John Wiley Sons in association with SCI, 2009. XVIII, 153 p. ISBN 978-0-470-74427-7 (pbk.). Despite global concerns over dwindling resources, climate change and carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels still account for more than 80% of the world s energy demands. As resources diminish and demand increases from rapidly developing nations such as China and India, the threat to both our environment and the security of our energy supply continues to grow. There is an immediate need to move towards a clean and more sustainable energy model, and this transition will require unprecedented innovation. Energy Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition covers all the technology options available and summarises key information from the International Energy Agency and other leading organisations, providing a detailed technological roadmap for this transition which aims to avoid both ecological and economic disaster. Topics that are analysed and discussed in this edition are: More energy efficient technologies New developments in fossil fuels Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy and biofuels Hydrogen as an energy vector New energy storage systems Hybrid vehicles Capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide Written and translated by the former Director for Sustainable Development at IFP, Energy Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition is an essential introductory book for scientists and researchers working in energy and climate-related topics as well as all those interested in how to manage a sustainable energy supply while still reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions.
A report from the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and GTM Research has revealed that for the first time ever, residential PV installations outstripped commercial PV installations in the first quarter of 2014.The Q1 2014 U.S. Solar Market Insight Report also found that 1.33 GW of PV capacity was added across the U.S. in the first three months of the year. For the residential sector, a combined figure of 232 MW was just enough to push the market above commercial, which could only add 225 MW of PV capacity.However, both GTM Research and SEIA expect this dip to be temporary, with commercial forecast to outperform residential for the remaining three quarters of the year. A strong solar leasing market and lower systems costs have helped drive the residential sector, which is still on course for further growth throughout the year, the researchers believe.On the utility scale, PV capacity grew 171% year-on-year, with 873 MW installed in Q1 2014 - two-thirds of the overall total. "Solar accounted for 74% of all new U.S. electric capacity installed in Q1 2014, further signaling the rapidly increasing roles that solar is playing in the energy market," said GTM Research senior VP, Shayle Kann. "Expect to see a resurgence in the non-residential market, combined with continued incremental residential growth throughout the rest of the year."Over the course of the year, the U.S. in on course to install 6.6 GW of PV capacity, say the researchers, which is up 39% on last year.SEIA president and CEO Rhone Resch was bullish at the findings, recalling that the industry now pumps some 15 billion a year in the U.S. economy. "Solar energy is also providing a big boost for our environment," he added. "The 14,800 MW of solar currently installed in the U.S. can generate enough pollution-free electricity to displace 18 billion pounds of coal or 1.8 billion gallons of gasoline. Solar can be a real game changer."ARTICLE FROM PV MAGAZINEACCESS TO MORE ABOUT LANDPOWER SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING: SOLAR MOUNTING SYSTEMS, SOLAR RACKING, SOLAR HARDWARE, PV MOUNTING
"From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:"
Solar panels produced by Helios Solar Works of Milwaukee will be used by the U.S. Army, the FBI and other government customers under a strategic partnership announced Tuesday by Arista Power Inc.
Arista is a manufacturer of wind turbines and renewable energy storage systems based in Rochester, N.Y.
Financial terms of the partnership weren't disclosed.
Helios will supply Arista with panels and will refer solar business opportunities to Arista. Arista has agreed to distribute Helios products to the military.
"One of the major benefits of our high-performance modules is their flexibility, which makes it possible to design systems that satisfy a variety of needs, from residential, commercial and governmental applications," said Steve Ostrenga, Helios chief executive. "We view this as a perfect fit with Arista Power's products, which are scalable and can be adapted to serve a variety of markets."
The announcement comes as Helios is seeing demand for made-in-Milwaukee solar panels from the military, Ostrenga said in an interview. Helios is making panels for military bases in Arkansas, New York and Virginia.
"We're getting a lot of movement in the military because the military has made a stance that, because of energy security, they want to be energy independent," he said.
A large order for a military base in San Diego began production this week.
As a result of the demand, the company recently added a second shift, and employment is now at about 30 people, Ostrenga said. Plans are in the works for a third shift.
The Department of Defense released an energy strategy last month that incorporates greener technologies as a way to protect soldiers. Thousands of U.S. servicemen have lost their lives in attacks on fuel and other supply convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"As long as U.S. forces rely on large volumes of energy, particularly petroleum-based fuels, the vulnerability and volatility of supplies will continue to raise risks and costs for the armed forces," the Pentagon said in a report to Congress.
