SOLAR HALL of FAME

Solar Hall of Fame
Freeman Ford Inducted to the International Solar Hall of Fame

Freeman Ford of FAFCO based in Chico California, were named as the 2006 inductees to the Solar Hall of Fame. The Solar Hall of Fame is an international award that was created by an Act of Congress sponsored by the Honorable John R. Foley, Esquire during the 1976 Bicentennial of the United States of America in Washington D.C. This award has been given to 45 men and women from various countries throughout the world since 1976.

The first inductees in 1976 were Dr. Charles Abbot, Dr. Erich A. Farber, Dr. John Yellot and Dr. Harry E. Thomason. A trophy is given to each year’s recipient that has a glowing red, orange and yellow sun rising out of a four sided monument that is reminiscent of the pyramid atop the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.

An international trademark was obtained for the Solar Hall of Fame for “PROMOTING EXECELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION THROUGH PUBLIC TESTIMONIALS AND TRIBUTE TO OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTORS IN THE FIELD OF SOLAR ENERGY.”

A unique trophy symbol; the Solar Hall of Fame trademark/slogan is “Solar Hall of Fame 1976 to Today”. Each inductee receives a trophy inscribed with the Latin/Spanish “El Sol” and the Greek “Helios” above the inscription “Solar Hall of Fame”. Each individual given the award has their name inscribed under the year they were inducted on a brass plaque on one of the four sides of the pyramid. All previous inductees also have their names inscribed on brass plaques under the year they were inducted on one of the four sides of the pyramid.

Dr. Erich Farber, the last remaining member of the initial inductees gave out this year’s trophy on December 21st 2006 to Freeman Ford and Tom Lane.

Freeman Ford founded FAFCO in 1969. Fafco pioneered the use of polymers for solar pool heating, holds more than twenty patents and was incorporated in 1972. Today, US retail sales of solar thermal systems exceed $150,000,000. The electrical equivalent of FAFCO’s installed base alone exceeds 4000 megawatts.

Thomas H. Lane of ECS Solar Energy Systems in Gainesville Florida has spent over thirty years contracting and installing solar hot water, solar pool heating and solar electric systems, along with training other contractor’s world wide on how to install these systems. His 250 page book, “Solar Hot Water, Lessons Learned 1977 to Today” is the basic Handbook of solar hot water and solar pool installers in the United States.

Mr. Thomas Lane is currently instituting a solar training academy for interns to become knowledgeable in the field of solar contracting to meet the rising demand for qualified and knowledgeable solar installers.

Questions and inquiries about the Solar Hall of Fame can be directed to Dr. Erich A. Farber, Ph.D., PE. Distinguished Service Prof. EM. Director EM, Solar Energy & Energy Conversion Lab. University of Florida, 1218 NE 5th St Gainesville, FL. 32601. Phone number (352) 372-1064.

Previous Inductees to the Solar Hall of Fame



1976
Dr. Charles G. Abbot
Dr. Erich A. Farber
Dr. John I. Yellott
Dr. Harry E. Thomason

1977
Dr. Hoyt C. Hottel
Prof. Everett D. Howe
Mr. Frank Bridgers

1978
Dr. Farrington Daniels
Dr. Maria Telkes
Mr. Harold Hay

1979
Dr. Harry Z. Tabor
Dr. Richard C. Jordan
Dr. Valentin A. Baum

1980
Dr. Felix Trombe
Dr. Rodger Morse

1981
Dr. Ichimatsu Tanishita
Dr. Joseph Lindmayer

1982
Dr. Austin Whillier
Dr. Jagdish C. Kapur

1983
Dr. James L. Threlkeld
Mr. Raymond W. Bliss

1984
Dr. Thomas A. Lawand
Mr. Horace McCraken

1985
Dr. John Page
Dr. Francis de Winter

1986
Dr. Masanosuka Yanagimachi
Dr. James A. Eibling

1987
Dr. William A Shurcliff
Dr. Ken-Ichi Kimura

1988
Dr. William H. Klein
Dr. Joseph Loferski

1990
Mr. Steve Baer

1991
Dr. Lloyd O. Herwig
Dr. Yogi Goswami

1992
Dr. Kenneth G. Soderstrom
H. Jack L. Thomson, Jr.

1993
Robert L. Bailey
Webb W. Farber

1998
Dr. Norman C. Cope
Dr. Anil K. Rajvanshi

1999
Dr. David L. Block

2005
Dr. Karl W. Boer
Dr. Stanford R. Ovshinsky

2006
Mr. Tom Lane
Mr. Freeman Ford


Read more (in new window) at: myfloridasolar.com/solar-pool-heating-hall-of-fame/

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UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WINS SOLAR DECATHLON 2011

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WINS SOLAR DECATHLON 2011

SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011 LAST DAY TO SEE THE SOLAR HOUSES

Saturday, October 1, 2011
By Carol Anna

Consistently appearing in first place in overall standings throughout the competition, the University of Maryland won the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the competition results today before an excited audience that packed the main tent in the solar village.

“Maryland is a well-experienced team. After taking second place in 2007, they rested and regrouped in 2009 and came to West Potomac Park in 2011 focused and determined to win,” said Solar Decathlon Director Richard King. “In addition, Maryland’s Watershed is a beautiful house, judged first place in Architecture, which also performed impeccably in measured contests. This team mastered their strategies to ensure they excelled in all 10 contests.”

Purdue University took second place in the competition, and New Zealand (Victoria University of Wellington) received the third-place award.

The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

Results for the fifth and final juried contest, Market Appeal, were announced today prior to the competition winners. Middlebury College placed first.

“Self-Reliance left the jury very impressed, eclipsing our expectations across the board in livability and marketability,” said Brad Beeson, Market Appeal juror. “Middlebury College defined its market carefully—a young family of four with a modest income for the region—and demonstrated the fit for that target market with a very compelling video.”

Maryland came in second in Market Appeal, and New Zealand came in third.

The Market Appeal contest judges each house’s livability, buildability, and marketability.

More final results, see the Solar Decathlon 2011 scores and standings:
1. Maryland 951.151
2. Purdue 931.390
3. New Zealand 919.058
4. Middlebury College 914.809
5. Ohio State 903.938
6. SCI-Arc/Caltech 899.490
7. Illinois 875.715
8. Tennessee 859.132
9. Team Massachusetts 856.351
10. Canada 836.423
11. Florida Int'l 833.159
12. Appalachian State 832.499
13. Parsons NS Stevens 828.816
14. Tidewater Virginia 774.910
15. Team China 765.471
16. Team Belgium 709.843
17. Team New York 677.356
18. Team New Jersey 669.352
19. Team Florida 619.006


SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011 LAST DAY TO SEE THE SOLAR HOUSES

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 isn’t over yet! Tomorrow—Sunday, Oct. 2—is the last day the public can visit the solar village. And there’s plenty to do!

The houses will be on public display from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at West Potomac Park on the National Mall.

Consumer workshops run throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m. You can learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that can save you money at home. Workshops are free. For a list of tomorrow’s workshop topics, see the daily schedule.

Get directions to the site, see the free public shuttle schedule, or learn more about tours of the houses and village.

Carol Anna is the communications manager of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.


Read more (in new window) at: www.solardecathlon.gov/blog/archives/1906

Read more (in new window) at: www.solardecathlon.gov

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Solar Decathlon 2011 Washington DC

Solar Decathlon 2011 Washington DC

Last Two Days - October 1 & 2

Come see the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall
at West Potomac Park
October 1 & 2 - Hours 10a.m. to 5:30p.m.

You ask what is a solar decathlon?
It's an annual international solar homes contest.
Teams design and erect solar homes on the national mall. They are judged on design and performance. Come watch them erect the homes and later come see the winners of this year's awards.

View the current standings and videos at link below:
Read more (in new window) at: www.solardecathlon.gov

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Solar Homes Tour 2011 Washington DC Area

Take the Solar Homes tour

October 1 thru 2. 11am to 5pm.

Guide and maps are available at Mom's Organic Markets and other locations.


Read more (in new window) at: solartour.org

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White House Going Solar Again Says Obama

White House Adding Solar Panels

By Dina Cappiello
Updated: 10:28 a.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2010-Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Solar power is coming to President Obama's house.

The most famous residence in America, which has already boosted its green credentials by planting a garden, plans to install solar panels atop the White House's living quarters. The solar panels are to be installed by spring 2011, and will heat water for the first family and supply some electricity.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the plans Tuesday in Washington at a conference of local, state, academic and nonprofit leaders aimed at identifying how the federal government can improve its environmental performance.

Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush both tapped the sun during their days in the White House. Mr. Carter in the late 1970s spent $30,000 on a solar water-heating system for West Wing offices. Mr. Bush's solar systems powered a maintenance building and some of the mansion, and heated water for the pool.

Mr. Obama, who has championed renewable energy, has been under increasing pressure to lead by example by installing solar at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, something White House officials said has been under consideration since he first took office.

This file photo released by Solar Design Associates shows the solar thermal system produced by the Harvard, Mass., company, installed on the roof of the White House pool cabana in Washington during the George W. Bush administration. The Obama White House on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, will announce plans to install solar panels for the first time atop the White House's living quarters by spring 2011. (AP Photo/Solar Design Associates)The decision perhaps has more import now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House's support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale.

Last month, global warming activists with 350.org carried one of Carter's solar panels — which were removed in 1986 — from Unity College in Maine to Washington to urge Mr. Obama to put solar panels on his roof. It was part of a global campaign to persuade world leaders to install solar on their homes. After a meeting with White House officials, they left Washington without a commitment.

Bill McKibben, the founder of the 350.org group, said Tuesday the administration did the right thing.

"If it has anything like the effect of the White House garden, it could be a trigger for a wave of solar installations across the country and around the world," Mr. McKibben said in a statement.

The solar industry has also called on the White House to become a national billboard for solar power.

Continued at:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/oct/5/white-house-go-solar/


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Planet Solar Boat

The PlanetSolar team presented their extraordinary challenge: Around the World in 80 Days Powered by Renewable Energies. During a press conference held on Thursday, March 16, 2006, at 10:30 am, at The School of Business and Engineering Vaud, Switzerland, in its assembly hall.



ROUTE



Initially, the team Around the World with Stopovers, Powered by Solar Energy, in 120 Days

The first objective is to successfully complete an around the world route with stopovers along the equator, where the maximum amount of sunlight is available. The over 40'000 km voyage should take place within 120 days and will be sailed at an average speed of 10 knots. Both navigators aboard the PlanetSolar will cross through the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and finally the Suez Canal, crossing the finish line at the start off point in the Mediterranean Sea.
Read more at:
http://www.solarnavigator.net/planet_solar.htm

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Solar Millenium

Solar Millenium






Link to: http://www.wallstreet-online.de/diskussion/1073576-5171-5180/solar-millenium-diskussionsforum

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Staples Unveils Largest Single Rooftop Solar Power In Maryland

HANOVER, Md., Jan 06, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS), the world's largest office products company and SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), hosted a dedication ceremony today to unveil the largest single rooftop solar power installation in Maryland at Staples' 200,200 square foot fulfillment center in Hanover. The 1.01 megawatt solar installation covers nearly 175,000 square feet of roof space, larger than three football fields.
The environmental savings associated with the system will offset more than 43 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) over 20 years, equivalent to removing CO2 produced by more than 4,200 automobiles driving 12,000 miles per year. The zero-emission, silent photovoltaic system will generate approximately 1.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, and 21 million kWh during the initial 20 years of the project. The solar installation was financed, built and maintained under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with SunEdison. Under the PPA, Staples will purchase the electricity produced for the term of the contract.
"The solar power system installed at our Hanover fulfillment center is the latest example of Staples' ongoing commitment to environmental leadership," said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs for Staples. "Through our relationship with solar services provider SunEdison, we are able to purchase solar energy from our rooftop at a rate below or equal to the cost of electricity from the grid. This reduces our operating costs while freeing up more electricity during peak times for use by local homes and businesses."
"We are proud to be a long time partner of Staples in providing economical solar solutions to meet their energy needs and commitment to the environment," said Carlos Domenech, President of SunEdison. "SunEdison continues to be an industry leader by combining cutting edge technologies with our unique project finance capabilities to enable large-scale development of solar."
"EPA applauds Staples for initiating this solar energy project to power its Hanover facility," said Shawn M. Garvin, administrator for the EPA's mid-Atlantic region. "I hope this work inspires other companies to use energy in a manner that does not contribute to global climate change. Staples is demonstrating the kind of leadership that is needed to reduce greenhouse gases and move our nation into a clean energy future."
For more information on Staples' environmental initiatives, please visit http://www.staples.com/environment.
About Staples
Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2008 sales of $23 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 27 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In July 2008, Staples acquired Corporate Express, one of the world's leading suppliers of office products to businesses and institutions. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
About SunEdison
SunEdison is North America's largest solar energy services provider. The company finances, installs and operates distributed power plants using proven photovoltaic technologies, delivering fully managed, predictably priced solar energy services for its commercial, government and utility customers. In 2008, SunEdison delivered more kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy than any other solar services provider in North America. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com.
About MEMC
MEMC is a global leader in the manufacture and sale of wafers and related intermediate products to the semiconductor and solar industries. MEMC has been a pioneer in the design and development of wafer technologies over the past 50 years. With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia, MEMC enables the next generation of high performance semiconductor devices and solar cells. With the acquisition of SunEdison, MEMC is now a developer of solar power projects and North America's largest solar energy services provider.
MEMC's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WFR" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information about MEMC, please visit www.memc.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6133436&lang=en
SOURCE: Staples, Inc. Staples, Inc.
Mark Crowley, 508-253-0767
Mark.Crowley@Staples.com
or
SunEdison
Brad Oswald, 443-909-7200
or
MEMC Electronic Materials
Bill Michalek, 636-474-5443
Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Link to:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/marylands-largest-single-rooftop-solar-power-installation-unveiled-staples/

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OBAMA TO VISIT DESOTO SOLAR CENTER IN FLORIDA TODAY

Arcadia, Florida - Rural DeSoto County is mostly known for cattle and orange groves, but now power is putting it on the map.
"This is the largest one in the country," says Eric Silagy of Florida Power & Light, while standing in the middle of a field filled with solar panels.
FPL's giant DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center officially starts producing electricity Tuesday and workers are spiffing up the place for a presidential visit.
While the solar center is the focus of Barack Obama's stop in DeSoto County, in nearby Arcadia, the owner of a new restaurant hopes the historic small town will also get a spot in the sun.
"So we're glad that he's coming," says Dennis Tyson of Mary Margaret's Tea & Biscuit. "He'll make people know where we are."
President Obama will use the solar center as a backdrop for an energy announcement. He's expected to announce plans to invest stimulus funds into clean energy and smart grid technology.
As for FPL officials, they say the president's stop here could energize the production of solar power. "It shows a recognition that Florida is on the right track," says Silagy of the attention from Obama.
The acres of solar panels will generate electricity for some 3,000 homes, but the facility cost $150 million to build. Cost is the big drawback for solar centers. They're more expensive to build than traditional power plants using coal or natural gas.
But Silagy says there are also benefits. "Remember, the fuel is always free. We're also producing no pollution at all-no emission."
And that's why FPL officials like Silagy believe solar power has a future in this state. "Absolutely, it doesn't say Sunshine State on the [license] plate for no reason."
10 Connects News

Link to: http://www.wtsp.com/news/columnist/story.aspx?storyid=116307&catid=79

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Germany Wins Solar Decathlon On National Mall October 2009

AND THE WINNER IS............
GERMANY - Second time in a row

Overall Standings
The current team standings and scores for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2009 are shown in the chart below. See scores by team, scores by contest, and scores by day by clicking the tabs below. You may also click any of the links within the chart to see scoring details.
Day 9 - October 16. Last Updated: 09:02 AM (EDT)
Overall Standings Scores by Team Scores by Contest Scores by Day

1.
Team Germany
908.297

2.
Illinois
897.300

3.
Team California
863.089

4.
Team Ontario/BC
849.816

5.
Minnesota
838.544

6.
Team Alberta
769.410

7.
Cornell
764.237

8.
Rice
750.236

9.
Kentucky
732.152

10.
Ohio State
729.932

11.
Team Missouri
719.530

12.
Iowa State
714.609

13.
Virginia Tech
704.628

14.
Team Spain
669.565

15.
Team Boston
665.596

16.
Penn State
625.995

17.
Puerto Rico
617.569

18.
Arizona
610.339

19.
Univ. of Louisiana
603.882

20.
WI-Milwaukee
542.074

Architecture Market Viability Engineering Lighting Design Communications
Comfort Zone Hot Water Appliances Home Entertainment Net Metering

Scores are subject to change due to corrections throughout the competition period. Overall scores reflect penalties, but individual contest scores do not. Therefore, the total score presented may not match the sum of contest scores.Advanced Scoring
The advanced scoring search tool allows you to search Solar Decathlon 2009 scores by combinations of team, contests, and days. --->
Printable Version

Next on to Madrid,
for the 2010 Europe Solar Decathlon Link to: http://www.sdeurope.org/ Use Google to translate their webpage.

Link to Solar Decathlon: http://www.solardecathlon.org/

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Sunpowered Lawnmower

Automower for the elite class to keep their lawns green and trim

Though a lush green lawn is everyone's dream, the task of trimming a lawn is not believed to be the most favored chore. But you can cut your lawn chores down to one step with a fully automatic, solar powered robotic lawn mower, the Automower. Touted to be the best user friendly, green mower, it is designed to move about freely on a pre-wired green lawn. This will help to keep the robotic mower in check and ensure about the specification of area of grass to be cut. Programmed to give the lawn an even result and a carpet-like finish, even 'Islands' can be created by laying the wire around plants and flower beds. Leaving no carbon footprints behind with its zero-emission feature, this solar powered mover from Husqvarna also promises negligible noise pollution. For about 3,100 the Automower also boasts of being pet-friendly and kids-friendly too.
http://www.luxurylaunches.com/gadgets/automower_for_the_elite_class_to_keep_their_lawns_green_and_trim.php

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Africa's Solar Cell Phone

Meet Africa's solar cell phone
Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:03PM EDT
See Comments (8)
Buzz up!6 votes
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Finding reliable power in Africa isn't quite the same as we have it here in the U.S., where we have an outlet available on every corner and get upset if there aren't two.
As such, gadgetry in Africa has had a halting evolution. In Kenya, for example, where virtually all of the country's power comes from hydroelectric sources, electricity is rationed to its citizens, who have to make do with a couple of days of power each week -- or have to travel to remote locations and pay to use a charging station.
Result: A whole lot of innovation when it comes to making do with limited resources. While Kenya may not have a lot of traditional power, it does have a lot of one thing: Sun. And solar power offers immense promise for Kenyans who want to keep battery-powered devices charged in the absence of a working outlet.
The latest innovation: A cell phone designed for the African market with solar charging features built right into the handset. Sure, you can find external solar charging devices like the Solio on the market, but the "Solar ya Simu" is apparently the first cell phone with a solar panel built into the case. When the phone runs out of juice, the user can just leave it in the sun for a few hours: One hour of full sun offers up to 15 minutes of talk time, and a full day in the sun can charge the phone completely.
Kenyans can buy the phone for the Kenyan equivalent of about US$40.
And you know what -- as great as this is for Africa, how about one for the rest of us? Just turn the back of every phone into a solar panel and free us all from the horrors of the grid for good. I'd even settle for a solar-ized iPhone sleeve as an aftermarket product.
Either way: All you'd need is a sun-lit window and your phone stays topped up. Sorry, Seattle!

Link to: http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/150816

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DOE Solar Decathalon on National Mall

October 9-13 and 15-18, 2009

Plan to attend the Solar Decathalon on the national mall in Washington, DC.

About Solar Decathlon
For three weeks in October 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy will host the Solar Decathlon—a competition in which 20 teams of college and university students compete to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The Solar Decathlon is also an event to which the public is invited to observe the powerful combination of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design.

Exact dates of the 2009 event are:
Oct. 1—Teams arrive at the National Mall and begin assembly of their houses-->
Oct. 8-16—Teams compete in 10 contests
Oct. 9-13—Houses are open to the public
Oct. 15-18—Houses are open to the public
Oct. 19-21—Teams disassemble their houses.

The Solar Decathlon houses will be open for public tours 11 a.m.­–3 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Please note that all homes will be closed Wed., Oct. 14.
The Solar Decathlon consists of three major phases:
Building: This is where most of the work—and the learning—happens. In addition to designing houses that use innovative, high-tech elements in ingenious ways, students have to raise funds, communicate team activities, collect supplies, and work with contractors. Although the Solar Decathlon competition receives the most attention, it's the hard work that students put in during the building phase that makes or breaks a team.
Moving to the Solar Village: When it's time for the Solar Decathlon, the teams transport their houses to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and rebuild them on site.
Competing: During the competition itself, the teams receive points for their performance in 10 contests and open their homes to the public.
Purpose
The Solar Decathlon brings attention to one of the biggest challenges we face—an ever-increasing need for energy. As an internationally recognized event, it offers powerful solutions—using energy more efficiently and using energy from renewable sources.
The Solar Decathlon has several goals:
To educate the student participants—the "Decathletes"—about the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building technologies. As the next generation of engineers, builders, and communicators, the Decathletes will be able to use this knowledge in their studies and their future careers.
To raise awareness among the general public about renewable energy and energy efficiency, and how solar energy technologies can reduce energy usage.
To help solar energy technologies enter the marketplace faster. This competition encourages the research and development of energy efficiency and energy production technologies.
To foster collaboration among students from different academic disciplines—including engineering and architecture students, who rarely work together until they enter the workplace.
To promote an integrated or "whole building design" approach to new construction. This approach differs from the traditional design/build process because the design team considers the interactions of all building components and systems to create a more comfortable building, save energy, and reduce environmental impact.
To demonstrate to the public the potential of Zero Energy Homes, which produce as much energy from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind, as they consume. Even though the home might be connected to a utility grid, it has net zero energy consumption from the utility provider.

Link to the website:
http://www.solardecathlon.org/

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iPod and iPhone Touch Solar Charger

September 3, 2009
First Ever Apple-Licensed iPod Solar Charger Case Unveiledby Bridgette Meinhold

For those of you with the latest iPod or iPhone Touch, in a months time you'll be able to charge your Apple gadgets with a fancy schmancy new solar case. Novothink, a manufacturer of alternative electronic devices, has just released their Solar Surge for the iPod and iPhone Touch. Your igadget slides easily into the hard case solar charger and can get fully juiced up from the sun! With something this handy and easy, you’ll never have to worry about a dead battery. It’s brilliant really. Can they please make one for Blackberrys too?

The integrated solar panel on the back of the case allows you to charge your iPhone or iPod soley from sunpower without the need for any other energy source. However, for convenience, there is an additional USB cable that can help you charge your device should there be no sunlight in your vicinity. Four LED indicators let you know whether you have sufficient light source for solar charging and approximately how much charge level remains in your case. When all 4 indicators are green, the Surge is fully charged. And when your device is not in the case, the Solar Surge stores power in an internal battery.
These chargers are the first to be licensed by Apple and only work on the newer devices, so sorry, your older ones aren’t compatible. Novothink’s Solar Surge will be available for the iPod Touch 2G later this month and will sell for $70. The iPhone 3G and 3GS model will be available fall 2009. At a reasonable price of $70

Link to iPod and iPhone Touch Solar Charger at Inhabitat.com:

Linkto: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/03/first-ever-apple-licensed-ipod-solar-charger-case-unveiled/

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Maryland College 20-acre Solar Panel Project

Monday, August 10, 2009 at 4:17:08 PM - by Nate Lew
Maryland college plans 20-acre solar panel projectA historically black college in Maryland made news this week with its announcement that it will meet a sizeable portion of its energy needs with a new photovoltaic project. This week, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore announced it will build a solar farm on 20 acres of its campus land. The project will be financed, developed and maintained by SunEdison under a solar power service agreement. According to the university, the 2.1 megawatt system will be the largest solar plant in Maryland and will allow the university access to stable energy prices in the coming years. Construction is set to begin this fall and should be completed by the end of the year. "This program can be a model for other universities. We are excited that we can be a part of the energy future that Maryland puts forth in its plan for 1,500 megawatts of solar generation capacity by 2022," said Brian Jacolik of SunEdison. The university also noted that the terms of the project require no up-front investment on its part.

From: http://www.coolerplanet.com

Link to: http://www.usaalternativeenergynow.blogspot.com/