Solar Energy Investing

The Toronto Sun reports that Toronto’s City Hall is encouraging the use of solar energy by implementing Solar Neighbourhoods. The project will provide a $1,000 discount to homeowners in the Danforth, Coxwell, and Bayview Avenue areas who are looking to put in solar hot water heaters.

VOANews.com reports that the Special English Development Report provides directions for creating a solar water heater. They describe a design that was built in Afghanistan and since then, has been built and used in several other countries.

Reuters reports that ZenithSolar (an Israeli company) has developed a plan to start a solar farm using fresh technology. They say the new technology will allow them to produce electricity at a low cost while supplying hot water to local residents. If the venture proves to be a success, the company says they will start making portable units for homes in the near future.

Bennington Banner reports Greenpeace’s Rolling Sunlight Tour began on March 28 to discuss renewable energy and feature a vehicle that runs on biodiesel and 250 square feet of solar power and cost $65,000.  The battery can store some of the 12 kW hours produced by the panels.

eMedia Wire reports The Discovery Channel’s show, Planet Green Renovation Nation, featured a home in Boulder, CO that will meet all aspects of the city’s “Green Points and Green Building Program.”  The home will utilize a solar photovoltaic array and a solar hot water heating system with the help of Namaste Solar and Automatic Solar.

Azobuild.com reports Lauren Engineers & Constructors have signed a contract to build Florida Power & Light’s 75MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant in Indiantown, FL.  The project is the second largest solar thermal plant in the world, and the first hybrid solar facility.  The plant will produce 155,000MWh to power 11,000 homes.  Through the use of 200,000 parabolic mirrors, the facility will reduce enough greenhouse gas emissions to equal taking 18,700 cars off the road each year for thirty years.

SMH.com.au reports the recently appointed Environment Minister and the Minister of the Department of Climate Change and Water are running several programs to encourage renewable energy usage.  Amongst the programs are the National Solar Schools Program, which will provide funding to schools for the installation of solar hot water heating systems, and the Solar Homes Community Plan that will encourage solar panel system installation with rebates and grants to households with an income of less than $100,000 a year. 

North-West News reports solar power could save 80% of water heating costs.  The Solahart hot water system can pay for itself in 31/2 years.  NRG Home Energy Solutions installes the Solahart systems.

ABC.net.au reports the Australian government has include solar hot water heaters as a part of the renewable energy scheme even though it doesn’t generate any power.  This tactic and other loopholes will cause the government to actually reach 15% share of renwable energy versus their target of 20% by 2020.  The Gas Industry Alliance is concerned that solar and heat pump systems are being given an unfair advantage in the market because of its inclusion with renewable energy.

gizmag reports Surface Power has released the world’s most efficient solar hot water panel.  The new product is 131% more efficient in the morning and evening and has the potential to reduce hot water bills by 70% if it meets building standards.