Future of Alternative Energy -3D solar cells

On CNBC - New Technologies in Alternative energy - 3D solar cells

Alternative Energy living: Green and Greener in Suburban Towns

By MIREYA NAVARRO
Published: October 9, 2009
"FOR two years, Valerie Williams had been considering making the five-bedroom home she grew up in more energy efficient — hoping to shrink her $350 monthly utility bill — but more pressing expenses always came first.

Then the town of Babylon came up with an offer she couldn’t refuse: if she and her husband, Carlos, paid $250 for an energy audit, the town would finance the recommended upgrades. The couple would repay the town at a monthly rate below the savings on their utility bill. The audit, done this month, found that by insulating walls, basement and attic, at a cost of $6,879, the Williamses could save about $1,300 a year." Read More from NYtimes

Alternative Energy Video - Charging Capitol Hill for Climate Change

Alternative Energy Video - Time to buy solar Stocks?

Green Celebrity - Michael Jackson - Earth Song - World Environment Day

Well, not really a Green celebrity but this was the only song that came close that Michael Jackson did for the environment, so I thought to post his video here. The song did raised awareness of eco issues and made climate change a more pressing concern among the younger generation. Rest in peace Michael.

Green Celebs and their causes - Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Hayden Panettiere

These days, most articles is more about celebrity oops then writing about their green eco causes. I won't write much as their are links to read more but here are 6 celebs that are doing something good for the environment. 2 thumbs up!

Green celeb: Leonardo DiCaprio
Eco cause: Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
Read more: leonardodicaprio.org

Green celeb: Brad Pitt
Eco cause: Global Green USA Holy Cross Project
Read more: holycrossproject.globalgreen.org

Green celeb: Courtney Cox Arquette and David Arquette
Eco cause: Blue Planet Run Foundation
Read more: blueplanetrun.org

Green celeb: Barenaked Ladies (Canadian)
Eco cause: Reverb
Read more: reverbrock.org/barenakedplanet

Green celeb: Hayden Panettiere
Eco cause: Save the Whales Again
Read more: savethewhalesagain.com

Green celeb: Sienna Miller
Eco cause: Global Cool
Read more: globalcool.org

Eco Green Living - Are LED Lights any good for your home?

Home LED lights are a new cool technology. Most bulbs only use 1 - 1.5 watts and have 30,000 hours of life. Imagine the power savings if everyone were to use them. The draw back right now, they are kind of expensive. You can picked them up a Walmart right now for about 9 dollars each bulb. The good thing it lowers your energy consumption and your carbon footprint but when they say its equivalent to a 40 watt bulb, I highly doubt it. When using these bulbs, the rooms are much darker. Anyways, they are 90 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs but because of the price, it was a total turn off and not what I expected, so I return them back to Walmart. I'll wait a little longer when they are cheaper. The spotlight LED ones were not to bad. For now, I'll stick with the Christmas LED lights during the winter as they look good, saves money and you don't need it that bright.

Telephone Voip Magic Jack actually bad for Environment?

Here is an interesting tibit or review about the popular telephone Magic Jack. They have sold millions around the world because of their very cheap telephone rates and setup (only 19.95 a year and 39.95 to buy it), also you get free long distance calling, free call forwarding, free call waiting, free call display etc.. but there is a drawback. You need to keep your computer on. Imagine all of these users leaving on their computers 24/7. How much energy does this drain? This is like an office building leaving on their lights at night when no one is in the office. Hopefully, most people still turn off their computers and just forward incoming calls to the cell phone or land lines. See for yourself below...cheers

Eco Green Living - China's Beijing closes coal plants to lower pollution

Less electricity demand due to the global financial crisis has given China the ability to close small coal-fired power plants. 60 percent of China's Energy comes from Coal.

"This couldn't be done when power demand was very intense," Sun said at a news conference. "Due to this financial crisis, the power generation has slowed down, so we took this opportunity to accelerate the shutdown."

China Finance Ministry last week announced to pay up to 70 percent of the cost of new solar systems and are trying to reduce demand for imported oil and gas by shutting down smaller, inefficient power plants and to change to more of an Eco friendly energy like wind, solar and other clean sources. This will lower sulfur dioxide emission by an approx. 1.1 million tons and carbon dioxide output by 124 million tons per year.

Watch out, Alternative Energy Solar Stocks on the rise! SPWRA

SPWRA is the first alternative energy solar company to announce earnings and they did not disappoint investors. They are up about 20 percent in after hours. Investors are looking for signs of a recovery in solar panel market and since SPWRA has raise their guidance going forward, it looks like the solar stocks are back. More solar companies report earnings in the coming weeks but with solar panel prices falling fast, there is still a risk that earnings may not see an improvement until 2010 but it looks like the stock markets are more concerned about guidance and this will bold well for all solar stocks like LDK, STP, CSIQ, TSL, FSLR (as long as they all up their earnings outlook).

For the past year the demand for solar panels has suffered because a lack of available financing for solar projects and a cut in government subsidies like in Spain and Germany. For those reason, prices were sent tumbling and most solar companies missed earnings and lower guidance.

Eco Green Living - Granite countertops radioactive with radon?

It is possible that some granite counter tops can emit radon radiation. Radon is invisible and odourless which makes this very dangerous for your home and family. This cancer causing gas "Radon" can be in your house and may emit a lethal level of radiation so it is important to get it checked out. See news video on CityTV in Toronto.

Renewable energy sources - How are solar panels made?

Great Video on Discovery Channel on how alternative energy solar panel is made. Very informative from start to finish.

Tips in how to Go Eco Green and Save Money!

Here are many small simple tips you can follow to go ECO GREEN and save power without using Solar and wind power:

• Plug your television into a power bar and turn that off when you aren’t watching.
• Wash your clothes in cold water. Since a high amount of the electricity is used in washing your clothes because of heating the water, using cold rather than hot water will save you tons of money
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Set the photocopier to print double-sided only. It takes ten times as much energy to make a piece of paper than it takes to copy onto it
• Boiling water for tea in a pot on your gas stove uses one-third the energy of a plug-in kettle

• Choose a laptop than a desktop - it uses about six times less electricity than a desktop
• Turn the screen saver off. Screen savers don’t save electricity. Rather, set your computer to go into sleep mode when you’re not using it.
• Get rid of that old Fridge and get a new Energy Star model
• Make sure you clean and replace your furnace filter often. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder to heat your home.
• When summer comes, keep the blinds closed and run a couple of fans instead of air conditioning
• On sunny days during the winter make sure you open your south-facing drapes and let the sun in
• See the commercial on TV? - Unplug your chargers i.e. cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras, cordless tools and other gadgets when you’re not charging.
• Turn your thermostat down at night, even a 4-degree Celsius could cut your gas bill by 10 per cent

• Get some foam sleeve insulation to insulate your hot water pipes and wrap it around the first nine feet off your water heater.
• Go from Gas-powered lawnmower to an old-fashioned push-and-pull model.
• Hang your laundry on a clothesline instead of throwing them in the dryer
• Drive at the speed limit. Going from 120 kilometers an hour to 100 cuts your fuel consumption.
• Buy a reusable coffee mug.
• Plug the gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents. This is done to save heating or cooling your house.

• Don't throw out that toner cartridge. Instead, reuse it.
• Use Energy-efficient automatic dishwashers that use half the energy and less water to the old fashioned way
• Fix Dripping taps
• Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven. You can save to 50 per cent of your cooking energy.
• Don't idle. You will save you gas and populate less
• Switch off your computer before you leave work.

In conclusion, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. It does not take much of your time to do all of these things. Think about how it changes things especially your pocket book, especially if you are not Green minded. Please add your comments on other ways to Go Green and Save Money.

Article also posted on:

http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=10732

http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-in-Growing-Green-Today-or-at-Least-Saves-Some-Money-If-Youre-Not-Green%21&id=2439474

Renewable energy sources - Massive African solar energy project

The massive alternative energy solar project would use largely solar thermal power plants. This solar technology uses mirrors to focus the suns' energy to heat a special oil, create steam and power generators. Many plants are running in the U.S, Spain and many other countries and that is why 12 European businesses are try to promote this into reality. See rest of story on CNBC news http://www.cnbc.com/id/31890647

Renewable energy sources - Building better wind turbines

Excellent article about how they are looking for better ways to harness the wind. The federal lab's wind projects are trying to drive down costs by improving how efficiently turbines operate.

"Wind is very random; it's very active," he said. "You get gusts, you get all kinds of phenomena. Machines need to be designed to withstand all those variabilities." Read rest of aticle on CNBC here. http://www.cnbc.com/id/31855708/for/cnbc/

Renewable energy sources - Are Vertical-axis wind turbines better?

Are alternative energy Vertical axis wind turbines better? These types of Wind power turbines are usually used mainly for homes in urban, suburban, and rural areas which make sense and does not look as threatening as the traditional types. Did I also say this type of wind turbine is "bird friendly"? The traditional ones kill many birds and bats, as the tradition wind turbines are way too fast and noisy. The birds are able to see the verticle axis wind turbine types, thus avoid crashing into them, plus they are very quiet.




See Video about the traditional wind turbines compared to the Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine.

Is the Toyota kelp car the "Wave of the future"

From Article - "Bioplastics, an emerging technology that uses plant resins to make biodegradable and compostable plastic from renewable resources, is a field that is constantly evolving with new materials and technology." Read Full article on Yahoo Green.

Alternative Energy Toronto News - Keep the Gardiner, architect says, but make it green

Images courtesy Quadrangle Architects Limited

Eco Green Toronto is looking to demolish the Gardiner Express way, as its really an eyesore right by the lakefront. Toronto architect Les Klein has come up with a different vision, instead of tearing down the express way. Change it to a Eco Green concept of vegetation and a bike path. The City of Toronto and the Ontario Provincial Government should seriously look into doing this and come up with the funding. This would truly be a wonderful thing and would make Toronto stand out more as an Eco Friendly City. See National Post for more info and pictures.

Green Eco Living Toronto - New Green Roof Bylaw Passed By Council

Eco Green Toronto is the first City to have a bylaw to govern the construction of green roofs in North America . This only applies on new developments but it is a start. Go to City of Toronto Website for more information.

Definition of what is a Green Roof?

Definition: "A green roof is as a system where a vegetated area becomes part of the building's roof and includes vegetation, a growing medium, a filter layer, a drainage layer, a root resistance layer and a waterproof membrane. "

Environmental Benefits

• Lower the amount of storm water runoff that mainly affects the quality of local water resources.
• Lower energy consumption in buildings as the green roof acts as insulation against hot Summers and cold Winters
• Lower the urban heat island effect and associated cooling costs
• Makes the city of Toronto more beautiful
• More natural green spaces by utilizing space that is not normally used
• Local food production can be done in these spaces especially in crowded areas where there is no room to plant vegetables etc.

Green roofs around Toronto

Pictures of Green roofs around toronto look amazing. Hopefully more buildings will do this.

ECO F3 - Formula 3 racing car powered by chocolate and steered by carrots

Yes, power by chocolate and steered by carrots, no joke. The University of Warwick Researchers have made the WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car run by food. Unreal....

Hybrids Help Toyota, Honda Dominate Japan Car Sales

Toyota Motor's Prius hybrid and Honda Motor's rival Insight ranked first and fourth. This helped the two companies to dominate the list of top-selling models.....Read Article here on CNBC

Green EcoFriendly Companies - Algae Farm Aims to Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Fuel

How can green algae help global warming? A new start up company says that they would use algae to turn carbon dioxide into ethanol as a vehicle fuel or an ingredient in plastics.... Read story here ... this would be truely be a huge innovation. I wonder if they are listed on the stock market.

Will Oil to Retreat to $50-$60 in second half of 2009?

Watch Video on CNBC about what they think the second half will be for Oil prices. Not really good for Alternative energy investments but I guess good for our pocket books. Though, if the economy picks up in the second half, I personally doubt this will happen, as demand for commodities should pick up.

Alternative Energy Stocks - LDK Solar outlook falls below Wall Street view

Another disappointment coming out of LDK Solar. Hopefully next year the growth will be back again or maybe end of this year.....Read Story Here

Solar Energy Facts - Solar energy green, clean

Good article in Toronto Star about alternative solar energy and how companies are embracing going Green and Clean...Read Article here

Quote from the Toronto Star article says it all about how companies are turning their business models in going Green:

"Solar power is also now a major part of Home Depot's eco strategy. This week, the giant retailer launched a national program called Catch the Sun, which includes a line of consumer products such as lighting and doors, as well as solar systems for both homes and cottages, in both grid-tied and off-grid options."

Green Eco Living - Are Gas Prices Still Scaring Car Buyers?

In a Hyundai survey, they found that 40 percent of the new car buyers worry about gas prices and that it would effect the choice they make buying a new car.....Read article here on CNBC webite.

Green Eco Living - 20 garden veggies that could each save you $25 or more

Good article on how much you could save growing your own Veggies. I personally have started this summer. Loving it. ... Read more here from Yahoo Green

Alternative Energy Stock News - JPMorgan Solar Picks and Pans (ENER, ESLR, FSLR, ASTI, SPWRA)

JPMorgan is cautious on the valuation of some in the position of a declining market trend right now. This may cool the solar run for a bit. Its was a nice ride for the last 3 months....Read Article here on 24/7wallst

Renewable energy sources - Pickens eyes wind power in Alberta

Alternative Energy News: T. Boone Pickens, the legendary billionaire oilman is looking to invest in wind power in Alberta. Maybe this will equal out the oil sands (only kidding)....here is the news story on the Financial Post.

Alternative Energy Source World News - China blasts US climate bill

The new US clean energy bill will make it easier to impose trade penalties on nations that reject limits to globe-warming pollution. Of cource China opposes this new bill as they are the biggest polluters. though a bold move by the US, as the world economy is in a very fragile state, but there is never a wrong and right time. Like the Nike commercial...Just do it ... Read full article here on Yahoo Green

Green Eco Living Facts - Global Warming Myths and Facts

ECO Green News: Great Eductional story on Facts and Myths about Global Warming. Really good read on Yahoo Green Site. Here are a couple of examples:

"Myth: Global warming and extra CO2 will actually be beneficial — they reduce cold-related deaths and stimulate crop growth."

"Myth: Water vapor is the most important, abundant greenhouse gas. So if we’re going to control a greenhouse gas, why don’t we control it instead of carbon dioxide (CO2)?"

Alternative Energy Canadian Facts - Canada worst, Germany best on climate change: report

Canada is last? Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions are surging "far above" its obligations under the UN's Kyoto Protocol.....Read News article here on Yahoo Green

Alternative Energy Source Facts - Sustainable Energy 101

Very informative Article on what is sustainable energy. This is done by increasing conservation, improving efficiency, and raising the percentage of renewable energy in the world.....Read more here on Yahoo green

Alternative Energy Sources - China hands out $293 million subsidy for renewable power

Alternative Energy News: China is the number two energy user only behind the United States and is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide. This plan is to stimulate its renewable energy sector, including wind and solar power.....Read Article on Reuters

Alternative Energy Wind Power News - Will falling wind speed curb turbine plans?

This news is from the Toronto Star. It states that wind speeds are dying down across the United States because of Global Warming.... Read article here

Alternative Energy Canadian News - Shoots sprout in Canada's green sector

Good Article this time talking about Canada's Green Sector. It talks about the alternative energy sector and that it is showing signs of recovery. Also it mentions that companies are resurrecting financing deals and public offerings that withered with the recession. Still the revival remains very fragile.

Alternative Solar Energy Facts - Plant-based solar panels to remove oil from the equation

Good article stating that the solar panels itself are not environmental friendly and that solar cells contain toxic chemicals.... Read article here found on yahoo green site

Alternative Energy Solar Stock news - SunPower, Wells in $100M solar deal

Alternative Energy News: Wells Fargo lending 100 million in SunPower commercial-scale solar systems. Good sign that banks are starting to lend again and with the tight credit markets, it shows that they have confidence in SunPower.....Read article here

Eco Green News - Green energy investments have quadrupled since 2004

Great news for alternative energy stock investments and only going to get better with the Obama adminstration spending money in this sector.... Read article here from Yahoo Green Site

Clean Energy Investment News - Sears Tower to Be Revamped to Produce Most of Its Own Power

I wonder for such a large building if this is possible. Read Article here on CNBC website

Alternative Energy company news - Microsoft unveils energy management software

Here is something interesting that Microsoft is doing. I guess they fear Google and trying to beat them to anything that they are trying out. At least this is a Green initiative.... read story here by Yahoo Green site

Renewable Energy Stock News - First Solar: More Trouble As Phoenix Solar Issues Warning

I wonder if this is the beginning of the downside in solar stocks. They have had a nice run over the last 90 days....Read article by Barrons

Green and Clean Alternative Energy News - This is how gorgeous solar power can be

I must say that this picture says 1000 words on how beautiful solar technology can be instead of those ugly solar panels. Great article on how solar can be "more than meets the eye" and for the environment.....Read full article here from Yahoo Green site.

Alternative Energy Hybrid News - Honda working on two new ultra-cheap hybrids

Alternative Energy News: The title speaks for its self. I for one, is waiting for hybrids to become more affordable. Can't wait.... Read Article here by Yahoo Green

Alternative Energy Source Green News - Turning chicken feathers into car fuel and more

Here is an funny article on Yahoo Green page - but wow, there is plenty of it (feathers I mean). The article is called "Bang for the cluck: Turning chicken feathers into car fuel and more" ....Read Article here

Alternative Energy Technology news - Is the new Apple Iphone good for the environment?

APPLE IPHONE NEWS - I have seen a lot of attacks when the first Apple came out on how its not environmental friendly. I wonder what reviews will come about the new iphone. Most likely the same....here is the old articles

Alternative Energy Source Technology News - Google revs up smart charging for plug-ins

Here is a very interesting article. Google is always an innovator of new things and that is why I like Google so much. This one talks about how Google is developing "smart charging" software to make sure that plug-in electric vehicles don't cause traffic jams on the power grid.... See full article here

Alternative Energy Green Jobs news - Green shoots in U.S. jobs, factories and indicators

Yahoo Canadian News -"More green shoots of recovery sprouted in the U.S. labor market, according to the latest data, while the slumping factory sector showed dramatic signs of improvement and a gauge of the overall economy also jumped".....Read full story

Alternative Energy Stock News - US Solar Market Finally Ready To Blast Off (FSLR, STP, SPWRA)

Good Article - Starts of by mentioning the plumetting solar modules prices but saying that the US markets are prime for take off in the first half of 2010 ( I wonder how many are going to survive until then). They mention that the Treasury Department has a grant program ready to roll....check out full story here

Alternative Energy Sources -Report: Solar Prices In "Free Fall" (STP, SPWRA, YGE)

Looks like coming trouble for solar companies with pressure on modules prices falling. Summary of article has FBR Capital publishing that " As most investors anticipate a hockey stick–shaped demand uptick in the U.S., China, and other emerging countries, we see a slow rollout of subsidies, tightened terms from financiers, and overhyped news items flowing in, especially from untrustworthy news sources." Look like the run is over soon for solar companies, they did have a nice run but with Oil expecting to skyrocket this summer anything can happen. Alternative is the future so solar in the long run should do well. Anyhow .....read full article

Alternative Energy news - SunPower Urges Homeowners and Businesses to 'SeizeToday' with Affordable, Attainable Solar Power

Sunpower launches a New Advertising Campaign and Digital Platform that Touts Solar's Immediate Savings and Long-term Investment Potential. Go to article...

Why the Sunshine in Solar Stocks? (STP, CSIQ, YGE, ENER, USO, BTU)

Good Article of why solars stocks continue to go up. With Oil Prices going higher should bold well for Solar Stocks in the long run...Read Article here

US wants to paint the world white to save energy

Weird Article but it made sense, that the US Agency want people in the US to paint their roof tops to an energy-reflecting white. Link to article....

Alternative Energy News - More Losses in the Chinese Solar Space (CSUN, CSIQ, YGE)

More losses at Chinese Solar companies but all their stocks are up. Go figure....Link to article

The Future of Alternative Energy

Great old article on "the Future of Alternative Energy" by Cameron Walker for National Geographic News (2004). It talks about how residential energy use to increase in the United States by 25 percent by the year 2025 (according to U.S. Department of Energy) and that a minor share of that extra power will come from renewable sources like wind, sunlight, water, and heat in the ground. Read more....

Canada to give $880M for Clean Energy Fund

Canadian Government just announced 880 million towards the development and advancement of clean energy technologies including carbon capture and storage (CSS) projects. Read more....

Alternative energy definition

Definitions of alternative energy on the Web:

• energy derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
• Alternative energy is typically defined as coming from sources that do not deplete natural resources or harm . Wind power is a typical example. The term alternative is used to contrast with fossil fuels according to some sources. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_energy
• Energy derived from any source other than fossil fuels; Energy derived from any renewable source; i.e other than fossil fuels or nuclear fissionen.wiktionary.org/wiki/alternative_energy
• Alternative energy refers to energy sources that are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. ...www.mohawkpaper.com/resources/glossary/terms/
• Energy derived from non-fossil fuels, and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or wind energy.www.ruralresidentialliving.com.au/introduction/glossary.html
• Renewable energy sources, such as wind, flowing water, solar energy and biomass, which create less environmental damage and pollution than fossil fuels, and offer an alternative to nonrenewable resources.www.environment.nelson.com/0176169040/glossary.html

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