Long Island Business News » Small commercial projects get a lift from LIPA
Although it’s too early to tell whether commercial solar will take off, after years when photovoltaic panels primarily graced residential rooftops, the hottest topic in solar power is commercial projects from businesses to schools and government buildings.
“In part, commercial hasn’t caught on because the technology wasn’t there,” said Michael Deering, LIPA’s vice president for environmental affairs. “And there weren’t rebate programs or tax benefits.” Deering said LIPA’s incentives - $3.50 per watt for the first 10 kilowatts and less for bigger projects - are prompting inquiries as word gets out companies can cash in."
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BP Solar to Build Power Plant at BNL
Long Island Business News » Long Island’s green work force grows:
"When the Long Island Power Authority in March chose BP Solar to provide 37 megawatts of photovoltaic power at Brookhaven National Laboratory, it was good news for solar advocates. BP has since said it expects the project, big enough to power 4,700 homes, to provide a boost for local solar workers, generating more than 200 jobs for construction, engineering and electrical work.
"When the Long Island Power Authority in March chose BP Solar to provide 37 megawatts of photovoltaic power at Brookhaven National Laboratory, it was good news for solar advocates. BP has since said it expects the project, big enough to power 4,700 homes, to provide a boost for local solar workers, generating more than 200 jobs for construction, engineering and electrical work.
A Fuel-Producing Wonder Organism
Green Tech Co. Says It Has a Secret: A Fuel-Producing Wonder Organism 80beats Discover Magazine:
Using a process that Joule Biotechnologies of Cambridge, MA dubs “helioculture,” sunlight and carbon dioxide interact with the photosynthetic organisms (to produce and secrete a biofuel). As an added bonus, the carbon dioxide used could be the emissions from a factory or power plant.
The president of Joule Biotechnologies says the organisms secrete the chemical equivalent of ethanol. “A large project would look much like a solar array,” he explained. "Instead of converting the sun’s heat energy into electrons, we’re using it to create liquid fuels” . The company claims it can generate 20,000 gallons of fuel per year from every acre of “solar converter” panels, which is far more than other companies expect to produce. Exxon’s algae project, for example, aims to generate about 2,000 gallons per acre.
Using a process that Joule Biotechnologies of Cambridge, MA dubs “helioculture,” sunlight and carbon dioxide interact with the photosynthetic organisms (to produce and secrete a biofuel). As an added bonus, the carbon dioxide used could be the emissions from a factory or power plant.
The president of Joule Biotechnologies says the organisms secrete the chemical equivalent of ethanol. “A large project would look much like a solar array,” he explained. "Instead of converting the sun’s heat energy into electrons, we’re using it to create liquid fuels” . The company claims it can generate 20,000 gallons of fuel per year from every acre of “solar converter” panels, which is far more than other companies expect to produce. Exxon’s algae project, for example, aims to generate about 2,000 gallons per acre.
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