When the largest economy in the European Union derives 20% of its energy from renewable sources, it is a milestone worthy of international attention. Germany’s renewable energy consumption jumped 2.5% within the last year, sending the total consumption of green power in that country to 20.8%. Since 2000, Germany’s use of renewable energy has increased 15 percentage points.

Driving this change is government action. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the German government reversed its policy of supporting nuclear power and declared it would work to phase out all of its nuclear energy by 2022. Along with the demotion of nuclear power, there has been a promotion of renewable power via a feed-in tariff mechanism. Germany’s feed-in tariff was established in 2000 under the Renewable Energy Sources Act. The Act encourages investment in renewable energy by providing companies with long-term contracts and defraying the higher implementation costs green technologies require.

The majority of German citizens support the increased taxes needed to finance feed-in tariffs. Germany plans to achieve 35% renewable electricity use by 2020.

Solar power has become the driving force in the growth of renewable energy in Germany. Solar’s 3.5% of total electricity production is 76% higher than it was last year, and solar now produces more renewable energy than hydropower. The bulk of German green energy is generated by wind and biomass sources.

There is some conflict over the growing infrastructure of German renewable electricity, which will require over 1,800 miles of new power lines by 2025 as well as new sites for windmills and solar panels. Despite their comfort with financing these projects, German citizens are not keen on seeing them built in their back yards.

Rendering of Boeing Solar Project via SCE&G

The largest industrial investment in the history of South Carolina will soon become the home of the largest single rooftop solar array in the United States. Boeing Co., the Seattle-based manufacturer of jetliners, will install approximately ten acres of solar panels on the roof of their $750 million facility in North Charleston, SC. The solar farm will be the sixth largest in the U.S. and one of the biggest in the Southeast.

One of the photovoltaic solar panels to be installed on roof of Boeing plant.

South Carolina Electric & Gas, who will own and maintain the solar panels, chose the NC-based Baker Renewable Energy to implement the project. Four 700-watt kilowatt inverters from General Electric and 18,095 solar panels will create up to 2.6 megawatts of electricity, which is enough carbon-free energy to power about 250 homes.

Baker Renewable Energy Photovoltaic System

Jason Epstein, executive vice president of Baker Renewable Energy said: “This single project will be the equivalent to twice the solar that has currently been installed in the state of South Carolina.” Epstein predicted that the project will create 12-15 permanent jobs in the North Charleston area.

Boeing Charleston Site Rendering

Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said, since the 787 Dreamliner produced in the SC plant was designed to protect the environment by using fewer hazardous materials, consuming less fuel and producing fewer emissions, it followed that the plant would be built in a similar way. This project will be a big step toward Boeing’s goal of operating their new facility solely from renewable energy sources. The solar panels are expected to begin producing energy in September, two months after the 787 plant is slated to start airplane production.

Via: The Post and Courier, Baker Renewable Energy, Charleston Inspired

Images: Charleston Inspired, The Post and Courier, Baker Renewable Energy, SeattlePi

Hybrid Solar Energy Plant In Florida

The newest hybrid model isn’t a car, but the world’s first hybrid solar energy plant that went on the grid last week in Martin County Florida. The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center is Florida Power and Light’s (FPL) latest innovation to launch Florida as the clean energy state. Working in conjunction with an existing natural gas power plant, the 190,000 solar thermal mirrors track and harness the sun’s rays via hydraulic motors. That energy is then converted into electricity and offsets the use of the natural gas. The natural gas plant then becomes a stored energy plant serving as a back-up energy source.

FPL- Solar Thermal Mirrors

Sitting on 500 acres of FPL-owned land, the 75 megawatt facility will power 11,000 Florida homes and has already created over 1,000 jobs. According to FPL’s press release, the hybrid plant is expected to

reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 41 billion cubic feet of natural gas and more than 600,000 barrels of oil – which would prevent the release of more than 2.75 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and save FPL customers approximately $178 million in fuel costs over the facility’s estimated 30-year lifetime.

Though many solar thermal plants function as hybrids by burning oil at times of low sunlight, the Martin Energy Center is the first to combine a natural gas plant with solar thermal energy. It’s the last of 3 solar facilities built by FPL in the past 2 years, yet plans are underway to add another 500 megawatts of solar power to the state.

While the 75 megawatt system may seem small in comparison to the 3,800 megawatt gas plant, the environmental benefits are still quite significant. Florida is setting itself up to be a leader in using innovative technology and finding economic solutions in the effort to diversify energy sources and harness that abundant Florida sunshine. Oh, and in the event of one of those Florida hurricanes, the solar mirrors turn upside down for protection.

Via: Palm Beach Post

Sunpower Solar Panels

Princeton University will soon be home to the largest solar field on a U.S. college campus. Scheduled for completion by summer 2012, the 5.3 megawatt system will be comprised of 16,500 photovoltaic solar panels, estimated to generate 5.5 % of electrical power to reduce campus energy costs by 8 %. The solar field will cover 27 acres on the university’s land. The panels will be designed and built by Sunpower, a leader in advanced solar energy systems. To maximize efficiency, 80% of the system will contain Sunpower Trackers that use a global positioning system to capture the sun at the highest intensity, while the remaining solar panels will be fixed at a 25 degree angle.

Atrium in Princeton's Frick Chemistry Laboratory Building

As part of a sustainability plan to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020 to the level it had in 1990, Princeton has also installed solar panels on the roofs of two campus buildings, including the stunning atrium located in the Frick Chemistry Laboratory. Partly funded by New Jersey’s Solar Renewable Energy Certificate program as well as environmental incentives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Princeton is leading the way for renewable energy systems to be economically accessible.

Princeton University Halls

Their dedication to solar energy will also provide unique research and learning opportunities for both students and faculty. Perhaps the most important aspect of the project is the awareness it will generate about solar energy. As chemical and biological engineering professor, Ilhan Aksay says, “The fact that Princeton University took a lead in this sends out a signal that Princeton is serious about this. I expect that more students will now be interested in pursuing related research, and this will affect the faculty as well”.

Via: Daily Princetonian

SolaRoad Solar Bike Path

What could make bike riding even more efficient? How about a bike path embedded with solar panels to produce clean energy while encouraging people to get on their bikes? The town of Krommenie in the Netherlands, just north of Amsterdam, will be receiving the SolaRoad bike path, scheduled to open in 2012.

Developed by the Province of North Holland, the Ooms Avenhorn Group and Imtech, the solar bike path will be constructed with a concrete base, topped with a 1 cm thick layer of crystalline silicon solar cells. The solar cells will then be protected by a thick, heavy-duty glass surface strong enough to drive a truck over it. The SolaRoad is estimated to generate 50 kw hours of electricity per square meter per year which will be used to power street lights, traffic systems, and perhaps even households along the SolaRoad system.

SolaRoad Project In The Netherlands

The SolaRoad project is part of the Dutch government’s commitment to renewable energy. Their vision is to have an entire network of roads encapsulated with solar panels throughout the country. In the meantime, it will be interesting to learn what cyclists in North Holland think of riding on this glass-surfaced bike path.

Springwise via Inhabitat

World's Largest Solar Roof To Power High Speed Rail Station in China

Efficiency abounds in China as the world’s largest building integrated photovoltaic project prepares to power the railway station where some of the world’s fastest high speed trains pass through. China Sunergy, a solar cell and module manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, has recently signed a deal with CEEG (Nanjing) Solar Energy Research Institute to supply the 7MW solar modules for the Nanjing South Railway Station. When it’s finished, the Nanjing South Railway Station will be one of the most energy efficient public buildings in China.

Solar Powered Nanjing South Railway Station

Mr. Stephen Zhifang Cai, CEO of China Sunergy said of the BIPV project, “We are very happy to see our high-quality solar panels being used in this landmark project, which will certainly raise public awareness and appreciation of renewable energy. We look forward to playing an increasingly bigger role in building China’s eco-friendly projects.”

Solar Powered Shanghai Hongqiao Station

This isn’t the first evidence of China’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energy. The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station went on the grid in July 2010 with a 6.7 MW solar roof integrated into the building’s awnings. Yu Hailong, general manager of the China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP), the project’s developer, said in July that the BIPV technology will “help stimulate the development of solar energy in China and promote the construction of more environmentally friendly railway stations”. Yes, his prediction is coming to fruition.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., many of our railway stations have been destroyed or are wallowing in urban decay, such as the Michigan Central Station in Detroit.

Michigan Central Station in Detroit

Perhaps pictures such as this could inspire decision makers in Washington to take a few notes on China’s use of both renewable energy and efficient forms of transportation.

[Via: Clean Technica]

Energy Efficient Gadget Gifts

Energy efficient isn’t a term often associated with gadgets, especially for those who aren’t technologically savvy. With each holiday season, review sites across the web make their annual picks for the coolest gadget gifts. Generally these gadgets turn out to be novelty items that are tossed aside when the holidays are over.  As energy prices rise, consumers are looking for more energy efficient products while still having fun with the latest gadget. We’ve picked 10 gadgets for your holiday gift list that are energy efficient time savers to delight both the techie and the tech-impaired. You may also want to check out our Green Gift Guide.

NIX Hu-Motion X10A Energy Efficient Digital Picture Frame

NIX Hu-Motion X10A Energy Efficient Digital Picture Frame

Nix Digital is a top selling manufacturer of digital picture frames who have created what they boast as the world’s first energy efficient digital frame. It contains a motion sensor that automatically turns itself on when someone walks into the room. It shuts itself off after not detecting motion for a period of time set by the user. Or you can turn off the motion detection and use the remote control. The Nix X10A was selected by Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry for their Smart Green Home exhibition in 2010. This model contains an internal 512 mb memory which plays JPEG  photos, MP4 videos and MP3 music so you can play specific music to go along with specific photos to create your own slideshow. I like that one Amazon reviewer used it to play back recorded video messages to their kids when they came in too late. You can read other reviews here. Included is a USB cable to connect to your PC or Mac. The screen is a high resolution 10 inch LCD which features a split screen option to display up to 4 photos at once and automatically converts to portrait size if you turn the frame. A much sought-after gadget gift for a parent or grandparent.

The Nix Hu-Motion X10A Digital Picture Frame is sold on Amazon for $109.99.

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote

Perhaps the ultimate gadget gift of all, the universal remote has the obvious benefit of eliminating all those pesky remotes cluttering the living room. The Harmony One Universal Remote by Logitech adds the benefit of an energy efficient rechargeable lithium battery with a recharging stand. The downside is the price, being more expensive than other universal remotes, but it is the most highly rated. Features a color LCD touch screen which enables the user to choose up to 15 components with one touch. Set-up is easy with guided online instructions and live customer support. The Harmony One is ergonomically designed  and lights up for use in the dark. Amazon offers this with it’s frustration-free packaging, a recyclable alternative to all the annoying plastic casings and wires found in most electronics’ packaging. Gift this to the entertainment lover on your list.

Sells on Amazon for $160.99.

Belkin Conserve Socket Energy-Saving Outlet

Belkin Conserve Socket Energy-Saving Outlet

A practical gadget gift, the Belkin Conserve Socket is not only energy efficient, but reduces your utility bill by shutting off power with a timer that can be set to 30 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours. The green LED illuminates when the power is on. This is perfect for charging cell phones, shutting off space heaters after a certain time, or eliminating wasted power to appliances such as toasters or coffee makers. It can be plugged into a standard outlet without covering up the bottom socket. Ships in frustration-free packaging.

Sells on Amazon for $9.99.

Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light

Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Book Light

This book light by Mighty Bright uses 2 high intensity energy efficient LED bulbs that last 100,000 hours. Push the button to use one or both of the bulbs which are bright enough to illuminate both pages of a book. It’s compact enough to carry in your bag or in your car for emergencies and can clip on something or use freestanding. Includes 3 AAA batteries or can be powered by an ac adapter which is not included. This is the highest rated book light on Amazon with 56 reviewers giving it a 5 star. I use mine all the time and have tossed my other non-LED book lights. Give this gadget gift to a book lover or Kindle owner.

You can get the Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 book light on Amazon for $16.99. You can also get it with the adapter for $24.99.

Sanyo Eneloop 2-AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries with USB Charger

Sanyo Eneloop 2-AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries with USB Charger

The Sanyo Eneloops are one of our picks for the best rechargeable batteries of 2010. This package comes with 2 pre-charged batteries and a USB charger to charge 2 AA batteries in 4 hours or 4 AAA batteries in 2 hours. This would make a great gadget gift for a parent who is constantly having to replace batteries in the kids’ toys or the digital camera. Also great for travel with your laptop. Made in Japan, Sanyo Eneloops last longer than other rechargeable batteries and have received over a thousand 5 star reviews on Amazon.

Sells for $9.84 on Amazon.

USB + AA Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm

USB + AA Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm

A sweet gadget gift for the outdoorsy type, this solar charger from PowerFilm Solar charges 2 AA batteries or a device with a USB port such as a cell phone or iPod. Utilizing earth’s most fundamental energy efficient resource, the Solar Panel Charger by PowerFilm recharges in 4 hours in full sun and the USB charge can work in the dark by using the included rechargeable batteries that store the solar energy. Many cyclists and hikers use this charger as it is lightweight and folds for portability, while still offering a large solar panel. The six grommets featured on the bottom of the charger secure the unit to a backpack, the ground, or your car dashboard. This charger has received an average 4 star rating on Amazon. You can read the reviews here.

You can get it on Amazon for $79.99.

Zipbuds By DGA

Zipbuds By DGA

Zipbuds are the latest innovation developed by Digital Audio Group, a California company who make high quality portable audio products. DGA describes these cool looking earphones as “bold, not bulky”. The zipper integrated cable is lightweight, flexible, and best of all, never tangles. Uses a patented centralized acoustic ventilation system and noise isolating eartips for quality sound. Cables are made of Dupont Kevlar. Also includes 3 eartip sizes for a custom fit as well as a sports clip. These would make a terrific stocking stuffer for anyone who enjoys the latest gadget gift. Comes in a variety of colors.

You can get Zipbuds on Amazon for $39.99.

Multi-Color E27 LED Light bulb w/ Remote

Multi-Color E27 LED Light bulb w/ Remote

This LED bulb creates mood lighting with a variety of colors to choose from. Use the remote to select from 16 colors or flow through all the colors with four different transition effects: flash, strobe, fade or smooth. You can also select the from 4 brightness levels. Fits into a standard light socket. You can purchase extra bulbs to go with the remote. These energy efficient multi-color LED bulbs have an average life of 10,000 hours. This would make a cool gadget gift for a teen’s room. Amazon reviewers have given it an average 4 star rating with the biggest complaint being that it is dimmer than expected. Most other reviewers say it’s great for accent lighting.

Sells on Amazon for $32.99.

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch

Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch

Replacing watch batteries is not only one of those aggravating errands, but the batteries contain harmful substances that you then have to worry about recycling. Citizen has developed their energy efficient Eco-Drive line of watches that run on natural and artificial light. These watches use a solar panel to convert light energy into electrical energy which is then stored in a storage cell. The process works so efficiently that many other features are available to the gadget lover besides just telling time. The Citizen Nighthawk features a pilot slide-rule that performs many functions including calculating gas mileage, metric conversion, and pilot and nautical applications. Other features include the stainless steel band, non-reflective scratch-resistant crystal, low-charge indicator, power save function, and water resistant up to 660 feet. Makes for a classy gadget gift for that special man.

The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Nighthawk Watch sells on Amazon for $237.00.

HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse

HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse

This wireless mouse from Hewlett-Packard is for use with a desktop or laptop computer. The eco-friendly features are that it is made of 30% recycled plastic, contains a single AA battery that will last up to 7 months, uses an automatic power saving mode, and packaging is made of 76% recycled materials that can again be recycled. Gadget gift lovers will appreciate the high-tech portability of the laser for use without a pad, as well as the 2 additional programmable buttons that allow you to pull up your favorite applications and websites, control volume, and navigate forward and backward. Amazon reviewers have given the HP Wireless Eco-Comfort Mobile Mouse a 4 out of 5 stars.

Sells for $17.45 on Amazon.

Here’s another solar innovation that could reduce cost of solar energy by as much as 50%. A company in Japan has developed a novel way of making solar cells with arrays of thousands of tiny silicon spheres surrounded by hexagonal reflectors. The key advantage of the system is that it reduces the total amount of silicon required, says Mikio Murozono, president of Clean Venture 21, based in Kyoto, Japan. “We use one-fifth of the raw silicon material compared with traditional PV cells,” he says.

This can make a huge difference to the overall cost of producing solar cells, says Howard Branz, principal scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory‘s National Center for Photovoltaics, in Golden, CO. “About 20 to 30 percent of the cost of a solar-cell module is in the cost of the raw silicon,” he says.

CV21 started production of its cells in October; the first of its 10-kilowatt modules go on sale this month. While these modules will initially cost about the same as the traditional variety, the price is set to drop by 30 percent in 2008, as production increases in May from 1,000 cells a day to 60,000 cells a day, says Murozono. The ultimate goal is to make them 50 percent cheaper than existing cells by 2010, he says.

Spherical solar cells were originally proposed by Texas Instruments about 30 years ago, says Branz. But while they had the potential to reduce the amount of silicon used, they brought with them a host of new problems. Their curved surfaces, for example, can cause more light to be reflected, which reduces their efficiency. What’s more, only half of the sphere ends up actually being exposed to light. Significant gaps also tend to form between the spheres when arranged in arrays, which can further reduce the efficiency of the solar cell.

CV21′s solution was to place each of the one-millimeter-diameter silicon spheres in its own hexagonal aluminium reflector. These work like car headlights but in reverse, ensuring that any light hitting the reflector is directed toward the sphere. When this approach is used, even the underside of the sphere is utilized. The hexagonal shape of the reflectors allows them to be slotted together without dead space between them. “Effectively, these are mini-concentrators,” says Branz.

The spheres themselves consist of a positively doped (p-type) ball of silicon. The ball’s surface is treated to make it negatively doped (n-type), and an antireflective coating is also added. These two outer layers form the basis of the photovoltaic semiconductor material. The spheres are then bonded to an electrode on a flexible foil substrate via a hole at the bottom of the reflector.

Via: Technology Review

Here’s a video of the solar tower in Spain that has been getting a lot of press lately. Engadget describes the system: “It consists of a towering concrete building, a field of 600 (and growing) sun-tracking mirrors that are each 120-square meters in size, and a receiver that converts concentrated solar energy from the heliostats into steam that eventually drives the turbines. Currently, only one field of mirrors is up and running, but even that produces enough power to energize 6,000 homes, and the creators are hoping to see the entire population of Seville (600,000 folks) taken care of solely from sunlight.”