Erik is a friend of mine and has a great video on his latest installation.
YouTube – Windward Solar Project, Big Black Lab Video, inc..
Broker creates local groups for collective solar purchasing – Springwise
When consumers band together, their collective crowd clout makes for hefty purchasing power. An example that recently came to our attention is San Francisco-based One Block Off the Grid, or 1BOG, which facilitates the group purchase of residential solar installations.How it works? 1BOG launches campaigns in various cities, each lasting a few months, during which they negotiate group discounts with carefully selected solar installers and offer local consumers access to the discounted rates via the 1BOG website. Homeowners can enter their address on the site, select their roof from an aerial view of Google maps and outline where they want the panels located. They can also view detailed information on costs, leasing options, local rebates and how long the panels will take to pay for themselves. On average, 1BOG saves customers around 15 percent, and receives referral fees from installers.To date, 1BOG has signed up over 600 homeowners across 11 US cities. In February, the company secured a USD 5 million venture capital investment which will accelerate its nationwide expansion. Studies from the International Energy Agency indicate that market penetration for solar today is less than one percent in the US. As electricity becomes more expensive and solar becomes more affordable, the demand for solar is sure to rise worldwide. One to tap into! Related: Farmers barter produce for solar panel funding — Neighbourhood
via Broker creates local groups for collective solar purchasing – Springwise.
Customisable window collects solar energy – Springwise
Aesthetically pleasing as they may be, windows are typically a drain on a buildings energy efficiency. Enter Smart Energy Glass, a new innovation from Dutch Peer+ that turns windows into solar energy collectors with a customisable appearance.Not only are Smart Energy Glass windows available in several colours, but they can switch between three modes: dark, bright and privacy, which scatters the light passing through. Even better, the glass serves to collect solar energy, which can then be used directly or fed back to the grid.
Ice Energy :: Ice Bear: How it Works
The Ice Bear energy storage system works with a standard commercial air conditioning system. Requiring no modification to existing ductwork, each Ice Bear unit can be applied to 85% of air conditioners ranging from a 3-5 ton system to a 20-ton system, providing 30 ton hours of cooling.
The Ice Bear energy storage unit operates in two basic modes, Ice Cooling and Ice Charging, to store cooling energy at night, and to deliver that energy the following day.
Bloom Energy – Fuel Cells
KR Sridhar and Bloom Energy premiered on 60 minutes tonight. Bloom Energy is developing fuel cells and is currently funded by Venture Capital.
The Bloom energy box is a fuel cell capable of producing electricity for homes, offices etc… The units are “fuel agnostic,” Sridhar said, meaning they can be powered by a variety of inputs, including biomass and natural gas. Looks very promising. They are field testing with Google, Ebay and other companies. According to the interview on 60 minutes. The fact they they are already field testing and resolving real world issues is encouraging that this will be a real world option soon.
Here is an audio interview via freshDialogues
Currently their sites has a countdown clock set for 2 days and 14 hours from now. http://www.bloomenergy.com/ Looks like the stealth mode is officially over.
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