Energy Priorities Renewable Energy

Zero Energy Buildings - "Zero" of What? - Energy:Minute

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:47:50 -0800

"Zero energy" is a term we'll see applied to more and more buildings. It means the building produces as much energy on site as it uses. But that's not the whole story. There are many variations. Learn what they mean, in a minute.

Stimulating through Subsidy -- Does It Work?

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:58:37 -0800

Current policies at the state and federal level are extremely supportive of clean energy development. But the structure of subsidies matters. As the stimulus pumps unprecedented billions into renewable energy, it is worth asking whether we are promoting the right kind of investment that will enhance future US competitiveness.

Veranda Solar: Miniaturized, Power-Dense Residential PV

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:51:51 -0800

Veranda Solar is one of 12 semi-finalists in the 2009 Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open. The company's designs could bring the initial cost of residential solar down to $1000 or less. Denis Du Bois interviews Capra J'neva, CEO. (podcast)

LivinGreen Materials: Bringing Solar Closer to Grid Parity

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:25:49 -0800

LivinGreen Materials is one of 12 semi-finalists in the 2009 Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open. The company's "drop-in" solar cell manufacturing technology could bring the cost of solar power closer to grid parity. Denis Du Bois interviews Chris Tagge, co-founder and CEO. (podcast)

National 100x20 Plan Met Little Resistance

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:12:02 -0800

Political will is apparently easier to find when global warming and rising sea levels threaten to inundate the tiny island nation you call home.

Hydrovolts: "Flip Wing" Turbine Bouys Efficiencies

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:10:51 -0800

Hydrovolts is one of 12 semifinalists in the Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open. The company's "flip wing" turbine marks new levels of efficiency in generating energy from flowing water. A generator can be dropped into a canal or stream in an afternoon with minimal site preparation. Denis Du Bois interviews Burton Hamner, co-founder and President. (podcast)

Federal Energy Loan Guarantee Program from 2005 Finally Approves its First Applicant

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:27:46 -0800

As we wait for stimulus dollars to trickle through the system, a provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has finally born fruit for renewable energy.

Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo 2009

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:34:40 -0800

The 2009 Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo wrapped up this morning in Las Vegas.

Stimulus Bill Creates $3.2 Billion in Tax Credits for Renewables

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:57:24 -0800

A new 30 percent tax credit for renewable energy is among many clean-energy provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. President Obama signed the bill into law yesterday.

Green Light for Transit: Urban Solar Steps in to Fill Need for Bus Shelter Lighting

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:10:17 -0800

Once in a while, when waiting for an evening bus in downtown Seattle, I realize I'm standing in a solar-powered bus shelter. And I wonder whatever happened to the enthusiasm of Carmanah Technologies Corp, the company that illuminated those shelters and was so gung-ho about solar transit lighting. (photo)

Grid-Bonded Solar in Florida

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:06:36 -0800

Off-grid and grid-tied solar now have a new cousin: "Hybrid solar." Florida Power & Light executives marked the groundbreaking of a new solar power project that will be connected directly to a dinosaur power plant.

How Nellis AFB Financed its 14MW Solar Project

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:14:42 -0800

The power purchase arrangements the Air Force made for the solar power installation on Nellis Air Force Base put a new twist on a conventional financing vehicle commonly used for coal-fired power plants.

Money Meets Optimism at Renewable Energy Finance Forum West

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:50:38 -0800

In Seattle, the only other place you would see so many suits is a funeral. But this capacity crowd of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs came not to bury the future of green. These 380 attendees came to hear what cleantech leaders are saying about the recent economic crisis and its effects on the industry. Optimism abounds. (photos)

U.S. Utilities Apply What They Learn from Germany's Solar Successes

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:16:17 -0800

SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL 2008 -- There's no doubt the U.S. stands to learn a lot from the EU experience with solar -- particularly Germany's successes. But are we applying what we're learning? Denis Du Bois interviews Kimberly Harris, Chief Resource Officer for Puget Sound Energy in Seattle. Harris had just come back from the SEPA Germany fact-finding trip that Julia Hamm referred to in her conference keynote. (podcast)

Solar Power Intl 2008 Observations

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:02:18 -0800

SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL 2008 -- The Solar Power International conference sold out. Again. And once again the line-up of speakers was first class. They included California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and General Wesley Clark. Celebrities aside, this conference -- the industry's largest -- gave us an annual glimpse into the business of solar. Denis Du Bois talks about the show with CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund Manager Matt Lecar. (podcast)