T. Boone Pickens

For those who haven't had a chance to visit or read about T. Boone Pickens and his alternative energy plan here's the official site. He has big plans for Wind Energy as well as the other alternative energy ideas. There is a blog, a pledge, a way to contact congress, a state by state rundown on current plan news.

Also a forum where people can discuss alternative energy as well as his plan here.

Check out the "The PickensPlan."

Jobs In Solar: STROLLING FOR DOLLARS! ~ Bring your baby for this fun green job :) (santa cruz)

Reply to: SolarSafari@gmail.com
Date: 2008-11-28, 9:11PM PST

If you are a fit mother who likes to take walks with her baby, this job is perfect for you!

I'll give you a route map of local hotels ...and all you have to do is take a stroll on nice days with your baby to deliver information packets about the benefits of my free efficiency analysis services. The minimum pay is $10 per hotel that agrees to take advantage of my free efficiency analysis offer. This will tend to work out to more than $20 per hour even if you take your time.

If you're interested in following up on Solar-Photovoltaic System sales to these hotels (basically scheduling meetings and keeping track of the progress of the sale), there is potential in this job for you to make some really serious money by assisting me with follow-up.

Feel free to make frequent stops to care for your baby as often as you need to, and take all the time you need to really enjoy this fun green job :)

Write your email message indicating interest to "George" ...and send to: SolarSafari@gmail.com Compensation: $20 per hour minimum + commission

• OK for recruiters to contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Project "Goldfish"-Solar Hits The Water

They have done their study and say it's feasible. Just a matter of getting the funding from forward thinking investors. They want to create floating mobile solar power plants. The company behind the creative idea is "BKW FMB Energie AG" based in Switzerland.

The floating solar power plants would be first used in inland waterways. Additionally, "Operation in passenger shipping applications is an obvious example, where CO2-neutral energy supply can be guaranteed."

The first part of their campaign to have solar start swimming is the creation of a Solar Powered Submarine. Called "Project Goldfish", the submarine would first operate at a local lake in view of the Swiss Alps. It would draw it's energy from the floating solar power plant. Passengers which would include tourists would take a solar powered shuttle to the platform and board the sub marine. The sub will hold approx. 24 to 30 passengers comfortably.

The various applications they're hoping this innovative technology to be used for would be tourism-taking tourists from hotels to restaurants and tourist spots via waterways and ports, large ships running on waterways powered by solar charging up at the floating platforms or ports, powering up businesses and public facilities near these waterways and ports, etc.

Learn more about Project Goldfish at the Goldfish Site.

New Battery Technology in Development

This Newsweek article talks about what's going to improve batteries, specifically batts that would be used for hybrids, solar roof systems, etc. The battery sector has languished for many years as batteries work by utilizing a chemical reaction and governed by physics.

Development of more powerful yet smaller batteries that could be used to power hybrids and rooftop solar is taking place at different laboratories throughout the country. This article gives you a rundown on the current state of discovery and upgrades.

One inaccuracy I found was that one of the authors says in order to be "off the grid" you have to have a battery the size of a bathroom or something like that. Obviously, many people who live off the grid have found a way to accomplish it without a battery that size.

Learn about the latest experiments with new tech batteries here at Newsweek.

Jobs In Solar: Architect/Engineer (Tempe)

Reply to: job-930027886@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-11-22, 1:39PM MST

Architect or Engineer needed for work in the Solar Industry.

Must have Arizona License and Wet Stamp capability.
Worlds largest Solar Manufacturer.
Part time and Piece work also available. Location: Tempe

• Compensation: Open
• This is a part-time job.
• This is a contract job.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Wattbot-Putting Solar Customers and Providers Together

Wattbot is a new site that provides visitors with information and final costs of installing solar panel systems. You have many options to choose from as they let you know what systems would be best for your area, the costs, solar providers and give you customized suggestions based on the information you fill in.

They'll give you a list of products your interested in, who could provide the services you'd like and where you can get financing.

There is also a forum where like minded solar fans can ask and answer questions relating to solar panels and systems.

But there's more. They also are providing market info to solar system providers. They will have access to data on site users, have access to business leads and can learn how much demand there is for their products and services. They also will participating in the forum answering customer questions.

The site is still in beta mode but will officially debut on January 27th 2009. Registration is free.

Runs On Rays

Vermont based "Green Mountain Power" has converted a couple of their Toyota Prius vehicles into cars that "run on rays." They've installed a 4kw solar array on board and that charges the batteries enough to get 100 mpg on local trips.

They're able to charge them on site for a full day's charge. Prius plug-in hybrid vehicles made in 2004 or later can be converted using a kit.

Full info available at MarketWatch.

Space-Based Solar Power Documentary

The fever over Space-Based generation of solar power is rising. A new documentary aimed at students is covering the potential for solar power to be beamed back to earth. It's being shown for free at The Futures Channel and is approx. 19 minutes long.

The Pentagon is conducting a study on this subject as well as other groups. It's possible that 1.2 Million jobs could be created by developing Space-Based Solar Power into a viable industry in the coming years!

The makers of the documentary hope to inspire these students to become future engineers, scientists, researchers, etc.

"It's going to be the new generation of students coming through the system now that are going to be the engineers, the designers, the builders of these systems," Air Force Col. Michael "Coyote" Smith, a space-based solar power strategist, says in his interview. A program to build space-based solar power technology would require people across hundreds of career tracks, ranging from electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineers to metallurgists and welding technicians, he explains.

The idea is to inspire a critical thinking ability and a love for mathematics which will be essential to anyone entering the field.

Check out the documentary called "Powering the Planet" at the Futures Channel.

Jobs In Solar: Solar/Electrical Syetem Engineer

Reply to: info@prontova.com
Date: 2008-11-14, 5:21PM PST

Prontova Energy Solutions is an alternate energy solution provider and electric system integrator specializing in the design and installation of residential and commercial solar systems. Our vision is to make solar photovoltaic systems an integral part of the alternate energy solution. We are an emerging solar company with a vision to be the preferred vendor of choice for comprehensive alternate energy systems solutions.

This position will be responsible for the following:

Complete system designs including photovoltaic panels, inverters etc;
Drafting of system plans;
Creates detailed bill of materials for system;
Interpretation and implementation of code requirements;
Interfacing with local building officials.
Visiting customer sites to perform evaluations and preliminary design on as needed basis
Working with Installers to resolve any field issues

Basic Qualifications:

Focused on high quality of system design
Prior design and field experience with Solar systems
Detail oriented and strong in planning.
AutoCAD and drafting experience.
Good skills computer skills; MS Outlook, Word and Excel.
Professional appearance and client interaction
Good people skills, able to manage, motivate and discipline if necessary.
Motivated team player, looking to succeed.
Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering related field.
Willing to travel if necessary.
Ability to interpret construction documents.
Innovative and proactive.

We are looking for an experienced designer willing to join an exciting organization at early stage and grow with the company. Willing to consider part time employees for this position.

Please apply at info@prontova.com
Compensation: Negotiable

• Telecommuting is ok.
• This is a part-time job.
• This is a contract job.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Arizona to State Utilities-Pay 'Em Back!

The state of Arizona will be forcing state regulated utility companies to buy back extra electricity generated by business and residential customers. The new rule won't go into effect until the Attorney General makes sure it's legally constitutional.

They're hoping this motivates business owners to purchase larger solar panel arrays in order to start paying for their system faster. Residential customers won't see much of a payback right away but the state if hoping citizens will also be motivated to install solar to participate in the "net metering" program.

"With the new rules, consumers will get full retail credit each month for the energy they produce. If they produce more energy than they use, the credit will be applied to the next month's bill. At the end of the year, if consumers still have credit, the utility pays for the energy."

"It means Arizonans who put solar panels on their rooftops will get paid fair market value for the energy they produce and don't use," Commissioner Kris Mayes said. "Basically, it makes it much more economical."

Sounds like a plan.

Read about Arizona Solar Mandate here at AZStarnet.

Smart Street Lights and Kitchen Tables

Philips has debuted their 'Philips Light Blossoms' which are a new green type of street/area light that's powered by solar and wind during the daylight hours. The provide area lighting to night strollers and then dim down later at night when there's little activity.

Another product of Philips' engineer's brainmapping sessions is the "Interactive Kitchen Table." As if it isn't enough to have our Nanny Government telling us what we should be doing-now your kitchen table can take a shot at you when you're not eating so healthy. This "smart" table allows your future kitchen gadgets to "talk" to each other (about you I suppose!) as they suggest better food choices.

Do we really want our Kitchen appliances and gadgets to sound like "Hal" in 2001 telling us to eat that green algae souffle instead of the tasty greasy hamburger? We'll end up smuggling junk food under our coats as we walk through the kitchen. Bah.

Read about Philip's other Smart inventions at Wired.

Solar Panel Wire Calculator

The solar panels you're going to be installing need different size wires (gauge) according to your set up. Here's a "Wire Size Calculator" to help choose the correct wire size, you'll need amps, output voltage, distance numbers in order to calculate.

This site also has a battery "bank designer" and "system sizing estimator" as well.

Grab your numbers and start using the 3 solar calculators at Free Sun Power.

Jobs In Solar: PR (Santa Monica)

Reply to: job-908930767@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-11-06, 6:28PM PST

Seeking an entry-level Public Relations representative with at least one year of experience and Bachelor's Degree to represent our growing solar energy company. This is a great opportunity to grow with a company that is the US division of a major global solar and renewable energy player, operating in the fastest growing industry in the world.

Tasks would include developing Marketing and PR materials, and working on and deploying a strategy to introduce the company to its target market segments. We are interested in finding someone who has a passion for renewable energy, has solid writing skills, is energetic and outgoing. Experience in energy or renewables is a plus. Location: Santa Monica

• Compensation: $30,000 / year possibly more depending on experience
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Phone calls about this job are ok.
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Sacred Power-Native American Solar Company

Albuquerque, NM is the home of "Sacred Solar" the Native American owned and operated solar, thermal, and wind alternative energy and telecommunications company. Residing in the Indian Pueblo Center, Sacred Solar is an original equipment manufacturer (oem) for Matrix Solar Technologies and an oem for Bergey Wind Turbines. Their core philosophy is to use "the Strengths of the Father" to protect "the Gifts of the Mother."

Sacred Solar designs and tests their own solar products and makes them available to many tribes and govn't agencies like the Dept. of the Interior. They also provide training and resources for many Native American tribes who are sometimes in great need of their help.

Learn more about the company and owners on their "About Us" Page Here.

And Further Sacred Solar New from MarketWatch:

Cyberlux Partners with Sacred Power Corporation to Deliver Solar Powered Lighting to Department of Defense

Sacred Solar will partner with Cyberlux Corporation (LED lighting solutions) to work together on solar projects that will enhance both companies.

Rest of the story Here at MarketWatch.