Google Rank #1 & Apple Invest in a New Solar Project

At the end of 2011, we blogged about a sizeable investment of $94 million made by Google into solar energy projects in the US.

As a result of this investment (amongst other environmental reputation-enhancing activity) we can now report that the global search giant has deservedly been granted the top spot in Greenpeace’s annual Cool IT Leaderboard for 2012 (a ranking of technology firms’ environmental efforts).

The influential campaign group indicated that Google’s high profile investment in renewable energy projects, as well as a prominent vocal support for US clean energy policy in general, has led to the global firm knocking Cisco from their number one ranking achieved last year.

Great news for Google! However, somewhat controversially Greenpeace has refused to include I-pod creators Apple on the leader board for 2012.

In terms of environmental reputation, this could prove damaging for Apple; nonetheless, sufficient justification was given as the pressure group stated that this decision was taken on the basis that Apple does not currently meet the ranking’s specific criteria.

A Fresh Investment…

Perhaps purely coincidentally, it appears that green energy has now taken priority for Apple and an exciting new solar project is now high up on the company’s agenda as it attempts to rebuild its damaged environmental reputation.

Yesterday it was reported by Business Green that Apple has revealed plans to build a giant 20MW solar array to help power its North Carolina data centre as part of its latest efforts to reduce the firm’s environmental footprint.

This large scale solar project will involve panel installation on the 100 acres of land surrounding Apple’s recently opened Maiden data centre in North Carolina.

The Maiden data centre may have been an intentionally specific location choice as the building has already been constructed in accordance with demanding energy efficiency standards. Consequently, the facility holds a platinum certificate under the US Green Building’s Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) scheme.

This award was presented to the Maiden data centre for a number of reasons. Notably, the building itself makes use of advanced chilled water storage technology as well as an outside air cooling system which, combined, allows Apple to switch off its chillers more than 75% of the time. Furthermore, the Maiden data centre was constructed with 14% recycled materials and diverted 93% of construction waste from landfills.

In terms of energy generation, Apple claims that the 5MW planned facility could provide more than 40 million kWh of base load renewable energy annually, thus, the environmentally friendly constructed facility is soon to be powered in an environmentally friendly way.

So, whether or not this substantial project is the beginning of a new chapter for Apple’s corporate social responsibility strategy in attempt to keep in check with Google’s shining example, it is pleasing to see that these multi-national organisations are doing their bit to protect the environment and make their businesses that bit greener.

Are you ready to go green too?
Call us today on 0800 369 8980 for a PV panel quote!

Environmental Events for your Diary

If you are considering making your home environmentally friendly via the installation of solar PV panels – there is probably a high chance that you are passionate about the environment and its protection.

If this is indeed the case, here are some notable, global environmental awareness events coming up in the near future for your diary:

Earth Hour 2012 – Saturday 31^st March, 8:30PM

In 2011, more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour – sending a powerful message for action on climate change. Earth Hour gives you the opportunity to show your commitment to change as part of a global interconnected community. Are you passionate about this? Join one of the many teams around the world, or alternatively, if your country is not listed on the official Earth Hour site and you would like to spread the word, become an Earth Hour Organiser here.

Earth Day 2012 – April 22^nd

On the 22^nd of April, more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day 2012. Earth Day gives people of all nationalities and backgrounds the chance to join together and voice a collective appreciation for the planet on which we live and demand its protection for the future. Have you installed PV panels and wish to join similar minded, green consumers while backing this worthwhile, global event? Why not attend an Earth Day Event, Pledge an Act of Green or sign the Earth Day petition that collectively asks for your government to end fossil fuel subsidies, invest in renewable energy technology and make energy universally accessible.

World Environment Day – June 5^th

World Environment Day (WED), in association with the United Nations Environment Programme, is an annual event that aims to be the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. The host country for World Environment Day 2012 is Brazil and organisers are expecting this year’s event to be largest and most widely celebrated ever. Want to find out how to get involved? Register an activity and become part of global environmental action.

Have you marked these events in your green diary for 2012?
Why not change your energy consumption today and give us a call for a             PV Panel installation quote?

0800 369 8980

Go green this Valentines – It makes you hot!

Here’s a special post specifically because it’s Valentines Day.

According to businessgreen.com, going green makes you “hot” this Valentines. Find out why!

What are your thoughts on going green for Valentines? Let us know in the comments below.

Are Plants the Future of Solar Photovoltaic Energy?

“Take that bag (of chemicals), mix it with anything green and paint it on the  roof,” – Andreas Mershin

Could solar energy really be this simple?

Andreas Mershin seems to think so!

In recent months we have blogged about the advantages of photovoltaic panels – how installation can save you money while protecting the environmental ‘bigger picture’. It can be easy, however; to forget the advancing technology, research and scientific minds that are collaborating globally to make the planet a greener place in amongst FiTs Governmental debates.

Consequently, here’s a simple post focusing on one of the inspiring technological stories behind solar energy.

Andreas Mershin, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), co-wrote a paper published in Scientific Reports this week presenting his findings from research regarding ‘biophotovoltaics’ and solar energy production.

With research building on slightly more complex findings from a project started 8 years ago by Shuguang Zhang, associate director at the MIT’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Mershin has simplified and optimised the energy output of a pre-existing, innovative solar energy process.

Ultimately, Mershin’s project could lead to everyday folks turning their grass clippings and green like plant waste into a small photovoltaic panel, or solar cells, to create green energy.

So how does it work?

Mershin’s process involves electricity-producing “biophotovoltaics” without the sophisticated laboratory equipment that previous research suggested was needed. Essentially the technology is based on creating photovoltaic material by using the molecules that do the work of photosynthesis in green plants (such as your grass clippings) – called photosystem-I – mixed with chemicals to create what is described as a “green goo”.

This goo-like substance is then suitable to be painted onto any piece of substrate, such as metal or glass, connected by a couple of wires and as a result used to generate enough electricity to charge batteries or provide power for a night-light.

One drawback of the project is the limited production of usable energy; however, Mershin believes that the technology is simplified enough that high school and college laboratories can begin to replicate and find ways to improve it. This improvement is indeed necessary before any usable quantity of energy is produced as though this advance is a 10,000% efficiency improvement on previous plant-based solar cells; current experimental cells only convert 0.1% of sunlight to electricity.

However, even though an estimated 10 fold improvement is required before any usable energy is produced – Mershin’s dream is to bring electricity to the most remote of villages via harnessing solar power with this new process.

Cost effective and environmentally protective – the solar revolution is well and truly underway.

Are you ready to install solar PV panels? – Give us a call: 0800 369 8980

Confused about solar photovoltaics?

Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate electricity from the sun’s energy that can then be used to power household appliances and lighting.

You can use PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. Less energy will be generated if the photovoltaic surface is in shadow for parts of the day, but it will still generate some electricity.

Types of PV panels:
The are four basic types of PV panel: monocrystalline, polycrystalline (or multicrystalline), hybrid and amorphous silicon. All are made from silicon, but differ in the way the silicon is cut and treated.

Pros of Solar PV:

• Only daylight is needed to create energy – not sunshine.
• Can be connected to the national grid and any excess electricity sold back to an electricity company.
• Can cut an average household electricity bill by about 40%.

Ready to install solar PV panels? Give us a call: 0800 369 8980

Breaking News! Government Loses Appeal over Feed-in Tariff Rates

It appears that the FITs debate has finally ended with the Court of Appeal upholding a High Court ruling that Government cuts to the 43p tariff rate were unlawful after an unsuccessful appeal from the DECC.

The original legal challenge was made by Solarcentury, Friends of the Earth and Homesun with the resulting action being a High Court ruling on the 21^st of December that the Government proposal to cut payments for any solar scheme completed after 12^th December was unlawful. The Government’s appeal against the High Court decision was heard on 13^th January and officially rejected today.

So what are the implications for your future plans to install solar panels?

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) must now introduce the contingency date of March 3^rd for the start of the 21p FIT rate and not the initial 12^th December deadline – recently deemed unlawful.

Consequently, customers who have had solar panels installed and are registered ahead of the new March 3^rd cut-off point will now receive the original 43p per kW rate for 25 years – boasting an impressive return on investment in exchange for helping to preserve the world in which we all live.

However, it would appear that the Governmental department is not drawing a line under the issue quite yet.

The DECC has made it clear that the department stands by its original decision and isn’t ready to give up on the matter. Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, gave a statement following the announcement earlier today strongly indicating the department’s disagreement and justifying their intentions to seek grounds for further appeal.

Huhne believes that in order for the FITs scheme to be beneficial to a wider reach of the UK population, the tariff alterations must go ahead in some capacity.  The secretary firmly indicated his belief that “solar PV (panels) can have a strong and vibrant future” in the UK, however it was stressed that the priority is a “lasting” scheme that will “support the future and jobs in the industry”.

Critics, however, would argue that such changes to the FIT rate would remove one of the primary drivers to go solar and therefore poses threat to the industry – quite the catch 22. Why not stay on top and check out the announcement from DECC here to make your mind up on the matter.

Further appeal aside, one thing is for sure – today’s announcement is great news for those worried about gaining return on investment on their solar venture. With extra time to consider the benefits while remaining in the allocated window for gaining an excellent tariff rate – why not read up on some of the additional advantages of the installation of photovoltaic panels on your home that are featured in this blog and have perhaps been recently overshadowed by FITs.

Ready to take advantage of the 43.3p rate and install solar panels now? Give us a call for your free quote: 0800 369 8980

 

A Reminder of Why Going Solar is a Good Idea…

The Solar Power industry has been the subject of many media stories recently regarding changes in the rate of feed in tariffs, High Court decisions and Governmental appeals which fueled a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ style debate.

In the midst of the confusion, let us remind ourselves of a couple over-riding reasons as to why installing photovoltaic panels is still a good idea – regardless of feed in tariff rates:

Effects of climate change

Installing a renewable energy source can have a positive effect that extends beyond the realms of your own personal environment. With global warming becoming an increasing issue – installing PV panels on your rooftop could be your way of making the most of the Earth’s most powerful natural resource.

Stand out in your local community

As well as helping the environment, solar panels on your rooftop can set your property apart from your neighbours. Lead your community in the right direction towards a more positive future by being the first in your neighbourhood to take the ‘green’ step by installing PV panels. If you are feeling particularly futuristic and need inspiration, check out this collection of solar house designs.

Economic benefits

There are a range of economic benefits associated with the installation of photovoltaic panels. Let us remember that:

• The fuel required (light) is free – you are free to use as much as you need once the PV Panels are installed.
• You can reduce electricity bills – you do not pay for the electricity that you produce.
• Even with the FITs rate currently in doubt, there is no doubt that you will make a return on your investment.

Preventing pollution

PV panels minimise the amount of waste production when compared to conventional energy types. The entire process of converting coal to electricity produces a lot of dust, waste, toxins and harmful emissions. Furthermore, coal, natural gas and nuclear power all add pollutants to water. This can have a harmful effect on wildlife if these pollutants are discharged into a lake or stream. Solar cell technology does not generate any such hazardous materials during use.

So even though FITs appear to be on the agenda for anyone discussing solar energy and PV panels, it is essential to understand that this is only a small part of a much bigger (greener) picture.

Please feel free to comment below with any other benefits associated with the installation of PV panels that you feel need to be highlighted.

 

Brief Explanation of Feed-in Tariff

What is a feed-in tariff?

Feed-In Tariffs are payments to ordinary energy users for creating renewable electricity or their own “green energy”.

The feed-in tariff (also known as FIT) offers cash payments to households who produce their own electricity at home using renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or wind turbines.

The tariffs have been introduced by the Government to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK.

Stay posted to our Twitter feed for latest news and updates on today’s ruling over the feed-in tariff. For more information on how you can benefit from solar energy installation please visit our website.

UK Court of Appeal to hear government’s feed-in tariff case on Friday

It appears that Friday 13th January, 2012 is the official decision day for solar feed-in tariffs (FITs) in the UK, as the Court of Appeal will hear the government’s case against the High Court’s ruling that the change to the scheme is unlawful.

Last month the High Court ruled that the government’s attempt to rush through a reduction to the feed-in tariff rate for solar installations was unlawful. However there still remains uncertainty as the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has decided to appeal the verdict.

For more information on the feed-in tariff and how it affects you, please visit our website. We’ll be updating with news and information as soon as it becomes available.

To speak with someone directly about your solar PV installation please call us at 01296 331362.

Energy Saving Tips – Part 3

Since we had some great feedback from our last two-part post on saving energy, we thought that we’d follow-up with some additional ways to save energy and save money!

Hot Water temperature
How hot is your hot water? The perfect temperature for your hot water is 60°C. Having your thermostat set higher will waste energy as the water will be too hot to use without it being mixed with some cold. Think about it this way, you wouldn’t use a kettle to have a shower now would you?

Washing appliances
An easy way to save energy is to try and fill up your washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer. One full load uses less energy than two half loads. The machines still have to do the same amount of work for a full load as a half load.

Kettles
A really simple one is to boil the kettle with only the needed amount of water in it. Why boil a whole kettle for a single cup of tea?

Dripping taps
Do your taps drip? A dripping hot water tap is annoying and wasteful, using up enough hot water in two weeks to fill a bath. It may cost money to fix; however, for as long as the tap is leaking it’s more money down the plug hole. Quick fix for a long-term solution.

Do you have any other energy saving tips? Let us know in the comments section below.