery packs that is fossil fuel free and consists of solar & wind energy. The battery pack holds 3.6 megawatts that is rechargeable. Though, pricey they are very effective to conserving and cleaning up the environment. They take up little space and are usually placed near the solar or wind energy plant. The capacity of the megawatts that the storage holds will expand in 2020 to 11 gigawatts.

This article relates to environmental science because it relates how we can conserve the environment with rechargeable battery packs that get energy from solar or wind. Currently there are many researches finding new ways they can help the process of solar energy. This research group in Pullman, Washington, Avista Corp., did just that. It was a long process to come upon the rechargeable battery packs but in the end it was successful. And if any flaws they would fix it immediately. I believe this is an interesting way to use solar energy. I have never heard of battery packs until the day of research, i find it very effective and believe companies should invest in this rechargeable battery pack along with solar panels.

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Solar energy in rainy Seattle?

Roach, John. “Home Solar Panels Make Gains in America, Even in Rainy Seattle – NBC News.”

NBC News. N.p., 4 Aug. 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014, from http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/home-solar-panels-make-gains-america-even-rainy-seattle-n169021

 

Solar energy is expanding everywhere and fast. Seattle, being known for its rainy weather, has invested in solar energy. Though, the solar panels can be pricey, people managed to put solar panels on their home roofs to try and minimize their utility bill. These Seattle homeowners are encouraging everyone across America to invest in solar panels because in the long run it will be very beneficial to them. One might say, “really? solar panels in rainy Seattle that’s ludicrous.” Yes there is sun in Seattle, and all that sun can be absorbed from the solar panels. It has been said that 54% of solar installation will increase in 2015 by the Solar Energy Industries Association. This percentage is increasing by the years.

This Article shows how many people, even in rainy cities, are investing in solar energy for their homes. Many people are saving money by using solar panels; they are saving a lot on their utility bill. The increasing percentage of solar installation by the years is increasing rapidly. This is a good sign because it shows that people want to help out their environment. Solar energy helps out the environment a lot; there’s no need for other effective ways to get energy other than solar energy. It is amazing to know that there are people who care and want a better future for their environment.