How to harvest solar power? Beam it

How to harvest solar power? Beam it - Talking about beaming power down from satellites, and how it would be possible by 2020 if we acted now. Unfortunately I don't see it happening for a while. The missing piece is the space vehicle. The private efforts are still in their infancy, but I have hopes for them. My gut feeling is it's going to be like fusion for a while, just a few years away every year for a while.

A drop in oil, and a pall in Germany, give solar stocks a shiver

A drop in oil, and a pall in Germany, give solar stocks a shiver from the LA Times. The German Gov. may quicken cuts in subsidies.

It will be nice when solar no longer needs subsidies. Getting closer!

Solar industry urges rethink on means test

Solar industry urges rethink on means test - in Australia. A means test was put in if you earn over a certain amount you no longer get a subsidy. Pretty unpopular...

Japanese Firms' Bets on Solar Could Take Awhile to Pay Off

Japanese Firms' Bets on Solar Could Take Awhile to Pay Off from the WSJ.

The article is full of good information.

Good quote:
Solar currently generates just a tiny portion of global energy, but that is expected to increase to as much as 37% in 2040, according to the Massachusetts-based Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development, which follows the industry. It says the market could be worth more than $1 trillion in 2040, compared with $20 billion last year.

Another fact was for Japanese companies such as Sharp, solar is still a small part of their sales and the market is still largely dependent on government subsidies. Since Japan stopped their subsidies, the market growth in Japan has slowed. #1 solar producer is German, #2 is Japanese.

Big Oil and Alternate Energy

Chevron Invests in Solar Energy Technology

Interesting Quote:
As a result, Exxon (XOM) is heading into the business of hybrid car batteries, BP (BP) is investing in jatropha and Chevron (CVX) is looking into solar energy.

Arco (ARCO to Sell Siemens Its Solar Energy Unit - New York Times) used to have a big stake in solar, but sold it. So did Shell (SolarWorld Acquires Shell's Solar Business). And now Shell bought the Siemens unit.

Solar Powered Apple Device

Future Apple Devices May Be Solar Powered - Exciting, we are getting closer to the device thought of in Earth Web. Think if you could have a hand held device, solar powered that is easy to use and is solar powered. Just as Cell Phones have had a huge positive impact in Bangledesh, so could a solar powered easy to use portable computer.

What If - Carter's Energy Policy

President Carter in popular culture was not a great President. The high point was the Camp David accords, and the low point the 444 days of the hostage crises. Most polls put him around number 25 out of the 43 Presidents. I admire his work with Habitat for Humanity.

An often overlooked effort was President Carter led efforts for conservation including installing solar on the White House. Unfortunately President Reagan removed it, my guess is more symbolic of the change that was the Reagan revolution. The price of oil fell 75%, and the immediate emergency and sense of urgency was gone. Other conservation measures and funding for alternate energy sources were also removed. I personally appreciate the 55 Speed Limit going, but the gas it saved was good between 1974 and 1984 reduced usage by 2.2%.

It's sad that funding had not continued for his energy policy. Think where we would be today if it had!

His ten principles that guided his energy policy:

The first principle is that we can have an effective and comprehensive energy policy only if the government takes responsibility for it and if the people understand the seriousness of the challenge and are willing to make sacrifices.

The second principle is that healthy economic growth must continue. Only by saving energy can we maintain our standard of living and keep our people at work. An effective conservation program will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

The third principle is that we must protect the environment. Our energy problems have the same cause as our environmental problems -- wasteful use of resources. Conservation helps us solve both at once.

The fourth principle is that we must reduce our vulnerability to potentially devastating embargoes. We can protect ourselves from uncertain supplies by reducing our demand for oil, making the most of our abundant resources such as coal, and developing a strategic petroleum reserve.

The fifth principle is that we must be fair. Our solutions must ask equal sacrifices from every region, every class of people, every interest group. Industry will have to do its part to conserve, just as the consumers will. The energy producers deserve fair treatment, but we will not let the oil companies profiteer.

The sixth principle, and the cornerstone of our policy, is to reduce the demand through conservation. Our emphasis on conservation is a clear difference between this plan and others which merely encouraged crash production efforts. Conservation is the quickest, cheapest, most practical source of energy. Conservation is the only way we can buy a barrel of oil for a few dollars. It costs about $13 to waste it.

The seventh principle is that prices should generally reflect the true replacement costs of energy. We are only cheating ourselves if we make energy artificially cheap and use more than we can really afford.

The eighth principle is that government policies must be predictable and certain. Both consumers and producers need policies they can count on so they can plan ahead. This is one reason I am working with the Congress to create a new Department of Energy, to replace more than 50 different agencies that now have some control over energy.

The ninth principle is that we must conserve the fuels that are scarcest and make the most of those that are more plentiful. We can't continue to use oil and gas for 75 percent of our consumption when they make up seven percent of our domestic reserves. We need to shift to plentiful coal while taking care to protect the environment, and to apply stricter safety standards to nuclear energy.

The tenth principle is that we must start now to develop the new, unconventional sources of energy we will rely on in the next century.

A sad quote, talking about the reductions by the new administration in the Solar Programs:

"In June or July of 1981, on the bleakest day of my professional life, they descended on the Solar Energy Research Institute, fired about half of our staff and all of our contractors, including two people who went on to win Nobel prizes in other fields, and reduced our $130 million budget by $100 million," recalls Denis Hayes, the founder of Earth Day, who had been hired by Carter to spearhead the solar initiative.

And from the same article talking about what happened when the Carter tax credits for solar water heating went away (and showing why President Carter's 8th Principle of consistency is so important):

"The solar water heating industry instantly went from a billion-dollar industry to an industry that now installs, in the U.S., about 6,000 solar hot water heaters a year," said Noah Kaye, spokesman for the Solar Energy Industries Association.

United States solar energy production compared to the rest of the world 1997 vs. 2007. The solar industry in the US went into a recession after President Carter left office, until recently.

Upfront Solar Solutions

Large upfront costs remain biggest hurdle for solar power

Berkeley has a financing program where the cost of solar is paid through property taxes. Tucson Arizona is considering something similar. The upfront cost of solar is a headache and one that needs to be worked on. Not to mention reducing the cost which is happening. Rebates are covering about 55% of the install cost, so $13,000 remains for the home owner which takes 11 years to payoff at current electricity rates. Most people won't wait that long for anything, except a house (which most don't have a choice, so lots of 30 year loans).

Ethanol and Solar

AHEAD OF THE TAPE from the WSJ. The article compares Ethanol which had sky high stock for a while, with Solar which has sky high stock right now. One Ethanol stock that was at $40, is now at $5.53.

Great quote:

Ethanol stocks, once Wall Street's green giants, have been squashed into wasabi paste. That could be a cautionary tale for today's alternative-energy darling, solar.

America's Energy Future...

America's Energy Future... has some great points on the lack of a US policy. It's hard if your a business to plan when there is so much uncertainty. Is the solar credits going to be kept for next year is just one example. And unfortunately the US Government in Washington does not get this, and is instead focused on one upmanship. Reminds me of the story of Nero played, while Rome burned. Of course with his upbringing it's kind of understandable. What's the US Government's excuse?

Polysilicon in good supply from 2010+

Solar Demand Boosts Solarfun Power

Key sentence:

Cowan analyst Rob Stone told Forbes.com last month that increasing supplies of polysilicon, available from 2010 onwards, is good news for the solar industry because it will lower costs, help the solar industry become more competitive with grid supply electricity, and eventually be at parody with grid prices without the need for subsidies.

Associated article: Eureka! Polysilicon!"

Next Generation Car Batteries

This is hopeful - Nissan, NEC to Set Electric-Car Batteries for 09 per the WSJ. The goal being to develop batteries that allow a economical electric car. The Prius currently uses Nickel Hydride, which does not have the same energy capacity of Lithium Ion. The problem with Lithium Ion is they run hot, so they have caught fire - Dell, Sony, etc... Supposedly the new design from the NEC Nissan joint venture does not have this issue.

Top Ten Misconceptions about Solar Hot Water

Top Ten Misconceptions about Solar Hot Water focusing on Seattle. Nice list. What was not mentioned was the high cost of a tankless water heater. Cost for installing is $7000 average and there is a $2000 tax credit from the Federal Government. Washington State also does not charge sales tax on solar water heater equipment till 2011.

Many Green Cars coming

Start-Ups Race to Produce 'Green' Cars from the Wall Street Journal. With the outsourcing of key components by traditional auto manufacturers, it allows other firms to assemble their own cars. And with a premium for Green Cars, there is a business model for the moment for premium Green Cars. The prices start at $80,000. The $100,000 Tesla that's first year production is sold out is a great example.

The Eco-Kitchen Challenge

The Eco-Kitchen Challenge from the Wall Street Journal. Great read showing the challenges of making a Kitchen Green. On finding materials that is not giving out all sorts of nasty chemicals, to items that are energy efficient, to items made with renewable materials.

An example I have had personally is trying to figure out which Fluorescent Ballast uses electronic verses a magnetic driver. The electronic is a lot quieter and more efficient. Last time I looked at Home Depot I could not figure it out, and I worked 10 years as an Electronics Engineer!

The chemicals that are released by products is another headache (literally). I believe it will get easier and easier to build using eco friendly materials. There is going to be a period of Green Wash and marketing hype that will add to the challenges.

Solar in Australia

Australia's solar industry is going through layoffs due to changes in the subsidies. A cap was put in if you earned more than $100,000 per year you can't get the subsidy. Solar panel subsidies not smart, says German MP The German MP argued it is better to have solar owners get money back by selling power back to utilities as a way to finance more solar. The problem I see in Australia is by making changes in the subsidies, they are making it riskier for people buying solar. The same thing is happening in the US where the tax breaks for solar have not been renewed.

Germany Debates Subsidies for Solar Industry

Germany Debates Subsidies for Solar Industry from the NY Times.

Germany has built up a huge solar industry. Germany derives 14.2 of it's electricty from renewable energy.

If I am reading the article right, the fight is over adding an extra $12.32 to a monthly electricity bill, and somehow this amount would alienate people.

So what will $12.32 buy you? A dinner at some mid-market restaurants. A meal for three at McDonalds. Starbucks for three people.

Conclusion - I question the assertion that an extra $12.32 a month would alienate anyone.

Sewer to Spigot: Recycled Water

Water in the South West of the US is always a worry. It's mostly a desert, and in Southern California imports water from Northern California and the Colorado River. And the population keeps on growing, and the supply of water stays the same.

One solution would be to allow farmers to sell their water at market prices to cities. Farmers basically get the water for free. Due to politics, that is not going to happen.

Another solution is recycling water as the Wall Street Journal article Sewer to Spigot: Recycled Water. Some cities are using recycled water for golf courses and such. If you see a purple pipe, it's recycled. Other water agencies are replacing toilets with lower water usage solutions. My almer mater put in waterless urinals. A big use of water is our beautiful green lawns in Los Angeles. A lot of water is also wasted in irrigation through evaporation, but again politics gives no incentive for improving this (the what's in it for me angle).

LA prepares massive water-conservation plan per the LA Times. Home irrigation systems with water sensors is an opportunity for companies such as RainBird. I interviewed there, interesting culture and way of doing things. Most homes still have time watering systems. An opportunity for new homes is using recycled water for flushing toilets. Inside the house, low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets through regulations have already reduced water usage.

Green Job Training

Green businesses gaining interest in San Mateo County - Silicon Valley area. Good article talking about Green Education.

The elusive negawatt

Excellent article from the Economist The elusive negawatt It helps explain some of what I picked up at an interview with SCE (neat position, but they selected another candidate). SCE is being paid to focus on conservation, and their profits have been decoupled from the delivery of electricity.

The question on what is the best approach for improving efficiency is an interesting one. Government standards overall seems to be the best approach, since most people want a quick payback (3 years) for extra cost compared to efficiency.

Food - Going Small

Change We Can Stomach makes the point that organic farming makes more per acre of farmland than conventional farming, the food tastes better, and is more nutritious. And that with the increase in oil price, that small scale farming makes more sense and would reduce hunger all over the world.

John Ringo on the other hand in Centurion, has this quote:

And they weren't willing to work nearly hard enough. If you're going to organically farm, you'd better be ready to work ten times as hard as an industrial farmer. And I mean "swinging a hoe" hard. And "picking the corn" hard. (The latter is not harvesting.) Why? Weeds. Pests.

Organic has it's place, but there is a cost. What was not mentioned in the article was the cost of subsidies (such as Ethanol, sugar, etc.) that distort production. Growing rice in deserts (like California and Australia) are examples. And that there is enough food in the world, the problem is getting it to the places that need it. Not to mention how Genetically Engineered foods require less pesticides and can be easier to grow. Summary - nice article from a cooks point of view, but the market will decide on organics (which has a lot of questions on what is really organic).Already at my local market there are many organic items for sale, such as eggs. So I have the choice do I want to buy organic or pay less and not. On stopping hunger that is a lot deeper issue than the article hinted at.

Green Houses sell Faster in San Jose

Green homes in San Jose sell fast from the Mercury News. 7 out of 9 houses offered were sold in a weekend for a new housing development that is green. Wow! And with the rebates they got from the government on adding solar (not mentioned - efficiency of adding solar during building and to multiple units), there was no added cost for adding. Think if they had also added solar water heating (sounds like only photo voltaic was added and the usual insulation, etc. to reduce heat loss).

In a down housing market, this is powerful. I hope other builders are paying attention.

Peel & Stick Solar Panels

Roofing Company Develops Peel-and-Stick Solar Panels - an example of a technology that is making solar installation more cost effective.

The challenge is if you ever want to do maintenance.

An example of improved efficiency is in garbage collection. It used to be each Garbage truck had a couple big guys who would pick up the trash cans and dump them into the trash truck. Now it's one person who has a hydraulic claw, that fits up a special square garbage can with a hinged lid. My guess is the increase in efficiency is 3X with a minor increase in capital cost. I wonder how long till this type of efficiency increase happens in solar installations.

Akeena Fallout

Real Goods IPO Suffers From Akeena Solar Fallout

Interesting. Major point in uncertainty in the government support is never good for people planning to install solar. Plus the fact there is a credit crunch, making it harder to finance projects in the US. Not good for the US based solar industry.

Worrisome. From a Thomas Friedman Editorial - Dumb as We Wanna Be

Few Americans know it, but for almost a year now, Congress has been bickering over whether and how to renew the investment tax credit to stimulate investment in solar energy and the production tax credit to encourage investment in wind energy. The bickering has been so poisonous that when Congress passed the 2007 energy bill last December, it failed to extend any stimulus for wind and solar energy production. Oil and gas kept all their credits, but those for wind and solar have been left to expire this December. I am not making this up. At a time when we should be throwing everything into clean power innovation, we are squabbling over pennies.

Venture capitalists go toward the light

Venture capitalists go toward the light from Silicon Valley's newspaper, The Mercury News.

There are a lot of major lighting players, such as GE that are keeping up with the area. The challenge with lighting is it's such a commodity business with low profit margins and high volumes.

Vegetable oil fuels cars -- and tax bills

Vegetable oil fuels cars -- and tax bills - Things you never think about. California on alternate fuel cars that use oil from restaurants requires a tax per gallon burned, permits for moving the grease in case of toxic spill, and liability insurance of $1 Million. Even the Governor was not in keeping with the law.

Utility support for Solar makes a difference

N. California surging ahead on solar power from a San Diego paper. The imbalance between Northern California and Southern are amazing. The Silicon Valley area is much more high tech (and wealthier), so that may have some impact.

Solar Power Water Treatment

“Green” Water in Indonesia: Rural Water Systems for a Safer Environment

I would guess there is a UV component for killing bugs and some type of filtering. An article with more details of such a system. Solar-Powered Water Treatment.vThe key requirement making it maintenance free.

It's also being talked about in the US, Water-treatment plant to run on solar power, but more just using electric power. What would be interesting is also using the heat that is a byproduct in the process to improve the efficiency of the overall process.

Solar 2008

Kyocera Solar, Inc. Invites San Diegans to Attend SOLAR 2008 Show
Looks like fun.

www.ases.org/solar2008/ -May 3rd-7=8th

Solar Water Heaters required in Hawaii

Solar water heaters required in new Hawaii homes from the Houston Chronicle starting in 2010 and add $5000 to the cost. The payback period is about 3-5 years. For new houses construction, I am surprised adds that much to the cost. Hawaii is the first state to mandate solar water heating. I expect more states where it makes sense (South West US) to mandate it. Currently there is $2500 rebate for solar water heating installations in Hawaii. Some of the horse trading that went on to get it - House uses strong-arm tactics on solar mandate

Solar Grants/Activities

A few I noticed today:

• Kopin inks solar contract from NASA
• Dow and Global Solar Partner to make Solar Shingles - Department of Energy Grant
• Solar Savings Could Eliminate Electric Bill Boston Channel.com
• DOE announces solar funding
• Navy bases using solar carports
• Eugene parking lots get solar-power caps

I wonder how much of it makes sense, and how much are just for the press...