Solar Energy

Data shows that these countries have increased solar capacity the most in 15 years mycouriertribune.com

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Added: December 6, 2022, 11:35 am

CASHTON, Wis. (WKBT) – Organic Valley’s passion for renewable energy is spreading around the world.

A team from the Cashton facility traveled to Nepal to install solar panels and batteries at a dairy cooperative there.

Nepal’s national power grid often goes down, and when it does, milk from more than 500 family farms can go bad. One of the main principles of Organic Valley is to “cooperate with other cooperatives”.

Organizer David Whited-Ford says the project was an incredible fit.

“Because they are cooperative. We are cooperative,” White-Ford said. “There are 514 families, about 1,800 families there. As I read the description, I thought they were messing with me because nothing could be that perfect.

In Nepal, farmers take their milk in buckets to a collection facility. Whited-Ford says knowing the milk won’t spoil is incredible.

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Humans have been searching for ways to desalinate seawater to provide drinking water for centuries. Especially in arid areas of the world, governments and private companies have explored many technologies to convert saltwater into fresh water, using the abundant ocean to provide safe drinking water to areas facing acute freshwater shortages. However, this has been prohibitively expensive and impractical in the past. But now a Norwegian firm thinks it has created a new way to turn water using the power of waves.

The main reason companies shy away from desalination operations is high energy costs. It requires about ten times more energy than any other water source and also produces significant amounts of carbon emissions. Therefore, large-scale desalination projects require their own power plants to operate.

Desalination operations traditionally relied on boiling seawater to get rid of the salt. However, in recent decades more countries have been using reverse osmosis techniques, relying on high pressure to force salt water through a membrane and trap it. This process requires less energy, although it is still far from low energy, with only 4 kWh needed to produce one cubic meter of drinking water. In addition to high energy usage, desalination operations have significant installation costs that require expensive infrastructure and maintenance to run. For this reason, water conservation and reuse is more popular in areas where other water sources are available.

However, desalination has long been a popular technique in the Middle East, much of which is very arid and has difficult access to fresh water. Saudi Arabia introduced two special distillation condensers in the city of Jeddah in the early 1900s as the demand for potable water increased. Later, an independent government agency, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), was established in 1974 to oversee desalination projects. And in the UAE, desalination operations provide about 42 percent of the country’s drinking water needs.

Currently, many desalination operations run on fossil fuels, which means they generate high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. As populations grow and desalination plants are built in the Middle East, there are concerns about their impact on climate change. However, plants can be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar energy, making them cleaner. But everything is not so simple. Laurent Lambert, Associate Professor of Water-Energy-Climate Public Policy at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, explains, “The first fundamental problem with plants is that most desalination infrastructure is not solar-ready. Second, solar panels need to be cleaned often, so you need water. Cleaning these panels will increase the existing water tension.

Now a Norwegian firm thinks it has the right way to ensure greener desalination operations. Ocean Oasis has built a wave-powered prototype device that it hopes will provide a blueprint for floating desalination operations. The ten-meter-high, seven-meter-diameter plant was installed in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, to test its productivity. Ocean Oasis believes its technology will enable “the production of fresh water from ocean waters by using wave energy to desalinize and pump drinking water to coastal users.”

Innovation Norway, Grieg Maritime Group, Gran Canaria Economic Promotion Society and other organizations provided financing for the project. The firm hopes the project will provide a more affordable way to desalinate the area, which has abundant saltwater resources. Low rainfall, high soil permeability, and overexploitation of aquifers means the region is facing water scarcity, seeking alternative ways to supply fresh water. The new technique will reduce dependence on fossil fuels to power desalination operations.

After the test, Ocean Oasis plans to build a second, expanded structure with the required capacity to produce water for consumption. Since wave and tidal energy projects are relatively few compared to other renewable energy sources, there are high hopes for the project’s use of wave power. Governments are beginning to increase funding for research and development of ocean energy projects, but this remains largely untapped.

The Canary Islands are not the only area looking to develop innovative desalination techniques, the US Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a competition with a $3.3 million prize for the most innovative wave-powered desalination proposals. In the Waves to Water Award, participants were asked to design, build and test devices that use wave energy to produce drinking water from salt water. Oneka Technologies has been awarded a $500,000 grand prize for its Oneka Snowflake device after a successful trial in North Carolina.

After years of trying to develop cost-effective desalination operations, the best large-scale projects we have to date remain extremely low-carbon. With the support of state governments, new innovative projects are now being seen that have the potential to convert brackish water into clean drinking water without damaging the environment. However, these projects remain at an early stage and will require significantly more funding to be implemented on a large scale.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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It’s not just cars that will go through the energy transition in the coming years. Electric vehicle charging stations are a growing focus of construction efforts related to climate change and carbon reduction.

Under a law approved in France last month, parking lots with 80 or more spaces must be covered with solar panels within the next five years. For the largest parking lots, those with more than 400 spaces, at least half of the parking lot surface is covered by solar energy for three years.

Similar renewable energy design ideas are expected to gain more market share in the US, if not necessarily through federal mandate.

“You’re going to see a lot of the same things you’re seeing in France and other countries, but it probably won’t play out the same way in terms of federal action versus provincial action,” said Vice President Bill Abolt, president and head of the energy business for infrastructure consulting firm AECOM.

As local and state governments mandate renewable energy deployments and the federal government takes an incentive-based approach to promoting climate technology through measures like the Inflation Reduction Act, large corporations are making their solar commitments.

Target, Home Depot, Walmart and renewable energy

Target updated its fleet this spring, equipping one of its California stores with solar panels. Home Depot is pushing for all of its stores to use only renewable energy by 2030, while Walmart hopes to achieve that by 2040. These efforts won’t just be through on-site renewable energy generation—buying renewable energy at the utility scale. projects are among the strategic options to achieve these goals – but investing in solar energy for store locations will be more widespread.

“You have a lot of significant companies that have taken steps and made commitments with local governments and agencies on renewable energy and things like that. So there’s no question that this level of investment has accelerated the development of technology, the introduction of more cost-effective solar,” Abolt said. .

According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, solar installation costs have fallen by more than 60% in the past decade.

“There’s no doubt that the cost curve for solar is getting better and better all the time and will continue to do so. Private business has done a lot, and we see more private investment coming as a result,” Abolt said. .

Global commercial real estate firm CBRE has partnered with renewable energy company Altus Power to work with clients including many Fortune 500 companies on solar projects.

“Decarbonisation and energy efficiency and energy sustainability are the key themes for these corporations right now,” said Lars Norell, co-founder and CEO of Altus Power. “The No. 1 answer is clean energy in the building,” he said.

Now it’s possible to consider renewable energy projects for businesses of all sizes, Norell said.

“Something that Walmart, IKEA or Amazon is doing, small family businesses are coming to us and saying, ‘Should we be doing the same thing?’ Can our roof store solar energy?” In almost all of these cases, the answer is absolutely yes,” he said.

Public expectations and board pressure are key factors why large corporations move faster than smaller companies when it comes to renewable energy. “In many cases, small companies don’t have a large audience waiting for them to act, but many of them act out of self-interest or because they want to save money,” Norell said.

Solar energy and commercial real estate

Solar cars and rooftop solar are the main solar designs being adopted in the world of commercial real estate.

“We see that there is almost no debate around the wisdom of putting solar in the parking lot,” Norell said. “We believe that rooftop solar and parking lot solar will make it easier for most communities to not only adopt, but adopt clean energy.”

An increasing number of solar projects have been built on commercial parking lots in recent years, and state governments have created specific incentives for solar vehicles, including the 2018 Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target and the Maryland Energy Administration’s Solar Cap Grant Program, which provides funding. Encouraging the use of solar powered car parks and parking garages, along with EV chargers. It provided up to $250,000 for each solar car project, creating incentives for commercial enterprises to invest in the projects.

“With rising energy prices and more government support, like in France for example, we think there will be more car parks in parking lots,” Norell said.

Commercial retail centers and logistics buildings are prime targets for solar energy. Commercial retail centers, such as grocery stores, consume higher levels of energy and often have large parking lots. Logistics buildings such as warehouses have large rooftops that are optimal locations for applying solar energy.

Altus Power predicts that within the next decade, most buildings will have a solar energy system.

With the growing production and consumption of electric vehicles — the International Energy Agency says electric vehicle sales in the U.S. will double in market share to 4.5% in 2021 to 630,000 EVs — commercial solar-powered businesses are turning to EV chargers in parking lots. more useful for consumers in need. .

The same will be true for warehouses and distribution centers.

“Once you’re able to have fleets of electric vans and trucks, all the trucks come to those logistics buildings and it’s a great place to put fleet chargers, taking advantage of the opportunity to charge when the truck is full. It also has an electric battery,” he said. Norell. “We can charge it with clean electricity because we generate solar power on the roof and it goes into the truck.”

WINDSOR, NS – After nearly halving their energy costs after moving to a new location, the congregation of Windsor Baptist Church focused on what more could be done to reduce their impact on the environment.

It is now about to become a net zero object.

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The Rev. Rob Heffernan, lead pastor of Windsor Baptist Church, said he paid upwards of $25,000 a year in heating bills when he was housed in an 1898 building on King Street. In November 2019, the church held its last service in historic downtown Windsor, decommissioned the building, and moved to a more modern church, 219 Payzant Dr.

The move has cut bills by about half, he said.

“We believe that God cares for the earth and we should be stewards of it,” Heffernan said.

He said the congregation saw the effects of the climate crisis and wanted to do their part to make a difference. Church officials began looking at incorporating more green energy into the church. The concept of using solar energy came up and they started looking at it as a possibility.

“They were cautiously optimistic; (they) wanted more information,” Heffernan said of the community’s overall response, noting that members have been very open-minded to all the proposed changes over the years.

“We have some in the congregation who have recently purchased or are about to install panels on their homes,” said Heffernan, who noted that he is also considering solar panels for his Garlands Crossing home.

After doing some research, the assembly found Thermo Dynamics Ltd., headquartered in Halifax. decided to cooperate with The company has been producing solar energy products since its inception in 1981. President Peter Allen lives in Hants County.

“One of the guys in our church lives like that … and it happened to him and one thing led to another,” Heffernan said of a chance encounter with Allen.

The meeting wanted to ensure they were investing in a product and company that would be sustainable.

Heffernan said a lawyer drafted a contract with Thermo Dynamics and they are now proceeding with the installation of 98 solar panels.

“After we moved in, we always talked about becoming a net zero facility,” Heffernan said. Now they are on the verge of achieving this goal.

“The way it works is that you kind of de-energize the system during the winter months because there’s less sun, and you power the system up in the summer, so you’re running all year round. net zero for us,” he explained.

Nova Scotia Power is handling project approvals, Heffernan said.

Heffernan said the solar panels would cost about $107,000 to install, but they have a lease-like arrangement with the owner.

“We don’t have to preempt anything,” Heffernan said.

“He will host them and essentially, we pay him a monthly fee. Then he will get all the benefits from Nova Scotia Power until the $107,000 is paid,” he said.

Heffernan said they hope the project will pay off in about 10 years.

“If we pay it off early, there’s no interest or penalty.”

Heffernan said the public understands that the start-up costs for solar projects are high and that many people cannot afford the initial investment. But he said in the long run, the improvements will pay dividends for anyone who can go green.

“We’re just trying to be a good example.”

But Windsor Baptist Church isn’t the only one starting energy-efficient upgrades.

Robert E. Rushton noted that Port Williams United Baptist Church (PWUBC) is also in the midst of going solar.

“A generous donation from a donor has enabled PWUBC to begin installing a Photo Voltaic system on the roof of the church hall to harvest energy from the sun,” he said.

“By early 2023, the church hopes to remove both the oil tanks and furnace, install a new 200-amp outlet, two electric furnaces, and more than 30 solar panels.”

The second phase of the project will include the installation of more solar panels and a charging station for electric vehicles.

Rushton said the congregation is “excited to do our part to protect the environment.”

Carole Morris-Underhill is managing editor of the Valley Journal-Advertiser. He can be contacted via email [email protected] and followed @CMUnderhill on Twitter.

This system has been enhanced by the addition of NI Water’s first battery energy storage system, which has already been launched.

This battery system is the first of its kind for NI Water.

Last year, NI Water announced the completion of a total investment of £5 million to upgrade the Ballykelly WwTW, providing a new wastewater treatment approach that uses reedbeds as part of the treatment process to provide a natural, long-term and sustainable solution.

Solar panels in Ballykelly field.

The Ballykelly plant is now ‘leading the way’ with this sustainable solution for wastewater treatment which maximizes the use of renewable resources as part of an integrated solution.

NI Water said this new battery energy storage system will further increase plant efficiency by making greater use of solar energy.

NI Water Senior Capital Project Manager Mark Brownlee said: “The aim of the new battery system is to enable the plant to run on 100% locally generated solar energy throughout the year as much as possible.”

“During the winter months, when solar production is reduced, the battery system can be charged from the grid using cheap off-peak energy tariffs.

Ballykelly battery.

“This innovative, in-house developed system is the first of its kind for NI Water and will bring many efficiency benefits and cost savings to the company amid rising energy prices.”

The battery system will be used in an innovative way to reduce costs by making maximum use of both the grid and the Solar Panel System during peak winter demand periods. Energy can be flexibly stored and released to reduce costs and reduce demand on the grid during peak periods.

The Ballykelly Wastewater Treatment Works has already won the 2022 International Green Apple Environmental Award and was named ‘Infrastructure Project of the Year’ at the 2022 CEF Construction Excellence Awards earlier this month.

Ballykelly site.

ANAS Power will develop, own and operate a 500 MW solar PV plant to be located in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. The project is financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the Netherlands Business Development Bank (FMO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The 500 MW wind farm located in the Red Sea Governorate is being developed in partnership with Sumitomo Corporation, which will hold a 40% stake in the Project. The financing is provided by a consortium of banks including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and IFC, with Standard Chartered Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank participating as co-lenders under Nippon Export and Investment Insurance. NEXI) cover.

Both projects have already secured Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and Usufruct Agreements with the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), which have completed their feasibility studies.

Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of ANAS Power, said: “These landmark projects reflect the long-term commitment, ambition and growth of ANAS Power. The company is leading the development of renewable energy in Africa that will bring clean energy to millions of people across the continent through its global and regional partnerships.

“We are proud to reach this important milestone and support Egypt in its energy transition journey and accelerate sustainable development. Today’s achievement would not have been possible without the hard work of ANAS power’s world-class team, the support of our project partners, creditors, consultants, and the cooperation of the Egyptian government.”

The projects will support Egypt’s renewable energy ambitions while supporting economic and social development in the region. The Egyptian government is working to increase the supply of electricity from renewable sources to 42% by 2035.

“These projects highlight the important role of the private sector in helping to deliver clean, affordable energy, especially as challenges from climate change and environmental pressures mount,” said Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa. .

“Egypt has ambitious renewable energy goals and we are proud to support ANAS’s expansion into Africa and its partnership with Egypt to accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy.”

ANAS Power also recently signed a Framework Agreement with the Egyptian government to develop a large-scale green hydrogen project as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) held in Sharm El Sheikh. production of green ammonia. After the 1 GW plant is completed, it will be able to produce 800,000 tons of green ammonia per year for export.

ANAS Power is rapidly expanding its investments in wind, solar, energy storage and green hydrogen, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the global energy transition. The company has approximately 6 GW of clean energy pipelines in 15 countries.

Solar power is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. In the past decade, the amount of solar energy installed each year has increased by more than 1000%. There are now more than two million solar installations in the US, and the industry employs more than 240,000 Americans. Despite this growth, solar still only provides about 1% of the nation’s electricity. There is huge potential for further growth, and many reasons to switch to solar power. In this blog post, we’ll touch on some of the biggest reasons to go solar. Solar energy is clean energy, it’s renewable, and it’s a great way to save money. Solar power also increases home value, is maintenance-free, and has many other benefits. We’ll also touch on the case for solar power, and some of the top reasons to go solar.

Solar Energy Is Clean Energy

Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that can help reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. Solar panels can be installed on your home to provide you with direct access to solar energy, which can then be used to power devices in your home. Additionally, by installing solar panels you can also reduce your electricity bill.

Another benefit of solar energy is that it is reliable. Solar panels are designed to withstand severe weather conditions and have a long lifespan. Moreover, there are many government incentives and tax breaks available for solar energy users, so it’s an affordable option too.

There are many reasons to consider investing in solar energy. The fact that it is a clean and renewable resource makes it a valuable option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, the reliability of solar energy means that you can count on it to provide power when you need it, no matter what the weather conditions are. Finally, there are many government incentives and tax breaks available for solar energy users, so you can make the switch without breaking the bank.

Solar Energy Is Renewable

Solar energy is a renewable resource that will never run out. Solar energy is also clean and emissions-free, which makes it an ideal choice for powering homes and businesses. Switching to solar energy can help you save money on your energy bills and make your home more environmentally friendly.

There are many different types of solar energy, including photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and concentrated solar power (CSP). PV panels use light to turn electricity into usable electrons, while CSP uses mirrors or giant thermal collectors to heat up a fluid and create steam, which then turns the turbines.

There is a huge variety of solar energy systems available, so you can find one that fits your needs. Some people choose stand-alone systems, while others combine their rooftop PV with an inverter and battery to store electricity for when the sun isn’t shining. Whichever route you decide to take, be sure to research everything carefully before making your purchase. Solar energy is an amazing resource that can help make a positive impact on the environment and your wallet!

Solar Power Increases Home Value

If you’re looking to increase the value of your home, why not consider solar power? According to a study by GTM Research, solar power can boost home value by an average of 4.1%. This means that if you have access to solar panels and are willing to invest in them, you could see a significant increase in the worth of your home.

Another benefit is that solar power makes your home more attractive to buyers. Not only will it boost its overall value, but it can also make it easier for potential buyers to find and purchase your property. Plus, since installation costs are typically minimal, this is an affordable way to improve the look and feel of your home without breaking the bank.

If you’re interested in solar power, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure your home is conducive to installing solar panels. Often, homes that are sunny and have good access to the grid are best suited for solar installation. Second, consider factors like price and insurance requirements before making a decision. Finally, be sure to consult with a qualified installer who can help you get started on your project.

Overall, solar power is an affordable way to improve your home’s value and make it more energy-efficient. If you’re considering this option for your property, talk to a professional about what’s best for you and your situation.

Solar Power Is Maintenance Free

Solar power is an environmentally friendly and sustainable resource. Not only is solar power renewable, but it is also self-sufficient – meaning that it doesn’t require any outside resources to function. Additionally, solar panels have a 25-30 year lifespan, which means that they will last for several years without needing to be replaced.

Solar panel systems are low maintenance. Typically, all you need to do to maintain a solar panel system is clean the panels with a hose and brush once a year. Dirty or debris panels can be cleaned quickly and easily this way.

There are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to install a solar panel system. First, make sure that your property can accommodate the extra weight of the panels and associated wiring. Second, be aware of local zoning laws – some areas prohibit solar panel installations altogether. Finally, be sure to have an up-to-date understanding of your solar system’s capabilities – if anything changes (such as weather patterns), you’ll want to make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance.

Why Switch To Solar Power?

Switching to solar power can be a great way to save on energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your home. In addition, you may be eligible for tax breaks and other financial incentives. To find out more about solar energy and how it can benefit you, visit our website or talk to one of our representatives today.

Some of the many benefits of solar power include:

– Lower energy bills: Solar panels produce little to no heat, so they require significantly less energy to run than traditional sources like coal or gas. This means you can save money on your monthly utility bill.

– Improved environment: Switching to solar power reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for fossil fuels. This helps reduce global warming and its associated effects, such as more frequent and severe weather events.

– Increased home value: A well-designed solar system can increase the value of your home by tens of thousands of dollars. By taking advantage of tax breaks and other incentives, you could see even greater savings on your investment.

The Case For Solar Power

Solar power is a clean, renewable source of energy that is cheaper in the long run than traditional sources of energy. Solar panels can also increase the value of your home, as they can provide an additional stream of income. Additionally, solar power is a hedge against rising energy prices – if the cost of electricity rises, solar power will still be cheaper than using traditional sources of energy.

Solar power is becoming more and more popular, as it becomes more affordable and efficient. In the United States, solar power accounted for almost one-third of all new electricity capacity installed in 2014. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that solar will account for around half of global energy consumption by 2050.

There are a variety of reasons why solar power is becoming so popular. Solar panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient every year, which means that they become a better value proposition overall. Additionally, the public attitudes towards environmentalism have led to an increased awareness of the benefits of using clean energy sources like solar. As a result, there is growing support for policies that promote solar power development – both at the federal level in America and internationally.

Top Reasons To Go Solar

There are many reasons to go solar, and here are some of the top ones:

Solar power is good for the environment. Solar panels create little or no pollution, which is great for the environment. Furthermore, solar energy is a renewable resource that can be used over and over again. This means that it has a lower impact on the planet than other forms of energy such as coal or oil.

Solar panels can save you money on your electric bill. Not only does solar power reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, but it also saves you money on your electric bill in the long run. In fact, according to one study by The NPD Group, going solar can actually save you more money than traditional electricity sources over a 20-year period! That’s because solar power provides consistent and predictable electricity prices, regardless of market conditions.

Solar energy is a renewable resource. Solar power comes from the sun – which is always shining! This means that it’s an environmentally sustainable resource that doesn’t deplete like other types of energy do (like oil). Additionally, solar panel systems have a long lifespan – meaning they will continue producing electricity even after they have been installed for several years! This makes them an affordable investment – especially when compared to other types of energy sources such as oil or coal.

Solar power can be used to heat your home or pool in wintertime – something that neither oil nor coal can do reliably (at least not yet!). And if you live in an area with cold winters, solar power could also help you conserve thermal energy by heating up your home instead of using gas or diesel fuel to do this job.

Finally, adding value to your home through installing a quality rooftop system creates equity in your property and may lead to higher resale values down the road!

All In All

There are many reasons to consider solar power for your home or business. Solar energy is clean, renewable, and a great way to save money. Solar power also increases home value, is maintenance-free, and has many other benefits. If you’re interested in solar power, be sure to consult with a qualified installer who can help you get started on your project.