Revitalize the Rust Belt with Solar Components

The drive to innovation by so many diverse companies is the one quality that attracted me to investigate the advances in solar technology in 2005. I recently came across Skyline Solar http://www.skyline-solar.com that has taken a unique engineering approach to utility-scale solar installations (the smallest system is 100kW but scalable to multiple megawatts). I was also impressed by the thinking of Bob MacDonald, CEO Skyline Solar, who wants to use idled automobile factories to produce the metal components of its system. See his article at
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/02/silicon-valley-and-the-rust-belt-a-combined-solution-to-separate-problems

Novel approaches to manufacturing can both reduce costs and yield a rapid ramp-up to utility-scale solar installations.

Hey Southern Company! Why not put Solar in Your Own Backyard?

When I first heard Ted Turner say that he had partnered with the Southern Company to build a major solar powered community I said ‘Yeah! it’s about time’. Then I found out that this is a really big deal in — New Mexico. A collaboration between one of Turner’s companies, the Southern Company and thin-film module maker First Solar which will supply 500,000 2’x4′ photovoltaic modules with an installed capacity of 30MW. Turner seemed to imply in an interview on CNN that this would provide energy for 14,000 homes — and I thought he meant a real estate development of that size. However, a Southern Company press release said it would supply power to 9,000 homes — and apparently that is through the sale of the electricity to a regional wholesale power provider under a 25-year power purchase agreement, rather than a new community.  What is impressive: construction starts this month and will start commercial operation by the end of this year. Oh well, it’s a start.

I just couldn’t resist this

Apparently tea bags were lost in the surf

German Firm Makes Major Investment in Solar Panel Manufacturing in Dublin, GA

The firm, MAGE SOLAR GMBH, seems to have more faith in the growth of the solar market in the US than American firms. Their studies indicate that by 2015 the US will be one of the two largest markets in the world. The company is wasting no time in the production of its silicon-based solar modules and expects the production line will be operational by the end of the year. Iniital production will be 40MW annually ramping up to a capacity of 800MW by 2015, according to the company.

This is a game-changer for solar installations in Gerogia. The company is building a campus which will include its North American headquarters, production facilities and a solar academy. According to industry sources as many as 10 other solar companies are looking at Georgia for manufacturing and R&D operations. MAGE SOLAR will be making an investment of at least $30-million and will be constructing a 200,000 square foot building.

Chatham County Beats Savannah with first solar installation

For some time now I have tried to get the City of Savannah to put up a small solar PV installation on the roof of the recycling center. While there was some internal support, and several meetings, it all came to naught. I thought the recycling center would be ideal because it is an educational center and it would be easy to include an Internet connection so that everyone could see the amount of solar electricity being produced in real time.

Well, Chatham County beat Savannah and, in an unheralded announcement, put 5.1kW of solar panels on the roof of a metal frame canopy at their recycling center on Eisenhower. To my knowledge this is the first time any government entity in the area has put a single solar panel anywhere. Congratulations, Chatham County. Now if we could only see some action from the city, state, federal goverment, AASU, SSU, SCAD.

Solar Champions sponsor Solar Social at SOL June 15

Everyone interested in solar energy is invited to a Solar Social at SOL restaurant, 1611 Habersham St. June 15 from 5:30 to 7pm. Tell your friends.