Monthly Archives: February 2010

Breakthrough in solar cell research

IBM is reporting that they have made a breakthrough in solar cell research that allows for the production of thin film solar cells with  efficiencies of 9.6 percent, or 40 percent higher than the previous effort with comparable materials. The … Continue reading

Posted in Solar Power | Leave a comment

Microscopic silicon solar cells that use 100 times less material

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM have reportedly created microscopic silicon solar cells that use 100 times less material and operate at 14.9% efficiency which is similar to traditional solar cells.  The cells are 0.25-1 mm in diameter and can … Continue reading

Posted in Solar Power | Leave a comment

Environmental Claims Validation services

UL Environment (ULE) offers Environmental Claims Validation services. UL Environment tests and validates manufacturers’ self-declared environmental claims.  The UL Environment’s Sustainable Products Certification program certifies products to accepted industry standards for environmental sustainability. ULE has launched a new Energy Efficiency … Continue reading

Posted in Codes | Leave a comment

The Feb 3, 2010 Department of Energy News Briefings contained the following article:

Can White Roofs Battle Global Warming?  (NYT) A forthcoming study in Geophysical Research Letters reinforces the idea that painting urban rooftops white — a tactic that would reflect sunlight — could have a cooling effect on the planet.  White roofs … Continue reading

Posted in Federal Legislation | Leave a comment

Renewable energy sources provided 10.51% of domestic energy

The US Energy Information Administration reports that renewable energy sources provided 10.51% of domestic energy production during the first nine months of 2009. Oakland City Council voted for a state plan that allows residential and commercial property owners to make … Continue reading

Posted in Green Flashes | Leave a comment

The federal government will take steps to cut its energy use

The White House announced on January 29 that the federal government will take steps to cut its energy use and reduce its heat-trapping emissions by 28 percent by 2020, compared with 2008 levels. The White House said the emissions reduction … Continue reading

Posted in Federal Legislation | Leave a comment

New Green Standard 189.1 Released

ASHRAE has released their new Green Standard 189.1. This is the nation’s first code-intended green building standard. ASHRAE 189.1-2009 covers site location, energy use, recycling, water efficiency, indoor air quality, materials, resources and a building’s impact on the atmosphere.  The … Continue reading

Posted in Association Green News | Leave a comment