President Obama Commits to Solar Power Investments

President Obama discusses about solar power to the audience during a stop in Nevada. Solar power will be part of a new initiative to bring electricity to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

          Along with more than $9 billion in private investments, the United States will be committing more than $7 billion in the next five years towards bringing electricity to millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, President Obama had said on Sunday in South Africa. "Access to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age," Obama said in announcing the solar initiative, known as Power Africa. "It's the light that children study by, the energy that allows an idea to be transformed into a real business. It's the lifeline for families to meet their most basic needs. And it's the connection that's needed to plug Africa into the grid of the global economy."
        Sub-Saharan Africa compromises 48 nations. Among the countries to be targeted initially are Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. "These countries have set ambitious goals in electric power generation and are making the utility and energy sector reforms to pave the way for investment and growth," the White House said. The more than $7 billion in United States investment will include up to $5 billion in support from the United States Export-Import Bank.
       "More than two-thirds of the residents of sub-Saharan Africa lack access to power," the president said. "In rural areas of the region, more than 85% of people don't have electricity. Power Africa will deliver electricity to cities, villages, and farms throughout sub-Saharan Africa." According to the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa will need more than $300 billion in investment to provide power for everyone by 2030. "Power Africa will supply electricity to at least 20 million households and businesses," the White House said.

Students use Solar Power for "Sun Grand Prix"

     
         Friday, June 28, 2013, was featured the hottest day of the year, defining that it was also one of the best days to solar race at the Circuit of the Americas track in Texas. The event was known as the "Formula Sun Grand Prix." The cars are made by college students from 11 universities, who are putting their young engineers to the test.
         "If we had another month and another $10,000, it would probably look slick, but we had neither of those things so we use duct tape," Raul Molina with the University of Texas Solar Team said. The students design, build, and raise funds for their teams, just as any other business technique would be used for their own products.
          "There is a reason that the company is having you look at this and it's to make profit for the company and not for you to test out your cool little widget," race organizer Gail Luek said. Joel Thongson with Western Michigan University had to combine his book knowledge with a little elbow grease to get the job done. "This really applies to what most of us are going to do in our jobs so it is really great real world experience," he said.
            The solar cars have the capacity to reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour, but they were only hitting about 35 on Friday. The race continues today (Saturday, June 29, 2013) at the track from 9am to 5pm EST.

Portable Solar Phone Charger for only $5..Really?

      Instructables user ASCAS has shared a project with worldwide viewers on how to make a solar-powered phone charger for simply $5. It's as small as a smartphone and does not include a back-up battery, which is more of a hassle to carry than being environmental friendly. ASCAS has tested the device on both Apple and Android devices and it has performed well with both devices.

       Materials include a 6V Mini Solar Panel, a torn apart 12V USB charger unit, the smartphone (for testing), phone's charger cable, and a flexible and foldable plastic card. With these materials, you will need a hot glue gun, a 30W soldering iron, and a leatherman multitool. You will need to assemble the parts together and also add a stand onto the solar panel to charge your phone with convenience. 

Clear instructions complete with photos are to be shown here. 

Solar Energy Helps Power 4th Grade Classrooms

           In Durham, North Carolina, a classroom of fourth graders have been learning upon the subject of solar energy and other energy sources from their teacher, Aaron Sebens, and have came up with the idea of having their own classrooms powered by solar power energy. The video below features the journey they came across from arising to the idea to making it a reality, where it ends in having a celebratory party, whereas Aaron and his students officially "flips the switch."
           To fund the project, Aaron and his class has launched a crowd-funding campaign that asked for support throughout America and around the world. The students had originally hoped to raise $800 but significantly, beat their expectations by raising to more than $5000.

 

Recreation: Building a Solar-Powered Plane

       For those arts and crafts fans, get ready to take a new level by building your very own solar-powered plane. Instructables user jeffmazter406 have provided a step-by-step guide, along with detailed instructions and photos, in creating one, which is a similar yet mini version of the Solar Impulse plane. It also links to two Powerpoint presentations by Texas A&M University to help walk you through the procedures.
     

         This project has been constructed by Newman Smith High School students with the help of faculty in Carrollton, Texas and has been sponsored by the Texas A&M University Society of Flight Test Engineers. The team, in addition, notes that "the project is not for the beginner as it gets complicated." However, if you may feel the need to want to experience and create a solar-powered plane, click here. 

Charge Devices with The Window Socket

       
         While there are many ways to charge your devices with sunlight, designers Kyuho Song and Boa Oh have created an invention, known as The Window Socket. The solar-powered charger suctions onto a window to harvest sunlight, which, in addition, comes with a battery pack and a direct plug-in for utilizing sunlight for energy.

Charging Stations in NYC

          Low on your electronic device battery, whether it's your tablet, phone or mp3, and need that extra charging boost? Tired of constantly looking for a store in the city that may have a spare outlet to plug your charger and charge it? Well, thanks to AT&T, Goal Zero and Brooklyn-based design studio Pensa called Street Charge, there will be 25 new solar stations. In other words, it defines as a convenient and fresh way to charge your device within a few blocks from your location.
          Street Charge will be equipped with iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 chargers, as well as microUSB and USB cords for charging other devices. The solar power is derived from three 15-watt solar panels and is stored in lithium-ion batteries, both provided by Goal Zero, and thus, has the capacity to charge your device day and night. The devices are able to charge within a couple of hours, specifically in 4 hours.

For more details, click here.

Marine Solar Park built as a landmark in Changwon, Korea

The Marine Solar Park was first constructed by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy as the world's tallest solar tower, which was built as the nation's landmark in 2006. The solar park is composed of two sections: the exhibition floor and the solar panel tower that is constructed above it. The solar tower stands firm in 136 meters high and the entire floor space is 6,336 square meters across a spacious lot of 14,977 square meters. With a shape of a sailing ship, the solar tower can generate 1,264 kW a day with a capacity of 600 kW/h, equivalent to the total energy consumption of 200 households. The four story exhibition floor will accommodate a 644 square meter conference room that can seat 500 people at a time. In the near future, the Marine Solar Park will not only be a tourist attraction but a learning site to steer many towards a cleaner environment with sustainable renewable energy and a business center for companies.

Marine Solar park constructed on top of Eumjido in Jinhae-gu

Outside view inside the exhibition floor

World's Largest Solar Boat Arrives in NYC

       

       The world's largest solar boat is a catamaran known as Tȗranor (meaning the Master of the Sun), which is operated by the PlanetSolar Expedition. They've been roaming the oceans for a couple of years, already completing a record-breaking 18-month, 37,000-mile trip around the world last year. This year, the PlanetSolar crew is planning to track the Gulf Stream, all the way from Miami, Florida to Bergen, Norway, taking all types of water and air measurements to advance the scientific understanding of important ocean currents and its impact on the planet's climate. This week, they are, apparently, stopping in New York City and will be staying until June 20th.

Featuring: The Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid

          For those living in the rural areas surrounded by grass, it would be a hassle to continuously trim those weeds and plants with a lawnmower that you may haul towards the ground back and forth. Therefore, it is no surprise that Husqvarna Global Design Centre, located in Sweden, has thought of the idea to create a robotic lawnmower that is able to complete the task for you, whether you are at home, away or even when it is raining outside.

       
          There is four main components to the lawnmower: its body, charging station, transformer cable and loop wire. 90% of its body is made of recyclable materials and it is quite small in size (almost equivalent in size to a carry-on luggage). In addition to its charging station, it comes with a large integrated solar panel. This, in turn, helps cut the lawn in a shorter period of time while having a lower power consumption and an extended battery life.

For more details, click here.

Solar Project Development - There's an app for that!

       In these days where technology is constantly advancing in society, there has continuously been many varieties of apps in the market that may satisfy anyone's needs. Even solar installers and developers have thought of the idea that they should possibly develop their own app (as business is usually operated when you choose to accommodate the needs of the public, which also includes the topic of conveniently having your services be available).
       A recently developed app, known as Solar Site Design (SSD), happens to be a free app available to anyone that may possess a smartphone or any smart electronic device. The app, in essence, is a project management solution for solar professionals in that it helps streamline the project development process by enabling mobile data gathering and uploading project specifications to the content management system. The data for all active projects is, then, available anywhere and anytime (either with the app or on a web browser) so that solar installers and solar professionals are able to view the files on hand.
       Solar Site Design's aim is to reduce the "soft costs" of solar project development by streamlining the process of acquiring new customers and having convenient access to local utility processing and any paperwork required. Project professionals can also input data, pictures, and even videos of the solar site during project walk-throughs and accessibility through the app or the website.
       According to Eco Branding, a company specialized in providing marketing services to clean-tech and sustainable businesses, they compliment the use of SSD as follows:

    Typically, installers will visit each site multiple times, and files permitting and municipality regulations in order to get all the requisite information for feasibility drawings. However, with SSD's free application, installers are guided through a data collection process at their initial sales visit with home or business owners. Once all the data is synced to the Solar Site Design interface, SSD's team of solar engineers look over the data and prepare a feasibility report for the installers. Depending on the scale of the project, the report can take between 2 and 5 business days. This technology reduces costs for contractors and makes it easier to acquire more customers.

Solar powered three wheeler called the "Elf"

Rob cotter founder and CEO of Organic Transit in Durham, North Carolina, developed something extraordinary that couldn't be characterized as a bike but is indeed operated as one. It's called the "Elf", this three wheeler is equipped with a solar powered motor that can be switched on anytime when the operator is exhausted from pedalling. Elf is categorized as a bicycle and doesn't require an insurance and registration to ride in the United States. The solar panel is found across the roof from the front to the end of the bike and only needs 7 hours of charging in the sun or could also be plugged into an outlet for less time consumption. The Elf can be well acknowledge to commuter who has to go to work in the morning using the powered motor and pedal back home from work for a good workout. The Elf should weigh about 100 pounds including the solar panel, motor, and battery; it also has a top speed of 20 mph considering the weight of the production model. The Organic Transit had raised enough funds to produce 100 models up for purchase from the Kickstarter Campaign.

LivingSocial's Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party - Profit Donated to Solar Lanterns in Somalia

     

         Hosted in a various number of places in the U.S., LivingSocial is hosting a glow-in-the-dark party to communities for a cause. Such places include Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; New York City; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C., San Francisco, California; Seattle; San Diego, California; Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Not only are you qualified for the glow-in-the-dark party but you would also be allowed admission for an after-party. If this doesn't interest you, maybe this will: portions of the profit would be donations for solar lanterns to children in Somalia. So, enjoy this special event for if you're having fun, you'll be helping another country in taking another step towards solar energy! 

For more details, click LivingSocial 5K Dance Party.

FYI: Solar Cooker for Simply $5

        With a few common household materials along with time and creativity, one is able to create a personal stove capable of reaching temperatures approximately between 250° to 375° Fahrenheit, solely powered by the sun. Step-by-step instructions are provided by Instructables user sclausson; this invention is known as the Purple Fig Solar Cooker, which can be built with simple items that can be found in convenience areas. The list of materials include a posterboard, aluminium foil, glue, a shoelace, a couple of binder clips as well as purple paint (obviously). According to the creator of this invention, the total cost of the materials should be under $5 (and possibly free to those households that may already have the needed materials). 

          The posterboard helps form the structure needed for the cooker while the foil is to provide the surface for concentrating the sun's rays. The glue helps to hold the foil to the posterboard while the binder clips aid in holding the structure in place. The shoelace is needed as a key component of the solar cooker but if you are interested in making one, do find out more here at Purple Fig Solar Cooker at Instructables. Enjoy!

Solar-Powered Vending Machines Rent out Bicycle Helmets

      

        A Brooklyn-based company, known as Express Biker, has created a self-serve vending machine which helps cyclists in nearby communities purchase bike parts anytime in the day. The aim for this machine is primarily to help cyclists, who may be riding late at night or far distances from bike shops, in conveniently purchasing any biking needs. Examples of such is as follows: tubes, lights, co2, patch kits, various tools and parts.

       Following such an example, a Bostonian company, Helmethub, has also created a vending machine but it contains only bicycle helmets. Their aim is to help keep cyclists safe and without an excuse for riding helmet-less. In July, however, they are launching another vending machine with a twist: powered by solar energy.

         Each solar-powered vending machine holds 36 helmets and features a touchscreen panel like those on Hubway rental kiosks. Rentals costs approximately $2 and riders also hold the option to purchase one. The machine can dispense three different helmet sizes to make sure if the helmet fits the user properly. 

            When a cyclist is finished with using the helmet, the helmet is picked up by the team and sent back to Helmethub headquarters to be inspected and sanitized before being placed back into the vending machine. The machines, in addition, provides real-time information to the team so that they know when each machine needs to be restocked or used helmets need to be picked up. 

New Jersey Approves $446 Million Solar Investment

        New Jersey state regulators had approved a proposal brought up by the utility company, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), which the plan triggered permission granted to go ahead on two projects increasing the involvement and usage of solar power. The two projects will both be financed by an incremental increase in customers' utility bills.
         According to Associated Press reports, the first project consists of offering nearly $200 million in loans to commercial and residential areas to install solar power systems in their buildings. The second project will help finance an extension of the utility's Solar4All program through 2016 that helps to develop solar installations primarily on unused landfills and former industrial sites, known as brownfields.
          However, the state-appointed advocate for utility customers has criticized the landfill decision as creating an unfair market advantage for PSE&G since the company is expected to recover its costs through rate increases. In return, New Jersey had, instead, approved the proposal under the conditions that adjustments be made in PSE&G's utility rates such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, raising electric bills for residential customers by $11.45 a year and costs to the same gas customers by $2.18 annually.

Google itself Helps Solar Energy Project

      Involved in its green energy investments, Google has set its eyes on the Jasper Power Project, a South African solar power plant. This investment alone totals to $12 million and claims to be the first project that Google has invested in, pertaining to the location being Africa. However, the $12 million investment provided by Google is not the total investments spent for South Africa for many investors are involved in this as well.
      The Jasper Power Project will be a photovoltaic plant, which will have the capacity to generate 96 megawatts of clean energy for residents of South Africa. The project will not only help meet the country's renewable energy goals but also provide long-term jobs and economic development opportunities.
     "Back in 2008, South Africa experienced a severe energy shortage, which resulted in blackouts throughout the country and slowed down economic growth," writes Google energy and sustainability director Rick Needman on May 30, 2013. "Since then, the South African government has been actively supporting the growth of new sources of electricity to power the nation ... Given South Africa's position  as an economic powerhouse in Africa, a greener grid in South Africa can set an example for the whole continent."

The Jasper Power Project is located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, near Potmasburg

Once constructed, the project will use solar panels such as these