Lockheed Martin Installs Solar Power Streetlights in Florida

Author: Elysia Niemi

Lockheed Martin, an advanced technology company that got its start working in the aerospace industry, has installed 35 solar LED (light emitting diode) streetlights at its Orange County, Florida site, where the company recently won a contract to develop the Joint Strike Fighter and peripheral training, support and targeting systems.

The streetlights aren't the first solar-powered outdoor lights in Florida, but they do represent the state's largest installation, and their cost - $342,000 over 20 years, including purchase price and maintenance - still comes in considerably lower than the equivalent cost for conventional street lighting ($563,000, including new wiring and the cost of electricity).

In addition, the solar-powered LEDs reduce carbon emissions generated by fossil-fuel burning power plants by an estimated 17,000 tons over their lifetime, which is the equivalent of taking 3,000 cars off the road.

Using a fraction of the electricity of ordinary street lighting, the solar-powered lights are easily recognizable by the bluish tint of the light they emit. They also focus that lighting, unlike conventional street lights which shine in all directions. This means that many brands of solar LEDs qualify under the "Dark Sky" requirements of an increasing number of municipalities.

According to the International Dark-Sky Association, night lighting - from streetlights, buildings and airports, for example - causes migrating songbirds (which migrate at night via a visual geomagnetic sensor) to lose their way and often die, either as a result of collisions or because they can't find habitat.

It also affects the circadian rhythms, mating cycles and foraging cycles of other wildlife, causing loss of sleep, irregular breeding and starvation, any of which can lead to species extinction.

In addition, solar powered LEDs provide just as much illumination as conventional varieties; perhaps more, when one considers that the light is concentrated where it is needed, not all over the ground and sky.

Lockheed Martin's lights, for example, brighten slightly more than 125 feet ahead even though mounted 25 feet off the ground. In addition, the LED portion of the light uses less than half the energy of conventional models, or 100 watts as compared to 250.

The lights are manufactured by Canadian-based Carmanah Technologies of Victoria, British Columbia, one of six companies evaluated in Lockheed Martin's search for a provider. A company spokesman, who admitted that solar LEDs lose their cost advantage (but not their "green" footprint) where sites are still being "prepped" for construction, also noted that only recent advances in LED technology have made the solar-powered lights commercially feasible only within the past year.

LEDs, simply expressed, are a combination of a light bulb and a computer chip, and deliver efficient, long-lasting light which can be targeted to eliminate the problem of nighttime glare and reduce impacts on wildlife.

Lockheed Martin's solar-powered LEDs also work during extended periods of cloudiness, and overnight, thanks to an array of four, size-32 car batteries which are able to store enough power to keep lights going for up to five consecutive nights.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/lockheed-martin-installs-solar-power-streetlights-in-florida-1666410.html

About the Author

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar panel resources and solar energy page contains articles and tools to help with your solar project.

Eco Home - How to get your solar panels installed

Author: Paige Green

One of the most critical decisions you can make for your green home is to install a solar panel system. Solar arrays can reduce a home's energy consumption (and save on electricity bills) by up 50% - so you're helping the planet while keeping a little extra cash! Now many states are also offering Feed-In Tariffs meaning you'll be paid for any electricity you'll put back into the grid.
However, like any home improvement project, your solar panel system should be installed by a professional. You will also more than likely need council approval, although in South Australia, system that weigh less than 100 kg can now be installed without council approval.

Here's a quick guide on getting your solar system up and running:

Eco Home Tip #22 - Orientating - check if your roof is suitable for a solar panel array. Solar systems in Australia need to be installed on a North face roof face to maximise the sun's rays. Check that there are no neighbouring trees or buildings that would block exposure.

Eco Home Tip #23 - Know a guy who knows a guy - as with many trades, personal recommendations are always best. Ask your friends and networks for personal recommendations of qualified professionals who will do a first rate job. Green Pages green directory, of course, has a number of top notch providers.

Eco Home Tip #24 - Talk it over - Discuss your energy needs with a solar power provider. Depending on your home use, the size of the system you'll need will vary. Other factors to consider are of course, costs and weight.

Eco Home Tip #25 - Rebates galore - the government provide a number of state, federal and local rebates for your solar system. Visit your state government website and www.environment.gov.au to find out more and learn how to apply.
Eco Home Tip #26 - Avoid fakes - Don't skimp with dodgy imports. In order to qualify for the Government rebates, your system will need to pass a certification test. Most of the solar providers listed on the Green Pages green directory will provide quality panels. Most solar panel products have around a 20 to 25 year warranty so you can be sure they will last.

Eco Home Tip #27 - Ask for a quote and more - Most solar systems of the same size are priced depending on their size. According to CHOICE magazine, a one kilowatt solar panel system costs between $12,000 and $15,000. 2kW systems cost about $20,000. As with most trade jobs, ask for a number of quotes from different providers to ensure you're getting the best price.

The best way to decide if a solar panel system is right for you is to speak with a consultant. Most will assess your home and provide you with quality advice free of charge. Look at the Green Pages green directory for solar to find a provider that will help you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/eco-home-how-to-get-your-solar-panels-installed-874524.html

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Solar Installation Saves School District $12 Million

Author: Elysia Niemi

It's a big undertaking for an area whose population is just over 25,000, but Lacey Township, part of the New Jersey Shore region, is ready to install 7,000 solar photovoltaic panels on 120,000 square feet of roof on top of Mill Pond Elementary School.

Racks and rails are already in place, as is the wiring, slated to allow the production of 1,483 kilowatts of power (the local press said 383, but mistakes happen), or an approximate 1.5-megawatt system.

The installation is a result of a December 2008 referendum approving $19,9 million for the solar installation, as well as upgrades like window replacement, boiler upgrades and a new roof, all but the latter aimed at energy conservation.

The referendum met considerable opposition, in a newly emerging recession, but Lacey Township School District estimates - that the solar installation would save $12 million over the 25-year lifespan of the system - obviously instilled some voter confidence.

Since then, slumping solar prices and a contraction in the construction industry have provided even greater savings than formerly anticipated - the system is cheaper to install than expected, and solar prices have come down.

The market for renewable energy credits, or RECS, has also increased, at least in terms of solar. The District estimates RECs sold to utility companies (whose payments have increased from about $450 to about $650 per watt), will provide the District a tidy little cushion.

It's a win-win for the District and for the local utility, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCPL), which operates under New Jersey's clean energy mandate of 1,500 megawatts of solar power by 2020.

The solar project will also form part of a new clean energy curriculum at the school, allowing students to learn how solar energy works and to monitor the system via an interactive display.

With new roof installation preceding the solar installation, the panels are not affixed to the roof (which would void the warranty) but instead weighted in place. In spite of that, the solar system is expected to be able to withstand winds in excess of 110 miles per hour, according to Ray Angelini, Inc., the firm that installed solar panels on the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/solar-installation-saves-school-district-12-million-1666413.html

About the Author

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar panel resources and solar energy page contains articles and tools to help with your solar project.

GO GREEN: Hype, Hoax or Hope?

Author: Rashid Brown

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the world population is expanding at a mind-boggling rate. The world reached 1 billion people in 1800; 2 billion by 1922; and over 6 billion by 2000. It is estimated that the population will swell to over 9 billion by 2050. That means that if the world’s natural resources were evenly distributed, people in 2050 will only have 25% of the resources per capita that people had in 1950.

Why Go Green

The word green comes from the Old English word grene, or, in its older form, groeni. This adjective is closely related to the Old English verb growan (“to grow”) and goes back into Western Germanic and Scandinavian languages.

Culturally, green has broad meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth.  The most common associations are found in its ties to nature. Green is also associated with regeneration, fertility and rebirth for its connections to nature. Recent political groups have taken on the color as symbol of environmental protection and social justice, and consider themselves part of the Green Movement, some naming themselves Green Parties. This has led to similar campaigns in advertising, as companies have sold green, or environmentally-friendly, products.

In times past, GREEN was a movement of environmental-sensitive and eco-friendly products and services. Green organizations like ThreeHugger, ThinkGreen, WorldWatch, PlanetGreen, GreenOrg, and GreenSpace commission was to create a culture of environmental responsibility through recycling, energy-saving, water and gas consumption reduction initiatives to name a few.

Presently, the GO GREEN scope has broadened.  GREEN is developing low-frequency emission processing circuits, water and energy consumption to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Sustainable, Renewable, and Recyclable Technologies.  In fact, GREEN has spawned a new generation of Green Jobs, Green Workers, Green Education, and Green Economy.  In order for the American people to maintain ourselves players in the 21st century global economy, our Nation must innovate, says the Obama Administration.  To this end, GREEN initiatives will create careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics industries and energy efficiency and renewable energy industries such as Wind Turbine, Solar Photovoltaic, Environmental Technology, Green Building, Sustainable Construction, Sustainability and Ecological Literacy, HVAC Upgrades, Indoor Air Quality, Lighting Retrofits, Building Automation Upgrades, and Energy Management Applications.

In a speech to the National Academy of Sciences, President Obama outlined a bold commitment to basic and applied research, innovation and education.  President Obama outlined RE-ENERGYSE.

RE-ENERGYSE (REgaining our ENERGY Science and Engineering Edge), will be jointly funded by the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.

RE-ENERGYSE (REgaining our ENERGY Science and Engineering Edge), would fund new undergraduate and graduate energy curriculum and research opportunities to prepare up to 8,500 highly educated young scientists and engineers to enter clean energy fields by 2015 alone. Technical training and K12 funding would support hundreds of programs nationwide to train thousands more technically skilled clean energy workers. ENERGYSE will support:

• An education and outreach campaign that uses movies, radio, cyber-learning, television, classroom curriculum, social networks, and local science museums to capture the imagination of young people, and teach them about the role that science and technology can play in addressing our energy challenge
• Energy research opportunities for undergraduates
• Educational opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities who seek careers in the clean energy sector
• Partnerships between industry and two-year and four-year colleges to strengthen education for technicians in the clean energy sector, focusing on curriculum development, teacher training, and career pathways from high schools to community colleges
• Interdisciplinary energy graduate programs at the master’s and Ph.D. level that integrate science, engineering, entrepreneurship, and public policy
• Individual fellowships to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers involved in the frontiers of clean energy research

In close, Green is not merely about environmental-sensitive and eco-friendly products and services.

GREEN, however, is a New Era and a New Generation of fiscal prudence, integrity, and accountability, sustainable products and technologies, cost-saving and reduction, organizational productivity and efficiency, sustainable buildings, construction, and schools, human consumption and conservatism, and recyclable technologies.

In short, GREEN is about creating a sustainable America that can continue to thrive, flourish, and compete in the 21st century global economy.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/go-green-hype-hoax-or-hope-1097688.html

About the Author

Rashid Brown is a captivating educator, lecturer, transformational speaker, community leader, business strategist, financial manager and entrepreneur. He has a 20+ years as a management professional. He is recognized as a Continuing Education Professional with the National Registry of CPE Sponsors of the National Association of the State Board of Accountancy. He is a registered and certified Management Professional in the National Restaurant Association Foundation and a certified Food Safety Manager. Brown has lead multibillion and multimillion dollar restaurant portfolios in the Hospitality and Food & Beverage industries. He held several leadership positions and laurels such as Operations Director, District Manager, District and Regional Training/ Development Manager, Corporate Trainer, Training Manager and General Manager in World Class Organizations and Multinational Corporations. Brown is the recipient of The Congressional Merit of Honor and Madison Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals. He is recent nominee of the Cambridge Who's Who Among Executives and Professional "Honors Edition." Brown is a professional member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Business Professional of America as well as Association for Career and Technical Education, and Georgia Writers Association. He also is a columnist, essayist and Author/Lecturer on the 21st Century Economy & Workforce, Career Technology, Mixed-Used Urban Policy & Administration, the Future of Higher Education, Student/Professional Development and Lifelong Learning. For more information, visit http://www.writers.net/writers/64891

Rec Solar Leads Solar Growth in Us

Author: Elysia Niemi

San Luis Obispo, California-based REC Solar, one of the nation's fastest growing solar providers for grid-tied residential and commercial solar photovoltaic systems, recently announced the acquisition of a contract with the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, or VA - a division of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) - to build 1.7 megawatts of solar capacity on federally-owned buildings in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Founded in 1997, and with more than a dozen offices in six states (AZ, CA, CO, HI, OR and NJ), REC Solar is one of only a handful of solar companies in California whose engineers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

The systems, when completed, will represent the biggest solar power systems in the VA network, which total 1,296 buildings dedicated to veteran's health, education, welfare, training, and other social support systems for the nation's 24.5 million war veterans, almost 10 million of whom are 65 or older.

Completion of the 1.7 megawatts is scheduled for the spring of 2010, and will create more than 60 jobs during their construction. When completed, they will also prevent 1.2 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year (by removing that much generation from coal and fossil-fuel burning power plants). This is the equivalent of preserving more than a quarter acre of pine forest, planting 31 trees a year, or preventing the burning of 139 gallons of gasoline annually.

The amount of electricity generated, 2.1 megawatt-hours, would power 3,600 households and is, according to REC Solar CEO Angiolo Laviziano, the direct result of the company's turnkey solar power solutions, which offer the VA the opportunity to purchase solar power through a standardized General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule. The GSA is the financial management and audit arm of the federal government.

The solar installations, destined for Palo Alto, Fresno, Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, as well as Tucson, Arizona and Reno, Nevada, will save the VA system more than $175,000 a year in electric utility costs, in a combination of roof-mounted, ground-arrayed, and carport installations based on 7,000 REC AE-US Series solar modules, which combine superior quality with long-lasting, reliable performance. Systems will also be equipped with Satcon inverters, and monitored by Energy Recommerce Inc.

REC Solar, whose phenomenal growth (from 20 employees in 2005 to about 500 in 2009) is largely due to the company's reputation for quality and service, will install 1,700 systems this year, but it isn't enough, according to Laviziano, who says the solar industry as a whole is conflicted not by lack of space (the Mojave Desert notwithstanding), but by lack of understanding of the newly defined parameters of solar photovoltaic power itself.

According to Laviziano, most people considering solar are still stuck in the 1990's paradigm of prohibitively expensive solar installations, low efficiency rates (10 percent or less), and half-century payback times.

This is no longer true, thanks to stimulus packages and credits at the federal, state and even regional level, the falling cost of solar itself ($7 per watt installed, less incentives, or about.25 cents per kilowatt hour, as compared to.15 cents for conventional generation, including taxes and pass-through fees), and the possibility of leasing solar for those who still can't afford the upfront costs.

Solar panels are planned for four affordable housing communities in California to provide inexpensive electricity to low-income residents.

In total, the solar arrays will generate 790 kilowatts, or 1.1 megawatt-hours, of electricity. Three of the communities to receive solar power are in San Francisco and one is in Richmond, a city just north of Berkeley.

The systems will be financed by power purchase agreements, which have become popular among homeowners and businesses looking to install solar panels but anxious about the upfront costs. Under a PPA, private installers or municipalities pay the upfront cost of solar installations and receive payment over an extended period of time. Berkeley was the first city to have a PPA program; homeowners who participate pay back the costs of their solar power system through a 20-year property tax assessment.

The PPAs provided for the four affordable housing developments will be provided by Real Goods Solar, a private solar installer. Residents of the four communities will pay for the electricity generated by the solar panels at lower rates than they pay for conventional electricity.

The solar panel systems "will produce low-cost power for decades to come," Real Goods Solar president John Schaeffer said.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/rec-solar-leads-solar-growth-in-us-1615032.html

About the Author

Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet's solar panel resources and solar energy page contains articles and tools to help with your solar project.