Two prestigious California research institutions, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena (Caltech), will lead a five-year $122 million project to develop advanced methods of solar-based energy production, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy, Daniel Poneman, announced on Friday.

Known collectively as the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP), the project will involve scientists from various professional backgrounds and academic disciplines working together to create a solar energy-to-chemical fuel conversion systems for commercial use.

Under the direction of Nathan S. Lewis, George L. Argyros Professor and professor of chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the JCAP research and development will take place at the project’s Energy Innovation Hub located at Caltech’s Jorgensen Laboratory. In a Caltech press release issued on July 22, the new JCAP director emphasized the importance of developing a safe and efficient clean energy source for widespread use:

“The sun is by far the largest source of energy available to man, but we must find a way to cheaply capture, convert, and store its energy if we are to build a complete clean energy system. Making fuels directly from sunlight presents an exciting opportunity to focus the efforts of teams of leading scientists onto developing the breakthroughs that are required to obtain a safe and secure energy future for all nations,” said Lewis.

Photosynthesis is one of the natural world’s most basic and efficient methods of creating energy. Countless species of plants rely on the process of using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into simple sugars for food. According to Contra Costa Times Science Reporter Suzanne Bohan, JCAP’s artificial photosynthesis research will explore ways to convert sunlight into hydrocarbons and alcohol-based fuels for use in cars and other vehicles.

JCAP scientists will attempt to create synthetic versions of the components necessary for photosynthesis, including: light absorbers, molecular linkers, catalysts and separation membranes. Bohan describes how recent developments in nanotechnology may be used advance JCAP’s research into artificial photosynthesis.

The Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Caltech Pasadena scientists will be joined on the JCAP project by researchers from other California education institutions, including: Stanford University, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara.

For additional information on the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Fuels from Sunlight Energy Innovation Hub,  the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, please visit:

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/news-releases/2010/07/22/energy-innovation-hub/
http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/13365
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_15587963?nclick_check=1

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In a self-described effort to “lead by example,” the White House welcomed 120 leaders from the commercial building industry on Tuesday for discussions with Federal officials on how the government can better promote, support and implement sustainable building practices.

Known officially as the Clean Energy Economy Forum on Federal Leadership and Sustainable Building, the morning event featured representatives from the Department of Energy and other key White House officials, including: Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Nancy Sutley, Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims and General Services Administration Administrator Martha Johnson.

The forum focused on three main areas considered crucial to the development of sustainable buildings in the commercial and public sector: financing, innovation, and leveraging scale—including the federal government’s role in “leading by example.”

In her opening remarks, White House CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley stated that the built environment, or the series of buildings and structures constructed by people, accounts for nearly 39 percent of the country’s primary energy consumption—with about half of this amount attributable to commercial buildings. These numbers are also listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s April 2009 summary on the impact of buildings on the environment.

In addition to citing the significant energy use associated with commercial structures and the related responsibilities of leading representatives of the built environment, Chair Sutley also credited the industry as “a sector that has done a lot to advance the green economy.”

Such advances include an increase the number of older commercial structures being updated to comply with current sustainable building standards. According to the EPA and other organizations, retrofitting commercial and private buildings can save money, reduce energy consumption and decrease the amount of pollution emitted into the environment.

On the topic of the government’s responsibility to promote sustainable building practices, Chair Sutley referenced an executive order signed last October by President Obama that includes an initiative to cut the greenhouse gas pollution emitted from Federal buildings by 13% by 2020. In 2008, the Federal Government, which manages and owns almost 500,000 buildings nationwide, had a fuel and utility bill totaling a staggering $24.5 billion dollars.

“As the single largest energy consumer in the U.S. economy, the Federal Government has an obligation to lead here as well and we have committed to do so,” Sutley told Tuesday’s group of commercial building leaders and Federal representatives.

For additional information on the Clean Energy Economy Forum on Federal Leadership and Sustainable Building, please visit:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/21/clean-energy-economy-forum-federal-leaders-and-sustainable-building

For further details on the EPA’s 2009 summary on the impact of buildings on the environment, please go to:

http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/gbstats.pdf

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Today Honda announced that they would start producing electric cars, and even though they are the last major auto manufacturer to go electric this is welcome news. One key way they will go electric is by introducing electric motorcycles into advanced and emerging nations. This move by Honda is virtually unseen in other major manufacturers, and so far few nations support the electric motorcycle market. But for the many nations a simple electric bike that charges as u pedal is an efficient and renewable way to get around. Electric cars and hybrids are also being planned including the next civic hybrid that will feature lithium ion batteries. The best part is that these new models can all be plugged in to charge, and again the awesome idea of the solar powered carport comes to mind. Regardless of hybrid or pure electric Honda is looking to high efficiency to be their advantage once they get into the electric car market. In a few years we can look to Honda too for greener alternatives to how we move around day to day.

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The US makes up 5% of the world’s population, however we are responsible for 25% of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions. According to new polls, over 87% of the American public support renewable energy systems such as wind, solar and solar thermal. At this same time the US has been suffering economically for a many years now, with no clear solution on how to help turn the economy around.

Renewable energy has the potential to not only help revive the US economy, but help release us from our dependence on foreign energy sources and improve the environment at the same time. By creating new green jobs we ensure that not only the power we produce comes from our nation, but that the jobs that work to supply that power are also American jobs. The best way to bring the American economy around is by simple infrastructure development, strengthening our own power production and way of life, to make us a more independent nation as a whole. Green funding has already begun to flow into renewable energy projects and the improvements are already being seen across the nation. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was a $85 billion act to support and fund all kinds of green programs and projects. Training the next wave of green jobs is the next key to making this positive change for the country.

The renewable energy revolution is always gaining momentum, growing every year. If you want to get a job in the renewable energy industry check out our classes at our main website:

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E very year millions of homes in the United States loose a significant amount of energy to poor insulation, appliance efficiencies, and other wasteful energy practices. Sure we all know our homes may not be working the best, but how bad is bad? Homes that have poor energy efficiency typically waste about 30% of the energy they use. That percentage, multiplied to every home across the nation is staggering, but only if there was another large potential energy to compare it to. Turns out all the oil spilled into the gulf is equivalent to only 75,000 homes annual energy waste.  This figure is made even more absurd because the cost to do energy retrofits on these homes is $1 billion dollars, while the estimated cost to clean up the gulf is $40 billion dollars.

This is a good way to bring the problem of energy retrofitting into perspective, it’s a major factor in how we use energy, and the cost to fix it is not that high. A green energy retrofit costs around $10,000 per household, but this simple task saves every home that same 30%, adding up to constant savings in the form of less energy use for every year after the retrofit. It’s this reason why bills such as Home Star legislation are making their way through the senate. For 1/40^th the cost of the gulf oil spill we can permanently  save that much of our nation’s energy usage. If this bill legislation passes it will save 44 times the amount of energy in the gulf oil spill every year, imagine the energy savings in that for our nation!

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In cities big and small across the country PACE (property assessed clean energy) programs are being developed to help fund green retrofitting. This kind of program is one of the most promising solutions to bring about new jobs, energy savings, and environmental benefits to residents involved. But just last month, lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sent out warning saying that homeowners under their loans would be prohibited from participating in PACE programs. This action is against local governments’ right to assess their own property taxes and stops many awaited PACE programs from functioning.

A growing number of environmental, governmental and industry groups, in addition to local supporters are trying to get PACE programs back in action. Local governments have the constitutional right to assess property taxes on residents in order to provide various public works projects, such as general maintenance of the town and infrastructure. These PACE programs work on that same property tax that local governments oversee to provide financial support for green retrofitting or other renewable energy projects on homes and businesses. By covering the initial cost from these projects it becomes very easy for homeowners around the nation to go green, and start benefitting from this great technology.

With all the benefits seen by PACE programs, and all the expected growth its going to encourage its vital to take a stand in this battle. For all of its benefits in nearly energy city and district in America, PACE programs should be allowed to function. Bringing about the change in the nation we increasingly want to drive the USA in the right direction to a more sustainable future. Do your part and not only spread the word about essential programs like PACE, but voice your opinion as well. A great resource for this is Votesolar.org

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New Jersey is one of ten states on the east coast that have already promised support and adoption of offshore wind power. With the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act companies that build offshore wind farms will get guaranteed income for their projects. In addition state utilities would be forced to buy a portion of their power from these wind farms, further supporting the use of the energy produced by offshore wind power. This act hopes to support at least 1,100 megawatts of capacity, and by 2020 this number would hopefully rise to 3,000 megawatts of wind power capacity. Its green funding like this that will help the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy sources. This act has already been called a “key part of the future” by supporters. And of course with more funding comes more promise for green job growth and an economic boost once these funds are put to work, literally.

Garden State Offshore Energy claimed this act as an “important piece of legislation”, for the obvious reason of its economic benefits and clear devotion to making offshore wind energy a part of US energy production. With this kind of support for offshore wind power in New Jersey hopefully other pro-offshore wind power states will get more projects underway, and further contribute to renewable energy production along the historically windy east coast.

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Just last week an  $2 billion dollars in funding was awarded to Abengoa Solar and Abound Solar Manufacturing to work on countless new projects in Arizona, Colorado, and Indiana. In total these projects will add over 3,600 construction jobs, and 1,500 permanent jobs as well, all boosting local communities with jobs and a cleaner future. This is a great step away from our fossil fuel addictions, which is a clear way to clean up our environment, phase out dependencies on foreign energy, and boost our economy with a wave of new jobs. The US military agrees that to support our troops we need to get off fossil fuels, both foreign and domestic. The benefits are clear, the demand is high, and now increased funding for solar projects such as this one will help bring solar power and other renewable energies over the tipping point, to lead to our energy independent future.

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Solar systems prices continue to fall for both solar PV and solar thermal. So with the availability of these systems on the rise the question comes up: which one to use if space is limited? The answer is not as simple as picking one or the other for every home or business. Both solar PV and solar thermal have their own advantages and to provide, and it really comes down to the buyer which one they would prefer. Solar thermals is great because it covers most of the hot water needs for a building, and it is typically the cheaper to install system. Solar PV, or solar panels, are great in how they cover the electric needs of the home, and any surplus power can be sold back to the grid. With both of these systems comes the problem of shading, and both systems suffer from even a bit of shading. Winter days with the sun being low on the horizon can also reduce yield produced by both solar thermal and solar PV. With all this in mind, it comes down to calculating the best roof-space effective plan for the home or business. And installers use mobile solar gain devices to test out which would be most beneficial.

So really depending on the home or business, and the needs of the owner, both kinds of systems would be very beneficial. Both solar thermal and solar PV offer savings and a renewable way to produce energy, so matter which system you use you will be benefitting not only the environment but your wallet as well.

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Net metering is an essential part of making solar power a good investment, as this means you get paid for any unused energy that your home produces through renewable energy. The better the net metering rate, the more money you get for your power, and the more you can use the energy you make to pay off for the cost of installation. Marin Clean Energy’s Net Energy Metering program offers a fair net metering rate and great benefits in CA. Under this program you would get a better net metering rate than PGE, rollover of surplus energy energy credits, and cash back on surplus energy produced. With new programs such as this one in Marin further encouraging solar power, there is even less of a reason not to go solar!

For more information on this great program, or how to get solar panels installed on your home visit Marin Clean Energy at the Marin County Fair july 1^st-5^th or on their website www.MarinSolar.org. Isnt it time you went solar?

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