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La potenza installata degli impianti fotovoltaici italiani ha superato i 700 megawatt. Secondo il censimento del Gestore dei servizi energetici, che si occupa dell’incentivo, le centrali solari sono 56.285, in massima parte piccolissime istallazioni domestiche.

Le regioni con una maggiore potenza sono la Puglia (96 megawatt), la Lombardia (84) e l‘Emilia Romagna (62 megawatt), mentre il Gestore dei servizi energetici ha censito il maggior numero di impianti in Lombardia (8.630), Emilia Romagna (5.293) e Veneto (5.166).

Intanto l’emendamento di fonte governativa alla Finanziaria per il 2010, contenente drastici tagli all’incentivazione delle fonti rinnovabili, è stato ritirato, con il sollievo delle associazioni Anev, Aper, Assossolare, Federpern, Fiper, Greenpeace, Ises, Itabia, Kyoto Club e Legambiente. Secondo le associazioni, se la proposta di modifica al testo della Legge Finanziaria 2010 fosse stata accolta, il settore delle rinnovabili avrebbe subito un duro colpo.

Da Sole24ore.it la notizia qui…

It is strongly encouraged to use this energy to the point that our environment is deteriorating rapidly. All Erratic climate changes and strange that we are living due to high levels of pollution sources of energy, fossil fuels have issued. Imagine that there are places that flooded that were not affected by this before. In some regions, the sun shines intense and a few miles away, it rains cats and dogs. Heat waves and cold going around them. Some areas are too much rain, while others have a long period of drought. People, animals and plants are influenced by the erratic variations of the weather and time. To do our part, we consider the use of alternative energy sources to some of our equipment to feed. Solar energy converted into electricity using photovoltaic energy has the capacity to supply energy for some of our equipment or gadgets. There are solar chargers, MP3 players, digital cameras, mobile phones and laptops. There are solar ovens, lamps, refrigerators, calculators, FM radio, pumps and more investors. Most popular in every household of the calculator is followed by an solar. The use of solar energy will reduce your electricity consumption and give you great savings. Solar energy is used and when solar energy is not to introduce carbon dioxide emissions that damage the environment. You can create your own solar panels use solar energy with simple materials, even those we use in everyday cooking. There are still websites that teaches you how to make your own solar panels for less than $ 200.00. Even beginners can create their own solar panels to Sun for home use with simple instructions that these places are to follow. With the current economic situation, people are looking for ways to enable the various areas of their lives to take. The use of solar energy as a source of some of its devices or gadgets will do much in her quest to save money is for something that you need. The use of solar energy is becoming more popular everywhere. He makes a good environment and your wallet too. What do you see the Internet to see how you can use solar energy for use at home.

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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With soaring energy costs in the country the question is being asked more and more if an energy efficient home should be given special considertion when being appraised? The answer is yes. As energy costs continue to raise, the value of a home that is more efficient then the standard home should receive higher valuation and that is just where the industry is beginning to turn.

consumers about energy efficient home rating system is able to test the overall efficiency of a home is filled with products that meet government energy saving standards, not only are they saving money on their energy bill, but increasing money in their pockets monthly and thus giving their home energy savings. If a homeowner has a higher energy efficiency then the average home, then not only are they saving money on their energy bill, but increasing money in their pockets monthly and thus giving their home a higher energy efficiency then the standard home should be given special considertion when being appraised? The answer is yes.

As energy costs in the United States today that are not rated; however, it is surely a step in comparison to the over 128 million homes that have had an energy efficient home rating system is able to test the overall efficiency of a home and rank it based on one light bulb. When a home is filled with products that meet government energy saving standards, not only are they saving money on their energy bill, but increasing money in their pockets monthly and thus giving their home energy savings. If a homeowner has a higher value.

Energy savings begins at a much lower level though then complete home renovations. Savings can start with your everyday home appliances such as your microwave, light bulbs, DVD players and more. Did you know that even a small change such as switching from an incandescent light bulb to a longer lasting compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) can save you over $60 in an 8-year period based on replacement and operating costs? Incandescent bulbs use 4 times as much energy as CFL’s And that is just where the industry is beginning to turn.

An energy efficient products and practices.

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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A product innovation charter includes the background of your stated idea, the focus as well as the goals and objectives. They are as listed below.

BACKGROUND: After doing initial research and preliminary surveying of our target market—Cal Poly students—it is evident that there is a need and desire for a new type of parking meter. Currently, the Cal Poly campus lacks a parking meter that uses other methods of payment besides coins.  We feel that the payment methods we have chosen, the energy efficiency of the meter, and its convenience will be successful in gaining the interest of our target market.

FOCUS: Our energy-efficient parking meters are being developed in order to save time and reduce stress when students are in a hurry.  The parking meters will not only use solar energy for power, but will also include an electronic card reader so students can use their PolyCard or credit card.  We will focus on making the product as convenient as possible, while also making a commitment to “being green.”

GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

a) to have a lower impact on the environment by using solar energy to power the machines and by reusing the bottom half of current parking meters instead of replacing the whole thing

b) to replace/remodel all current parking meters on campus and

c) to provide parking spaces for the same price as current meters with the added benefits of convenience and being eco-friendly.

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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Chronos Consulting has delivered on major solar energy project in Russia and Hungary

Un grupo de 60 personas pertenecientes al sindicato de la empresa eléctrica Israelí (Israel Electic Corporation) ha visitado Barcelona el pasado 12 de noviembre.

Han solicitado a nuestra Cámara la organización de una visita de conocimiento en el ámbito de las tecnologías energética y de depuración.

Se ha organizado un tour de dos horas y media, con una visita rápida al 22@ y sus clusters más emblemáticos; una visita organizada a la planta fotovoltaica del Forum y a la Depuradora del Besós.

En estas visitas hemos contado con la fantástica colaboración de la Fundació Barcelona Innovació Tecnològica estando presente su director general, Sr. Jordi Bosch, su directora de comunicación y marketing, Sra. Elisabeth Carratalà, la empresa Siresa y el responsable de la planta fotovoltaica, Sr. Llorenç Pérez y la empresa EMSSA de la depuradora de Besós, que nos acompañó su responsable, el Sr. Javier Trepat.

El objetivo era entender desde diferentes puntos de vista la política de la ciudad de Barcelona en términos medio ambientales y también en la producción de energía limpia.

Con este fin, Jordi Bosch ha explicado y enseñado a todo el grupo las obras del nuevo campus Diagonal-Besòs. Es un proyecto que promueve y estimula la investigación, los negocios y la formación en el mismo espacio en 3 áreas especificas: Energía, Agua y Movilidad.

Los números:

Serán más de 5.500 alumnos (UPC, UB, más de 800 graduados al año, 32 equipos de investigación, 6 redes de centros TI y 81 empresas proyectadas).

Nuestra Cámara tiene diseñado un servicio que ofrece a las empresa Catalanas e Israelíes, visitas técnicas y científicas en el ámbito de los más potenciales y emergentes clusters tanto en Israel como en Catalunya.

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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Calling all energy conscience moms and dads! This is our very first recommendation for the holiday season. The Eitech Solar Powered Construction Metal Building Kit is a great gift at a great price.

Some product features:

Clean tech investing is often thought of as big money, big scale, speculative returns. But not all green start-ups require venture capitalists to write large checks.

The misconception is that every clean-energy project requires the hundreds of millions of dollars that have gone to Solyndra or Bloom Energy to construct manufacturing plants or take on complex technical problems.

Clean tech investor John Doerr says he crawls through university labs looking for early stage start-ups

Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr says he has two templates for clean-tech investments. The big-scale businesses do get the big money, he says. But others firms wrestle with scientific breakthroughs and products that are still as many as 10 years out – and don’t require as much cash.

“We crawl through labs trying to find them,” says Doerr.

Other start-ups more closely resemble the young software companies of 10 years ago, which might have been working on enterprise products and needed just a couple million dollars.

These companies might be developing energy conservation software or products to spark new grid efficiencies. They require money “the same way the software companies were funded back in the 1990s,” says Scott Wornow, a partner at the law firm of Baker Botts.

One such company is Reality Mobile, whose software helps field workers and office staff communicate more effectively. The better communications helps avoids unnecessary repair trips.

Another is Consolidated Green Services, with offerings as varied as waste collection and carbon tracking.

It is not a capital-intensive business, says Wornow, and in that way is like many other green startups.

Unlike semiconductor manufacturing, where producers adhere to similar technologies to make their silicon chips, solar production is the Wild West.

Manufacturers develop their own factory techniques that can have relatively little in common with those of a competitor. Several divergent streams of manufacturing are running full steam: polysilicon and thin-film, for example.

Survey finds 52 percent of solar execs aren't ready for manufacturing collaboration

Producers appear to have no intent to bring this to an end. Instead they seem to see factory differentiation as a potential advantage in a young industry with intense technological rivalries and rapid improving product efficiency.

Many acknowledged that the lack of standards can get in the way of project finance. How is a lender, including the government, to determine whether one process is better or more sustainable than another?

Still, the industry’s propensity for rugged technological individuality isn’t likely to go away soon. With plant techniques evolving quickly and the cleverest engineers stand to win big.

This was evident in a survey by the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International trade group of chip manufacturing companies. The survey, which pointed to the many similarities between solar cell manufacturing and chip fabrication, found 52 percent of solar industry execs unwilling to collaborate on production standards while 48 percent were in favor.

Collaboration opponents argued technology roadmaps can’t be put into place in such as dynamic industry.

At the same time, many recognized standardization could reduce the costs of plant automation, design software, technology integration and performance testing – and the survey did find some holes in the resistant armor.

Twenty percent did say some areas of manufacturing might benefit from standards and another 15 percent agreed a roadmap to overcome fragmentation would be useful.

Clearly solar manufacturing will someday come together on standards the way chip manufacturing has. But not today. Too much is at stake for the winners of the technology race.

There are three basic approaches how we can use this form of green energy source namely passive, active and by using photovoltaic cells.

When we refer to passive solar energy, nothing is converted. What happens is the buildings design helps avoid heat loss and gets the most out of day lighting.

Such a technique can also be used in homes because studies have shown that this can reduce the heating requirements by as much as 80% with minimal cost. This means you dont have to turn on the air condition or heater that often and if everyone does that, we dont consume that much electricity which we get from non-renewable resources.

The second approach which is active solar energy is the first way of converting sunlight into heat. You should know that there are certain limits to this one and all it can do is make sure you have hot water.

The third approach is the big scale version and it can power an office or an entire home. This is done with the help of solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. The smallest ones around can be seen in calculators and watches with large ones planted over huge acres of land.

The only limitation to this green energy source is the fact that it can only generate power when the weather is good and the sun is out. Should it rain, then nothing is collected and converted. When this happens, the auxiliary system is turned on until the weather improves.

Despite that, scientists and students themselves have made solar powered cars. NASA or the National Aeronautical Space Administration has sent satellites into space that are powered by solar panels. A fully functional airport can function on its own thanks to solar power even if it is situated in the middle of the frozen desert.

So people can see the awesome power of solar energy, did you know a kilowatt of solar energy can produce 5.5 hours of electricity per day. If you have more solar cells in place, naturally you will be able to produce enough power to last several days.

Solar energy is just one form of green energy source around. Through the years, we have learned to tap other resources and these examples include wind power, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity and biogas. These are all safe and by using these more often, we dont need to depend on oil which is a nonrenewable resource.

To make this happen, we have to persuade our law makers to promote the use of such resources. Although you hear speeches left and right about their concern for the environment, it is all talk and not that much action. It is something that has to change.

Two countries that have increased solar usage happen to be Germany and Japan. Spain, France, Italy and South Korea are next in the list and where is the United States? Well, one thing is for certain and that it is not in the top 10 despite the fact that it is an industrialized nation

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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Homemade solar panel

The present economic scenario and the ever-shrinking state of the global oil reserves is not good news for everyone. But on a positive note it makes us investigate for alternative energy sources that is become the solution of cutting down present and the future energy consumption, particularly in terms of fossil fuel usage like oil. For example, it has become more and more economical to build home made solar energy system. Building the home made solar panels that utilize deep cell storage batteries produce the electricity upon consumer demand and reduce the their individual dependence on the country’s energy grid.

Who is there in the world who does not wish to have the energy bills get reduced by 80% or more? Many of us shall want to take advantage of such a great deal. If such is the demand then follow the guide Earth4Energy that offers lot of fantastic home made solar solutions on their site, which can be built easily, for the low cost of less than $200. The Features of the guide are:

• Full and detailed instructions given which can be easily understood by a layman or the unskilled for building a home made solar panel.

• Other details on how to obtain the components available in the neighborhood material store for preparing the home made solar system.

• Few Tips on how to construct the alternative energy generators that is not readily available anywhere else.

• One time investment – and life long updates to the manual and video series, at no additional cost.

• Full cash back if you are not saving hundreds of dollars per month on your energy bill after using the system for eight months.

• Detailed instructions explained by videos.

Think about it! Here you are with a home made solar system, generating power that will be stored in deep cell batteries for future consumption. And all of this costs just pennies on the dollar! At www.Earth4Energy.com, you will have subscribe to the home made solar DIY kit and then begin to experience of making the energy generating kit at home. The DIY instructional manual and videos are easy to understand so that even a beginner will be able to understand.

They have a history of excited customers mentioning positive reviews about the many money saving quotes. Most of them who have built the devices can’t believe how easy it was. Additionally, these testimonials or feedbacks state that they have actually gained and also saved 100% of their electric bill and that they could use the extra money to pay gasoline to their car! Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com

The sun is the most abundant and the cheapest source of energy, yet we do not exploit its potential. In these times of depleting resources and increasing prices, the solar energy proves to be the most beneficial and the most economical power solution.

What are the uses of solar energy?

Solar energy has multiple uses, especially in the current times of energy crisis. Solar energy finds its use in the following areas:

• Cooking: The solar energy can be used in cooking with the help of a cooking utensil called the solar cooker. This cooker uses just one fuel – the sun’s light. A typical solar cooker can cook food for five people. A solar cooker does not limit itself to boiling food; it can bake and roast as well. You just need to have a little patience while cooking with a solar cooker.

• Generating electricity: With solar energy, you can run all your electrical appliances. The solar generators store electricity in cells that you can use at night.

•Heating systems: With solar energy heating systems, you can keep your house warm without worrying about electricity bills.

What is a solar generator?

A solar generator is a device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. The sun’s light energy is converted into electrical energy by solar cells also known photovoltaic cells. The return on investment of a solar generator is very fast, thus making electricity available at very low costs. The solar generator also does away with our dependence on the government for electricity. In the current times of fast-depleting fuel resources, it is only wise that we look towards implementing alternate energy solutions.

A solar generator also helps store power in cells for later use. Thus, you can illuminate your house even when the sky is cloudy. The solar generator definitely proves to be a silver lining.

What are the advantages of using a solar generator?

Pollution-free: Using a solar generator paves way to a greener environment. It does not pollute the environment in any way. Moreover, it does not make use of any of the scarce fuels.

Cost-effective: The solar generator makes use of a free energy, thus helping save money. In the long run, the electricity produced by the solar generator turns out to be available for free.

Power storage: The solar generator helps store power for the rainy days, literally. It thus ensures that you have uninterrupted power supply to your home around the clock, everyday.

Low-maintenance: The solar generator is very easy to maintain, helping you save time, effort, and money.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com

High-tech origami: Water droplets direct self-assembly process in thin-film materials
Researchers have developed a technique for fabricating 3-D, single-crystalline silicon structures from thin films by coupling photolithography and a self-folding process driven by capillary interactions.

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China’s solar intentions are nothing short of world dominance – industrial hegemony in manufacturing, distribution and generation.

This seems evident on a number of levels as the nation’s planned economy and entrepreneurial spirit appear aimed at the same target.

From polysilicon manufacturing to solar farm installation, China wants to be the world's full-service solar store

Domestically numerous solar projects are being unveiled by one corporate subsidy or another. The internal Chinese solar market is expected to increase as much as six fold in 2010 to as much as 1.5 GW from 250 MW this year, according to an estimate from FBR Capital Markets. (It was only 70 MW in 2008.)

Government officials have recently approved 294 solar projects at a cost of $2.9 billion over several years. More are on the way. In total, they add up so far to 642 MW, only a sliver of the country’s projected annual production capacity of 4.5 GW.

That means looking abroad, even while construction at home is running at full steam.

This was evident in Tuesday’s announcement from GCL-Poly that it accepted a $710 million investment from a subsidiary of the state-owned China Investment Corp. According to FBR, GCL-Poly has already hired a San Francisco team eager to build farms in the United States.

In its sights are 300 MW of projects in the U.S. and Europe for potential investment, says FBR.

The challenge at least internally for Chinese companies is that domestic contracts have slim margins. Feed-in tariffs are low in China and government subsidies cover only about 50 percent of construction. This suggests money will need to be made abroad to fuel the industry.

Perhaps that is why the expansion fuse is burning so quickly.

The federal government dug into its pockets for a second round of smart grid funding, this time sending $620 million on 32 demonstration projects in 21 states.

The announcement came Tuesday from Energy Secretary Steven Chu and brings the department’s smart grid funding to more than $4 billion this year.

Steven Chu's Energy Department has now allocated more than $4 billion for smart grids

Smart grids promise energy savings and efficiencies by giving consumers greater access to information about and control over their energy use. They also hope to create more resilient electric grids capable of accepting large quantities of renewable energy from solar and wind farms.

However, fully capable smart grids are years away, with demonstration projects just getting underway.

On Tuesday, Chu said the public money will be matched with $1 billion of private funding. Sixteen of the awards, $4535 million in funds, will go to regional demonstration projects involving 50 utilities and 100 million consumers. These efforts include installing smart meters and improving the flow of information about electricity usage and power outages.

A second funding push will underwrite energy storage projects to enhance the reliability of the grid, such as advanced batteries, compressed air systems and flywheels.

Chu said smart grid technologies should be able to reduce the nation’s electricity use more than 4 percent by 2030, saving $20.4 billion.

Sun brings students to Milton Center
From NorthFulton.com

A solar course that filled up even before any marketing could be done is a key step in the Lanier Technical College’s plan to expand its presence in North Fulton. Russell Vandiver of Lanier Tech said his boss, college President Mike Moye, told him to get this program up and running.

“We started the process about two years ago.” Vandiver said. “We are going to run it as an economic development program, non-credit,” he said. “What has been the surprise of this deal is just the unbelievable response we’ve got. [With] almost no marketing, I’ve got a full class starting Jan. 7 at 25 people at $1,000 a piece.”

Vandiver said the school has entered into a partnership with Fulton County Schools and the Milton Center to lease space for the class. The program will be run two nights a week. It will be a knowledge- and theory-based course involving photovoltaic solar power. Students won’t learn how to install solar systems in this first course. It will teach them the principles involved, using demonstration materials and even some donated solar equipment.

Read the full story – click here.