Solar Energy Investing

wsiltv.com reports a Jackson County, Illinois school is going green. Brehm Preparatory School has installed solar panels, timers and motion detectors along with a geothermal heating and cooling unit. The improvements are expected to save between 30 and 40 percent in energy costs next year.

Cbc.bb reports Barbados leads the Caribbean in the use of solar water heaters. It’s now taking another step towards renewables as it focuses on solar energy for electricity. The Ministry of Energy and the Environment has opened a “Solar House” at Queens Park as a venue for a series of clinics, tours and lectures.

Earthtimes.org reports U.S. Energy Department researches with Innovalight Inc. have found quantum dot materials may improve efficiency of silicon solar cells. Researchers show that a new and important effect called Multiple Exciton Generation occurs in silicon nanocrystals. MEG causes the formation of more than one electron per absorbed photon. MEG provides a way to convert energy normally lost as heat into additional electricity.

MSNBC reports a Pentagon office is taking advantage of the Internet as it studies potential for space-based solar power. Two of the Pentagon officials leading the effort are working on a volunteer basis in their spare time, as well as John Mankins, a former NASA official. One of the key components of the study is an ongoing discussion on a Web site hosted by the Space Frontier Foundation.

New Builder reports a £3million development is in the works for Warwickshire, England. When complete it will be the first in the UK. The Sustainable Building Centre will be 6,800 sq-ft and is expected to be completed by mid-2008. It is intended to be a showcase for anyone in the construction industry.

The Middle East Times reports on Sharp Corp.’s investment of about $3.2 billion in a new plant making LCD panels for televisions. Sharp hopes to increase it’s competitive edge with lower costs from the high-tech plant. Sharp is also planning to construct the world’s largest solar cell plant. Both are scheduled to begin operating by March 2010.

Cnn.com reports on the new solar lights in Gudda India. There is no electricity in the village, water is scarce and no real roads leading to the village in northwestern India.  Solar lamps have changed the village for the better. Children can study past sundown, evening meals can be made later in the day, music can be played at night and business at the local store can be increased by a third.

VOAnews.com reports the New Mexico city of Taos has been known as the “Solar Capitol of the World” for quite some time. Taos is also home to the “Taos Solar Music Festival.” Artists at the festival included Big Head Todd And The Monsters and The Thrift Store Cowboys. The town supports not only reneweable energy, but “Sustainable lifestyles.”

ABC 7 reports on ways to reduce the energy bill for a pool in the summertime. One of the things recommended is installing an energy efficient system. Increasing the time a pool pump runs and slowing the speed will drastically reduce the energy costs. PG&E says pool owners could save an average of $500 a year on their bill by using a low energy pump.

Renewable Energy Access reports the SEPA and the SEIA expect the 2007 Solar Power Conference and Expo in California to break attendance records for a North American solar energy event. Some 10,000 people are expected to attend. The Solar Power Conference and Expo is North America’s largest yearly gathering of the industry’s professionals, policymakers, electric utility representatives, investors and homebuilders.