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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1400 on: September 26, 2016, 07:51:12 PM »
Africa could reach over 70GW of solar PV by 2030 – IRENA
Quote
Experiencing some of the highest irradiation hours on the globe, Africa has potential to reach more than 70GW of solar PV capacity by 2030, a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has said.

The case for solar PV in Africa is becoming harder to ignore, as the technology has experienced recent substantial cost reductions, and the continent has some of the world’s highest irradiation hours; at up to 117% higher than in Germany, the country with the highest installed power capacity. As these factors become exploited, Africa is turning to solar to forge its sustainable energy future to provide utility-scale electricity to the approximate 600 million residents who still lack access to power, said the report.

According to the report, installed costs for utility-scale PV projects have decreased 61% since 2012 to as low as US$1.30 per watt in Africa, compared to the global average of US$1.80 per watt.
http://www.pv-tech.org/news/africa-could-reach-over-70gw-of-solar-pv-by-2030-irena
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Hefaistos

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1401 on: September 29, 2016, 01:10:00 PM »
Google solar project wins UN climate solutions award
"Project Sunroof, an initiative led by Google, has been announced as one of 13 winners of the United Nations 'Momentum for Change' climate change award, by enabling tens of millions of Americans to evaluate the solar potential of their home with just the click of a button, showing them both monetary savings and environmental impact....
The results show the potential solar customer how much power they could produce and how much that would save them on their energy bills. And to fully support the industry, it can even connect the potential customers with solar installers in the area."

This shows the strength of IT to transform the industry of electricity generation, where consumers become prosumers.

Check it out, if you're in USA: https://www.google.com/get/sunroof#p=0

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/google-solar-project-wins-un-climate-solutions-award_100026294/#axzz4LYg2yDlK

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1402 on: October 01, 2016, 09:04:11 PM »
Australia:  'It seems Tony Abbott's back': Premier rounds on Malcolm Turnbull over renewable energy
Quote
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has slammed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for promulgating "ignorant rubbish" in the South Australian energy debate, as Labor states and territories rejected the PM's pitch for a standardised renewable energy target.

Mr Turnbull, once known as the Coalition's strongest advocate for redressing climate change, used Wednesday evening's statewide blackout to condemn "extremely aggressive, extremely unrealistic" renewable energy targets set by Labor state governments.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/it-seems-tony-abbotts-back-premier-rounds-on-malcolm-turnbull-over-renewable-energy-20160929-grrw5y.html
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1403 on: October 06, 2016, 07:09:02 PM »
Australia's first local government solar farm reaches milestone
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It will be Australia's first large-scale solar farm run by a local government.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the $50 million project will save ratepayers more than $22 million after costs over next 30 years.

"The energy produced here, the 15 megawatts, will be an offset for all of council's energy use within the Sunshine Coast council area," Cr Jamieson said.
...
With 57,000 panels to be installed across 24 hectares of a 49-hectare site, it will be Queensland's largest solar farm and the fifth largest in Australia.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-05/sunshine-coast-solar-farm-first-panel/7905142


All this talk of hectares ;)  makes we want to revisit this article:

Here's how much of the world would need to be covered in solar panels to power Earth
Quote
If solar is 20% efficient (as it has been in lab tests) at turning solar energy into power, we'd only need to cover a land area about the size of Spain to power the entire Earth renewably in 2030.
...
... 496,805 square kilometers of solar panels (191,817 square miles)
http://www.techinsider.io/map-shows-solar-panels-to-power-the-earth-2015-9
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P-maker

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1404 on: October 07, 2016, 01:22:05 PM »
More good news from Australia:

http://www.aalborgcsp.com/news-events/newstitle/news/aalborg-csps-tomato-growing-csp-plant-goes-online-in-the-australian-desert/

How to grow tomatoes in the desert using modern technology. New fulley commercial site opened yesterday.

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1405 on: October 08, 2016, 07:39:01 PM »
The UK’s solar panels generated more electricity than coal across the past six months combined, Carbon Brief analysis shows, rounding off a historic half-year of firsts.
Quote
The UK’s solar panels generated more electricity than coal across the past six months combined, Carbon Brief analysis shows, rounding off a historic half-year of firsts.

Saturday 9 April 2016 was the first-ever day where more electricity was generated in the UK by solar than by coal. May 2016 was the first-ever month. The three months from June through to September was the first-ever quarter. And now the six months to September is the first half year.

These firsts reflect the changing face of UK electricity supplies, with solar capacity having nearly doubled during 2015. They also reflect historic lows for coal-fired generation, driven by changes in wholesale energy markets and the carbon price floor. ...
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-solar-beats-coal-over-half-year
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1406 on: October 14, 2016, 09:50:58 PM »
SolarReserve wants to build huge solar array in Nevada desert, and build transmission lines, to power about a million homes, probably in California.
Quote
The new project could cost $5 billion and would be larger by far than any existing solar facility in the world, Smith told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. It would produce between 1,500 and 2,000 megawatts of electricity, comparable to a nuclear power plant or Hoover Dam.
http://www.macon.com/news/business/article107713412.html
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1407 on: October 15, 2016, 10:20:25 PM »
The U.S. government just made its biggest clean energy purchase ever
Quote
On Friday in Maricopa County, Ariz., the U.S. government will hit a clean energy milestone: What officials are calling the largest procurement ever of renewable energy by the federal government, in this case from a desert solar array.

The new 150-megawatt, or million-watt, Mesquite 3 solar array is located in Arizona, but the electricity it generates will be sent to California’s electric grid and will power roughly one-third of the electricity needs of 14 naval installations in the state, including San Diego’s naval base and the Marines’ Twentynine Palms and Camp Pendleton.

“Today we’re going to throw a switch and start getting those electrons flowing to our 14 bases,” said Dennis McGinn, the assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment, who spoke from Arizona where he was on site for the opening ceremony for the plant.

“It’s going to be reliable, it’s going to be cheaper than what we’re paying for brown power, and it just diversifies our energy sources for these bases,” McGinn continued.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/10/14/the-u-s-government-just-made-its-biggest-clean-energy-purchase-ever-it-was-for-the-navy/
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timallard

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1408 on: October 16, 2016, 12:00:21 AM »
The progress in storage is great, yet architecture is missing the thermal boat, my first passive-solar was 1980 that home has yet to have a heating bill, for existing homes you use active-solar, collectors & storage that plug into standard ductwork to store HVAC needs and get that off the grid.

We must exit the Steam Age for electrons, most grid power is for thermal end-uses 80%, not electricity 20%, so to switch will only take 5-years moving to solar-HVAC, maybe 2-months if it was a war but don't tell.

"1st Grid-Scale Tesla Powerpacks In Europe Installed By UK-Based Camborne Energy Storage"; http://cleantechnica.com/2016/09/22/1st-grid-scale-tesla-powerpacks-europe-installed-uk-based-camborne-energy-storage/

"SoCal utility will buy 80MWh of battery storage from Tesla after methane leak"; http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/09/socal-utility-will-buy-80mwh-of-battery-storage-from-tesla-after-methane-leak/
-tom

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1409 on: October 17, 2016, 08:08:39 PM »
The Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project

"Construction of wind turbines at the Pen-y-Cymoedd wind farm in South Wales. The wind farm will be the largest onshore wind farm in the UK. It is located within a mile of the Rhondda Valley which was once the world's most productive coal mining area."
The Facebook page has some interesting photos and timelapse construction videos:
https://www.facebook.com/energyandnotion/videos/1730020450596784/

More:  http://penycymoedd.vattenfall.co.uk/about-the-project/

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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1410 on: October 19, 2016, 09:44:05 PM »
Calculated attempt to deceive Florida voters about solar vote uncovered by Miami Herald

Insider reveals deceptive strategy behind Florida’s solar amendment
Quote
TALLAHASSEE
The policy director of a think tank hired by Florida’s largest electric utilities admitted at a conference this month what opponents have claimed for months: The industry attempted to deceive voters into supporting restrictions on the expansion of solar by shrouding Amendment 1 as a pro-solar amendment.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article109017387.html
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1411 on: October 20, 2016, 08:29:14 PM »
Target passes Walmart as top US corporate installer of solar power, Ikea lights 90%+ of stores
Quote
Target is the top corporate installer of solar power in the USA with 147MW installed on 300 stores. Walmart is close behind with 140MW, while Ikea has installed solar on 90% of its retail locations. The Solar Energy Institute of America (SEIA) report shows over 1,000MW of solar installed in almost 2,000 unique installations by the largest corporate entities in the country. Additionally these groups have more than doubled their installation volume year on year, with 2015 seeing a total of 130MW, while 2016 is projected to be closer to 280MW.
https://electrek.co/2016/10/20/target-passwes-walmart-as-top-us-corporate-installer-of-solar-power-ikea-lights-90-of-stores/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1412 on: October 20, 2016, 08:59:03 PM »
Baltimore County (Maryland) puts temporary halt to large solar fields on farms
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The Baltimore County Council voted unanimously Monday to halt large-scale solar power projects on farmland for four months while the county considers rules for them.

Councilman Wade Kach pushed the measure in response to a growing interest among farmers in leasing their fields to energy companies seeking to install solar panel arrays.
...
Solar power companies, lured by a state policy that encourages renewable electricity generation and riding a larger industry boom, are increasingly leasing land from farmers for solar fields. Other Maryland jurisdictions have considered rules, though the state's Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, has authority to override local regulations in cases involving large-scale power generation projects.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-county-council-solar-20161017-story.html
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1413 on: October 21, 2016, 09:49:59 PM »
Amazon chooses West Texas for mammoth wind farm to power cloud
Quote
Amazon.com said Thursday it plans to build a mammoth wind farm in West Texas — its biggest to date — as it endeavors to make its cloud business more environmentally friendly.

The farm, in the heart of Texas' wind country between Abilene and Lubbock, will yield a million megawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power 90,000 households. With more than 100 turbines, it represents a more than 60 percent jump in the generation capacity of the renewable energy projects announced by Amazon so far.
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/energy/2016/09/15/amazon-sets-sights-west-texas-mammoth-wind-farm-power-cloud
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AbruptSLR

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1414 on: October 21, 2016, 11:35:49 PM »
The linked article addresses the energy reality associated with any possible large-scale implementation of the recently identified carbon dioxide to ethanol technology; which indicates that this technology will not be a sustainable energy miracle:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2016/10/21/addressing-another-energy-miracle-ethanol-from-carbon-dioxide/#670d7a7f1db2
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1415 on: October 23, 2016, 12:45:30 AM »
Two Charts That Show How Renewable Energy Has Blown Away Expectations
Quote
The International Energy Agency, which was established as a watchdog of the industry in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, will “significantly” raise its estimates for renewables when it publishes its annual mid-term market report for the industry at the end of this month, a spokesman for Paris-based organization said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-15/iea-to-lift-solar-wind-outlook-after-decade-of-underestimates
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1416 on: October 23, 2016, 05:20:29 PM »
Wind farms today can bid a price near zero for their electricity, and make a profit from the higher prices they receive in a spot market which includes more expensive fossil fuel energy.  But it seems that as renewables ramp up and the grid cuts back fossil fuel use, wind power will need to increase its price in order to cover fixed costs.

Are wind farms messing up the electricity market?
Quote
While Australia’s energy market operator continues its investigation into South Australia’s recent state-wide blackout, there are important questions being asked.

For instance, was extreme weather the only cause? Has South Australia replaced fossil fuels with renewables too quickly?

And is the Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) too ambitious all together?
https://theconversation.com/are-wind-farms-messing-up-the-electricity-market-67244
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1417 on: October 25, 2016, 05:08:54 PM »
Climate Nexus:  Renewables overtake coal as world’s largest source of power capacity
https://twitter.com/climatenexus/status/790878850288848897
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Hefaistos

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1418 on: October 27, 2016, 04:25:58 AM »
Really good news about improvements in solar cell technology:
"Researchers have created a new type of solar cell that replaces silicon with a crystal called perovskite. This design converts sunlight to electricity at efficiencies similar to current technology but at much lower cost."

http://news.stanford.edu/2016/10/20/perovskite-solar-cell-design-shows-promise/

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1419 on: October 27, 2016, 01:41:36 PM »
Here we go again....

Trump, yesterday: "Windpower kills all the birds."
https://twitter.com/billmckibben/status/791301394884067328


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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1420 on: October 27, 2016, 01:49:03 PM »
Minnesota Dedicates Largest Solar Farm In Midwest, Shutters Two Coal Plants
Quote
This week, the North Star solar farm north of Minneapolis – St. Paul began producing electrical power for the first time. North Star is the largest solar farm in the midwest and will supply enough electricity to power 20,000 homes. The 15,000 solar panel installation took about 6 months to construct after all the necessary permits were obtained from local land owners.
...
... putting solar panels on land that is no longer suitable for corn and soybean production makes a lot of sense. “There’s no money in farming,” he said, “not around here, anyway.” While the solar installation is replacing corn and soybean fields, there is still room around the panels for native prairie plants that attract bees and other pollinators.
...
In other energy news in Minnesota, Minnesota Power also announced last week that it will shut down two of its coal fired generating plants — Boswell Units 1 and 2 in Cohasset. The plants were first built in the 1960’s but have become uneconomical to operate. The utility says it will shut down both facilities by the end of 2018 as part of its move away from coal power and toward more natural gas and renewable energy.
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/10/26/minnesota-dedicates-largest-solar-farm-midwest-shutters-two-coal-plants/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1421 on: October 29, 2016, 07:50:26 PM »
Tesla announced its new solar roof product; and bigger Powerwall 2.0, with 14kWh and an integrated inverter for $5,500 US.

TESLA UNVEILS ITS NEW LINE OF CAMOUFLAGED SOLAR PANELS
https://www.wired.com/2016/10/tesla-unveils-new-line-camouflaged-solar-panels/

Tesla unveils integrated ‘solar roof and Powerwall 2’ energy solutions: more energy & more solar options
https://electrek.co/2016/10/28/tesla-solar-roof-powerwall-energy-solution/

The Tesla website info is here:  https://www.tesla.com/energy
Click on "Learn More" under Solar Roof for a video of the presentation.

"Just like with electric cars — where they didn't look good; they had low range and low performance; they were like a golf cart," Musk said. "We need to make solar as appealing as electric cars."



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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1422 on: October 29, 2016, 08:00:12 PM »
Musk tweeted other specifics about the solar roofs:

Elon Musk:  Should mention that the Tesla solar roof is robust against any weather, incl heavy hail. Also, higher insulating value than a standard roof. 

Solar glass tiles can also incorporate heating elements, like rear defroster on a car, to clear roof of snow and keep generating energy
Jon Cahill: won’t it be energy intensive to melt the snow? Would it be net positive?
Musk:  strongly net positive

Vicentes: @elonmusk can one walk on roof like regular asphalt shingles ?
Musk:  yes

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/792213393943826432

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oren

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1423 on: October 29, 2016, 11:23:42 PM »
I must say, leaving AGW aside, this is a great product (though pricing is unknown at this point). Pretty solar roof tiles to cover your whole roof, plus large battery, could do away with a lot of your electricity bill and power outages without sacrificing aesthetics. And save you nice money in the long run.
I'm afraid this will not be implemented fast enough to make a meaningful dent in the global carbon charts, but it does look like a tipping point of sorts on the personal level.

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1424 on: October 30, 2016, 12:08:35 AM »
I'm really interested to hear how they manage the very uneven light exposure of the PV cells given most roofs have surfaces facing several orientations. Also the issue of partial shading.

In general PV cells are connected in long strings in series then to the inverter. The total production is limited to the cell in the string with the lowest light level. This is definitely the case for single PV panels (I've tested it on my roof) and also the reason why many roof top PV systems require a micro-inverter for each panel.

With the one inverter inside the Powerwall 2 I wonder how they'll manage. Just connecting all those cells in each glass pane seems a daunting task.

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1425 on: October 30, 2016, 02:07:31 PM »
When I first saw this http://www.solexenergy.co.uk/ type of roof I wondered how long till someone would do a pv version.

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1426 on: October 30, 2016, 09:17:51 PM »
How the electricity utilities “use a little bit of political jiu-jitsu” to steal the sun from customers
Quote
US electrical utilities are feeling pressure from distributed solar power and are proving that they will go to all ends to protect their monopoly positions. In Florida, the utilities are spending tens of millions of dollars to manipulate the electorate into voting for an amendment that limits solar power’s growth. In the last five years alone, the largest 25 utilities have spent more than $400 million on lobbying federal and state elections. This effort to control the political machine is worth trillions annually.
https://electrek.co/2016/10/30/how-the-electricity-utilities-use-a-little-bit-of-political-jiu-jitsu-to-steal-the-sun/
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Tor Bejnar

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1427 on: October 30, 2016, 11:05:10 PM »
Further to what Sigmetnow posted, if in Florida, vote "No" on Amendment #1 ("No one") if you support actual expansion of the use of solar power in Florida.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1428 on: October 31, 2016, 06:03:47 PM »
It’ll take 100 Tesla Gigafactories to transition the world to sustainable energy, says Musk
Quote
Musk tells his A-list guest that the Gigafactory is designed to do more than just manufacture batteries. It is intended to serve as a template for how others could contribute to converting the entire world to clean, renewable solar power. Not only is the factory making batteries to store solar energy for use later, it is designed to be a net zero and zero emissions operation. “The thing that’s really going to make a difference is if companies that are much bigger than Tesla do the same thing. If the big industrial companies in China and the U.S. and Europe, the big car companies, if they also do this,  then collectively we an accelerate the transition to sustainable energy.”

One aspect of electrical storage that Musk finds especially appealing, is the ability to bring electrical power to places that have no access to an established energy grid. He envisions villages in the developing world that are not yet connected to the grid being able to jump straight to a solar and battery system. “Batteries are critical to a sustainable energy future”, says Musk. “The advantage of solar and a batteries is that you can avoid building electricity plants at all, so you can be a remote village and have solar panels that charge a batter pack that supplies power to the whole village, without ever having to run thousands of miles of high voltage cables all over the place.”
http://www.teslarati.com/100-tesla-gigafactories-world-sustainable-energy/

Leonardo DiCaprio’s "Before the Flood" documentary is embedded at the link.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1429 on: November 01, 2016, 01:55:39 PM »
The first episode of Years of Living Dangerously examines India's struggle to electrify the country with "local renewables" versus coal, and notes that other countries win as well when they invest in the country.  Also, the U.S. solar debacle in Nevada and Florida, where energy companies stun environmentalists with their actions to suppress clean energy.

Airing on the National Geographic Channel.
http://yearsoflivingdangerously.com
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1430 on: November 03, 2016, 01:45:41 AM »
More on the Florida amendment:

Florida Ballot Measure Could Halt Rooftop Solar, but Do Voters Know That?
Quote
Floridians will vote on a constitutional amendment that is couched in pro-solar power language but would actually give utilities, which are funding the ballot measure, more power to block rooftop solar development in the Sunshine State.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20102016/florida-solar-ballot-measure-halt-clean-energy-utilities-amendment-1
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1431 on: November 03, 2016, 08:28:59 PM »
Tom Randall:  Tesla's Powerwall 2 batteries could have a huge retrofit market if states like Arizona gut net metering for solar
https://twitter.com/tsrandall/status/794199950892613632

Fred Lambert: ... You can bet lots of people calculating ROI in AZ, NV, FL and other states right now. Gonna be harder for utilities to stop progress
https://twitter.com/fredericlambert/status/794200641812000768

Millions in Cash Burned on One War Over Rooftop Solar Panels
   Arizona board elections may tip 24-state solar payment debate
   Three-year local battle has spurred state fines, U.S. probe
Quote
There’s a war brewing over the future of rooftop solar, and Arizona is at ground zero.

Pinnacle West Capital Corp., which owns the state’s largest utility, last week said it has formed a third-party group to support candidates for an elected state board that regulates their industry. The move promises to inject $1 million into a race in which SolarCity Corp., a rooftop solar provider, is already planning to spend $2 million though a nonprofit it supports, according to officials from the two groups.

It’s the latest twist in a three-year political battle that’s been punctuated by charges of undue influence, an ongoing probe by the U.S. Attorney’s office and $300,000 in threatened state fines. At stake: A board ruling on a request to raise fees and drastically cut how much homeowners are paid for the solar energy they generate. It’s a decision, foes say, with the potential to hamstring a growing renewables industry.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-02/solar-wars-draw-millions-in-cash-in-threat-to-rooftop-industry
« Last Edit: November 03, 2016, 08:37:07 PM by Sigmetnow »
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ghoti

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1432 on: November 04, 2016, 02:32:07 AM »
Meanwhile in Australia here's a suggestion that Solar PV plus Tesla Powerwall 2 would provide electricity for less than buying all your power from the grid:

http://reneweconomy.com.au/teslas-price-shock-solar-battery-as-cheap-as-grid-power-22265/

sidd

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1433 on: November 04, 2016, 04:24:18 AM »
Retrofit market already exists in colorado and other recidivist states gutting solar electric sales to grid. But there is another aspect here, the price reduction on Tesla powerwall severely hurts competition such as Sonnenbatterie and others.

Battery price wars have begun, retracing solar panel prices. Utility death spiral continues, to such an extent that AEP wants to be reregulated in Ohio.

Bring it on.

sidd

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1434 on: November 04, 2016, 08:49:44 PM »
“Like a factory manufacturing large power plants at a rate of 2 or 3 per year.”

SolarCity’s solar Gigafactory will produce up to 10 GW/year under Tesla, says Elon Musk
Quote
While discussing potential improvements in manufacturing efficiency with Tesla investor Ron Baron at his conference in New York today, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that under Tesla and with the new partnership with Panasonic, SolarCity’s “solar Gigafactory” in Buffalo... could produce up to 10 GW/year of solar products – up from the previous 1 GW/year of planned production.

Musk said that Tesla would apply its preferred approach to manufacturing based on physics first principles. He also explained that the combination of Panasonic’s high-efficiency cells with SolarCity’s inexpensive manufacturing for a similar but slightly less efficient solar cell could yield more output.

Of course, Tesla also recently revealed its solar roof products, which he said will also be produced at the plant alongside regular high-efficiency solar modules, and will contribute to the order of magnitude increase in the factory’s output.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/04/solarcity-solar-gigafactory-produce-10-gw-tesla-elon-musk/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1435 on: November 04, 2016, 09:12:07 PM »
Tesla is uncovering a potential oil industry scheme behind propaganda against the electric automaker
Quote
Tesla’s lawsuit against an oil executive trying to impersonate CEO Elon Musk to get material information about the company and now a subsequent countersuit are starting to uncover what appears to be a plot by the oil industry against Tesla.

As we reported yesterday, the oil executive that Tesla claims is behind the impersonation attempt, Todd Katz, is not denying the attempt, but he is still asking the court to dismiss the suit against him on the basis that the impersonation was not “credible” enough to merit the lawsuit.

Katz, who lost his job at oil industry service firm Quest Integrity after Tesla filed its lawsuit, has now filed of a countersuit against Tesla asking for $1 million for lost earnings.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/04/tesla-oil-industry-scheme-behind-propaganda-against-electric-automaker/
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sesyf

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1436 on: November 05, 2016, 09:29:47 PM »
Finnish Technical university in Lappeenranta has developed a global model on how the renewable energy could be distributed...


Quote
Simulation brings global 100% renewable electricity system alive for the first time

A new model developed by Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) shows how an electricity system mainly based on solar and wind works in all regions of the world. It shows the functioning of an electricity system that fulfils the targets set by the Paris agreement by using only renewable energy sources.

The global Internet of Energy Model visualizes a 100 percent renewable energy system (100%RE) for the electricity sector for 2030. It can do this for the entire world which, in the model, has been structured into 145 regions, which are all visualised, and aggregated to 9 major world regions.

"With the simulation, anyone can explore what a renewable electricity system would look like. This is the first time scientists have been able to do this on a global scale." says Christian Breyer, LUT Solar Economy Professor and a leading scientist behind the model.

http://www.lut.fi/web/en/news/-/asset_publisher/lGh4SAywhcPu/content/simulation-brings-global-100-renewable-electricity-system-alive-for-the-first-time

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1437 on: November 06, 2016, 02:32:56 PM »
The Northeast U.S. Sees Trend Toward Clean Energy
Quote
New York and New England, in particular, have undergone huge changes in the last ten years, according to the M.J. Bradley report. Between 2005 and 2015, coal-fired generation declined more than 80 percent in New England and New York, and more coal plants are scheduled to close.

Meanwhile, solar power in New York State has grown 750 percent in the past five years, according to Richard Kauffman, chairman of energy and finance for New York State and a former senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy.
https://nexusmedianews.com/forget-california-the-northeast-is-emerging-as-a-clean-energy-leader-fc7ddd09a22b
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1438 on: November 08, 2016, 03:41:35 PM »
U.S.:  A Solar Farm Rises From the Ashes of a Coal-Burning Power Plant
Quote
The Mount Tom Power Station in Holyoke, Massachusetts—known as one of the worst polluters in New England—is on its way to a renewable rebirth.

The plant’s owners broke ground on a 5.76-megawatt solar farm in October on the site of the defunct coal-burning power station.

Activists had called for the closure of the plant for years, worried about the health effects burning coal was having on surrounding communities.

“This victory came after more than five decades spent inhaling soot and struggling to breathe and more than five years of organizing to retire and repurpose Mount Tom coal plant,” Claire Miller, lead community organizer for the Toxics Action Center, said in a statement.

More than 17,000 solar panels will be installed on the site, providing power to more than 1,000 homes.
...
“One of the advantages of a coal-fired power plant site is that it is already connected to the energy grid, so looking into whether a coal site can be used for renewable energy is something I hope every community looks to first,” said Miller.
http://www.takepart.com/article/2016/11/06/solar-farm-rises-ashes-coal-burning-power-plant
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Hefaistos

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1439 on: November 10, 2016, 10:24:35 AM »
Really good news about improvements in solar cell technology:
"Researchers have created a new type of solar cell that replaces silicon with a crystal called perovskite. This design converts sunlight to electricity at efficiencies similar to current technology but at much lower cost."

http://news.stanford.edu/2016/10/20/perovskite-solar-cell-design-shows-promise/

Another break-through in solar cell, breaking the 30% efficiency barrier:
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have confirmed today the successful creation of a silicon-based multi-junction solar cell that has achieved a record 30.2% efficiency.
The developments for thin-film perovskite cells might be more important for the development of solar, because it's  a low-cost technique compared to silicon pv cells.

http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/fraunhofer-ise-achieves-302-efficiency-for-silicon-multi-junction-solar-cell_100026850/#ixzz4Pb1R6JSN

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1440 on: November 13, 2016, 01:49:29 AM »
Trump insider: New administration won't attack renewable energy
Quote
Energy is not one of the top five agenda items” on Trump’s to-do list when he takes office in January, according to a major Trump financial contributor who said he is a member of the transition team and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The top issues on that agenda are tax reform, immigration, reforming health care (Obamacare), infrastructure, and trade.

“Everything with renewables continues; the credits will remain in place,” he said.
...
Trump’s emphasis on infrastructure, while most likely focused on public works such as roads and bridges, could also extend to transmission lines, especially in the western parts of the nation where many power lines are under more direct federal control.
http://www.utilitydive.com/news/trump-energy-policy/430205/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1441 on: November 13, 2016, 02:18:52 AM »
Remember Copenhagen?

Michael Liebreich:  Here is the letter in the @nytimes that @realDonaldTrump wrote to @POTUS, demanding #climate action and praising clean energy technologies:
https://twitter.com/mliebreich/status/797451461621858304
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1442 on: November 13, 2016, 07:42:33 PM »
Just a reminder.   :)

Tesla Gigafactory Will Indeed Be 100% Renewable Powered
http://evobsession.com/tesla-gigafactory-will-indeed-be-100-renewable-powered/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1443 on: November 16, 2016, 04:41:37 PM »
Tesla obtains permits for over $60 million in construction projects at the Gigafactory over the last month
Quote
Tesla also obtained a permit for a $6.9 million thermal energy storage tank, which would explain the massive hole it dug into the mountain next to the factory two months ago:
https://electrek.co/2016/11/16/tesla-gigafactory-permits-over-60-million-construction-project/

(Early guesses had been that the hole was the entrance to Elon's secret lair.  ;D )
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Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1444 on: November 16, 2016, 04:43:30 PM »
Tesla is acquiring part of an interesting startup trying to light up Africa through its SolarCity acquisition
Quote
Rive commented on the company during the latest round of investment:

“Off Grid is expert at offering Africans what they want: clean, affordable electricity that can allow them to grow businesses, improve educational opportunity and enrich their quality of life. Many people in African currently depend on inadequate kerosene lamps for power, and Off Grid knows how to give that market more light at less cost.”

Off Grid Electric deploys solar panels (generally small 25-watt modules) to households not connected to the grid, which is very common in rural Africa, and they link it to a 60 watt-hour battery to power lights and small electronics, like cell phones and radios. It replaces kerosene lights which can be a health and safety hazard.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/16/tesla-startup-light-up-africa-solarcity-off-grid-electric/
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sidd

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1445 on: November 16, 2016, 09:41:40 PM »
Re: Tesla thermal storage

I was wondering which way Tesla was going to junm, althought i still wonder if he is going to use for process heat. I guess this is part of the answer. Still to be answered is how he makes heat. PV heat is now competitive with passive (nonconcentrating) solar heat collection, but it seems a waste.

ghoti

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1446 on: November 16, 2016, 10:56:09 PM »
They don't use natural gas for heating and I'm pretty sure I read they are using heat pump tech instead of straight resistance heating. A large part of the year they need to air condition that huge factory. If you store the heat removed via air conditioning with a large thermal storage system you can then make the heat pump heating much more energy efficient.

This kind of thermal storage/recapture is beginning to be used in passive house residences. I'd love to think it could be similar at the gigafactory.

Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1447 on: November 18, 2016, 04:06:21 PM »
Aftereffect of anti-solar amendment attempt in Florida:  more interest in solar!

Solar panels become more popular in Florida
Quote
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Florida voters last week shot down Amendment 1, which dealt with controlling solar power and was largely funded by utility companies. While the amendment failed, it has raised awareness for solar in the state.

Channel 9’s Jamie Holmes found out there’s more awareness and cheaper prices are encouraging more people to turn to the sun.

Last August, Michael Cohen was paying a $100 a month for electric. He’s now went solar and basically paying zero.

"I'm making $100-$140 a month,” said Cohen. "It's like printing money on your roof.”
http://www.wftv.com/news/local/solar-panels-become-more-popular-in-florida/468162788
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ghoti

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1448 on: November 18, 2016, 04:56:48 PM »
Ecotricity is once again leading the way to renewables in the UK. Check out their latest: Making green gas to feed the national gas grid.



Sigmetnow

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Re: Renewable Energy
« Reply #1449 on: November 22, 2016, 04:38:34 PM »
Tesla converted an entire island to solar with new microgrid product developed by SolarCity
Quote
The island of Ta’u in American Samoa has been using diesel generators and burning over 100,000 gallons of fuel per year in order to supply its nearly 600 residents with electricity. That’s no longer the case and the island is now virtually energy independent thanks to a new solar and battery installation by Tesla and SolarCity, which is now officially part of Tesla since the merger closed yesterday.

The company deployed a 1.4-megawatt solar array and a 6-megawatt hour energy storage system with 60 Tesla Powerpacks. The system is what is called a microgrid and it’s now the island’s main source of energy.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/22/tesla-island-microgrid-battery-solar/
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