By turning to solar, Natick expects to save

When the new Community Senior Center and Natick High School are opened next year, the town will have the capacity to generate 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, saving $90,000 in energy costs and reducing the town’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 500 tons annually.

The town has contracted with Framingham-based green energy company Ameresco to install the solar arrays. The company will be responsible for evaluation, planning, installation, maintenance and operation of the town’s solar panels. In return, the town promises to purchase power from the panels for 20 years and signs over state and federal tax credits to the company.

The solar panels will cost taxpayers nothing, and the town will benefit from less expensive electricity than the 18 cents per kilowatt-hour it pays now, with payments closer to 15 cents per kilowatt hour.

Natick school district finance director William Hurley said Ameresco is currently installing panels on four school buildings. The panels will be able to generate approximately:

300,000 kWh/year at Wilson Middle School

200,000 kWh/year at Kennedy Middle School

100,000 kWh/year at Bennett-Hemenway Elementary

110,000 kWh/year at Memorial Elementary

Hurley said Wilson’s panels are scheduled to be completed on Nov. 4, and the other three by Dec. 2.

“It’s very important for the contractor to get these up and running by the end of the calendar year,” Hurley said. “We have no reason to believe this won’t happen; the work is progressing quite well.”

Town Administrator Martha White told Town Meeting at the opening night of the fall session on Tuesday that Wilson Middle School’s solar array would start producing electricity by the end of 2011.

The Wilson array should save the town $26,000 in electricity costs annually.

“To put this in perspective, the average two-story, three-bedroom Natick household uses about 18,000 kilowatt hours a year of electricity,” White said. “The solar system at Wilson will produce electricity equal to the amount needed to supply power to 170 Natick homes.”

White’s presentation garnered a round of applause from the town’s legislative body, the only one of the evening.

The new high school’s original design called for a small solar array, but Hurley said he’s doing a cost-benefit analysis for adding a much bigger array to the school.

“We are exploring the possibility of putting a larger solar array on the new high school,” Hurley said. “The original design including a smaller array – 50 kilowatts - but what’s being proposed is a much larger system, perhaps as much as six times that. That work is progressing, and we hope to have an answer to put in front of the School Committee and the High School Building Committee in the next couple of weeks.”

Source: By turning to solar, Natick expects to save - Natick, Massachusetts - Natick Bulletin and Tab http://www.wickedlocal.com/natick/archive/x1872801228/By-turning-to-solar-Natick-expects-to-save#ixzz1bZZWZFm0

Complaint over Chinese solar firms provokes industry unease

A trade complaint filed against China by a group of solar companies drew skeptical reviews from inside the industry, with many fearing a trade war could disrupt growth.

On Wednesday, seven US solar manufacturers asked the Obama administration to impose duties of more than 100 percent on Chinese imports, which they said were unfairly undercutting prices and destroying jobs in the US.

China's commerce ministry said on Friday that the country regrets the trade action and warned that exports of US solar-energy equipment and materials to China will fall as demand will decline because of the possible duties.

Many US and European companies supply China's industry with products used to make solar cells, while others end up buying those finished cells to put in their own solar modules.

"It's a really difficult issue for everyone," said Tom Hecht, head of US sales for Germany's Schott Solar AG. "Any trade war is damaging to the industry."

Fear of triggering retaliation by the Chinese government or angering Chinese companies appeared to be the reason that six of the companies that filed the complaint chose to remain anonymous, several industry experts said.

Only SolarWorld Industries, the US arm of Germany's SolarWorld AG, made its name public.

China's solar industry has grown rapidly over the past five years, led by companies such as Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd and Trina Solar Ltd - all of which have shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Analysts and executives have blamed the rising output of panels from China for pushing some US companies into bankruptcy this year. A glut of solar panels has helped drive down prices by about 40 percent so far this year, shrinking margins for nearly all manufacturers.

Kevin Kilkelly, SolarWorld's US president, said the Chinese companies had flooded the United States with panels at cut-rate prices simply to win market share.

"In July alone, (China's US shipments) far outweighed those from all of 2010 combined," he said. "So we said we have to take action."

Suntech, the maker of solar panels, responded to the filing by saying it was well prepared to demonstrate its strict adherence to fair international trade practices.

Many executives from the United States and Europe have privately complained for years about China's impact on the solar markets, but most have also said the business has become so globalized that penalizing one country would not help companies that are struggling to survive.

Still others seem wary of triggering a trade war that could lead to foreign companies being shut out of China, which has become one of the world's fastest-growing centers of renewable energy.

First Solar Inc, the largest US solar company and the industry's lowest-cost manufacturer, has signed agreements that could result in it building huge solar power plants in China, although it has only been involved in modest pilot projects there so far.

"What we believe in is free and open market access here and everywhere else in the world," First Solar's Chief Executive Rob Gillette told reporters at the Solar Power International trade show in Dallas this week.

Trade relations with China have become a hot issue ahead of the 2012 US presidential and congressional elections.

Last week the Senate passed a bill aimed at Beijing's currency practices, but the proposal faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives.

"The outside world looking at renewables as a whole says: 'Well, this is just proof that solar is not a business yet - let's just ignore it for another five years,'" said Julian Hawkins, head of sales and marketing for the US manufacturer Abound Solar Inc.

"I'm not really sure at times that people go through all the repercussions."

Source:http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2011-10/22/content_13955001.htm

Solar Energy Jobs Growing In California And Across Nation

Solar energy jobs are growing throughout the United States and one in four of these jobs are held by a Californian, a new study says.

California, which ranked first in the nation for generating solar electricity, had an estimated 25,575 of the 100,237 solar-related jobs nationwide in August, according to the National Solar Jobs Census 2011, scheduled for release Monday by the Solar Foundation, a research and education organization in Washington, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The total for California was four times greater than the runner-up, Colorado, with 6,186 solar jobs as of last summer, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"This report shows that the solar industry is not only creating green jobs across California but that the industry is forecast to continue growing at a much faster pace than the overall U.S. economy," said Michelle Kinman, a clean-energy advocate for Environment California, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "California industry and policymakers have a tremendous opportunity to build on this solid foundation and make solar a centerpiece of the state's energy policy."

Nationally, employment in all parts of the solar industry -- including manufacturing, installation, residential, commercial and large-scale power generation -- grew 6.8 percent in the 12 months prior to August, the study said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Overall U.S. job growth was less than 1 percent for the same period, it said.

Growth is expected to accelerate by 24 percent, creating 24,000 jobs over the next year, based on a survey of solar employers, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"Solar is on the cusp of playing a large role in mainstream markets, said David Hochschild, vice president of Solaria Corp, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Source:http://www.thirdage.com/news/solar-energy-jobs-growing-in-california-and-across-nation_10-19-2011

Solar panels to line roof of U building $230,000 of a $1.35M grant will go toward the panels.

By the start of 2012, a building on the University of Minnesota campus will be partially powered by the sun.

The University will use $230,000 of a $1.35 million grant to install solar panels on the roof of the University Office Plaza Building. The city of Minneapolis authorized the University to use part of the grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security for the installation, which will be finished by the end of the year.

Located next to TCF Bank Stadium, the building’s solar panels will create an estimated 38.4 kilowatts of solar electric power — enough energy to supply five homes a year, said Brad Hoff, chief administrative officer for Facilities Management.

“38 kW is a sizable amount, and it will provide a significant amount of energy,” said Louise Goldberg, director of the University’s Energy Systems Design Program.

But Hoff said they’ll have a small impact on reducing the University’s total energy output when compared to other energy-saving practices.

The University is hoping the panels will help save 3 to 5 percent of the building’s energy consumption, Hoff said.

Other energy-saving practices like re-commissioning — a process performed every five years that adjusts functions in University buildings like temperature levels, fan schedules and light usage — save 15 to 20 percent in energy reductions, he said. Hoff compared it to “tuning a car.”

“I think the solar panels will be a good learning experience,” he said, “but it’s not like they’re going to put a huge dent in our carbon footprint.”

Once installed, the University will create an online interface where anybody can see a live feed of the energy generated and saved by the solar panels.

The installation of solar panels at the University Office Plaza Building, which houses the Minnesota Daily suite, is part of a regional effort to improve energy sustainability.

The project is part of the Energy Innovation Corridor — a string of energy efficient projects, like LEED-certified buildings and charging stations for electric cars, along the 11-mile stretch of the Central Corridor light-rail line.

Numerous green projects along the corridor have already been completed, such as the Target Center’s Vegetated Roof, as well as installation of solar panels on the roof of the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Seven Corners Apartment Building on the West Bank and atop Fire Station 19 in Stadium Village.

The corridor is using the $1.35 million grant to harvest a total of 190.2 kW in solar electric power along the light rail.

Because most of the funding comes from a state grant, the city will make its money back from the entire network of solar panels in less than three months, according to the city.

While Goldberg appreciates the city’s commitment to alternative energy, she said she questions whether solar energy is the most effective energy source to promote.

“What really is important with renewable energy is the cost effectiveness of each dollar spent,” Goldberg said.

Source:http://www.mndaily.com/2011/10/20/solar-panels-line-roof-u-building

Solar energy helps power The Greenspace

WEL Network’s installation of a solar photovoltaic system has been on trial for over 8 months now by the eco-friendly meeting venue, The Greenspace, in Hamilton. It was chosen last year as one of two sites to participate in the WEL Energy Trust funded project that aims to test the feasibility of distributed generation using small scale solar technology.

The 1.2kW solar photovoltaic system, installed by WEL Networks in December of last year, harnesses the sun’s energy to generate green power from solar panels covering 11.4 square metres of roof space on the building. It averages a production of 4.06kWh per day. This is the equivalent energy to provide 104 homes with enough electricity to watch every World Cup Rugby match on a 46” TV.

“Congratulations go to WEL for delivering projects that increase the use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like this one,” said The Greenspace co-owner, Annie Perkins.

The photovoltaic system being trialled by WEL Networks is a form of distributed generation, or generation of energy close to the point of use.

“At the moment, we use all the power generated from the panels which makes up about 10% of our energy use,” said Ms Perkins. “I don’t even have to think about it anymore though. The installation and now the use, has been completely seamless.”

Malcolm Souness the Energy Management Engineer from WEL Networks said that it was trials like this one that allows WEL to build up its intellectual property as the technology is improving.

Greenspace is one of two solar photovoltaic system installations completed as part of the WEL Networks renewable energy trials. A photovoltaic system installation was installed by WEL on the roof of the Raglan Community House in November of last year. It has generated on average the equivalent energy to recharge a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug in Hybrid once each day (approximately 24km distance without petrol) or up to 4,750km of travel per year.

Source:http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1110/S00572/solar-energy-helps-power-the-greenspace.htm

Siemens Sinvert Inverters Featured in Solar-Powered Aggregate Facility

Siemens Industry announced today it has added another 1 megawatt (MW) of solar power to its portfolio as Granite Construction Company (GCC) recently commissioned one of the US's first solar-powered aggregate and hot-mix facilities located in Coalinga, California.

GCC is using Siemens' Sinvert PVS1051 UL inverter with an integrated e-house solution and a 1000 KVA oil transformer. The 1MW solar power generation system will provide clean energy to power Granite's aggregate mining facility.

Siemens Sinvert PVS1051 UL is used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to convert the direct current from the PV generators into a three-phase current that is then supplied to the connected power grid.

Granite's 1MW project is one of several solar accounts announced by Siemens. In September, Siemens began production of 10 Sinvert PVS2000 inverters for a 20MW solar field in Stillwater, Nevada being developed by Enel Green Power North America, Inc. The project also includes 10 2000kVA 12.47 kV step-up transformers and one 20MVA GSU transformer.

In July, Siemens announced it had received a multi-million dollar order from Interconnect Solar Development, LLC, to supply solar technology for the 20MW Murphy Flats solar field located in Idaho. The project includes inverters, transformers and containers and will feature Siemens 1000VDC inverters along with 1000VDC panels for maximum energy harvesting.

Siemens has begun production of its Sinvert solar inverters at its West Chicago, Illinois manufacturing facility, localising its manufacturing to better serve its customers based throughout the US. The company invested approximately $10 million (USD) upgrading two buildings at the location, one of which will support the growing demand for solar power domestically.

Source:http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3702:siemens-sinvert-inverters-featured-in-solar-powered-aggregate-facility&catid=41:applications-tech-news&Itemid=245

California has 1 in 4 U.S. solar energy jobs, study says

The National Solar Jobs Census 2011 says job growth in the industry grew 6.8% in the one-year period ended in August, and a survey of solar employers suggests employment will rise by 24%, creating 24,000 jobs, during the next year.

One in every four solar energy jobs in America is held by a Californian, and growth in the clean-tech industry is burgeoning nationwide, a new study said.

In August, California had an estimated 25,575 solar-related jobs out of 100,237 for all 50 states, according to the National Solar Jobs Census 2011. The census is scheduled for release Monday by the Solar Foundation, a research and education organization in Washington.

California's solar jobs tally was more than four times greater than runner-up Colorado, which had 6,186 solar jobs.

The Golden State ranked first in the nation for generating electricity from both photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power systems that use mirrors to create steam to run turbines, the study said.

"This report shows that the solar industry is not only creating green jobs across California but that the industry is forecast to continue growing at a much faster pace than the overall U.S. economy," said Michelle Kinman, a clean energy advocate for Environment California. "California industry and policymakers have a tremendous opportunity to build on this solid foundation and make solar a centerpiece of the state's energy policy."

Nationally, employment in all parts of the solar industry, including manufacturing, installation, residential, commercial and large-scale power generation, grew 6.8% in the 12 month period ended in August. Overall U.S. job growth was less than 1% for the same period, the census said.

Growth is expected to accelerate 24%, creating 24,000 jobs, over the next year, based on a survey of solar employers.

The industry's momentum should continue despite bad publicity from a political scandal surrounding the bankruptcy of Northern California solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, industry advocates said. The Fremont, Calif., company recently closed after getting a $535-million federal loan guarantee.

"We have to look beyond the failure of one company and see the tremendous success that's occurring here," said Arno Harris, chief executive of Recurrent Energy, a San Francisco solar developer.

David Hochschild, vice president of Fremont-based Solaria Corp., said the technology "is on the cusp of playing a large role in mainstream markets."

Here's a list of the top states ranked by the number of solar industry jobs, according to the solar jobs census:

1. California 25,575

2. Colorado 6,186

3. Arizona 4,786

4. Pennsylvania 4,703

5. New York 4,279

6. Florida 4,224

7. Texas 3,346

7. Oregon 3,346

8. New Jersey 2,871

9. Massachusetts 2,395

Source:http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar-jobs-20111017,0,3230671.story