Investors want to make some money and investing in renewable energy projects is stepping it up in the right direction according to some of the world's leading venture capitalists. Large venture capital providers like Koshla Ventures, Klein Perkins, Angel Investors, Nth Power and John Doerr are putting their money where their mouth is. They are now backing clean technology development projects to the tune of billions of dollars, wrote business commentator Bryan Walsh in Time magazine recently. Brian Walsh spoke of development companies in solar energy, wind energy, biofuels and fuel cells as the recipients of some US$2.6B US venture capital in the first three quarters of 2007 and green venture capital investment is expected to rise to US$18B in the US in the next two years. “Inconvenient Truth” author Mr Al Gore, also a green capital investor, is credited with being a leading catalyst of change in arousing the appetite of previously hesitant traditional investors to invest in what is now something like a stampede to put serious money into good green energy projects and help to defeat global warming reported Time magazine.
GE Unveils World’s First Hybrid Locomotive and expands its Ecomagination program with new products, technologies and services. In May 2007 GE introduced 11 new Ecomagination products, services and projects including the world's first hybrid locomotive and the Ecomagination Homebuilder Program, a comprehensive package of energy efficient appliances, lighting, advanced building design and real-time energy management combined with a GE mortgage that rewards energy efficient reported Brad Kenney for the company. Launched in May 2005, Ecomagination is GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environment and financial needs and help GE grow. The new offerings bring GE's portfolio of energy efficient and environmentally advantageous products and services to 45, Mr Kenney said. The World's First Hybrid Locomotive Together with Union Pacific CEO Jim Young, GE unveiled it's Evolution Hybrid Locomotive to demonstrate the progress that GE's transportation business is making in developing a freight hybrid locomotive that is capable of re-cycling thermal energy as stored power in on-board batteries.
“We thought it was really important for us to reduce energy use and our carbon footprint”, said Mrs Joan Montagne, a home owner in Bozeman, Montana, USA. “We wanted to walk the talk”. Of course, the dramatically smaller electric bills don't hurt, she added. “I think we paid $12 for electricity in November after we got it all hooked up and it takes care of almost all of our electricity”, Mrs Montagne told The Chronicle newspaper staff writer, Dave Richardson. Mixing with The Grid The Montagne's system came courtesy of Joe Boniface owner of Independent Power Systems a Montana company with offices in Bozeman and Boulder, Colorado. Boniface has installed more than 100 residential solar electric systems in homes around the state, about 40 of them in Bozeman. “For solar power in Montana, especially in an urban situation, the solar panels should be situated on a roof preferably a south facing roof” Boniface said. “If a home doesn’t have an unobstructed south facing surface or east and west facing rooftops the home's solar setup will lose 20% or more of it's power production potential”, Boniface said. No Roof Space? “If no usable roof space is available, panels can be mounted on a pole near the house and there are other more creative options you can do with awnings and even trellises” Boniface said. Power generated by the solar panels is fed into an inverter which switches it from DC to AC and then it is ready to be used inside. Once the system is installed, its operation is seamless. If more power is needed than the solar array can provide to run, for example, the washing machine, the dishwasher and a 50" plasma screen TV at the same time, power is automatically drawn from grid. “You don’t even know the solar power is being fed to the house”, Boniface said. Net Metering One of the most tangible benefits of solar electricity is net metering. It is a simple but brilliant idea. Power from a home's solar electric system can either replace or mingle with power from the electricity grid. It also can flow the other way pumping excess electricity back into the grid and money back into the homeowner's wallet. In the old days, the dials on the meters that measured electricity would spin one way only towards a nice fat electricity bill. Not any more. “It’s really fun to watch that meter spinning backward” Mrs Montagne said “And you can see the difference on your bill every month. We put a lot of energy back into the grid”. Good Investment Nevertheless, solar power doesn't come cheap in large part because the technology is still evolving. The total cost of a system depends on how big it is and how much peak power it produces. Installation costs are estimated by multiplying the peak power in kilowatts by about US$8 to US$$9 per watt. So a 2KW system, enough to provide most of the power needed to run a 2,000 square foot home, costs roughly US$18,000. A solar heating system which uses solar collectors to trap heat from the sun, which in turn is used to heat water or provide space heating, can run anywhere from US$6,000 to US$10,000. New Designer Solar City Materials New solar building elements can be financially competitive with traditional building materials. Cities have intense energy use and using multi-functional building elements and developing local power supplies makes good sense. High profile public information boards, parking meters and 'phone boxes are logical places to site solar panels for traffic control systems, telecommunications infrastructure and street lighting. No Dug Up Roads With solar electricity you don't have to dig up roads for public connection to the grid infrastructure. The skin of most building elements, roof or facade can be clad with solar materials combined with traditional building materials to create interesting design features, natural light and functionality. Up To 25% Urban Solar Electricity Experts say 25% urban electricity requirements can be met by photovoltaics. Whether you have a flat roof, a roof sloping north or south, vertical or face east/west, a solar power system can be built for you. A renewable energy component should be built into all new building energy systems. Photovoltaic cells produce electricity direct from the sun in a benign environment. Using solar power prevents depletion of natural resources and can be produced almost anywhere on any scale. Modular European Architectural Designs There are many new architectural designs especially in Europe and versatile, modular, elements fit well into buildings. Solar energy creates employment opportunities and business opportunities whilst protecting the environment and solar energy is renewable. Attractive New Artistic Expressions Created Attractive new architectural designs and shapes and artistic expressions combining vertical/horizontal curtain walls and blind laminates are now being created by European designers. Solar power is virtually free of CO2, NOX and SOX and solar components can replace building components, recovering the energy used in the production of cells several times over. Buildings Become Mini Power Stations Presently there is a booming worldwide market for PV with the industry now increasing 30% p.a. according to experts. Grid connected systems in Europe are expected to accelerate to a 50% PV increase by 2010. In future, cities could become mini power stations with embedded generators in buildings. Architectural elements are being designed to meet mechanical strength and good building design offers many high value architectural solutions. Water tightness, silent operations, sound proofing, zero emissions, thermal insulation, shading and fire safety make new design solar building elements financially competitive in a wide range of applications. Note that 80% of Europeans live in urban areas and 42% of Europe’s energy is consumed in urban areas and urban areas account for 40% of all CO2 production.
Robert's Questions & Answers Q..What causes climate change?
A..Greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere. Q..Which activities contribute to climate change?
A..Using fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil, gas) or grid electricity, farming, deforestation, decomposing waste and industrial processes. Q..What is a bike bus?
A..A bike bus is a small group of people who ride to work together each day for sociability and safety. Bike buses depart at set times and follow a defined route like regular buses and riders can get on and off the bus anywhere they want.
10 Top Actions You Can Take to Save Energy & Reduce Your Carbon Footprint. - Switch off lights and appliances not being used.
- Change to energy efficient lighting.
- Save water.
- Insulate and seal.
- Adjust your thermostatic setting on heaters and coolers.
- Use efficient showerheads.
- The 2nd fridge goes.
- Bike, phone, email rather than drive.
- Minimise waste.
- Use solar power.
Use fuel efficient transportation and high energy efficient appliances. Install hot water solar/gas and standby power systems where possible to reduce your carbon footprint.
Your Save Energy Checklist
(Average energy consumption figures compiled by the Australian Government's Dept of the Environment) | Travel (Business & Recreational) | 23% | | Commuting | 11% | | Cooking | 3% | | Laundry | 2% | | Lights | 5% | | Waste | 5% | | Hot Water | 16% | | Heating/AC | 11% | | Fridge/Freezer | 9% | | Other Appliances | 15% | | Total | 100% |
Robert's Mission Statement Robert has now has now made it his life's mission to help bring clean non-polluting electricity to 2 billion people worldwide who do not have access to electric power.
Robert has added the Solar Power Catalog pages from his new website http://www.mrsolarpanel.com/2.html for you to look at. An enquiry page is also added for the convenience of newsletter readers have any solar electricity questions or solar power systems enquiries that you would like Robert to answer.
Solar Panels, Solar Power Systems, Products & Accessories Mr Solar Panel has searched manufacturers and suppliers worldwide and now brings you a range of high quality Solar Panels, Solar products and accessories. Solar Panels
 80 - 300 watt - Isofoton, Kyocera, Photowatt, Sanyo, Sharp, Mitsubishi, Trina, Alfa Sola, Day 4 For Main Power, Stand Alone and Grid Connect Solar Power Systems Price EUR300 - EUR800 Please complete the Enquiry Form on the Contact Page providing your requirements or details of your Project.
Smart Solar Panel Battery Charger  Heavy duty reliable weather tight inexpensive 8 watt 12 volt 640MA Monocrystaline Solar Panel. Fully adjustable locking arm with 2 axis locking ball joint built in diode to prevent battery discharge when no sun. Frame made of industrial grade plastic Suitable for outdoor or indoor 12 Volt battery charging, agricultural and industrial controllers, security systems, gate controls and small fans Size 12.25" x 8.5". 90 day manufacturer's Warranty.
Price US$111.00 with no Charge Controler and US$139.00 with built in Charge Controller. Scotty Universal Charger  A single module Pocket Sized Mobile Energy Station for charging AA batteries and mobile phone. Has 2 integrated batteries to keep your cell phone working when camping or out in the field
Price US$59.00 Go Professional Uni Charger Eye Catching Design Portable Charger for small battery powered devices to high performance modules for charging 2-4 AA or 1-2 Li-ion batteries. Paperback book size Operates appliances directly up to 4 watts or charges mobile phones, digital cameras, mp3 players and organisers. Plugs int ordinary electrical outlets 100V to 240V or 12 vV automotive outlets. Price US$269.00 Solar Bags  Ideal for bush walkers, campers, all outdoor activities. Ever had a flat battery in your mobile 'phone, Ipod or torch? Lightweight Solar Bags will keep your battery charged and hand held electronic devices working. Battery chargers in sun and light or plug in a mains power travel charger or car battery. Gives you up to 3 hours of Ipod music or 1.50 hours talk time on your cell 'phone. The battery even doubles as a hand held Torch. Features Charge Indicator and 3 voltage settings 3.5, 5.0, 7.2 Volts.
Price - Solar Voltaic Messenger Bag incl. lithium Ion Battery US$229.00 or Solar Votaic Backpack inc.lithium Ion Battery US$249.00 Power Inverters  For mains power stand alone and grid connect systems - Sunways, Kaco, Xantex, Smeg, SMA Sunny Boy
Price - from EUR500 depending on capacity required, make and model. Please complete the Enquiry Form on the Contact Page providing your requirements or details of your Project. Standalone Systems  Complete Standalone Systems include Mitsubishi Solar Panels, Tracker & Batteries.
2 Solar Panels Standalone System 0.26 kW EUR 2,612.70. 4 Solar Panels Standalone Sytems 0.52 kW EUR 4,705.80 - 8 Solar Panels Standalone System 1.04 kW EUR 8,269.91 Complete Photovoltaic Solar System Assembly Kits  Complete Assembly Kits including Solar Panels, SMA Sonny Boy Display, Mounting Frame & Accessories, wiring, sockets, connectors. Price Guide below:-
14 Photowatt Solar Panels x 165 Watt 24 Volt 2.31 kWp EUR11,627.00  18 Kyocera Solar Panels System 3.15 kWp EUR14,467.00
21 Sharp Solar Panels System 3.78 kWp EUR17,170.00 24 Day 4 Solar Panels System 4.20 kWp EUR18,257.00  35 Photowatt Solar Panels System 5.78 kWp EUR27,270.00
36 Kyocera Solar Panels System 6.30 kWp EUR28,097.00 50 Day 4 Solar Panels System 8.75 kWp EUR37,227.00  55 Kyocera Solar Panels System 9.63 kWp EUR 42,497.00
69 Kyocera Solar Panels System 12.07 kWp EUR 51,917.00 NOTE: Subject to availability & prices may be subject to change
MR SOLAR ENERGY ENQUIRY FORM Please provide as much information as possible about your project and Mr Solar Energy will tailor a package and a package price especially for you. Customer Enquiry: Name: .....................................................................................................................................................................
Company: ...................................................................................................................................................................... Phone: ................................................... Fax: ........................................... Email:................................................... Your Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................... Street: ............................................................................................................................................................ City: .................................................Post Code/Zip: ................. State:..........Country:............................... Project Address: ............................................................................................................................................................ Flat or Pitched Roof......................Roof Angle(degrees)..............Roof Area(M2)............Roof Length/Width.................... Roof Direction to Midday Sun: (North/South/East/West)etc., ........................................................................................... Enquiry:- ....................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................................................................................ Please add extra page if more space is required......... Would you like to add anything else: ................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................................................ Please Fax or email Your Enquiry to Mr Solar Panel:Fax: + 61 2 9660 3142 - or
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Robert F McMahon & Associates Pty Ltd., ACN 70107736176 Level 20, 68 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia. Phone: 612 9660 8142. Business Hours 9am to 5pm Eastern Australian Time.
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