Renewable energy investments in India increased by more than 52 percent in 2011, the fastest growth among major global economies, according to a new report.

More than $10.3 billion was invested in renewable energy projects in India last year, with about $4.6 billion targeting wind energy projects and another $4.2 billion going toward solar projects, the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report said.

For solar, that represented a seven-fold increase from 2010, when investments totaled about $600 million. According to a separate report, the declining price of solar panels has now made solar powera cheaper energy option than diesel generators in India.

“India’s record performance in 2011, and the momentum it is carrying into 2012, is one of the bright spots in the clean energy firmament,” said Michael Liebreich, BNEF’s chief executive.

According to the BNEF report, India is likely to exceed its target of adding 12.4 gigawatts of grid-connected renewable energy as set out in its current five-year plan, which ends next month.

Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.

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You may not have solar photovoltaic panels on your rooftop, but you can enjoy the benefits of solar power in several other ways. One of them is the FreeLoader Pro, a solar charger that powers most electrical devices, from the comfort of your home or during a expedition in the jungles of Africa.

It uses high power solar panels or USB (cable supplied) to charge its internal Li-ion battery. A full charge takes between seven and nine hours in sunny conditions. Once fully charged, Freeloader Pro is capable of delivering enough power to give a mobile phone 70 hours of standby time, 5,000 page turns on an eBook or a 100% full charge for a digital camera battery.

At 9.5V, the Freeloader Pro’s multi-voltage switch is capable of charging power-hungry, high-voltage devices such as MP4 players, portable DVD players and SLR camera batteries. It features a metallic push button “Power Halo” that indicates how much power is in the Freeloader Pro’s battery.

Freeloader Pro also features the CamCaddy. The CamCaddy is a specially designed adapter that accepts virtually every type of camera battery whether a simple compact digital camera, professional SLR or a video camera battery. CamCaddy suits all sizes of battery (3.2v to 7.9v) using its variable slider bar and adjustable contact pins.

Overview:
• Solar charger with a built-in Li-ion rechargeable battery
• Battery can be charged using solar cells or USB connection
• Specially designed CamCaddy can charge almost all camera and camcorder batteries (about 87% of camera models are compatible)
• Compatible with iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, current Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola cell phones, PSP, portable DVD and MP4 players, more
• Li-ion rechargeable battery capacity: 1600mAh
• Solar cells: 200mA premium quality crystalline
• Impact resistant, rust free aluminum body
• Weight: 6.1 oz (174g)
• Dimensions: 5.9″ x 2.5″ x .8″ (150 x 63 x 20mm)
• Includes: Freeloader charger, CamCaddy, carrying bag, 10 charging adapters, USB cable, manual
• View the User Manual or the Compatibility List

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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The ever-changing solar market continues to move ahead with enormous strides. While such innovations such as the new “plug ‘n’ play” solar panels are creating buzz, there are a number of other significant innovations that are helping homeowners fulfill their energy-saving goals.

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation recently introduced a material that enables the walls of buildings (and other structures) to generate electricity. Unlike solar panels or films, the energy is produced within the actual building materials, integrating them into the structure of the facility.

According to the company, each square meter of the material is capable of generating about 80 watts of power, with an efficiency of 11% (most solar panels are 10% to 20% efficient).

When you consider the potential for commercial and industrial applications, in particular, this technology could prove to be a significant step.

…To the Top of the Wall
And if solar-capable walls aren’t enough, keep climbing up the walls. And no, it’s not a solar panel you’ll see.

Those are shingles.

Looking for an alternative to traditional solar panels, but don’t know where to turn? You’re in luck. The Dow Chemical Company launched its POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle late last year in Denver, (they are expected to expand to other markets this year).

The new, three-part solar roofing system package includes shingles, an inverter and an energy monitoring system. The shingles can be customized to fit budget and energy goals, and can be arranged to integrate with the style and form of the home and roofline. Moreover, they provide the same functionality and protection as a traditional shingle.

An inverter then converts Direct Current (DC) produced from the shingles into Alternating Current (AC), which is then fed to the home’s appliances (or back to the power grid). And a real-time monitoring system provides readouts to homeowners to assess energy usage, production and the amount of excess power flowing back to the grid.

What Could Be Next?
With significant improvements to window and door solar technology, and the potential for solar-powered sidewalks and roads, what will be the next frontier for the solar-powered home? Printable solar strips for your inkjet, perhaps? Let’s hear your ideas!

Article by Tim Laughlin, appearing courtesy Xcel Energy Blog.

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The launch of new “plug-n-play” solar panels has generated buzz in recent weeks. The manufacturer, Colorado-based Onyx Service & Solutions Inc., introduced the product earlier this month.

The new 330-W system will offer homeowners the option of purchasing a complete, pre-packaged solar PV system that can be set up at low cost with relative ease and connected with a standard plug or extension cord. With its “point and shoot” ability, the new system alleviates typical wiring and installation requirements. And the solar panels have a standard power outlet plug that allows the owner to simply plug an extension cord into the panel and use the cord like any outlet in the home.

This product certainly isn’t the first to feature plug-n-play convenience and affordability. In fact, many all-in-one residential solar packages have been introduced in recent years. However, none have been marketed specifically to the do-it-yourself market with the ability to generate plug-in power on the spot.

A Bright Future
Due to the relatively low levels of energy generation (about enough energy to run your computer), as well as it inability to connect to the grid, this kind of system does not qualify for Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards incentive program. However, it does represent a great step toward achieving a more cost-effective, more sustainable future. And if nothing else, it represents a unique option for home-owners looking for alternative energy sources.

Hopefully this new product will be a springboard to new, improved tools in the months and years to come.

Article by Tim Laughlin, appearing courtesy Xcel Energy Blog.

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Fernando de Noronha is one of Brazil’s eco hot spots, famous for its breathtaking geography, surf and marine life. The archipelago lies 220 miles off Rio Grande do Norte state and is a UN World Heritage Site.

An agreement signed on December 26 will bring solar power to the island in 2012, thanks to a new partnership between Grupo Neoenergia and utility company Companhia Energética de Pernambuco (Celpe), under the supervision f the Brazilian Navy. The agreement will see the installation of solar panels to generate grid-connected photovoltaic energy. The project’s budget is US$2.7 million.

“We would like to stimulate the development and application of this new technology on the island and contribute to the preservation of its environment”, said Neoenergia’s president Marcelo Corrêa. When finished, the solar energy system will be able to supply 60 percent of the island’s energy demands, or 600 MWh per year.

Industry specialists will be monitoring the energy generation process closely during the first year in order to identify possible shortcomings that may require improvements. The PV solar panels will occupy an area of around 20,000 square feet on land that belongs to the Brazilian Navy.

Until now there has been only solar thermal energy on the island, providing hot water for inns and a dolphin research center.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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Living in Minnesota, the winter months can be trying on many levels. Cold temperatures, slippery roads, ice dams, the list goes on. And to add insult to injury, it seems as if we only get about four hours of sunlight each day.

With the winter solstice upon us – and with it the shortest day of the year – my thoughts turned to the power of the sun. Specifically, during this cold, dark time, it would seem that solar energy generation would be non-existent. For those looking for a little heat, the logical answer would be to head south – the same way flocks of northern “snow birds” migrate to warmer climes each year.

But before I pick up and leave, I thought I’d try to find just how much solar energy can be expected in northern climates during the colder months?

While it’s no surprise that the cold winter months offer the least amount of solar radiation (kWh/m2/day) in northern climates, what may be surprising is the amount of solar energy actually produced during that time. Using Minneapolis as my sample location, solar efficiency during January (3.85) and February (4.72) only decreases about 20% – as compared to the average high of 5.91 kWh/m2/day in June.

For a little perspective, Tampa, Fla. achieves a between 4.5 and 5.2 kWh/m2/day in January and February.

Not bad for the nation’s ice box.

If you’re thinking about solar for your home or business, or if you’re just interested in a tutorial on solar energy data– I’d recommend a visit the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts grid calculator page. You’ll have access to more information than you’ll ever need regarding solar energy. It’s a great resource to help determine what kind of cost- and energy-savings you can realize with PV solar panels. The tool allows users to create estimated performance data for any location in the United States by selecting a site on a 40-km gridded map.

Hopefully you’ll see that for all of us braving the cold – and the dark – this winter solstice, solar energy is a viable option any time of year. And while we may not hold a candle to the sunbelt in winter, it’s nice to know not all is lost.

Article by Tim Laughlin, appearing courtesy Xcel Energy Blog.

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Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that replacing flat solar panels with three-dimensional structures could make photovoltaic systems as much as 20 times more effective.

In a series of tests, the researchers found that such 3D structures are able to pick up light even when the sun is at lower angles, and that internal reflections within the 3D panels help increase the amount of captured light.

The structures also can double the number of peak hours of generation. Scientists say even a simple cube shape, open at the top and covered with photovoltaic cells, could produce 3.8 times more power than a flat panel covering the same area. (By comparison, costly solar-tracking mount technology — which moves photovoltaic panels to follow the path of the sun — generates only 1.8 times more energy).

While the more complex structures would be more expensive than typical flat panels, researcher Marco Bernardi says the extra power would compensate for the cost difference.

Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.

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This is the kind of story that illustrates perfectly the beauty of solar power and alternative energy in general. The Red Cross is testing solar power for its pop-up hospitals in emergency areas where there is not enough diesel fuel to keep generators working around the clock.

According to this Globe and Mail report, solar energy is already the primary energy source in several medical facilities in Haiti and Africa. The initiative has been made possible with donations from non-profit organizations such as the Clinton Foundation and the Washington, D.C.-based Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF).

According to the Red Cross director of emergencies and recovery, Hossam Elsharkawi, solar power technology is not 100 per cent reliable yet, but it’s not far from getting there. He said solar power is firmly in the organization’s agenda.

Pop-up hospitals are inflatable tents that can be erected in 20 minutes with all the medical paraphernalia that goes with it. Operating rooms can be set up in less than 12 hours. Mr. Elsharkawi said technology related to emergency field hospital is constantly evolving and pop-up hospitals represent the cutting edge.

Post-earthquake Haiti highlighted the importance of alternative energy sources in hospitals where health professionals simply cannot afford to have a power outage.

The solar power systems being used consist of solar panels to harness energy and deep cycle batteries for storage. The systems provide electricity for lighting, equipment, refrigerators, computers and satellite communications systems, among others.

SELF recently made available online a case study about its successful installation of 20 kilowatts of PV systems to provide electricity to the Thomonde Hospital in Haiti. The system uses 126 PV modules and 48 Trojan batteries to power the hospital 24 hours a day.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.

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The cost of photovoltaic solar energy systems is not nearly as expensive as some energy analysts have projected, according to a new study from Queen’s University in Ontario.

In fact, Queen’s researcher Joshua Pearce predicts that solar photovoltaic systems are approaching the “tipping point” at which they will be capable of producing energy at about the same price as traditional energy sources.

In a study published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Pearce says that many recent analyses of the costs of photovoltaic solar power — which typically include factors such as installation and maintenance costs, finance charges, life expectancy of the system, and the amount of electricity — have ignored the 70-percent reduction in solar panel costs since 2009.

While one 2010 study calculated the cost at $7.61 per watt of electricity produced, Pearce says the cost is actually less than $1 per watt for panels purchased in bulk, although system and installation costs can vary significantly. Pearce also created a calculator to determine the cost of solar power, which is available for download.

Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.

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Will Rush Limbaugh save the solar industry?

Looks that way for Toni Lynch in Allentown, Pennsylvania. And Spiro Basho in Hicksville, New York.

Like lots of other solar installers, the financial tsunami of 2008 wiped out a lot of customers of both Lynch and Basho. And like a lot of other electrical contractors, through no fault of their own, they not only lost business, they lost their credit.

“When you see people on TV talking about green jobs or any kind of jobs, here’s what they usually do not know: That small contractors need a bond,” said Lynch. “And a bond is really a line of credit. And a lot of contractors just don’t have the cash or the credit score to do that any more because of the crash of 2008.”

So they lose work, especially government work where bonds are required. And most people do not know that, Lynch said.

“I was bidding on a solar installation job, part of the stimulus program, and I knew I needed a bond,” Lynch said. “Seven companies turned me down. I had just about given up when I was driving around listening to Rush Limbaugh. The commercial talked about how contractors could not get bonds anymore, but this company could do it.”

“I told my wife wouldn’t that be good if they were telling the truth. They were.”

Sprio Basho had a similar experience in New York. This electrical contractor lost a lot of work in 2008, but he did what he had to to hold on.

“I might have been listening to the same commercial because I had the same problem,” Basho said. “I had been in business a long time. Did good work. But all of a sudden the bonding disappeared. I thought my business was going to disappear too because we were counting on installing solar to stay alive.”

And they did. Both of them. As a result, Basho’s company won a contract installing solar panels in a school district; and Lynch’s company was awarded a $1.8 million contract for several solar installations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

All because of Rush. And because of what happened at Robert Berman’s kitchen table when he was a teenager.

“I listened to an insurance broker tell my dad he could not accept a bigger job because he did not qualify for a bond,” said Robert Berman, co-founder of Ox Bonding. “My dad was a building contractor who did great work and had great references, but that was not enough for that insurance company.That’s why I started a bonding company for small contractors: There are a lot of good companies out there that do good work, with good records, and their customers love them. So we write their bonds and make sure they get working capital too.”

Berman is not running a non-profit agency. He knows his company takes a risk every time it provides working capital. Every time it writes a bond for a contractor.

(For the non-initiated, a bond guarantees the contractor will finish the job and pay the subcontractors. If not, the job owner gets relief from the bonding company, which in turn can try to get its money back from the contractor.)

“That’s why we look under the hood, check the books, call the customers, and really take a hard look if the company can do the job,” Berman said. “Our underwriters are experienced contractors, not just accountants. So they have a good idea of who is able to do what, and what the risk really is.”

To reduce its risk even further, Ox Bonding controls the distribution of funds for the job.

And if the contractor chooses, Ox Bonding can also issue working capital, pay the taxes, take care of payroll, negotiate with suppliers, and free up the contractors for what they really want to do: Build solar installations.

“They are more of a partner than a bonding company,” said Bashos. “But without them, I would not have been able to survive.”

Article by Dan Auld, an award winning San Diego writer who has published articles on alternative energy in news sites around the country.

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