Monthly Archives: November 2011

Energy from Space

According to former NASA manager of Advanced Concepts Studies Office of Space Flight , John C. Mankins, space-based solar power (SSP) systems could be capable of meeting the energy needs of millions of people.  Mankins believes the technology could be … Continue reading

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SunShot Incubator Program

The DOE announced up to $7 million to reduce the non-hardware costs of residential and commercial solar energy installations. Made available through the SunShot Incubator Program, this funding will support the development of tools and approaches that reduce non-hardware, or … Continue reading

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ISO 500001 Released

This past summer, the International Standards Organization released ISO 500001: as a new energy management standard.  It helps organizations to continuously improve their energy performance.  The steps include: Develop a policy to use energy more efficiently Establish targets and objectives … Continue reading

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Increased focus on product life-cycle-assessment (LCA)

The Materials and Resources section of LEED 2012 will include an increased focus on product life-cycle-assessment (LCA), according to the USGBC.  A second new MR credit will reward the use of products including materials for which Environmental Product Declarations have … Continue reading

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A new study by Stanford University

A new study by Stanford University researchers finds that cool solar reflective roofs may not help in reducing global climate change. The work authored by Mark Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering states that the urban heat island effect” … Continue reading

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American Institute of Architects announced that in 2012 they plan to release “green” model contract forms

The American Institute of Architects announced that in 2012 they plan to release “green” model contract forms that are designed to help limit legal exposure on sustainable projects.  The forms are based on the model agreements between owner and architect … Continue reading

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University of Michigan have discovery

Researchers at University of Michigan have discovered a method using magnetic components of light to generate electricity without using semiconductors or photovoltaic panels.  In their work,  they found that light is composed of electric and magnetic waves, and when light … Continue reading

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International Standards Organization released ISO 500001

This past summer, the International Standards Organization released ISO 500001: as a new energy management standard.  It helps organizations to continuously improve their energy performance.  The steps include: Develop a policy to use energy more efficiently Establish targets and objectives … Continue reading

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Panasonic Corp is dropping their plan

Panasonic Corp is dropping their plan to convert a television panel factory in Japan into a solar panel factory. The decision is based on the industry price war and a strong yen that is making exports less competitive.

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Italy’s photovoltaic (PV) capacity

Italy’s total installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity is expected to rise to 12.0-12.5 GW by the end of 2011, but the growth will slow next year according to the chairman of industry body GIFI.

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