LED obstruction light requires 2,000 candelas, but only 20 W of power

A manufacturer of LED lighting equipment announced the debut of its latest LED-based L-864 Red Medium Intensity Beacon. The lighting from Dialight, Farmingdale, New Jersey,features a compact flash head to reduce wind load on fixed obstructions such as wind turbines, towers, skyscrapers, and bridges. Operating at just 20 W, the series offers the lowest power consumption of any L-864 product to help save energy and reduce operating costs.

With under an 8.5-in. height, the shock and vibration-resistant series offers the lowest profile to reduce the impact of wind sheer on the structure, making it well-suited for high-altitude applications and improved performance in inclement weather.

The energy-efficient design features optics to minimize ground   scatter and nearly eliminate community-light pollution. In addition,  sharp beam cutoff provides a lower level of scatter—below 0.1 millifootcandles—over a mile, while delivering an FAA required 2,000 candelas to passing aircraft. Compared to other LED and incandescent beacons that can scatter more than 0.3 millifootcandles and disturb residential areas, Dialight’s series almost eliminates observable light pollution on the ground.

Designed for easy retrofit from existing incandescent fixtures, the LED offers up to 10 or more years of life expectancy to reduce maintenance costs and frequency of risky tower climbs associated with outdated beacon equipment.

The D464 series can be set to steady burn or outfitted with a 20 to 40 flash-per-minute controller.

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Tethered tools make up-tower work safer

Gear Keeper retractable tethers and lanyards are precision attachments for tools and instruments weighing up to 25 lbs. Manufactured by California-based Hammerhead Industries, the tethers come in more than 3,000 different configurations that can be used for almost any industrial tool or application.

According to Liberty Mutual’s 2009 Safety Index, accidents caused by falling objects cost U.S. industry $4.3 billion

This tool tether has a 25 lb. tool limit and has two aluminum carabiners.

that year, the fifth leading cost of industrial accidents. This type of accident is almost completely preventable by using simple tethering devices like Gear Keeper.

“Gear Keeper’s instrument and tool tethers are inexpensive insurance against the damage and injury caused by objects dropped from above,” says John Salentine, Vice President and co-founder of Hammerhead Industries. “Not only that, employees appreciate always having their tools and instruments conveniently at hand when they need them and out of the way when they don’t.”

Safety engineers can find an off-the-shelf device to fit their need because there are many ways to configure a Gear Keeper. For more specialized applications, the manufacturer can produce custom devices. Safety engineers are often charged with ensuring adherence to OSHA Regulation 1926.759(a), which requires “that all materials, equipment and tools, which are not in use while aloft, must be secured against accidental displacement.” The tethers allow complying with this safety regulation.

These devices have been used for almost two decades by law enforcement, military agencies, fire and rescue organizations, industry, SCUBA, sport fishing, and many other outdoor and sports industries. The tethers handle heavy-duty industrial use with maximum break strength and durability. The retractables are salt-water proof and nearly jam-free with a patented flushing system that self clears sand and other debris from the retractor mechanism. With more than one million systems in use, the devices have a failure rate of less than 0.001%.

Hammerhead’s industrial tethers are available in retracting and non-retracting systems. They’re also available as personal attachment models or models for attaching to equipment, belts, and basket cranes. The devices are also designed with coil systems and tangles with various end types including load-bearing carabineers, fixed lanyards, and side-release versions.

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Delaware’s wind company helps launch first community wind project

Sustainable Energy Developments Inc. (SED), an Ontario, NY-based community wind company, has completed its largest project to date, a 2 MW wind turbine at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.  The  project created the first community wind turbine in the state and combines university level research, as part of the university’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment (CEOE), with the financial, energy and environmental benefits of wind power.

The project was completed in early June, following the commissioning and electrical interconnection of a 2-MW Gamesa wind turbine.  The culmination of the project was celebrated at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The university’s CEOE Dean, Nancy Targett, began her pursuit of a wind project in March of 2008 when she hired SED to perform an economic and technical assessment of the Lewes campus. The company helped define the college’s opportunity and convinced university officials to develop the project. SED was then tasked with protecting the interest of the university and guiding the project through the development stages.  The company’s assistance included permitting, detailed engineering, turbine procurement negotiations, electrical interconnection, construction, and commissioning.  SED also provided assistance in fulfilling the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act necessary to secure federal funding support for the wind turbine.

For SED, this first commercial scale wind turbine in “the first state” is one of a long list of groundbreaking projects.

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Solar Advertisements Line World Cup Fields

The World Cup is bigger than the Super Bowl. As weird as that may sound to we football-loving Americans, soccer is football for the rest of the world. And the world’s biggest advertisers, many of whom we recognize from multi-million dollar Super Bowl ads, know it. Mcdonald’s, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and a slew of others have spent big bucks to have their logos and slogans brandished on digital billboards lining the World Cup pitch.

But among these household giants comes a new name to the World Cup sidelines: Yingli Solar. Not only the first Chinese company to be an official sponsor, Yingli Green Energy Holdings Inc. (under the name Yingli Solar) represents a giant leap for the solar industry. In just six years of existence, the upstart start-up has somehow joined the ranks of seemingly ancient stalwarts like those mentioned above.

How and why did they get there? As the New York Times points out, Yingli is trading cash (up to $20 million) for recognition in a sort of success-by-association ad play – If your name is seen with the big boys then, well, you must be a big boy too. Also, Yingli is part of a group of Chinese solar firms cornering the global market by way of low labor and material costs, high volume production and extensive government support (primarily low labor costs). Yingli is simply gambling that no event could deliver better brand recognition than the World Cup.

Will it work? Possibly. It certainly can’t hurt to have your company name flashing across a massive, field-level billboard while the world’s most popular sport is watched by millions of viewers in nearly every country and possibly every household that can afford a television (the rest in local bars). Sure, they’re not cheering for Yingli Solar, but do a survey of people on the street in Johannesburg following this Sunday’s finals and ask them to name one solar company.

For me, the most spectacular thing about Yingli’s World Cup sponsorship is the implication for solar power in general, and in a way, that success-by-association tactic. We live in a world dominated by corporations; they are giant, they are global, they are stinking rich. Who would’ve thought 10 years ago that a solar company would be rubbing elbows with Ronald McDonald at the World Cup? Despite my misgivings about a Chinese-dominated, globalized, corporate solar industry, it’s hard not to feel good about press like this.

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Solar-powered airplane flies all day and night, sets records [w/video]

Filed under: Solar, Transportation Alternatives, Europe/EU

One of the knocks you hear against solar energy is that the sun doesn’t always shine. While true, that seemingly inconvenient fact didn’t stop the Swiss team behind the Solar Impulse HB-SIA from attempting to fly their super-size, super-light aircraft for over 24 hours powered by only by photonic goodness. In achieving their goal, not only did they set the record for longest solar flight at 26 hours and nine minutes, they also broke the record for altitude – 8,564 meters (28,097 feet) above sea level.

Perhaps just as amazing, they managed to land with more energy in their lithium battery pack than they started with. Piloted by Andre Borschberg, the 3,500 lb. carbon fiber flying machine hit speeds of 68 knots (78.25 miles per hour), though its average speed was 23 knots (26.47 mph). It employed four motors and gathered the energy to run them from 20 percent efficient mono-crystalline solar cells along its 193-foot wings.

Just like electric cars, the team says the element limiting electric aircraft performance is the energy density limitations of modern batteries. That technical hindrance isn’t stopping them from starting their next project – a plane to make a trans-Atlantic flight before attempting a circumnavigation of the planet in 2012. Hit the jump for video of the Solar Impulse in flight and on the ground with its very excited team.

[Source: Reuters / Solar Impulse]

Continue reading Solar-powered airplane flies all day and night, sets records [w/video]

Solar-powered airplane flies all day and night, sets records [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Solar-Powered Electric Music Video Screening with WFMU & Astralwerks

Civilian space exploration is still prohibitively expensive (for most of us), but intergalactic travel can be closely approximated by a simple journey to the East River on the evening of July 12th.

Join Solar One, Astralwerks Records, and WFMU’s DJ Trent for a 100% solar-powered evening of electronic music videos of every vintage, including the amazing new audiovisual experience by the Chemical Brothers, “Further.” Free Sixpoint Beer for everyone 21+ while supplies last. Solar One is located on 23rd Street @ the East River.

If you can’t make it in person, tune in to live audio and video streams at 91.1 in NYC, 90.1FM in the Catskills, and WFMU.org all over this planet. RAIN DATE: July 19th.

Now a Facebook event!

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Night flight for solar plane — HB-SIA carbon-fiber aircraft
Good slideshow. clipped from www.reuters.com 

This is a content summary. Support Photovoltaic Solar Power by visiting the website.

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Night flight for solar plane — HB-SIA carbon-fiber aircraft
Good slideshow. clipped from www.reuters.com 

This is a content summary. Support Photovoltaic Solar Power by visiting the website.

Visit the original post at: Solar Power News

Night flight for solar plane — HB-SIA carbon-fiber aircraft
Good slideshow. clipped from www.reuters.com 

This is a content summary. Support Photovoltaic Solar Power by visiting the website.

Visit the original post at: Solar Power News

PG&E Comes Out in Opposition to Prop 23

Life for 23 equals death for 32.

It is a formula neither experimental math riddle nor numeric palindrome. It is California politics.

California, a state that saw 135 different candidates run for governor in 2003, including such oddball contenders as Gary Coleman (RIP), Richard Simmons, Larry Flynt and The Terminator, always seems to have the most exciting elections. But as silly as it can sometimes seem, California, with the Governator now a who’d-a-thunk-it 7-year resident of the governor’s mansion, has blossomed into a national and global leader in renewable energy, especially solar power.

Yet much of that progress (already achieved and yet to come) is under serious threat from a much sillier but incredibly scary (and rich) source — Big Oil and its Proposition 23. The measure, which has been approved for the November ballot, would effectively kill AB 32, a landmark climate bill signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and due to realize its full impact in 2011.

Elusively dubbed the California Jobs Initiative (although Jerry Brown more aptly renamed it for the ballot), the measure would prohibit enforcement of AB 32 until the state’s unemployment rate falls below 5.5 percent (currently about 12.5 percent). Contrarily, opponents of Prop 23, which now includes Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), rebut that 23 would kill both 32 and valuable jobs in the state’s clean energy industry — it’s fastest growing economic sector.

PG&E joins the likes of George Schultz and a host of environmentalists in opposing Prop 23. Jonathan Marshall, chief of External Communications at PG&E, told CleantTechnica:

“Since actively supporting the passage of AB 32, PG&E has worked with the California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission and other stakeholders to make AB 32 a success and a model for other jurisdictions to follow. Contrary to this responsible approach, Proposition 23 would suspend the law indefinitely, despite the critical need to combat climate change at the state, national and global level.”

PG&E is a leader among utilities in California and nationwide in the race to a clean energy economy. With so much time and money invested (including most recently a $100 million investment in solar leasing), it’s no wonder that PG&E does not want to see AB 32 suspended.

Now PG&E and the greater greentech industry must hope that the majority of California voters also stand in opposition to Prop 23. In the meantime, hopefully opposition also means a little eco-PR for AB 32, which will undoubtedly be necessary to counteract the oil industry’s well-established greenwashing machine.

Source: CleanTechnica
Photo Credit: Photobucket & Shock Ya

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Solar Semiconductor and Conex Energy to Develop Over 300 MW of Solar Opportunities in California and Ontario, Canada
SUNNYVALE, CA–(Marketwire – July 8, 2010) -  Solar Semiconductor, Inc. and Conex Energy, Inc. today announced the agreement to develop over 300 MW of solar opportunities at various locations in California and Ontario, Canada. The solar opportunities will make use of Solar Semiconductor’s photovoltaic solar panels and related equipment in both ground-mounted and rooftop applications. In addition, under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will work together to develop solar opportunities in selected international locations.

“We are very excited about this joint development activity with Conex Energy,” said Hari Surapaneni, President & CEO of Solar Semiconductor. “The Conex team brings a strong track record of energy project development and proven financing expertise, which will enhance our ability to complete successful solar energy developments in California and Ontario, Canada.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Solar Semiconductor will assume primary responsibility for the design, supply of Solar Semiconductor photovoltaic solar panels and balance of system equipment. Conex Energy will assume responsibility for management of development activities, including but not limited to optimizing project energy sales, negotiating interconnection arrangements, securing project financing, and optimizing tax planning opportunities.

“Conex is very impressed with the high quality of Solar Semiconductor’s products, technology and management team,” said Paul Evans, Conex Energy’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We believe this arrangement will help both companies increase their presence in the renewable energy marketplace.”

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LDK Solar Signs Module Supply Contract with ABB
XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (“LDK Solar”; NYSE:  LDK), a leading manufacturer of solar wafers and PV products, announced today that it has signed a contract to supply solar modules to the Power Systems division of Italy-based ABB SpA (“ABB”), a subsidiary of ABB Group. Under the terms of the agreement, LDK Solar will deliver 13 megawatts (MW) of solar modules to ABB in the third quarter of 2010. A wider cooperation agreement is under negotiation to supply ABB with larger volumes of solar modules in the remainder of 2010 and 2011.

“We are very excited to commence a relationship with ABB Group. This relationship will allow LDK Solar to take advantage of the wealth of solar opportunities that ABB has developed in Europe,” stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK Solar. “This sales contract with ABB demonstrates our continued momentum in growing our module business, specifically with European customers.”

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LDK Solar Signs Module Supply Contract with ABB
XINYU CITY, China and SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (“LDK Solar”; NYSE:  LDK), a leading manufacturer of solar wafers and PV products, announced today that it has signed a contract to supply solar modules to the Power Systems division of Italy-based ABB SpA (“ABB”), a subsidiary of ABB Group. Under the terms of the agreement, LDK Solar will deliver 13 megawatts (MW) of solar modules to ABB in the third quarter of 2010. A wider cooperation agreement is under negotiation to supply ABB with larger volumes of solar modules in the remainder of 2010 and 2011.

“We are very excited to commence a relationship with ABB Group. This relationship will allow LDK Solar to take advantage of the wealth of solar opportunities that ABB has developed in Europe,” stated Xiaofeng Peng, Chairman and CEO of LDK Solar. “This sales contract with ABB demonstrates our continued momentum in growing our module business, specifically with European customers.”

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JA Solar Announces 70MW Supply Agreement With Solar-Fabrik AG
SHANGHAI, July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: JASO), a leading manufacturer of high-performance solar power products, today announced it has entered into supply agreements with Solar-Fabrik AG. Under the terms of the agreements, JA Solar is expected to supply Solar-Fabrik with approximately 70MW of photovoltaic products. Shipment has already started and will continue through the end of 2010.

The supply agreements further strengthen the strong partnership between the two companies that began in 2008.  Both JA Solar and Solar-Fabrik are committed to work together for future growth. 

“We are glad to extend our relationship with Solar-Fabrik, one of Europe’s leading solar energy companies and a pioneer in the international photovoltaic industry,” said Dr. Peng Fang, CEO of JA Solar. “Solar-Fabrik has a strong presence and great brand recognition in key solar markets such as Germany, Italy and France.  Our alliance will further expand our geographic reach and enhance our positioning within the global solar market,” he said.

“We are pleased to expand our strategic partnership with JA Solar for supply of high-quality materials,” commented Guenter Weinberger, CEO of Solar-Fabrik AG. “JA Solar’s products are top quality and fulfill our stringent requirements.  We appreciate our partnership with JA Solar, which helps both parties to grow their market share,” he said.

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