Our Friend the Sun: Eco News

This week’s roundup of Eco news features our old friend, the Sun. Called Ra by the ancient Egyptians, Mithras by the Persians, and Apollo by the early Greeks, the sun with its magnificent prominence in the sky inevitably took the place of supreme deity among the ancients. Energy from the Sun, in the form of sunlight and heat, supports almost all life on Earth via photosynthesis, and drives the Earth’s climate and weather. For a long time the source of the sun’s enormous energy remained a perplexing mystery. Some early theories proposed that it was a gigantic burning lump of coal! But it was obvious that such a source would have burned out a long time ago. In the 1930s it became apparent that the only form of energy that could keep the sun burning for billions of years had to be nuclear energy. Science now holds that this is the case, and that the so-called “proton-proton chain” is the nuclear mechanism involved.

All we need is to find inexpensive ways to convert more homes as Solar cells now only supply electricity to no more than 2.4 million homes worldwide.
Solar Power:

When we talk about Solar Power, we are really talking about direct solar power. Using the sun’s heat to heat our homes or light to produce electricity. When you think about it, the Sun actually powers almost everything we do either directly or indirectly.

Tidal Power:

World’s first commercial-scale tidal stream turbine set to be installed. Bristol-based Marine Current Turbines (MCT) is set to deploy its 1.2MW SeaGen Tidal System in Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland on Easter Monday. Producing enough clean energy for 1000 homes (when fully operational), this will be the first, commercial scale, tidal stream turbine installed and operating anywhere in the world.

Solar 2008:

SOLAR 2008 is the premier technical conference for solar energy and energy efficiency professionals in the U.S.  Now in its 37th year, this industry-leading conference series offers you the emerging trends, technological breakthroughs, industry insight, and connections you need to stay ahead.  Be there or be square: May 3-8, 2008, Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, California

Solar Products:

Looking around at solar product manufacturer’s web sites you will notice that many of them have “dealer opportunities” links. This is also true of many online solar suppliers as well. This is interesting because you can become an equipment retailer and get an income stream for your solar business. Here is a brief list of solar manufacturer’s and online solar distributors which have dealer opportunities:

Alternative Energy Technologies, manufacture of solar collectors, solar water storage tanks and parts.
AEE solar, photovoltaics, microhydro, small wind
SunWize, photovoltaices, small wind
Evergreen Solar, Photovoltaic manufacture
Solar Depot, Photovoltaics
Bergey Windpower Co, Small wind
Southwest Windpower, Small wind

Solar Power Breakthrough: (although this may have been diaried here before, it’s well worth reposting the gist of it)

Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology have developed an inexpensive solar cell that can be painted or printed on flexible plastic sheets. The process is simple, said lead researcher and author Somenath Mitra, PhD, professor and acting chair of NJIT’s Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.

“Someday homeowners will even be able to print sheets of these solar cells with inexpensive home-based inkjet printers. Consumers can then slap the finished product on a wall, roof or billboard to create their own power stations.”

Solar Powered Trash contractor:

CONCORD, Mass. Eating its way to the forefront of the “green” movement, the BigBelly® trash bin designed in SolidWorks ® 3D CAD software is the world’s first and only on-site solar-powered trash compactor. BigBelly is used in busy places around the world like shopping districts, food courts, and entertainment venues, or in remote places such as parks and beaches.

Solar Power makes it in Culver City!

EI Solutions has commissioned a 235kW solar electricity system constructed for Sony Pictures Entertainment at its historic studio lot in Culver City, California. The system was designed and built by EI Solutions using 1120 solar panels that were installed on the rooftop of the Jimmy Stewart Building.