CleanTechnica » Glenn Meyers http://cleantechnica.com Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:48:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 Photovoltaics Discovered In 1875: Interview With Author John Perlin http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/#comments Sat, 27 Dec 2014 08:30:22 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76851 This CleanTechnica miniseries about photovoltaics, celebrating the UN’s 2015 Year of Light, is the fourth article of seven. We continue our dialogue with physicist John Perlin, author of Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. Perlin’s expertise on the subject provides an excellent archive for any person wishing to keep abreast of today’s

Photovoltaics Discovered In 1875: Interview With Author John Perlin was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/27/photovoltaics-discovered-1875-interview-author-john-perlin/feed/ 1 The Pathway To Today’s Solar Revolution: Discovering The Photosensitivity Of Selenium http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/#comments Wed, 17 Dec 2014 10:17:07 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76454 This article is the launch of a CleanTechnica miniseries with physicist John Perlin, focusing on the discovery of photosensitivity. Our dialogue is based on Perlin’s book, Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. For any person wishing to keep abreast of today’s solar revolution, Perlin’s expertise on the subject provides an excellent archive. And as

The Pathway To Today’s Solar Revolution: Discovering The Photosensitivity Of Selenium was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/17/pathway-todays-solar-revolution-discovering-photosensitivity-selenium/feed/ 0 How Christianity Usurped Christmas & The Sun http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/christianity-usurped-christmas-sun/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/christianity-usurped-christmas-sun/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2014 10:05:50 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76380 Once a joyous celebration of the return of the Sun, or the rebirth of light, Christmas Day and the Winter Solstice have had their respective event dates adjusted over time. Historians, astronomers, religious scholars, and that vast miscellany of folks who just plain love to celebrate our Sun should find this article by physicist John

How Christianity Usurped Christmas & The Sun was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/16/christianity-usurped-christmas-sun/feed/ 6 Arizona’s Largest Utility Plans Tax On Solar Leases http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/12/arizonas-largest-utility-plans-tax-solar-leases/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/12/arizonas-largest-utility-plans-tax-solar-leases/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2014 21:04:38 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76265 This headline on solar leases from an investment site caught my eye: “Solar Leases Set To Become Toxic in Arizona.” Drawing free renewable energy from the sun sounds like a grand idea to many – but not if you happen to be a utility company operating with a business model based on the selling energy. Solar, which once had

Arizona’s Largest Utility Plans Tax On Solar Leases was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/12/arizonas-largest-utility-plans-tax-solar-leases/feed/ 32 Author John Perlin & The Solar Cell http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:59:15 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76218 In a discussion today about solar energy and the coming Year of Light, author John Perlin helped enlighten me about the importance of the solar cell (photovoltaic systems) as a source for renewable electrical energy. What is the single most significant consideration in designing a PV system, as opposed to a solar thermal system that

Author John Perlin & The Solar Cell was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/11/author-john-perlin-solar-cell/feed/ 0 Jellyfish Barge: Biomimicry At Its Best http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/jellyfish-barge-biomimicry-best/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/jellyfish-barge-biomimicry-best/#comments Wed, 10 Dec 2014 07:52:44 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76135 The Jellyfish Barge, if you have not heard word about it, is one potential worldwide food and water solution, which deserves high praise. Here is what the designers an biologists at the think tank Pnat set their stage, citing World Bank population projections. “The World Bank predicts that the world population will grow to almost

Jellyfish Barge: Biomimicry At Its Best was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/10/jellyfish-barge-biomimicry-best/feed/ 20 The Oldest Solar Device in the World http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/just-found-oldest-solar-device-world/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/just-found-oldest-solar-device-world/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:30:56 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73079 This story on the oldest solar device is part of an overall series of articles by author John Perlin that provides entertaining and readable information on the history of solar energy. They were originally published on Green Building Elements. For those who want to know more, read his book! It is well worth the time investment. Special

The Oldest Solar Device in the World was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/just-found-oldest-solar-device-world/feed/ 18 AORA Slates First Off-Grid Solar-Biogas Hybrid Electricity Plant for Ethiopia http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/aora-slates-first-grid-solar-biogas-hybrid-electricity-plant-ethiopia/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/aora-slates-first-grid-solar-biogas-hybrid-electricity-plant-ethiopia/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2014 09:23:24 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75866 Electricity in many parts of rural Africa isn’t spoken about much because it doesn’t exist. That will soon change in Ethiopia, following AORA Solar’s agreement with the Ethiopian government to provide Africa’s first solar-biogas hybrid power solution for off-grid communities. Too often, rural communities and villages in Africa have not been able to develop themselves

AORA Slates First Off-Grid Solar-Biogas Hybrid Electricity Plant for Ethiopia was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/04/aora-slates-first-grid-solar-biogas-hybrid-electricity-plant-ethiopia/feed/ 5 Author John Perlin Celebrates The Coming Year Of Light http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/03/author-john-perlin-celebrates-coming-year-light/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/03/author-john-perlin-celebrates-coming-year-light/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:12:43 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75745 To foster greater understanding of how we harness sunlight, we will celebrate the UN’s coming International Year of Light by culling from John Perlin’s Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. Perlin’s work is the only book that has thoroughly chronicled the development and application of solar throughout, focusing on key themes, people and events

Author John Perlin Celebrates The Coming Year Of Light was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/03/author-john-perlin-celebrates-coming-year-light/feed/ 4 The Solar Passive Architecture of David Wright http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/role-architectural-history-development-solar-passive-architect-david-wright/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/role-architectural-history-development-solar-passive-architect-david-wright/#comments Wed, 28 May 2014 07:10:26 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=67398 Originally published on Green Building Elements. The evolution of pioneer solar passive architect David Wright’s career demonstrates the importance of exposure to the solar works of the ancients, as provided in this guest column by John Perlin based on his new book, Let It Shine: The 6000-Year Story of Solar Energy. This is the first

The Solar Passive Architecture of David Wright was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/role-architectural-history-development-solar-passive-architect-david-wright/feed/ 0 Solar-Powered Drones Use Ascent Solar’s Flexible Solar Modules http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/solar-powered-drones-ascent-solar-takes-flight-aboard-silent-falcon-unmanned-aircraft/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/solar-powered-drones-ascent-solar-takes-flight-aboard-silent-falcon-unmanned-aircraft/#comments Wed, 28 May 2014 04:30:05 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=67408 Editor’s Note: We’ve had our eye on Ascent Solar for a long time. Its flexible solar modules have been used by the Denver Broncos, on smartphones, on backpacks, on tents, and more. We also keep an eye on interesting stories about drones. Google has just bought a solar drone company, which we think is pretty cool;

Solar-Powered Drones Use Ascent Solar’s Flexible Solar Modules was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/28/solar-powered-drones-ascent-solar-takes-flight-aboard-silent-falcon-unmanned-aircraft/feed/ 1 Intro To 6000 Years Of Solar http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/14/intro-6000-years-solar/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/14/intro-6000-years-solar/#comments Wed, 14 May 2014 14:50:31 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=66728 Originally published on Green Building Elements. Thanks to John Perlin for providing GBE with this intro to his book on the history of solar energy. We published information about this book on October 4, concluding that we would provide an introduction from Perlin today for the book. I believe anybody who is interested in the subject will find

Intro To 6000 Years Of Solar was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/14/intro-6000-years-solar/feed/ 3 Global Geothermal Market Is Growing http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/26/global-geothermal-market-growing/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/26/global-geothermal-market-growing/#comments Sat, 26 Apr 2014 11:00:38 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=65934 Originally published on Green Building Elements. The following GEA release provides solid information about the geothermal market. New GEA Report Details Trends in Global Geothermal Market A new report from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), released [this week] at the organization’s International Geothermal Showcase in Washington, D.C., reveals the international power market is booming, with a

Global Geothermal Market Is Growing was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/26/global-geothermal-market-growing/feed/ 12 Passive House In Seattle’s Madison Park Designed By NK Architects http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/passive-house-seattles-madison-park-designed-nk-architects/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/passive-house-seattles-madison-park-designed-nk-architects/#comments Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:50:30 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=64934 Originally published on Green Building Elements.  This is an eye-turning passive house design, thanks to the design from Marie Ljubojevic and Lauren McCunney at NK Architects. Of note, this home uses 75 to 80 percent less energy than homes built to current code standards. Read words from the architects below this photograph. From the architect. Park Passive is Seattle’s first certified

Passive House In Seattle’s Madison Park Designed By NK Architects was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/passive-house-seattles-madison-park-designed-nk-architects/feed/ 2 Green Prefabricated Homes — Part II: SIPs & BioSIPs http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/green-prefab-homes-part-ii-biosips/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/green-prefab-homes-part-ii-biosips/#comments Sun, 06 Apr 2014 11:50:15 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=64930 Originally published on Green Building Elements. This is the second part of our series on green prefabricated homes, and this time we are writing about structurally integrated panels, SIPs and BioSIPs. Of most interest to use from a green and sustainability perspective are BioSIPs., as you will soon discover. Not enough people have an understanding of

Green Prefabricated Homes — Part II: SIPs & BioSIPs was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/06/green-prefab-homes-part-ii-biosips/feed/ 3 Largest Net-Zero Energy Commercial Office Building Opened In San Diego http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/05/opening-net-zero-energy-office-building-lpl-financial-san-diego/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/05/opening-net-zero-energy-office-building-lpl-financial-san-diego/#comments Sat, 05 Apr 2014 15:50:42 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=64901 Update: Lloyd Alter wrote up a very insightful critique of this building back in January 2013. I’d definitely recommend checking that out. It also raises some questions about the entire Net Zero Energy standard. Originally published on Green Building Elements. LPL Financial today announced the opening of its new net-zero energy San Diego headquarters, Tower II at La

Largest Net-Zero Energy Commercial Office Building Opened In San Diego was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/04/05/opening-net-zero-energy-office-building-lpl-financial-san-diego/feed/ 2 Solar-Powered KB Home Models In Arizona http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/27/solar-powered-kb-home-models-arizona/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/27/solar-powered-kb-home-models-arizona/#comments Thu, 27 Mar 2014 08:45:37 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=64514 Originally published on Green Building Elements. Homes designed with renewable energy options continue to become more common. This press release from KB Homes is great news. New homes are a logical place to feature solar power options where the challenge of financing the cost of renewables can be included in the original mortgage loan. Expansion of popular solar

Solar-Powered KB Home Models In Arizona was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/27/solar-powered-kb-home-models-arizona/feed/ 8 ASU & AORA Solar Forge Research Partnership on Tempe Campus http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/21/asu-aora-solar-forge-research-partnership-tempe-campus/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/21/asu-aora-solar-forge-research-partnership-tempe-campus/#comments Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:14:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=63848 I had the pleasure of seeing AORA Solar and its CSP Tulip system two years ago when it was unveiled in Almeria, Spain. I have been waiting for the day when this exciting renewable energy platform might be tested in the United States. In an interview, CEO Zev Rosenzweig told me the company wanted to

ASU & AORA Solar Forge Research Partnership on Tempe Campus was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/21/asu-aora-solar-forge-research-partnership-tempe-campus/feed/ 9 NREL Correlates Solar Policy Successes & Failures http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/15/nrel-correlates-successes-failures-solar-policy/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/15/nrel-correlates-successes-failures-solar-policy/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2014 21:00:53 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=63875 Originally published on Green Building Elements. The following report from NREL concerning issues in state solar energy policies should prove timely and useful to those involved with commercial and residential renewable energy products. The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published a report that aligns solar policy and market success with state demographics. By organizing the 48

NREL Correlates Solar Policy Successes & Failures was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/15/nrel-correlates-successes-failures-solar-policy/feed/ 1 The Evolution Of “Free Homes” http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/12/evolution-free-home-building/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/12/evolution-free-home-building/#comments Wed, 12 Mar 2014 10:40:31 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=63681 Originally published on Green Building Elements. This story about free shipping pallet homes turned a lot of heads in 2009 when it was first posted on GBE. Then it continued to draw attention year after year. There were some good reasons for the draw. First, other than a lot of labour – both from hard work

The Evolution Of “Free Homes” was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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