The Spanish system integrator, Assyce Fotovoltaica, is constructing the largest First Solar free-field solar power plant in Extremadura, with a capacity of more than 26 MWp. The power plant with a land area of 69 hectares should be completed by the end of the year and will generate more than 42 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
"The area offers very good conditions for photovoltaics," explains Luis Garrido, managing director of Assyce Fotovoltaica. "Due to the high level of solar radiation in the south of Spain, we can expect a very good yield of electricity." The electricity yield will also benefit from the implementation of a new transformer technology. "In contrast to traditional power plants, electricity loss is considerably reduced," says Luis Garrido. Assyce is also implementing in this project the worldwide established inverter system technology from market-leader SMA Technology AG, based in Kassel, Germany. 36 transformer stations will be built up on the 69-hectare site. With more than 337,000 modules capturing solar radiation, Assyce Fotovoltaica, currently the only First Solar system integrator in Spain, is putting its trust in First Solar's thin film technology which has already proven its worth in many other solar power plants. "The modules are very effective and durable and they are perfect for use in hot climate regions," explains Luis Garrido. The First Solar modules offer a high level of operating reliability for the project. Assyce Fotovoltaica has been working together with First Solar with excellent success for years. Basically this partnership makes the realisation of this remarkable large-scale project possible.
The construction of the free-field solar power plant began at the end of January. The whole power plant should be completed by the end of the year at the latest. With the eco-friendly solar electricity over 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved every year and the electricity yield is enough to energize more than 14,000 four-person households for a whole year. "We are making an important contribution to the climate protection and to the expansion of renewable energy resources," explains Luis Garrido. "Power from the sun always has a future and will remain an important pillar of renewable energy."
Due to the limitation of 200 Megawatts per year for new free-field solar power plants (since the end of 2008), Assyce is particularly excited about being able to construct a power plant with a dimension of 10% of the total annual volume together with First Solar. Assyce Fotovoltaica is one of the pioneers in the Spanish free-field solar power plant market. The company, based in Padul (Granada), has already constructed more than 12 solar power plants all over Spain over the last few years.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bi-Partisan Global Conservation Act Introduced in US Congress
Today members of Congress from both parties introduced legislation—the Global Conservation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4959)—that for the first time places the strategic and diplomatic resources of the U.S. government behind efforts to address extinction and natural resource depletion worldwide.
With the accelerating destruction of forests, reefs and other natural ecosystems, scientists say half of all species could be driven to the brink of extinction by the end of the century. And experts are tracking trends showing people around the world losing sources of fresh water, fuelwood, medicines and other products from nature.
"By working with nations and partners around the world we can confront conservation challenges that have a direct impact on U.S. security and economic interests," said Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the bill's lead Democratic sponsor. "If we tackle this problem together, we can build economic strength here and around the globe, adding more stability to the world."
Even as six federal agencies conduct conservation programs around the globe, the U.S. government still lacks a coordinated, overarching strategy for stopping the environmental destruction. The Global Conservation Act would mandate such a strategy. Under the coordination of the White House, the bill requires that agencies come up with a plan to:
"The Global Conservation Act of 2010 presents a wonderful opportunity for genuine and effective bipartisan cooperation on prudent, cost-effective environmental stewardship. I am proud to join in this worthy effort to help protect some of our world's most fragile and magnificent ecosystems," said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill.
"This bill represents a major step forward in our efforts to address worldwide resource destruction and species loss," said Jeff Wise, who directs the Alliance for Global Conservation. "It lays out a common sense strategy that will help protect the world's most ecologically and economically important wilderness and marine areas, promote global security and even increase U.S. competitiveness."
Healthy terrestrial and marine ecosystems are also critical to food security and disaster prevention. An analysis by David Pimental at Cornell University concludes that wild species such as birds and insects provide US$100 billion worth of pest control services to world agriculture every year. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, healthy coral reefs reduce the impact of large storms on coastal populations, a protective function valued at US$9 billion a year.
The destruction of natural areas comes at a tremendous cost. Research by the World Resources Institute has found that medicines derived from natural sources, including 10 of the world's 25 top-selling drugs, have a market value of US$75-$150 billion per year. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, current extinction rates could eliminate at least one prescription drug from entering the market every two years.
"Environmental degradation and the loss of species dramatically reduces our ability to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases," said Dr. Gordon Cragg, retired Chief of the National Cancer Institute's Natural Products Branch, an Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
With the accelerating destruction of forests, reefs and other natural ecosystems, scientists say half of all species could be driven to the brink of extinction by the end of the century. And experts are tracking trends showing people around the world losing sources of fresh water, fuelwood, medicines and other products from nature.
"By working with nations and partners around the world we can confront conservation challenges that have a direct impact on U.S. security and economic interests," said Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the bill's lead Democratic sponsor. "If we tackle this problem together, we can build economic strength here and around the globe, adding more stability to the world."
Even as six federal agencies conduct conservation programs around the globe, the U.S. government still lacks a coordinated, overarching strategy for stopping the environmental destruction. The Global Conservation Act would mandate such a strategy. Under the coordination of the White House, the bill requires that agencies come up with a plan to:
- Protect millions of square miles of land and sea,
- Address illegal and unregulated fishing around the world,
- Safeguard the natural sources of fresh water to several major population centers around the world,
- Stop the worst wildlife trafficking operations, and
- Stabilize environmental destruction trends in areas vulnerable to conflict and instability.
"The Global Conservation Act of 2010 presents a wonderful opportunity for genuine and effective bipartisan cooperation on prudent, cost-effective environmental stewardship. I am proud to join in this worthy effort to help protect some of our world's most fragile and magnificent ecosystems," said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill.
"This bill represents a major step forward in our efforts to address worldwide resource destruction and species loss," said Jeff Wise, who directs the Alliance for Global Conservation. "It lays out a common sense strategy that will help protect the world's most ecologically and economically important wilderness and marine areas, promote global security and even increase U.S. competitiveness."
Healthy terrestrial and marine ecosystems are also critical to food security and disaster prevention. An analysis by David Pimental at Cornell University concludes that wild species such as birds and insects provide US$100 billion worth of pest control services to world agriculture every year. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, healthy coral reefs reduce the impact of large storms on coastal populations, a protective function valued at US$9 billion a year.
The destruction of natural areas comes at a tremendous cost. Research by the World Resources Institute has found that medicines derived from natural sources, including 10 of the world's 25 top-selling drugs, have a market value of US$75-$150 billion per year. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, current extinction rates could eliminate at least one prescription drug from entering the market every two years.
"Environmental degradation and the loss of species dramatically reduces our ability to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases," said Dr. Gordon Cragg, retired Chief of the National Cancer Institute's Natural Products Branch, an Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
New York State Launches "Greenest New Yorker" Contest
I LOVE NEW YORK, New York State's tourism promotion agency, and EscapeMaker.com are seeking to celebrate those individuals who are doing their part to keep the Empire State green with the first-ever contest to find the "Greenest New Yorker."
I LOVE NEW YORK is looking for those New York State residents who are making earnest efforts to preserve the environment in their everyday lives and the lives of others.
Entries for the "Greenest New Yorker" contest will be judged by a panel of celebrities and influential green New Yorkers. Among them are Chef, author, and restaurateur Mario Batali, who has six New York State based, award-winning Certified Green Restaurants®; Josh Dorfman, author of "The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget," and Sundance Channel host of his own show "The Lazy Environmentalist"; actor Peter Facinelli, star of The Twilight Saga movies and Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" show; nationally renowned, eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer Robin Wilson, whose high profile projects include Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Green House" and the renovation of former president Bill Clinton's Harlem office; and renowned architect Morris Adjmi, whose current work includes the LEED gold High Line Building and a LEED platinum building for New York University.
The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. The winner will receive his or her choice of an I LOVE NEW YORK Green Getaway, which includes a three-day, two-night getaway package for two people to one of New York's Top Ten Green Destinations.
To apply, contestants can log onto http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen, and in 250 words or less, tell I LOVE NEW YORK and EscapeMaker.com why they deserve the title of "Greenest New Yorker." To be considered, New York State residents will need to describe how they've contributed to sustainable, eco practices and what they do regularly to maintain a "green spirit." The winner should illustrate a commitment to and leadership in protecting the environment while utilizing its natural resources. How feasibly an individual's green works can be replicated by others will also be taken into consideration. Submissions can be supported with videos and photographs. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on April 8, 2010.
For contest entry rules and regulations, visit http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
I LOVE NEW YORK is looking for those New York State residents who are making earnest efforts to preserve the environment in their everyday lives and the lives of others.
Entries for the "Greenest New Yorker" contest will be judged by a panel of celebrities and influential green New Yorkers. Among them are Chef, author, and restaurateur Mario Batali, who has six New York State based, award-winning Certified Green Restaurants®; Josh Dorfman, author of "The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget," and Sundance Channel host of his own show "The Lazy Environmentalist"; actor Peter Facinelli, star of The Twilight Saga movies and Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" show; nationally renowned, eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer Robin Wilson, whose high profile projects include Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Green House" and the renovation of former president Bill Clinton's Harlem office; and renowned architect Morris Adjmi, whose current work includes the LEED gold High Line Building and a LEED platinum building for New York University.
The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. The winner will receive his or her choice of an I LOVE NEW YORK Green Getaway, which includes a three-day, two-night getaway package for two people to one of New York's Top Ten Green Destinations.
To apply, contestants can log onto http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen, and in 250 words or less, tell I LOVE NEW YORK and EscapeMaker.com why they deserve the title of "Greenest New Yorker." To be considered, New York State residents will need to describe how they've contributed to sustainable, eco practices and what they do regularly to maintain a "green spirit." The winner should illustrate a commitment to and leadership in protecting the environment while utilizing its natural resources. How feasibly an individual's green works can be replicated by others will also be taken into consideration. Submissions can be supported with videos and photographs. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on April 8, 2010.
For contest entry rules and regulations, visit http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
Greener Resume Can Give College Graduates Edge in Job Market
Green-collar jobs grew by more than 9 percent, twice the growth rate for traditional jobs, from 1998 to 2007. Even during a recession, a greener resume can be the answer to getting hired, says Wake Forest Director of Sustainability Dedee DeLongpre Johnston. "Sustainability is a competitive advantage in the marketplace," she says. "College graduates entering the job market this year will definitely have an edge if they have developed sustainability-related skill sets."
Getting a green job doesn't mean looking for jobs with "sustainability" or "environment" in the title any more. Green jobs are also not limited to installing solar panels or weatherizing houses. From marketing to publishing to accounting to finance, viewing the world through the lens of sustainability and having practical experience in that area can make a difference when applying for jobs.
As banks look at making loans for green buildings, law firms develop new kinds of contracts for carbon credits, and companies target consumers who value greener products, students who understand what sustainability looks like in various industries or organizations and have experience solving real-world problems will fare well. And, if students understand sustainability principles, any job can become a green job.
"Sustainability is a way of thinking," DeLongpre Johnston says. "And, that way of thinking has value across the job market. Experience and knowledge tied to sustainability will make this year's job hunters stronger candidates."
Internships focused on sustainability are invaluable for students who are job hunting because they help students demonstrate to employers that they can solve problems, says DeLongpre Johnston, who has business majors, anthropology majors and students from other academic departments interning in her office and helps students find off-campus internships.
Integrating sustainability into a career also helps students who are passionate about a greener world align their passions and talents with their work.
"Eventually, sustainability will be woven seamlessly into the fabric of society," she says. Just as proficiency using word processing, the Web, and other technology is now expected in the workplace, understanding sustainability principles and how to apply them will become a basic expectation of employers in the future, she says. Sustainability also offers the biggest entrepreneurial opportunities out there, DeLongpre Johnston says. The green economy has created new outlets for innovation.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
Getting a green job doesn't mean looking for jobs with "sustainability" or "environment" in the title any more. Green jobs are also not limited to installing solar panels or weatherizing houses. From marketing to publishing to accounting to finance, viewing the world through the lens of sustainability and having practical experience in that area can make a difference when applying for jobs.
As banks look at making loans for green buildings, law firms develop new kinds of contracts for carbon credits, and companies target consumers who value greener products, students who understand what sustainability looks like in various industries or organizations and have experience solving real-world problems will fare well. And, if students understand sustainability principles, any job can become a green job.
"Sustainability is a way of thinking," DeLongpre Johnston says. "And, that way of thinking has value across the job market. Experience and knowledge tied to sustainability will make this year's job hunters stronger candidates."
Internships focused on sustainability are invaluable for students who are job hunting because they help students demonstrate to employers that they can solve problems, says DeLongpre Johnston, who has business majors, anthropology majors and students from other academic departments interning in her office and helps students find off-campus internships.
Integrating sustainability into a career also helps students who are passionate about a greener world align their passions and talents with their work.
"Eventually, sustainability will be woven seamlessly into the fabric of society," she says. Just as proficiency using word processing, the Web, and other technology is now expected in the workplace, understanding sustainability principles and how to apply them will become a basic expectation of employers in the future, she says. Sustainability also offers the biggest entrepreneurial opportunities out there, DeLongpre Johnston says. The green economy has created new outlets for innovation.
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
Marriott Turns Out the Lights at 500 Hotels Worldwide to Celebrate Earth Hour
Last year, Earth Hour, organized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) attracted more than 80 million participants in the U.S. and nearly a billion people around the world. Watch this 30-second video for a fun overview of how this event is celebrated.
"We're encouraging our hotels and business units worldwide to dim or turn off their non-essential lighting in support of this event," said Mari Snyder, vice president, social responsibility and community engagement, Marriott International, Inc. "Our goal is to have 500 hotels, resorts and business units participate this year. It's just one part of our ongoing Spirit To Preserve environmental strategy and lead-in to our companywide initiative in April."
Every April, Marriott celebrates Environmental Awareness Month to actively engage employees and guests in doing their part to help protect the environment--a key component of the company's environmental strategy, Throughout the month, hotels generate awareness about the effects of climate change; remind guests and employees of environmentally-friendly home, work and travel alternatives; and encourage employees to participate in activities to help beautify surrounding communities and sustain indigenous habitats.
A sampling of Environmental Awareness Month activities will include:
- Eighty Marriott employees in Korea will team up with the Green Rangers, an association for Korean school children, on Korea's Arbor Day, April 5, to plant trees in Pocheon-kun, in Gyeonggi-do and donate krw 2,375,000 ($2,050) to support green forest activities in the local community.
- The Renaissance Shanghai Pudong will partner with Roots & Shoots– to sell small plants and generate money to plant more trees in China.
- In Hong Kong, employees will take part in the "Tree Planting Challenge 2010" organized by Friends of the Earth Main Dam of Shing Mun Reservoir to promote the message of "Save Tree, Conserve Nature." Volunteers are required to dig pits, plant trees and seedlings and complete 13 km on a hiking trail within a few hours.
- The Doha Marriott will clean up the local beach and plant indigenous plants around the hotel.
- The employees of Marriott hotels in Dubai have invited students from three local schools to help plant 100 trees and educate them on the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.
- The Sharm El Sheik Marriott Resort in Egypt is hosting an event entitled "Preservation of the Red Sea Environment" to raise employee and guest awareness about the deterioration of the Red Sea and its corals.
- In Paris, France, employees are teaming up with the Surfrider Foundation for their annual clean-up of the river Seine.
- London hotels are partnering once again with Thames 21 to clean up the shores of the river Thames in front of the London Marriott County Hall.
- The employees of Torrance Marriott South Bay adopted a section of the Madrona Marsh and each month, a group visits to prune, weed and plant indigenous plants. In April, employees are inviting volunteers, friends and family to join them.
- Employees in New Jersey are joining their local business partners to plant gardens outside of school entrances, landscape and remove trash from community parks, and paint lines for outdoor games on blank school parking lots in the cities of Newark, Plainfield, Union City, and Jersey City.
New Solar Leasing Fund Established
Sungevity, the leading online residential solar provider, announced today a new partnership with U.S. Bancorp to finance solar systems for Californian homes. The program provides the first ever 10-year solar lease program, making it easier for California residents to get electricity free from the sun, with no money down, at the click of a mouse. U.S. Bancorp is the parent of U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States.
"We're excited to partner with Sungevity on their solar lease program," said Darren Van't Hof, Vice President of Renewable Energy Investments for U.S. Bank. "We like the residential solar space and are convinced its growth will outpace commercial solar development in the coming years."
Together the two companies have created a new tax equity fund to finance solar leases for Sungevity's future customers. Sungevity has become a leader in the solar industry because of its ability to offer easy and affordable residential solutions with its unique online design and sales process.
"Sungevity is thrilled to be able to offer the best solar lease on the market with the first ever 10-year term using this fund while maintaining a service unparalleled by our competitors," said Danny Kennedy, President and co-founder of Sungevity. "Having a great partner like U.S. Bank that believes in the power of solar helps ensure that more home owners than ever can reap the savings coming from solar power in their own homes."
Sungevity started providing solar leases this month and has already sold one-quarter of a megawatt under the offer. Leveraging the easy online "iQuote" process, which enables Sungevity to use satellite images and aerial photography to assess customers' roofs remotely and accurately determine the homes' solar potential, the company has been able to furnish thousands of customers with a firm proposal to use solar power with no capital cost. Demand has been huge with over 1000 iQuotes requested through www.sungevity.com in the last week alone.
The offer gives most customers savings from the start of their Sungevity Solar Lease. The graphic compares a typical customer's monthly electric bill over a ten year period – savings from the solar lease starts immediately and increases significantly over time.
"This is the killer app for driving the mass adoption of solar," said Kennedy. "We've made it more than affordable to access electricity free from the sun, and we've made it easy by selling it over the internet."
"The Sungevity Solar Lease is a game changer: In one day this month we sold more solar power than our previous biggest month – people are voting with their mouses to get a lower electricity bill and do something for the planet."
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
"We're excited to partner with Sungevity on their solar lease program," said Darren Van't Hof, Vice President of Renewable Energy Investments for U.S. Bank. "We like the residential solar space and are convinced its growth will outpace commercial solar development in the coming years."
Together the two companies have created a new tax equity fund to finance solar leases for Sungevity's future customers. Sungevity has become a leader in the solar industry because of its ability to offer easy and affordable residential solutions with its unique online design and sales process.
"Sungevity is thrilled to be able to offer the best solar lease on the market with the first ever 10-year term using this fund while maintaining a service unparalleled by our competitors," said Danny Kennedy, President and co-founder of Sungevity. "Having a great partner like U.S. Bank that believes in the power of solar helps ensure that more home owners than ever can reap the savings coming from solar power in their own homes."
Sungevity started providing solar leases this month and has already sold one-quarter of a megawatt under the offer. Leveraging the easy online "iQuote" process, which enables Sungevity to use satellite images and aerial photography to assess customers' roofs remotely and accurately determine the homes' solar potential, the company has been able to furnish thousands of customers with a firm proposal to use solar power with no capital cost. Demand has been huge with over 1000 iQuotes requested through www.sungevity.com in the last week alone.
The offer gives most customers savings from the start of their Sungevity Solar Lease. The graphic compares a typical customer's monthly electric bill over a ten year period – savings from the solar lease starts immediately and increases significantly over time.
"This is the killer app for driving the mass adoption of solar," said Kennedy. "We've made it more than affordable to access electricity free from the sun, and we've made it easy by selling it over the internet."
"The Sungevity Solar Lease is a game changer: In one day this month we sold more solar power than our previous biggest month – people are voting with their mouses to get a lower electricity bill and do something for the planet."
www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Worst Ice Year on Record Leads to Harp Seals' Demise
Thousands of harp seal pups are presumed dead in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence and starving pups are being found abandoned on the beaches of Prince Edward Island, tragic victims of the worst ice conditions recorded in eastern Canada.
IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) reports that the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which is the annual birthing ground of hundreds of thousands of harp seals, is essentially devoid of both ice and seals.
"The conditions this year are disastrous for seal pups. I've surveyed this region for nine years and have never seen anything like this," said Sheryl Fink, a senior researcher with IFAW. "There is wide open water instead of the usual ice floes, and rather than the hundreds of thousands of seal pups that we normally encounter, only a handful of baby harp and hooded seals – animals that are normally found on ice – remain on the beaches."
Extremely high pup mortality is expected this year, making this one of several such occurrences in the past decade. In 2007, 99% of harp seal pups born in the Southern Gulf of St Lawrence are thought to have died due to lack of ice. In 2002, 75% of pups are thought to have suffered the same fate. Scientists with IFAW are concerned that the cumulative effects of high pup mortality due to the poor ice conditions, and high numbers of pups killed during Canada's commercial seal hunt could be devastating.
"Finding these ice-dependent seal species on land is extremely unusual, and should be considered a warning signal. The seal pups we have found on shore are thin and unable to defend themselves or escape from land-based predators. It is highly unlikely that any of these pups will survive long enough for there to be a seal hunt in the southern gulf this year," added Fink.
Earlier this month, Fisheries Minister Gail Shea increased the total allowable catch of harp seals, allowing 330,000 animals to be killed this year. In a rare moment of agreement, the Minister's announcement was loudly condemned by animal welfare organizations, conservationists, and sealers alike.
"It is reckless and irresponsible for the government to allow the hunt to proceed this year, given the high pup mortality that is expected," said Fink. "Under a precautionary approach, we should be protecting the few pups that might escape the devastating absence of ice this year. Given the almost complete lack of demand for seal skins, allowing the commercial slaughter of these survivors to proceed is simply adding insult to injury."
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