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This archive is a compilation of articles published in our eMagazine since inception. The articles are organized by "Subject". Many thanks to those who have contributed to this archive and continue to help it grow by submitting their thoughts and expertise to the magazine.
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| Article Title | Author | Company | eMag Issue | Article Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Making the Switch: From Fixed to Solar Tracker | Rich Nicol | AllEarth Renewables | Apr 2013 |
I compared the cost per watt to install a standard pole mount, such as a DPW, and found it cost the same as putting up a standard tracker. And of course by tracking you get the additional power. |
| Case Study – Home Solar Panel Installation Leads to 115% Savings! | Contributed by | Solar Energy USA | Apr 2013 |
The photovoltaic home solar panel array was installed in October of 2011. The system was designed to offset approximately 77% of the annual home power bill with an average savings of around $200 dollars per month over the 40 year expected life of the system. |
| Providing Clean Energy for Lighting Using Central Solar Charging Station | Ogbemudia Osamuyi Godfrey | The Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC) | Dec 2012 |
In Uniaro Community before the implementation of this project, the community people are used to the traditional energy sources like paraffin lamps , candles and kerosene lanterns for lighting at night. This situation exposed them to various respiratory disease associated with the burning of hydrocarbon based fuel to generate heat and light energy. This is contributed to global warming by the release of CO2 into the atmosphere there having negative effect on the environment. |
| New 5-MW Solar Project is Mexico's Largest PV Installation | Bill Elwell | SPG Solar | Dec 2012 |
Iberdrola Ingenieria & Construcción Mexico S.A. de C.V. chose SPG Solar’s All-Weather SunSeeker tracker for the largest PV solar installation in Mexico, slated to go into production by year end. |
| Case Study - Solar LED Lighting | Contributed by | ProQuip International | Dec 2012 |
We wanted people to enter the site and view the solar street lights as they come in and leave the facility as a statement to the public of the state of the art technology that was used throughout the facility. The LED component was chosen for the maintenance free and long life qualities of the technology. |
| The Jamieson Laboratories Rooftop Solar Project | Andy Holwell | Jamieson Laboratories. | Oct 2012 |
The rooftop installation consists of 2,200 panels producing approximately 650KW annually. The funds received are credited to the Jamieson utilities account and are offsetting almost 20% of the electricity bill. |
| SECUSOL Caught the Island Fever: Solar Hot Water by Wagner Solar on Star Island | Stefan Thiesen | Wagner & Co Solartechnik GmbH | Oct 2012 |
The exceptional operational safety and ease of use are important criteria for the installation on Star Island, because technical support here usually is not available at short notice. |
| Real World PV Solar System - Part 2 | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag | Oct 2012 |
AltEnergyMag had a residential PV system installed and is monitoring the process as well as the performance. This is part 2 of a series of articles we will publish along the way in order to demonstrate and explain a real world project for our readers to follow and learn from. |
| Off-Grid - Spice Village Resort, India - Case Study | Trojan Battery Company | Oct 2012 |
TeamSustain designed a 65kW battery-based PV system for Spice Village. The system was designed to support the full load of the resort after implementing the energy efficiency measures identified in the energy audit. With the new PV system, the resort will generate enough solar electricity to meet 100% of its power needs. | |
| The National Solar Tour, Oct 6 | Contributed by | American Solar Energy Society (ASES) | Aug 2012 |
The ASES National Solar Tour is the world’s largest grassroots solar event. More than 160,000 participants will visit some 5,500 buildings in 3,200 communities across the U.S. |
| Solar Shade Ideas - Pergola | Mark Dickson | Oasis Montana Inc. | Aug 2012 |
This system looks great and makes the perfect shade spot for their patio barbecue (this is a system in the 2KW range). |
| Real World PV Solar System Installation - Part 1 | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag.com | Aug 2012 |
AltEnergyMag is having a residential PV system installed and monitoring the process. This is part 1 of a series of articles we will publish along the way in order to demonstrate and explain a real world project for our readers to follow and learn from. |
| Winning the battle of energy savings | JoAnne Castagna, Ed.D. | New York District, US Army Corps of Engineers | Apr 2012 |
Two years ago, the New Jersey Army National Guard asked the Army Corps if it could construct a solar power project so they could save energy and money as they had done for them on previous solar power projects. |
| Case Study: William G. Mennen Sports Arena | Contributed by | Tioga Energy | Apr 2012 |
Tioga helped facilitate a first-of-its kind financing program (“the Morris Model”) in which taxable bonds were issued to finance the solar program |
| Case Study - Dickson Medical Center | Jim Lindsey | Solar Plexus LLC | Apr 2012 |
We utilized a rural grant of 25% of the total cost and took advantage of TVA'S Generation Solar Partners Program. |
| Case Study - Schumacher Auto Group of Palm Beach | Sean Cochrane | SuperGreen Solutions | Feb 2012 |
From our research… we cant find a bigger PV solar System (135KW or 576 of PV solar Panels) that has been supplied and installed on an AUTO dealer in Florida or the East Coast of the USA for that matter. |
| Case Study - Northwest Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee | Ryan Bradt | Northwest Washington Electrical Industry Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee | Feb 2012 |
The project was designed in-house by myself and engineering and structural fabrication was completed by Crystalite of Everett, WA. Installation was done by staff here at the training center – all electricians. |
| Solar Technology Comparison Study Wastewater Engineering Building – LEED Gold Certified |
Third Sun Solar | Dec 2011 |
Both thin film and crystalline solar technologies provide reliable and impressive energy production performance. While it is well known that amorphous silicon modules suffer lower performance loss in high temperatures and low light conditions, this study reveals that the differing mounting requirements of each system more than offset this cell-type difference. As a result, with commonly-used commercial mounting solutions, crystalline modules actually outperform thin film modules in energy production per rated watt. | |
| Case Study: Solar Installation at the University of Delaware | Standard Solar | Oct 2011 |
The clean energy provided by the solar array will result in 1,810,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide being emitted annually, while reducing the University’s energy costs by 30%. | |
| Case Studies from EarthKind Solar | Gerhard Klier | EarthKind Solar | Oct 2011 |
Bard College and Hawthorne Ridge Retirement Community are two examples of down to earth solar energy projects that make a difference. |
| The Solar Decathlon 2011 - Part 4 | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag | Aug 2011 |
This is the last group of entries into this years competition --- Next stop --- Washington DC |
| The Solar Decathlon 2011 - Part 3 | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag | Aug 2011 |
More entries in this years Solar Decathlon for your interest and enjoyment. |
| The Solar Decathlon 2011 - Part 2 | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag | Aug 2011 |
Here are 5 more entries in this years Solar Decathlon for your interest and enjoyment. |
| The Solar Decathlon | Bob Hetherington | AltEnergyMag | Aug 2011 |
Here are 5 of the entries in this years Solar Decathlon for your interest and enjoyment. More to come in future issues. These students have earned the support of us all. Thanks for giving us your view of the future! |
| SunTop Case Study | Contributed by | Conergy | Aug 2011 |
Once Imagine Energy identified the hurdles to increasing their efficiency, they were able identify specific solutions. Imagine Energy has successfully finished the first two phases of the residential installations. The 3rd phase, which includes 75-100 households, is set to commence shortly. The entire project is estimated to be completed in a total of 18 months. |
| Solar Powered Lighting Case Study - Brattleboro Hospital | Contributed by | SolarOne | Aug 2011 |
Even during Vermont’s shortest days, the systems can collect enough energy to support their normal operation through 15 hour nights. This is partly due to algorithms built into the controller to monitor and adjust voltage from the solar module (Maximum Power Tracking). |
| Atlantis Energy Systems, Inc. Proves its Metal as Fixture in the PV Marketplace | Kelly Jon Andereck for | Atlantis Energy Systems, Inc. | Aug 2011 |
A Case Study of an Atlantis Energy Systems, Inc. Collaboration Future House USA |
| St. Louis County Missouri Parks & Recreation Dept begins incorporation of Solar Equipment | Daniel Poett | G2Power Technologies | Jun 2011 |
The four larger panels pictured, consist of two systems. Upon a closer look, an observer will notice that visually the system is divided up in to two pairs of collectors that have a slightly different appearance from one another. Of the two pairs, one pair creates hot water for the facility and the other pair creates warm air for the structure. |
| Solar Installation on Parking Deck Will Save Taxpayers $1 Million in Energy Savings | Contributed by | Pfister Energy, Inc. | Jun 2011 |
This project is a win-win for the County, not only in terms of monetary savings, but also by establishing the County of Bergen as a role model for other counties and municipalities in the state to adopt renewables and implement clean energy practices. |
| SANYO-Powered Solar Bike Port Helps Boulder’s Casey Middle School Gear Up for LEED Certification | Terri Steele | Apr 2011 |
Since the solar bike port’s October 2010 installation, students have shown an increased awareness of solar power and energy production, and are enjoying learning how their school’s green features help lower their environmental footprint. And the enthusiasm is expanding beyond the student body to embrace teachers, parents and professionals from other schools – both within and outside of Boulder Valley. | |
| Case Study - Minneapolis Convention Center | Marcelo Gomez | Unirac | Apr 2011 |
The Minneapolis Convention Center Solar Project was a collaborative effort between the City of Minneapolis, Xcel Energy, and Best Power Int’l, LLC. |
| Suntech Opens Solar Manufacturing Plant in Arizona | Steven Chan, President | Suntech America | Feb 2011 |
Our local manufacturing operations will allow Suntech to meet the growing demands of customers throughout the Americas, including our dealer network with more than 400 partners. One advantage is that all modules produced at the facility are compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects. Also, in the long term, regional manufacturing will help to minimize our exposure to rising oil and transportation costs. |
| 3 Case Studies from Canadian Solar | Contributed by | Canadian Solar | Feb 2011 |
Canadian Solar Inc. is one of the world's largest solar companies. As a leading vertically integrated provider of ingot, wafer, solar cell, solar module and other solar applications, Canadian Solar designs, manufactures and delivers solar products and solar system solutions for on-grid and off-grid use to customers worldwide. |
| SolarAid – A growing solar charity increasing access to electricity in rural Africa | John Keane | SolarAid | Dec 2010 |
To date, SolarAid has installed over 150 rural solar systems in Africa and plans to double this number in the coming year. With only a small fraction of people living in rural Africa currently enjoying access to electricity, SolarAid is planning to increase the scale of its work so that it can reach as many people as possible and continue to contribute towards the growth of solar market in Africa. |
| Case Study: The Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) Solar Centre | Information provided by Kyocera & DKA Solar Centre | Dec 2010 |
Alice Springs, Australia, with around 300 days of sunshine every year, is an ideal test location for solar power installations. The Desert Knowledge Australia (DKA) Solar Centre is a government-funded public showcase of solar installations, demonstrating a range of solar power technologies from many of the world's leading manufacturers. | |
| Case Study: Silverback Solar & The Pressroom Denver. Colorado | Silverback Solar | Dec 2010 |
The pressroom is a concrete building built in the late 1970's. The roof was old and flat. A traditional ballasted mounting system, with its added weight, wasn't an option-- the old roof would have collapsed. Mark Stahl the operations manager of Astralux Power needed a different kind of a solution. | |
| Case Study: Lockheed Martin Facility Roadways | David Davies | Carmanah | Oct 2010 |
Outdoor lighting systems for a main entrance roadway and the main loop road serving the facility Lockheed Martin, Lake Underhill Facility. |
| Case Study-The Town of Hopkinton | Joe Busch and Andrew Reed | Borrego Solar | Oct 2010 |
The Town of Hopkinton became the first town in Massachusetts to install solar panels on multiple municipal buildings. The 1,832 solar panel installation, completed by Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., sits atop Hopkinton’s High School, Middle School, Police Station, and Fire Department and helped them satisfy the need to compile energy use from all municipal buildings and pledge to have them reduce energy consumption by 20 percent. |
| Hybrid Project Application News In The UK | Kemal İbiş | Solimpeks Corp. | Aug 2010 |
Solimpeks and NewForm Energy have recently implemented one of England’s largest hybrid collector system In the city of Chetwode Road successfully. |
| Case Study From Solar Power Partners | Sierra Fong | Solar Power Partners | Aug 2010 |
The West County Wastewater District, located on the San Francisco Bay, provides wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal services for several cities and parts of Contra Costa County. In adopting solar energy, the agency was interested in the long term cost-saving benefits a solar PPA afforded and its no-money down approach. The solar PPA was an excellent solution: the wastewater district pays only for the power the system produces, does not incur operation and maintenance expenses, and sees savings on its electricity bill for the next twenty years-a plus for the District's ratepayers. |
| Case Study - Missouri Department of Transportation St. Clair Maintenance Facility | Daniel Poett | G2Power Technologies, LLC | Aug 2010 |
Missouri Department of Transportation St. Clair Maintenance Facility installation of 48 SolarSheats Solar air panels deployed on two structures (one with eight and one with 40) and two solar hot water systems each using four 4' x 8' flat plate collectors both on the same structure (one for a car wash and the other for domestic hot water). |
| Case Studies With SunWize | Matt Ziskin | SunWize | Aug 2010 |
Three recent solar installations from SunWize. |
| Solar-Powered Compactors Put the Squeeze on Trash Collection Costs | Richard B. Kennelly | BigBelly Solar | Aug 2009 |
On April 30, 2009, Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the first of 500 BigBelly solar-powered trash compactors and 210 companion single-stream recycling units to be installed throughout Center City Philadelphia. The solar compactors save time, money and fuel by reducing demand for collection trips. The compactors are also smart trash receptacles: each unit sends a wireless signal to alert staff when it is full, so managers can optimize collection routes in real time based on data from every machine in the field. |
| Off-Grid Know How Connects Countryside to The Net | Dr. Stefan Thiesen | Wagner & Co | Aug 2009 |
Wagner & Co is a leading provider of integrated solar thermal and solar electric systems solutions. Off -grid solutions were among the first solar electric applications and yet also developed into a particularly innovative field, where new technologies, approaches and combinations are being tested. Off-grid - or "Island" - systems, as they are also called, can be found in many new infrastructure projects. |
| SOLAR ENERGY CENTRE IN INDIA | D.V.Singh | Apr 2009 |
Solar Energy Centre (Figure - 01) is the institute established in India with a view to encourage research in the field of solar technology as a viable alternate energy system. It is located at the 19th milestone on the Gurgaon-Faridabad road in Haryana state of India, and is established on a gently sloping site covering about 200 acres in a suburban setting, where climate is hot and dry with summer temperatures reaching as high as 47 degrees C. Its aspect of related with solar energy can be very well observed from its building design. | |
| PIT POWER TOWER | Jonathan Gwiazda and Francis A. DiBella | Feb 2009 |
This article presents the novel combination of a Pneumatic Power Tower and Solar Power Tower in an Open Pit Mine: called a “Pit Power Tower” (PPT). | |
| PARKING LOTS IN THE AGE OF SUSTAINABILITY CREATING A LANDSCAPE OF CLEAN ENERGY, BEAUTY, AND ELECTRIC | Robert Noble | LEED AP | Oct 2008 |
By activating vehicle parking areas with pleasing shade structures, communities will achieve massive deployment of highly visible renewable energy projects that create clean energythrough sustainable design. |
| SOLAR THERMAL AND EVACUATED TUBE TECHNOLOGY | Andy Goldstein | Apricus Solar | Aug 2008 |
The interesting thing is that despite the fact evacuated tubes have better performance throughout the day because of IAM, are more economical due to ease of installation, and are capable of reaching higher temperatures, the technology has not received the recognition it deserves since the majority of the publicity we currently see focuses on PV. |
| Care Home Project Gives the Green Light | Eric Hawkins | Jayhawk International | Jun 2008 |
A new eco-friendly £5 million private care home in Sussex has elected to use solar energy as the primary source for both its heating and lighting. Eric Hawkins, MD and founder of Powertech Solar, describes how the project has provided an ideal opportunity to demonstrate the energy saving potential of the company's Suntech Solar Commercial range. |
| Green Travel | James Post | Paradise Bay Resort & Spa | Oct 2007 |
The awareness of travel consumers is rising that our environment is worth considering. If the travel industry does not answer the call, voices will arise to discourage people to go to such idyllic places as the Caribbean. |
| Green Belgian Chocolate? Yum. | Steve Clemens | United Business Institutes | Oct 2007 |
What strikes me most as a leap forward in terms of innovative, even disruptive, business concepts, is the installing of a waste-to-energy plant at the site of a power-customer itself. |
| THE MECHANICAL MATHEMATICIAN | Brian White | Oct 2007 |
So now you have a very simple device to guide people in making good parabolic basins for making solar ovens! I believe this type of simple device will help a lot of people to improve their lives. | |
| SOLAR PONDS FOR RESIDENCES AND SMALL BUSINESSES | Brenda H. Nelson | Aug 2007 |
This article does not pretend to be an exhaustive dissertation on solar ponds, but it should be enough to wet the appetite of anyone who is searching for a relatively simple almost passive way of collecting the sun's heat and energy. | |
| Solar Heating in Saskatchewan in the Winter | Bill Elliott | WSE Technologies | Aug 2007 |
The research showed that these panels will work in northern climates. The system was operated over a one month period in February and March when temperatures were at times lower than -20º C. |
| Concentrated Solar For Hawaii | Adrian Akau and Darren T. Kimura | Sopogy | Aug 2007 |
The collector being enclosed or open faced would require surface care and significant weekly cleaning. Sopogy's panels would park at night, meaning the collector surfaces are protected so as not to be exposed. |
| Grid-connected solar project to be profitable without subsidies | PV Powered | PV Powered | Jun 2007 |
Market and environmental factors are driving the improvement of PV systems technologies and a new residential project is proving their large-scale economic viability. |
| Rockin' Roller Solar | Light Dancing | rollingsolarsystems.com | Feb 2007 |
Find out just how great if feels to own a power plant on wheels. Anywhere you choose to roam - in the field or close to home - Hard at work, or having fun... Get Your Power From The Sun! |
| How much heat do you really need? | Jennie Lay | ecoLogical Home Ideas | Feb 2007 |
Passive solar design takes the pressure off conventional heating and cooling systems. |
| Going Solar is the Most Logical Solution to our Problem | Jose Radzinsky | Renewable Power Solutions Inc. | Dec 2006 |
Being an energy producers results in increased savings and security for the long run. You no longer have to worry about energy shortages and sky-high prices. |
| Putting the Sun in Sundae | Focus on Energy | Focus on Energy | Aug 2006 |
There may be an upfront cost, but these solar systems are built to last a long time, and with energy costs always on the rise the payback periods are getting shorter. |
| Is This Truly, A Revolution In Solar Energy Production? | Sidney Wildesmith | Pyron Solar | Jun 2005 |
Without getting overly technical, the bottom line is that this system, which measures 23 feet in diameter, produces a whopping 6.5 KW of electricity. |
| University of Oregon Students Vote For Solar | Solar Assist | Solar Assist | Apr 2005 |
The students at the University are clearly setting an excellent example of what can be done every day to reduce our dependence on foreign oils while producing clean energy from a ready and willing source, the sun. |
| Parishioner Donation Sparks Solar Electric System Installation At St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Churc | Akeena Solar | Akeena Solar | Aug 2004 |
Starting with an anonymous donation and some bright ideas from a design consultant, combined with the ambition and organization of parish staff, and the helping hands of 17 women and an environmental business; this system is truly a symbol of what collaborative team effort can do for sustainable development. |
| Small Hybrid Solar And Wind Energy Systems Offer Alternatives To Consumers | National Renewable Energy Laboratory | National Renewable Energy Laboratory | Jun 2004 |
The small hybrid solar and wind energy system at NREL's Outdoor Test Facility produces 1,400 watts of power from solar and 900 watts from the wind turbine, enough to power a refrigerator, lights, heaters, air coolers, computers and a radio. |
| Solar Data Centers: Using The Sun To Bring Companies To The Web | Steven May | Solar Data Centers | Apr 2004 |
Solar Data Centers is the first company in the world to employ solar energy to run every aspect of an organization's Internet operations. |
| California Wineries and Solar Power | Doug Boedecker | Akeena Solar | Apr 2004 |
The sun has always been growing the grapes for California wineries. Now, with cost-effective solar electric systems, the sun can grow their bottom line, too. |
| Safer Backup Power With Solar - Using The Sun For Emergency Preparedness | Michael Little | Vegas Trailer Supply | Feb 2004 |
With a little thought and preparation, you can solve many of your electrical needs safely in the event of an extended power outage. The do-it-yourselfer might want to make their own portable solar power supply, or put a 12 volt motor in a small swamp cooler to solve those electrical needs. |
| Heat From The Earth | Steve McConaughey | Aug 2003 |
“Every time an expert tells me it can't be done, I sit back, peel one of my oranges, and marvel at my ability to eat something that is impossible to grow in Nebraska.” | |
| Sierra Solar Commissions Largest Residential Photovoltaic System In California At 57 KW | Jonathan Hill | Sierra Solar Systems | Jun 2003 |
This huge residential system was a great success for the Laursens, and for Sierra Solar Systems who provided the equipment. The family has now completely eliminated their high utility bill and will be powering their home for generations to come with clean renewable energy. In addition, local wildlife will receive the benefit of a year-round drinking supply. |
| Shir Hadash Goes Solar | Jan Pepper | EcoEnergies, Inc. | Jun 2003 |
EcoEnegies helps congregation Shir Hadash go solar. |
| Bringing Electricity To Bandundu Province - Zaire - KINGUNDA | John Murphy | Dakota Earth, Wind and Sun | Feb 2003 |
As onlooking eyes filled with wonder watched, I assembled the three solar panels to the framework, it was time to hoist the finished array onto the roof. We were on the front side of the clinic and the ladder was not very good. We got the array to the top of the ladder but I could not get my helpers to go up on the roof. |
