Some more top cleantech news from the past day or so.
Solar
1. We’ve written about the large solar boat known as Planetsolar many times in the past. Our good old friend Tim Hurst of Live Oak Media delved into the boats features in good depth in a recent post worth sharing, though, and also jumped into the idea of power the grid with the boat’s excess solar power when docked.
2. Michael Kuhn, President and CEO of ImagineSolar, spoke at a Solar Austin’s press conference recently about how Austin’s solar industry is already employing over 615 direct full-time solar jobs and 1,180 to 2,190 jobs indirectly.
3. Abound Solar announced yesterday that it will stop producing its first-generation thin-film cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules “in order to accelerate the manufacturing process and equipment changes needed for the production launch of its next generation high-efficiency module.” Going on: “The suspension of first generation module production will result in the temporary reduction of approximately 180 permanent jobs from its Colorado facilities. Once manufacturing equipment has been modified and performance tested, Abound Solar expects to resume mass production with a 12.5-13 percent efficiency module by the end of 2012.” Abound Solar faces steep competition in this arena from the likes of First Solar and GE, which also produce CdTe PV modules (aka panels).
4. Intersolar North America, a large solar industry exhibition and conference, has announced that its “most prestigious innovation prize, the Intersolar AWARD, will now feature a new category that will recognize landmark solar projects within North America.” I’m curious to see who wins the first award. “Applications for the 2012 Intersolar AWARD are open now until March 30, and exhibitors of Intersolar North America 2012, Intersolar Europe 2012, Intersolar China 2011 and Intersolar India 2011 are invited to apply.”
Wind
1. Sauer Energy, a creator of home vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) systems that we’ve written about a number of times, announced yesterday that “it was awarded the most coveted and prestigious “Project of the Year” award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Buenaventura Section, at the 2012 National Engineers Week Awards Banquet held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.” Impressive. “This award goes to the company that has demonstrated technological achievement in engineering innovation development and promise,” the company notes.
Transportation
1. Russia’s YoMobile, known for its CNG-electric hybrids, is apparently now working on a larger, “crossover” vehicle (i.e. SUV). Video here (more details and history in the link above):
2. LNG Viking cruise ships are, reportedly, cutting their global warming emissions 30% (hence the image above).
3. National Grid, a utility in the northeastern United States, has just installed 30 new electric vehicle charging stations at several locations in Massachusetts. “The stations are a part of Coulomb’s ChargePoint® Network, the largest network of independently owned charging stations in the world.”
Other
1. A new “Thinking Cities” documentary from Ericsson was released this month that discusses the future roles of smart cities, sustainability, social media networks, and information/communication intelligence.
2. P&F USA announced yesterday that it won the 2012 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient Designation for some of its Philips LED televisions (26PFL4907, 26PFL4507, 32PFL4907 and 32PFL4507). In other words, if you want a green, energy-efficient television, check out the models above. Suggested prices and availability of these TVs are as follows:
| 26PFL4507 | $299.99 | February | ||||||
| 26PFL4907 | $349.99 | April | ||||||
| 32PFL4507 | $379.99 | March | ||||||
| 32PFL4907 | $429.99 | April | ||||||
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