By Zachary Shahan •
October 30, 2009
Earlier this month, Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation to buy solar power from relatively small private generators for rates above market value. Hawaii is next in line with this European-style tariff — the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and Governor Lingle just recently set a similar initiative for Hawaii.
Hawaii’s initiative will make it possible for homeowners and businesses to sell power they generate from small to medium-scale renewable energy projects (i.e. solar panels) to Hawaii’s main power producers at higher than market-value rates.
By Lucille Chi •
October 14, 2009
Rarest of all sea creatures seen in the wild today, once upon a time the seahorse was found in every ocean of the world from 20 feet to 100 feet (area now most frequented by man). Sea dragons and Seahorses are protected globally by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), and now by Seahorse Hawaii.
Incredibly enchanting creatures in the animal kingdom,
seahorses have an unusual biology, with a prehensile tail, and eyes that rotate 360% independent of the other, and the seahorse is the only animal in the entire animal kingdom in which the male has a true pregnancy!
By Liz Thompson •
September 3, 2009
Sometimes it is not enough to get yourself looking gorgeous, your surroundings have to set the mood. As a self-professed candle junkie I can tell you that not any old candle fits the bill. Sure, they have to be clean burning and non-toxic, but let’s be real – the scent is what it’s all about. It is such a let down to get a candle that smells great in the jar, then produces nothing but the smell of…well, burning candle… once lit.
The perfect little candle recently made its way across my desk (and on to my vanity) and is the lovely and luxurious scent of fresh island plumeria. And who is the creator of such a deliciously scented room enhancer? None other than (straight from the tropics) Malie Organics. Made from clean-burning soy and kukui oils, it is petroleum-free and burns by way of cotton wick for a nice long 60 hours. Comes in a simple glass container with nothing but the tasteful, gold Malie symbol on the front. Chic and elegant.
More money was distributed today by the Department of Energy. 141 million dollars to be more precise. This time Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Texas will play beneficiaries of the Recovery Act.
As a part of the Department’s State Energy Program, which has been apportioned $3.1 billion, states and territories propose plans to prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And that’s where this $141 million will be going. Each state receives funding according to its needs (population based), with Texas receiving more than half of the allotted $141 million dollars. They will receive $87.5 million.
Editor’s Note: The is a guest contribution by Angiolo Laviziano, President and CEO of REC Solar Inc. This is the third post in a series from the CEO’s of major solar companies. The first post was by the SolarCity CEO, Lyndon Rive, and the second was by groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe. You can follow the complete series here.
Two phrases that are often repeated in the solar industry are “Grid Parity” and “Cost Roadmap”. Grid parity is generally considered to be a key goal of the solar industry. Grid parity will be achieved in the U.S. when customers are motivated to buy solar because the investment has a sufficient return WITHOUT any subsidies from the federal or state government. At present, most people consider PV to be a financially acceptable investment only if federal, state and rebate incentives are applied.
Currently, the rebates and tax credits offered by the government improve the financial return of a solar project together with other factors, such as the solar electric system cost (lower is better for the return), sun exposure on site (higher is better) and the cost of electricity that the solar system is substituting (higher is better).
The cost of electricity is of particular importance: solar substitutes for electricity demand on the customer’s side of the meter, where it competes with the retail price of electricity. This is in contrast to wind power, which is generated on the utility side of the meter, and therefore competes with the much lower wholesale rate of electricity.
By Amiel Blajchman •
April 1, 2009
Former President Bush to win Goldman Prize, the environmental nobel prize (april fool’s)
By Bryan Nelson •
March 26, 2009
Scientists gathering specimens in a submersible off the coast of Hawaii have discovered the oldest living colonial creature on Earth, dated at 4,265 years old.
The geriatric discovery (Leiopathes sp.) is a deep water tree-like coral, which grows only a few micrometers every year. That’s an annual growth rate at around the size of a human blood cell. And the Leiopathes sp. wasn’t the only old creature found. Also discovered was a 2,742 year old gold coral (Gerardia sp.).
The discovery raises needed awareness about the delicate, fragile ecosystems of deep sea reefs, which are endangered due to trawling and global warming.
By Sean Sullivan •
March 24, 2009
Last year was a bright spot for the solar industry, despite dark economic clouds and forecasts that rolled in during 2008’s final few months.
SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) just released its yearly review, which identified 2008 as the third in a string of record growth years.
The numbers were for the US solar market, with a highlight of 1,265 megawatts (MW) of new installed solar power. The figure includes all forms of the energy resource, from photovoltaic (PV) to home and water heating. PV modules accounted for 342 MW of that total. A conversion formula is used to express solar heating capacity in an electrical equivalent.
Returns on investment for solar electric installations typically take longer than heating applications. Yet while thermal power has comprised the lion’s share of the solar market since 2000, the percentage of PV growth for the same period has been greater and more stable.
States also made strides last year in terms of solar legislation. Already a leader in the solar hot water arena, Hawaii further bolstered that title last year when it began requiring that all new construction include the technology.
By Amanda Peterka •
March 19, 2009
Hawaii’s Supreme Court declares the islands’ Superferry unconstitutional, ending a long battle between the governor and environmental groups.
OK, so I haven’t posted a weekly green news roundup in a while, but I’m getting back to making it a regular feature as of today. So what are the green scoops across the U.S. this week? There’s plenty:
- Over in Dallas, for instance, officials and urban designers are gathering today for an all-day “charrette” (or brainstorming session) to figure out what it would take to create a fully sustainable city block. They hope to follow up their meeting with an international competition to design just such a thing. (You can read more here (PDF)).
By Amanda Peterka •
December 5, 2008
Move over California. Hawaii is taking the lead on this one. The island state announced Tuesday that it will be the first state to have a comprehensive electric-car station program.
