Friday, May 16, 2003

ÒBy investing in on-site solar generation, Cal State Hayward is effectively reducing its purchases of expensive peak electricity and doing its part to address CaliforniaÕs ongoing energy challenges,Ó said PowerLight president Dan Shugar. ÒCal State Hayward is helping our nation reduce its reliance on foreign oil and increasing our energy security. In addition to generating electricity, PowerLightÕs solar rooftop system provides thermal insulation and protects the roof from weather and UV radiation. These benefits result in decreased heating and cooling energy costs and extended roof life. 4:01:21 PM    comment []

The largest solar electric system at any university in the world -- and one of the largest solar energy systems in the nation-- will be installed at California State University, Hayward this summer. The project was authorized by the board of trustees of the California State University system on March 12, and is awaiting additional internal campus approval. The 1.05 megawatt solar electric system, manufactured and installed by Northern California-based PowerLight Corporation, will provide a clean, reliable, cost-effective source of electricity, leveraging the areaÕs abundant sunlight. The on-site solar generation system will deliver approximately 30 percent of the campusÕ peak electricity demand during the summer months. Cal State Hayward's solar system, covering over 110,000 square feet, will feature both rooftop and ground-mounted installations, leveraging currently unused assets -- rooftops and land. The ground-mounted solar tracking system, which captures up to 30 percent more energy than fixed systems by following the sun, will be installed in an unused field. The Cal State solar project will generate roughly 1,450,000 kilowatt hours annually, producing enough electricity in the daytime to power more than 1,000 homes. Construction is expected to be completed on the campus buildings by July 2003. ÒWeÕre thrilled that solar power is being deployed at Cal State Hayward,Ó said Norma S. Rees, CSUH president. ÒWith this solar electric installation, Cal State Hayward will have a cost-effective, reliable, non-polluting system that will reduce our electricity bill by $200,000 annually, and contribute to the regionÕs overall environmental health. We hope to set an example for the entire CSU system, as well as universities across the country.Ó The largest solar electric system at any university in the world -- and one of the largest solar energy systems in the nation-- will be installed at California State University, Hayward this summer. The project was authorized by the board of trustees of the California State University system on March 12, and is awaiting additional internal campus approval. The 1.05 megawatt solar electric system, manufactured and installed by Northern California-based PowerLight Corporation, will provide a clean, reliable, cost-effective source of electricity, leveraging the areaÕs abundant sunlight. The on-site solar generation system will deliver approximately 30 percent of the campusÕ peak electricity demand during the summer months. Cal State Hayward's solar system, covering over 110,000 square feet, will feature both rooftop and ground-mounted installations, leveraging currently unused assets -- rooftops and land. The ground-mounted solar tracking system, which captures up to 30 percent more energy than fixed systems by following the sun, will be installed in an unused field. The Cal State solar project will generate roughly 1,450,000 kilowatt hours annually, producing enough electricity in the daytime to power more than 1,000 homes. Construction is expected to be completed on the campus buildings by July 2003. ÒWeÕre thrilled that solar power is being deployed at Cal State Hayward,Ó said Norma S. Rees, CSUH president. ÒWith this solar electric installation, Cal State Hayward will have a cost-effective, reliable, non-polluting system that will reduce our electricity bill by $200,000 annually, and contribute to the regionÕs overall environmental health. We hope to set an example for the entire CSU system, as well as universities across the country.Ó 4:00:46 PM    comment []

Planet Ark : San Francisco weighs harnessing tides for electricity: "San Francisco has not nailed down project funds or formally selected a developer but has been looking at technology developed by HydroVenturi Inc., based in London and Los Gatos, California, Westlund said." 3:59:29 PM    comment []

Planet Ark : San Francisco weighs harnessing tides for electricity: "The tides that ebb and flow through the narrow Golden Gate would be channeled through an underwater concrete passageway with no moving parts, building up pressure and creating a suction effect to spin on-shore generators, Westlund said, adding that it would not interfere with busy shipping lanes. Each tidal cycle pushes 400 billion gallons of water through the Golden Gate, enough to generate an estimated 2,000 megawatts, or more than twice the city's peak power demand." 3:57:40 PM    comment []

Planet Ark : San Francisco weighs harnessing tides for electricity: "San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to launch a $2 million pilot project to study harnessing wave energy to generate enough electricity to light more than 750 homes in this city of 790,000 residents" 3:57:17 PM    comment []

Renewable Energy News | PV Cell Manufacturer Claims 20 Percent Efficiency: "SunPower is using a high-quality virgin silicon for the cells, which actually become more efficient the thinner they manufacture them because of the rear contact design. Swanson said there is no silicon degradation because they use n-type silicon. " 3:56:21 PM    comment []

Renewable Energy News | PV Cell Manufacturer Claims 20 Percent Efficiency: "The A-300 silicon solar cell delivers 3 kW in less than 17 square meters, allowing SunPower's customers to trump the world's best area-efficient construction designs. The A-300 solar cells are ideal for rooftop systems, communications, building integrated PV systems and consumer applications. " 3:55:57 PM    comment []

Renewable Energy News | PV Cell Manufacturer Claims 20 Percent Efficiency: "The cells were produced on a pilot line located in Round Rock, Texas in a facility adjacent to a manufacturing plant operated by Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, a major investor in SunPower. The company intends to increase production on the line to its 2 MW capacity this summer. The new, 125 mm, single-crystal cell, dubbed the A-300, owes its increased efficiency in part to its rear-contact design, which maximizes the working cell area, hides wires and makes automated production easier, according to the company. SunPower President and CEO, Dick Swanson said the National Renewable Energy Lab has certified the new cells at 20.4 percent efficiency, which helps create the most efficient cost-per-watt solution for PV once the cells have been built into modules and installed on the end users roof. " 3:55:32 PM    comment []

Renewable Energy News | PV Cell Manufacturer Claims 20 Percent Efficiency: "Sunnyvale, California - May 13, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] Solar Cell manufacturer SunPower Corporation has produced photovoltaic (PV) cells with an efficiency of more than 20 percent, the company announced Monday. " 3:55:12 PM    comment []