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on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
Author name: Chu K.N. Baronne
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on November 26th, 2011% Source: alertnet // Ilona Eveleens
Ubbink East Africa’s solar-panel plant in Navaisha, Kenya. PHOTO/Ubbink
NAIVASHA, Kenya (AlertNet) – Africa may be a continent blessed with large amounts of sunshine, but for most of its rural inhabitants, once the day ends, so does the light. Families spend their evenings in the dark or turn to polluting oil lamps, simply because they have no access to electricity.
In Naivasha, a town 100 km (60 miles) northwest of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Haijo Kuper is trying to change that.
Netherlands-born Kuper is managing director of Ubbink East Africa, the first solar-panel manufacturing plant in East Africa. The firm, which recently began operating in Naivasha, is a joint venture between Dutch company Ubbink, which works on energy efficiency and solar power, and Kenya’s Chloride Exide, which produces solar and power back-up equipment and batteries.
As with many African countries, Kenya’s progress in expanding its national power grid has been slow, in part because of the expense.
Solar power has long been viewed as part of the solution – but, here too, cost has been an obstacle. The equipment that converts the sun’s free energy into electric power requires an investment that is still out of reach for the more than one-third of Africans who live on less than two dollars a day.
The Kenyan government – concerned about power shortages and the effects of climate change – has moved to spur growth in the renewable energy sector with a feed-in tariff that pays producers a set rate for electricity they want to sell. It has also mandated the use of solar power in new-build homes, as well as cutting taxes on imports of solar-power materials and equipment.
FALLING PRICES, SPREADING USE
The East African nation has one of the highest rates of solar panel systems installed per capita in the world, and uptake of solar panels is outpacing connections to the traditional electrical grid.
The price of solar energy systems has dropped 75 percent in the past decade, while demand has gone up 15 percent a year over the same period. Experts expect this trend of lower costs and spreading use to continue.
It is certainly proving beneficial for small farmers and rural residents, many of whom are beyond the reach of the national grid.
A growing number of rural farmhouses across Kenya now have a small solar panel on their thatched or corrugated iron roofs. Even the smallest panel can charge a mobile phone and power two light bulbs simultaneously, helping families save on the expense of buying kerosene for lamps. What’s more, the light from a solar-powered bulb is about 15 times brighter.
Farmer Frederick Kaveta, 34, has a solar panel on the corrugated roof of his home in Ukumbani, southwest of Nairobi. for him, it brings both economic and health benefits.
“We used oil lamps in the past at night for the children to do their homework. (But) the price of the oil has gone up, and the lamps smoke badly and make us cough,” he explains. “The solar light is healthier and I save some 500 shillings ($5) a month because I don’t need to buy oil. With 500 shillings, I can buy two or three meals for my family of four.”
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
The increased availability of solar energy has implications beyond the convenience of night-time lighting. As it becomes more affordable, rural entrepreneurs are starting businesses that take advantage of the new power source and provide much-needed services.
For example, renewable-energy backers say solar-powered grain mills could replace ones that run on pricey, polluting diesel fuel. and farmers and cattle herders who use mobile phones to keep up with produce and livestock prices can save time if a solar charging point is installed in their villages, cutting the need to walk long distances to town to charge their phones.
Solar-powered rural internet cafes could also mean that school children need not be disadvantaged compared with their peers in urban areas connected to the electricity grid.
Kuper’s solar-equipment manufacturing company keeps its costs low by importing broken solar cells from a firm in the Netherlands, which are reworked into smaller units. Ubbink’s staff of 35 Kenyan workers – most of them young, and trained both in the Netherlands and Kenya – assemble the solar panels locally.
“We cut them here into the right size to fit in our panels,” says Kuper on a tour of the small and tidy plant. The cutting is done by laser and by hand, while machines frame and cover the panels.
AMBITIOUS SALES GOALS
The retail price of a panel that can power several light bulbs and charge a mobile phone is 3,000 Kenyan shillings ($30). Ubbink East Africa, which targets mainly rural households, has sold 10,000 panels in the past year, and aims to triple this number in 2012.
“Chloride Exide – known for its batteries – already has a wide distribution network which will help us to reach customers in all corners of Kenya and beyond,” Kuper says.
He hopes the firm will be able to expand its sales to neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania, and eventually throughout East Africa.
The 37-year-old sees solar panels as a key technology for putting East Africa on a more sustainable and lower-carbon development path.
“The Western world made big environmental mistakes and now has to clean up its act. I believe Africa should avoid making the same mistake and invest in clean and durable energy,” he says.
Eyeing the factory’s roof, he adds that he plans to make sure change starts at home.
“We will soon give the right example. I want to put the whole roof under our own solar panels,” he says. “a lot of our energy needs can be covered by it – just one or two high-tech machines will stay on the grid.”
Ilona Eveleens is a freelance writer based in Nairobi. this story is part of a series supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network.
on November 25th, 2011% ![]()
@BI Label athome:EVENTS
Civic League Tour on Dec. 11
The annual Gulfport Civic League Tour of Homes will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11.
Four homes will be on tour this year.
See the Dec. 2 @Home for the story and photos of the homes.
@BI Label athome:HOME
Home energy credits available
The IRS reminds homeowners that they still have time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits.
The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit is aimed at homeowners installing energy efficient improvements. the credit is more limited than in the past years, but can still provide substantial tax savings.
The 2011 credit rate is 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. the cost of installing these items does not count.
The credit can also be claimed for the cost of residential energy property, including labor costs for installation. Residential energy property includes certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel.
The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. if the total of Nonbusiness Energy Property Credits taken in prior years since 2005 is more than $500, the credit may not be claimed in 2011.
Qualifying improvements must be placed into service to the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the United States before Jan. 1, 2012.
Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment.
The credit equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines and fuel cell property.
No cap exists on the amount of credit available except for fuel cell property.
Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits on Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits when they file their 2011 federal income tax return. Because these are credits and not deductions, they reduce the amount of tax owed dollar for dollar. An eligible taxpayer can claim these credits regardless of whether he or she itemizes deductions on Schedule a.
on November 24th, 2011% ![]()
People have been aware that the sun’s energy can be harnessed to power various devices and machines for years, but it is not until recently that the technology and the motivation has pushed people to seriously consider solar energy as a viable power source.
With the current state of the economy and with the growing move toward a more environmentally responsible lifestyle, many people are considering various forms of renewable energy and “green living” principals. Solar power is usually at the top of the list when it comes to renewable energy sources. Solar power has been used for years by the government and various businesses, but it has only recently come into the mainstream for the everyday average household.
In almost any area of the country it is possible to dramatically cut one’s electric bill by installing and maintaining solar panels. Some people are even able to go entirely off the grid and power their homes completely independently of the traditional local electric company, all by solar power. while going off the grid may be an intimidating prospect for some, there is absolutely no reason why a household cannot install solar panels on the roof and greatly reduce the monthly electric bills.
Until recently, the cost to buy and install residential solar panels has been prohibitively high, and not everyone has the technical know how to do it themselves. However, with the shift toward renewable energy, many companies have seen this as an opportunity in an untapped industry and have started offering solar panels at much more competitive and affordable prices. The installation and upkeep of the solar panels is very easy and affordable. Many households find that they can pay for the solar panels in less than a year through the reduced electric bills they produce.
Obviously, once the panels are installed, the solar power is completely free and produces absolutely no harmful emissions, unlike traditional fossil fuels. as the technology becomes more mainstream, manufacturers and builders are constantly refining their techniques to make the solar panels more efficient, durable and innovative.
Recently, some builders have started to integrate solar power into their overall design by including solar panels as standard features on top of garages and in other unobtrusive places such as the roofs of gazebos, tops of pool houses, and on every available foot of roof space in general. Some pool decks are being built with embedded solar cells. as the renewable energy movement continues, more and more builders will find it necessary to integrate a solar power plan into their overall building plan in order to stay competitive with all the other builders who are doing the same.
Solar power is one of the easiest and best solutions to not only help the environment and climate, but to save significant amounts of money in electric bills as well. with solar power components being more affordable now than ever before, every homeowner should at least consider installing solar panels.
To learn more about solar panels price [renewableenergyforus.com/renewable-energy.html] please visit: [RenewableEnergyForUs.com].
on November 24th, 2011% ![]()
LIHU‘E — Sun rays may travel at light speed, but when it comesdown to assure heat from those rays will be used to provide hotwater, it could take years until the water heats up.
The County Council’s Environmental Committee on Wednesday approveda communication from Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura, requesting that aloophole in a 2008 state law — mandating new homes to be fittedwith solar water heating — be addressed in the county’s 2012legislative package.
The request addresses Act 204’s fourth variance, which allowsbuilders to choose an approved tankless gas water heating ratherthan solar water heating, given that at least one other gasappliance is installed in the unit.
The intent of the law, however, states that end owners shouldexercise this choice, according to Yukimura. if the house is builtas a rental or as a turn-key unit, end owners are left out of thechoice.
On Kaua‘i and Big Island, approximately 50 percent of new homes arebeing built with tankless gas water-heaters, which was not theintent of the legislation, according to Yukimura. Elsewhere in thestate, contractors are utilizing the variance in about 5 percent ofnew homes.
Yukimura said her request aligns the intent of the legislation withits actual language.
A similar request introduced by Yukimura in September was defeatedbecause it eliminated the variance, and a majority of the councilfelt government should not take choice away from residents. The newrequest keeps the variance, but limits it to end owners.
The request still has to go through full council before beingincluded in the county’s 2012 legislative package.
The approved document states that the fourth variance applicationshall be accepted only if the applicant is the party who willultimately pay for the energy bill, and as part of the application,the applicant signs an affidavit that he or she will be theoccupant of the new home.
The full council on Wednesday is scheduled to discuss and vote onthe county’s 2012 legislative package. if the request passes fullcouncil and mayoral approval, it goes to next year’s stateLegislature, where it would have to survive committees before afinal floor vote. In the end, Gov. Neil Abercrombie would have tosign the bill.
If somewhere along the road the request fails to advance, theprocess could be pushed back an entire year, or more if statelawmakers don’t pick up the issue in the 2013 legislativesession.
on November 23rd, 2011% ![]()
Are you aware of the benefits of owning a Solar Energy House? they are not just environmental. Adding solar panels to your home is a great investment toward the overall value of your home and neighborhood.
Imagine that you and your family are looking for a new home to move into, but you are torn between two choices. they are both very similar in price and layout, and both are in good locations. the only difference is that one home has a swimming pool,(great for the kids) and the other is a Solar Energy house. you see pool parties and summer fun in one house, but you see lower energy bills, environmental security and a healthy future in the other.
If you chose the house with the pool, you are wrong. Why you ask? Wouldn’t you rather have both a swimming pool and a home that utilizes clean solar cell technology? if you buy the Solar Energy House you can have the comfort of knowing that you are doing your part to help curb greenhouse gas emissions.
With the money you save each month on energy bills you can buy a new pool and have your pool parties and summer fun. Sound good? in addition when you get your new pool with the money you saved on energy cost, you can also heat your pool with your solar panels and gain use of it well into the fall season. something that would be difficult to afford in the house that came with the pool.
Everyday thousands of people around the world are making the decision to go green a lifestyle choice, and saving money in the process. some people even make a living building solar farms on their property. Energy companies buy the excess energy that these farms are creating, and the owners get free energy for their own needs. Depending on how much you care about the health of your community, and the money in your bank account, you will give making your own house a Solar Energy House consideration
on November 23rd, 2011% ![]()
The IRS reminds homeowners that they still have time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits.
The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit is aimed at homeowners installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows and furnaces. the credit is more limited than in the past years, but can still provide substantial tax savings. the 2011 credit rate is 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. the cost of installing these items does not count.the credit can also be claimed for the cost of residential energy property, including labor costs for installation. Residential energy property includes certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel.the credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. if the total of nonbusiness energy property credits taken in prior years since 2005 is more than $500, the credit may not be claimed in 2011.Qualifying improvements must be placed into service to the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the United States before January 1, 2012.Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment. the credit equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property.
No cap exists on the amount of credit available except for fuel cell property.
Generally, labor costs are included when figuring this credit. not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for these tax credits, so homeowners should check the manufacturer’s tax credit certification statement before they purchase. Taxpayers can normally rely on this certification statement which can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website or with the product packaging. Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits on Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits when they file their 2011 federal income tax return. Because these are credits and not deductions, they reduce the amount of tax owed dollar for dollar. an eligible taxpayer can claim these credits regardless of whether he or she itemizes deductions on Schedule a.
on November 22nd, 2011% Oil-rich Saudi Arabia is expected to begin a major push into solar power in an effort to conserve its most important export. the technology could include solar plants like this one in the California desert, which uses mirrors to concentrate the sun’s rays.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — the United States may be known as the Saudi Arabia of coal thanks to its large deposits. but under an expected investment push, Saudi Arabia could soon become the Saudi Arabia of solar power.
Early next year the oil rich kingdom is expected to announce a plan to get up to 10% of its electricity from the sun by 2020 — a more aggressive national policy than what’s in place in the United States.
The reason is mostly economic. the Saudis currently generate over 50% of their electricity by burning oil, which can consume up to an eighth of the country’s total oil output.
That made sense when oil was $10 a barrel. but at $100 a barrel it makes more sense for the Saudis to install solar panels and sell their oil on world markets.
Moreover, their electricity consumption is set to double by 2020.
"This is eating into the Saudis’ ability to export oil," said Logan Goldie-Scot, lead analyst for the Middle East and North Africa at the research firm Bloomberg new Energy Finance.
New Energy Finance estimates that given the projected price for both oil and solar panels, the Saudis stand to make 11% return on their money if they make big investments in solar power.
"Saudi Arabia has come around to the idea that this makes economic sense," said Goldie-Scot.
That’s attracted the attention of developers worldwide who are grappling with solar subsidies drying up in nations burdened by mounting debt like Italy, Spain and Germany — traditional solar powerhouses.
So Saudi Arabia represents a rare opportunity.
"Everyone is flying to Riyadh to make sure they are in on the bids," said Goldie-Scot.
Still, any Saudi solar commitment would likely translate into just a few gigawatts of solar power by 2020, said Goldie-Scot. That compares to world-leader Italy’s eight gigawatts of solar installed in the last year alone. a gigawatt can power roughly 700,000 U.S. homes.
Kevin Smith, chief executive of U.S. solar developer SolarReserve wants to put one of his company’s solar thermal power plants in the Saudi desert.
He said it’s not just short-term profits motivating the Saudis.
"the Saudis, one of the largest oil producing nation’s, realize that there’s limitations as to how long that’s going to last," said Smith. "they are looking at their long-term energy plans."
Smith contrasted that with renewable energy policy in the United States.
About half the U.S. states have a renewable energy mandate similar to Saudi Arabia’s. but at the national level this area is pretty much left to tax credits. Companies can’t count on tax credits as they make long term investment plans because there’s no guarantee the credits will be extended when they come up for renewal every few years.
"we have a tendency as a government to look at short term issues — what’s the price of oil today, what will it be tomorrow, what should we do," he said. "That’s why we’ve moved from 20% or 30% imported oil 30 years ago to 50% or 60% today, and there’s no end in sight unless we put in some type of long term program."
Challenges in the desert: while the Saudis may shoot for an aggressive solar plan, there’s no guarantee they’ll hit it.
While it may seem counterintuitive, the Arabian desert isn’t actually the most ideal spot for solar.
While the near constant sunshine is good, solar panels become less efficient if they get too hot.
Dust is also a problem.
"they actually have guys with brushes continuously cleaning these panels," said Brett Prior, a senior analyst at GTM Research, speaking of a solar power project in neighboring Abu Dhabi.
Another challenge is natural gas, said Prior, which can also be used to generate electricity. as is the case in the United States, cheap natural gas is making it hard for renewables to compete.
Saudi Arabia currently uses all the natural gas it produces and hasn’t had much luck finding new reserves. but the country sits right next to Qatar, which is currently developing the world’s largest natural gas deposit. 
on November 22nd, 2011% ![]()
ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rheem is proud to announce the launch of its Ultra Low NOx (nitrogen oxide), environmentally friendly gas tankless water heaters throughout the United States. these units reduce NOx emissions and comply with Ultra Low NOx emission standards scheduled for implementation in California next year.
“Rheem is committed to providing builders, contractors and consumers with tankless products that perform exceptionally well and meet the most stringent California 2012 emissions standards”
Rheem’s Ultra Low NOx water heaters feature a type of gas burner with nitrous-oxide emissions of only 10 nanograms per Joule. these Ultra Low NOx water heaters align with California legislation, which states that beginning Jan. 1, 2012, instantaneous water heaters must meet a NOx limit of 14 nanograms per Joule of heat output.
“Rheem is committed to providing builders, contractors and consumers with tankless products that perform exceptionally well and meet the most stringent California 2012 emissions standards,” said Mike Siuda, director of tankless sales and marketing for Rheem. “Tankless water heaters are already efficient choices for today’s homeowner because they use energy to heat water only as it is needed, so no energy is wasted while there is no demand for hot water. our Ultra Low NOx tankless units provide them an even more environmentally friendly tankless option.”
Current Ultra Low NOx models include the Rheem Prestige Series RTGH-95 Condensing Tankless Water Heater in both indoor and outdoor models, as well as the Rheem RTG-84 and Rheem RTG-64 mid efficiency Gas Water Heaters in both indoor and outdoor configurations. Operating at 94 percent thermal efficiency, the ENERGY STAR®-qualified Rheem Prestige Series RTGH-95 Condensing Tankless Water Heater is the company’s most efficient tankless model. in addition, the Rheem RTG-84 and RTG-64 operate at 82 percent thermal efficiency.
Additional Rheem Ultra Low NOx tankless models will be available in 2012. For more information, please see rheem.com.
About Rheem Manufacturing Company
Rheem Manufacturing Company (rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. in its 86th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Kevin Harvick, inc. (KHI), and is a primary sponsor of RCR’s No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series® car and KHI’s No. 33 NASCAR Nationwide Series® car. Harvick was named Nationwide Series “Driver of the Decade” in 2010.
on November 20th, 2011% ![]()
In 2010, China solar water heater exports 10.897 billion U.S. dollars, the accessories exports $ 32.5 billion. German imports $ 640 million solar water heaters from China, accessories is $ 1.98 billion, Italy imports $ 285 million solar water heaters, $ 2.1 billion accessories, India $ 364 million solar water heater, $ 830 million accessories, Turkey $ 767 million solar water heater, accessories $ 1.1 billion, U.S. $ 403 million solar water heater, accessories $ 3.0 billion, Mexico, solar water heater $ 1.25 billion, accessories $ 700 million, Australia $ 189 million solar water heater, accessories $ 2.2 billion, South Africa, solar water heater $ 1.373 billion, accessories $600 million.
The 2009-2010 solar water heater of the United States increased 29.50%, the export rate of South Africa grow fastest whose annual growth rate is 358.80% from 2009 to 2010.
Two major issues the world facing today is the economic recession and global warming, one of the simplest solution is to combine the economy stimulation to the green energy industries development. The question is: is it feasible? President Obama has begun his green action; we can see that he is trying to answer the question. The world in promoting green energy industry! among these countries, China is a manufacture country, clever as you are, what you are thinking now?
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