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


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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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8,000 SOLAR PANELS AT FEDEX FIELD REDSKINS

8,000 SOLAR PANELS WERE INSTALLED AT FEDEX FIELD



LANDOVER, Md. & PRINCETON, N.J., Sep 18, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NRG /quotes/zigman/337115/quotes/nls/nrg NRG -1.71% and the Washington Redskins today celebrated FedExField's energy future with the help of former NFL quarterbacks and Redskins' fans during the "NRG Solar Bowl" Quarterback Challenge and an official "flipping of the switch" at halftime to inaugurate the new NRG solar power installation at FedExField.

The solar power system - with more than 8,000 solar panels - is capable of providing all power to the stadium on non-game days and up to 20% of its needed electricity on game days -- the equivalent of providing 300 homes with energy for a year. In addition to being the largest solar installation at an NFL stadium, it is the largest solar installation in the D.C.-metro area.

With the help of the football fans gathered at FedExField, NRG CEO David Crane along with Redskins legends Joe Theismann and Mark Rypien "flipped the switch" on the new solar installation from the field during the game's halftime. Prior to the game between the Redskins and Arizona, Theismann and Rypien teamed up with pro and college greats Joe Montana and Doug Flutie to coach fans in a series of skill drills during the "NRG Solar Bowl" Quarterback Challenge.

"Today's activities were developed to engage fans, call attention to the power of solar energy and demonstrate how renewable energy is a real and tangible option for a more secure energy future, said David Crane. "Many thanks to the legendary quarterbacks, the Washington Redskins and all of their fans for working with us to show renewable energy is not just a dream for the future, but a reality today."

The solar power installation by NRG, one of the largest solar power developers in the United States, includes three different types of solar panels that collectively can generate two megawatts (MW) of electricity. By using solar power, the Redskins and NRG look to keep 1,780 metric tons of carbon out of the atmosphere -- the equivalent of replacing 349 vehicles with gasoline engines with zero emission electric vehicles.

In addition to generating power for FedExField, the stadium's 8,000 solar panels will provide shaded parking in an 841-car lot. The design includes 10 electric vehicle charging stations from NRG's eVgosm charging network for use by fans. The NRG solar entry plaza at Gate A will generate power through a variety of green energy technologies, including translucent solar panels and a specially designed sculpture created using thin film solar technology. The sculpture -- a 30-foot tall silhouette of a football player dubbed "solar man" --showcases the flexibility of this innovative solar technology and also is a one-of-a-kind work of art welcoming fans to FedExField.

NRG subsidiary Reliant will be the official provider for all the additional electricity to.....


Read more (in new window)at:www.marketwatch.com/story/nrg-washington-redskins-celebrated-fedexfield-solar-installation-with-nrg-solar-bowl-quarterback-challenge-2011-09-18

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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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Solar Decathlon 2011 Washington DC National Mall

Solar Decathlon 2011 Washington DC

September 23 to October 2

Come see the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall
near Potomac Park

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 winner of this years award.


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

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Japan Considering Solar Panels For All Homes

Japan Considering Solar Power For Every Single
Building By 2030

Sam Biddle —Both because they're a country dedicated to teeny tiny carbon footprints, and because they're likely not too hot on nuclear power at the moment, Japan is expected to kick off a universal solar panel initiative. Every building, twenty years.

The plan, making mandatory solar panels for all residential and commercial buildings, is likely to debut at the impending G8 summit, and would put Japan at the fore of the global alternate energy push. They've probably got what it takes to pull it off—we hope it switches over from plan to reality. [PhysOrg]



Read more (in new window) at: gizmodo.com/5804553/japan-considering-solar-power-for-every-single-building-by-2030


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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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