By Steve Scauzillo | [email protected] | San Gabriel Valley TribunePUBLISHED: September 30, 2018 at 10:47 am | UPDATED: September 30, 2018 at 10:47 am The sun rose in Anaheim last week. So did thousands of folks from solar, battery and microgrid companies. From manufacturers to installers, from marketers to service providers, they all carried their inspiration from the sun in their black briefcases to sunny California, where inside the glass convention hall, they would hawk their wares or demonstrate their latest sun-grabbing technologies. That ball of fire 93 million miles from Earth was the star of the event. Literally. The Solar Power International Conference filled four days, both floors of the Anaheim Convention Center, plus the outdoor patios and the Marriott Hotel ballrooms. These folks (mostly men) got up early (some presentations started at 8 a.m.) to talk about the ancient practice of taking the sun’s rays and making something useful out of them. Solar power is … [Read more...] about The sun was the star of 4-day solar power conference last week in SoCal
Solar power news
May tornado clears way for solar powered homes
HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- - Four months after tornadoes ravaged parts of the state, Hamden continues picking up the pieces. The damage created a unique effect, clearing the way for families to apply for and install solar panels. Marie and Tom Ankner were hit hard in May when the storm battered the area. Trees are still uprooted, logs litter the sides of streets and tarps hang over roofs. "It was like a war zone, wires down everywhere, trees down everywhere," Marie Ankner recalled. The tornado toppled their massive, 100-year-old Oak tree. The tree, crashed onto their home, garage and two of their cars, obliterating both. "Up until the time of the tornado we probably would not have been approved for solar panels because we had a large oak tree in the front," Ankner said. 600 homes in Hamden alone are now solar. The town's energy efficiency coordinator, Kathleen Schomaker says solar powered energy has … [Read more...] about May tornado clears way for solar powered homes
View from around the state: Foxconn looking into solar power is more welcome news
Only a month ago we were lauding the developers of the $10 billion Foxconn manufacturing campus under construction in Mount Pleasant for committing to a cutting-edge water recycling system. That proposed system would reduce the demand for water from Lake Michigan to serve the campus by more than half, and would distill, recycle and recover manufacturing-process wastewater. Foxconn officials cited it as an example of the company’s commitment to comply with water-treatment regulations and exceed them where possible. Now, recent news reports suggest Foxconn may try to take the same path when it comes to energy needs for the giant manufacturing facility. We Energies officials said they were in talks with Foxconn over its energy supply needs and that solar power may figure prominently in the campus’ needs. “Everything is on the table, and we’re looking to how this best works for both parties,” Gale Klappa, chairman and CEO of WEC Energy Group, told a Milwaukee … [Read more...] about View from around the state: Foxconn looking into solar power is more welcome news
Florida governments are embracing solar power, but Naples isn’t one of them … yet
Lisa Conley Naples Daily News Published 8:46 p.m. UTC Aug 9, 2018 Local governments throughout the Sunshine State are taking advantage of one of Florida's most abundant natural resources by installing solar panels on their buildings and properties, but Naples isn't one of them — at least not yet. Dana Souza, director of community services for Naples, said his department is in the early stages of exploring the possibilities of solar power. His primary focus is to ensure that any solar projects the city decides to pursue would be financially beneficial, he said. "We don’t want to (install solar panels) simply for the sake of demonstrating solar," he said. "We want a return on our investment so we can see a reasonable reduction on electric costs." The city conducted a solar power study in 2015 but found that the cost of the solar panels outweighed the money the city would save on its electric bill, Souza said. City officials also considered partnering with … [Read more...] about Florida governments are embracing solar power, but Naples isn’t one of them … yet
Pacific Ethanol Completes Solar Power Project at Madera Ethanol Plant
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEIX), announced today the completion of a 5-megawatt solar power system at its 40 million gallon capacity per year ethanol plant in Madera, California. The system is online and generating power. Initial operations are at 3.5 megawatts and will increase to 5 megawatts upon completion of PG&E upgrades to the adjacent substation, which are expected in the fourth quarter of 2018. Neil Koehler, Pacific Ethanol’s president and CEO, stated: “We are very excited to be online generating electricity with solar power at our Madera, California facility. This is the first ever large-scale solar power system installed at an ethanol production plant in the United States. This system will lower our carbon score and is expected to reduce our utility costs by approximately $1 million annually when operating at full capacity.” About Pacific Ethanol, Inc.www.pacificethanol.com. Safe Harbor … [Read more...] about Pacific Ethanol Completes Solar Power Project at Madera Ethanol Plant