SolChat The Solar Powered Speaker Phone

Scosche Industries has come out with a solar powered speaker phone that can be charged by attaching it to any window. The "SolChat" is a Bluetooth speaker phone that's powered by an integrated solar panel and lithium ion battery.

The SolChat can be placed on the driver's side window through and the device will announce incoming calls. The driver will be able to communicate with the caller while keeping their hands on the wheel. SolChat pairs up with any available cell phone in area.

"Using voice announce, the speaker phone let's users know who's calling and actually guides them through the initial Bluetooth 2.0 device pairing process. The solCHAT automatically reconnects to users cell phones once initially paired. Users simply turn the solCHAT on when entering the vehicle and the device will automatically pair with the cell phone. "

SolChat automatically turns off when the cell is removed from pairing range. It features just 3 buttons: Vol Up, Vol Down and the Answer/Hangup Multifunction button. Also included are a windshield suction cup mount and sun visor clip for easy operation and solar charging.

Retails for $99.99 and SolChat comes with a USB charging cable and car adaptor so you can charge at night and on days with insufficient sunlight.

As someone pointed out, walk away from your vehicle with this speaker phone mounted on your windshield and it might not be there when you return!

Jobs In Solar: Licensed Solar Electric Installer (Newton) Mass.

Date: 2009-08-28, 3:22PM EDT
Reply to: jobs@sunlightsolar.com

Licensed Solar Electric Installer

Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc. is a growing national company with offices located on the East and West coasts. SSE’s home office is located in Bend, OR with other offices located in Milford, CT and Newton, MA. We are a progressive company specializing in the sale, design, and installation of residential and commercial grid-tied photovoltaic systems.

Position: Licensed Solar Electric Installer: Master Electrician

Location: Newton, MA

Job Description:
1. Installing solar electric systems
2. PVC and EMT conduit bending
3. General Wiring
4. Calculations for string sizing, wire sizing, AC/DC Disconnect sizing, breaker sizing
5. Leading and supervising PV projects from beginning to end
6. Connecting system to grid
7. Troubleshooting existing projects

Qualifications: MUST carry the following license: MA E1. Candidate must have very good knowledge of NEC, pipe pending and wire sizing; general knowledge of building construction; capable of giving instruction to other installers; attention to detail; very well-organized; with a clean and neat appearance; a current valid driver’s license with no major violations.

What we offer: This is an opportunity for personal and professional development. We supply both classroom and in-the-field solar training and all tools. Wage commensurate with experience and competitive within the industry.

Please submit resumé and cover letter to jobs@sunlightsolar.com

Location: Newton Mass.

• Compensation: commensurate with experience
• 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.

Realities of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

I've come across some interesting info I thought you would like to hear. It's been suggested by some that it's our environmental duty to buy and drive hybrid and or electrical vehicles. The costs and maintenance needs for hybrids are very rarely spoken of.

Does the average person who is considering purchasing a new hybrid or electric vehicle in the next year or two really understand the costs involved. Or that each vehicle has it's idiosyncrasies that a new buyer should be aware of? There's an up and down side to everything. These "alternative" vehicles are competing with the latest traditional cars that get around the same gas mileage according to recent reports.

Below is an article by ara content about some of the costs involved in running alternative vehicles. They're linking to a site called "Rock Auto" which I know nothing about and am not promoting. I just thought the info was relevant.

Below the article are two links to two good recent sources of info regarding hybrids, electrical and traditional gas fueled cars.

Repairing a hybrid doesn’t have to cost a lot

(ARA) - The government backed “Cash for Clunkers” rebate program helped dealers sell off 2009 models, and a wave of new vehicles is coming in anticipation of the federal mandate that cars average 35.5 mpg by 2016. If you haven’t updated your vehicle in years, it will be more important than ever to analyze your needs and wants before you buy.

The choice is much more complicated than simply picking a small, mid-size, or large vehicle. If you’re considering a hybrid, you might be happy to hear the reality behind some common myths about the dependability of dual-powered vehicles.

Fleets of Toyota Prius and Ford Escape hybrid taxis in Vancouver, San Francisco, and New York City have reliably been in service for more than 200,000 miles. The first generation Toyota and Honda hybrids were introduced more than a decade ago and there are definitely thousands of satisfied hybrid owners.

Another misconception of gas-electric hybrid vehicles is that they are expensive to maintain. With the exception of the hybrid's battery system, there is some crossover in parts between hybrids and gas-powered vehicles.

The batteries in a hybrid or electric vehicle don't get better with age. No one expects the batteries in a 15-year-old electric razor to still hold a charge, and the same will probably be true for a 15-year-old hybrid vehicle. Hybrid batteries are typically covered by at least an eight-year warranty. The replacement cost for new nickel-metal hydride Prius batteries keeps dropping, but a new battery pack still costs around $2,000.

A check of the RockAuto.com online auto parts catalog shows hybrids often share fuel injectors, oxygen sensors, water pumps, brake pads, shock absorbers, air conditioners and other commonly replaced parts with conventional, gasoline-powered models. Hybrids do have unique and expensive parts like the Prius’ $3,700 power inverter, but RockAuto.com shows routine repairs and maintenance for a hybrid do not always have to cost more.

The RockAuto.com Repair Index automatically pulls prices from the company’s vast auto parts catalog based on year, make, model and type of part. It’s a quick, easy way to compare parts costs for different models and the results can be surprising.

While some cars may be appealing because they are better for the environment or great on gas savings, for the average driver some fully electric cars may not be worth the cost to purchase or maintain.

A new lithium ion battery pack for the fully-electric Tesla Roadster – with a sticker price of $101,500 – costs around $36,000. New 100 percent electric vehicles by Chevrolet, Chrysler, Nissan and Mini will have lithium battery packs that cost more than $10,000. A battery pack’s limited shelf life means a fully electric or even a gas-electric hybrid might not be the best choice for a retiree planning to drive 3,000 miles a year for 20 years and then pass the vehicle down to a favorite grandchild.

For more information on the availability of parts without the expense of getting repairs done only at the dealership, go to www.rockauto.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent
-------------------------

A good source of practical and relevant info on current hybrids is a blog called conveniently enough, "Hybrid Car Blog."

This article describes the newest cheaper gas powered cars that are available that often meet or exceed the fuel efficiency of hybrids. Most if not all are foreign. Everyone should carefully and realistically assess their needs, lifestyle and financial status before getting all excited about buying a hip and cool hybrid or electrical vehicle.

Article at MSN.com-Forbes.com.

Quotes: What's Delaying Widespread Solar Power Use.....

“We will have solar energy as soon as the utility companies solve one technical problem - how to run a sunbeam through a meter” - Anonymous

Prices for Solar Panels Take a Plunge

According to this UPI article, the prices of solar panels has dropped dramatically in the past year. Less demand means lower prices-basic economic principle. As more manufacturers of pvc panels enter the market the price of a key material "Polysilicon" has dropped making it less expensive to produce them.

The article says the Chinese are ramping up production of these panels at the same time Europe continues through their recession bringing down the demand there.

State are reducing subsidies for residential pvc installations also.

A rep from SunCentric says in areas where the cost of energy is high, this price decrease will speed up the time the panels pay for themselves from approx. 22 years down to 16 years.

So, like many negative situations, there's a bright side to this also. When the economy turns around the prices will have dropped so more homeowners and businesses can afford solar panels.

The photo is of a Polysilicon chunk.

Jobs In Solar: Solar Project Manager Needed for Great Solar Company (Chicago)

Date: 2009-08-25, 3:26PM CDT
Reply to: job-fq3b9-1341990010@craigslist.org

SoCore Energy: Project Manager Job Description

SoCore Energy (www.SoCoreEnergy.com) is a fast growing solar developer in need of a fasting thinking, versatile, and execution oriented project manager who has the background to succeed in the renewable energy space and the internal fortitude to work in a high stress environment.

The ideal candidate should have the following:
1)An engineering background with an engineering degree from a reputable 4 year college/university
2)Project management experience
3) Solar installation/Solar project experience (Strong Preference)
4) A strong background in business with a minimum of 5 years of sales/customer facing work

In addition to the background you must possess, you must also be able to work in tandem with our clients and be firmly committed to servicing them better than anyone we've ever interviewed. In other words, you must love customer service/relationship management and be damn good at it.

This role will involve travel around the Midwest and Northeast to meet with our commercial and municipal customers. You will be the main point of contact between our clients and SoCore and will be responsible for answering all of the customer’s questions relative to the installation. You will also be intimately involved in issues related to solar installation insurance, system design, roof layouts, subcontractor arrangements, rebate capture and grant applications, site visits, operations and maintenance, and system monitoring.

Compensation: $55,000-$62,500 base salary (based on experience) + bonus & benefits

Location: Chicago

• Compensation: $55,000-$62,500 base salary (based on experience) + bonus & benefits
• 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.

National Geographic Video on Concentrated Solar Power

Jobs In Solar: Sales/Project Manager (Denver Metro Area)

Date: 2009-08-19, 9:55AM MDT
Reply to: job-d6ata-1331204737@craigslist.org

SALES/PROJECT MANAGER
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develop network of contacts for commercial and residential opportunities for geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other renewable energy design
• Develop new business, manage and support existing accounts for growth
• Attend and support trade shows and conferences.
• Gather and report on competitive and market intelligence.
• Generate leads and support project development.
• Prospecting and qualifying leads
• Make presentations to trade groups and professional associations on the benefits of renewable energies and its economic and environment impact.
• Attend networking events for sales opportunities and relationship building
• Assist in identifying new markets/products opportunities.
• Willingness to travel when needed.

EXPERIENCE/TRAINING:
• Sound knowledge of heating and cooling industry, geothermal and renewable energy experience a plus
• 5 year experience in related sales and business development preferred
• Minimum four year college degree
• Experience in managing project oriented sales process and proven ability to perform financial analysis involving ROI, payback etc.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• A deep desire to be in the renewable energy business, preferably proven experience and commitment
• The successful candidate will be creative, highly motivated and have a strong desire and passion to be in the renewable energy business.

Location: Denver Metro Area

• Compensation: Commission/Profit Sharing
• Telecommuting is ok.
• 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.

Solar Stocks Opinions and News

If you're an investor in "Solar Stocks" or are thinking of investing, here are some great resources for picking up news and investing ideas:

* "Sunny Days Over for Solar Stocks" at Investopedia.

* Daniel Dicker's Opinion Piece at The Street

* "Mostly Cloudy for Solar Stocks" at Forbes.com.

* "5 Superball Stocks" at The Motley Fool.

Always do your "Due Diligence" (research) when considering whether to invest in any type of stock and especially tech stocks like solar.

Jobs In Solar: Electrician- Solar Installation (Midwest)

Date: 2009-08-14, 10:21AM CDT
Reply to: job-yzmts-1322826068@craigslist.org

We are interviewing for an experienced (4yr min.) and licensed master/Journeyman electrician right now who is willing to do the following on Solar PV installations:

- Detailed knowledge of 120/240 volt single-phase voltage systems.

-Detailed knowledge of 120/208/480 volt three-phase voltage systems.

-Experienced with commercial and industrial project sites.

-Experience with job scheduling, and coordination of other trades as needed.

-Understand/interpret bid documents/blueprint reading.
- Possess understanding of design and basic structural issues.
- Coordinating the permit pulling process with city entities as needed.
- Placing and securing mounts on roof structures, surface core drilling, sealing penetration points, and fastening PV Panels to mounts.
-Electrical wiring/installation of PV Panel arrays per project documents/drawings with applicable project code specifications - (to pass inspection.)
- Work efficiently under the pressure of time and labor sensitive issues. (Overtime/Weekend/Holiday)
- Willing to work under project incentive-based performance. (Salary plus Commission Based Employment)
- Professional appearance required. (i.e. neat, clean, well groomed facial hair)

-Leadership skills, ability to train employees with ones knowledge base.

If you believe you can demonstrate your experience to us- and work under this level of performance pressure- Please send us a resume...we'd look forward to the interview immediately.

Location: Midwest

• Compensation: 40-100K/annually based on experience
• 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.

Driving Down the Cost of Solar Thermal Technology

Bill Gross, for those who don't know him is the founder of "Overture" by Yahoo search engine, CarsDirect and web photo site Picasa. He is also a big proponent of solar power, selling solar power kits while in college. In addition to those accomplishments, he's also the ceo of "Idealab" which is a technology "incubator" or a company that helps smaller companies develop their products and ideas through funding and professional guidance.

Bill Gross is also the ceo of "eSolar." eSolar's first solar thermal plant is called "Sierra SunTower." Located in Lancaster California, "Sierra Suntower" takes the idea of using mirrors that direct the sun's rays toward a tower or receiver that boils the water and converts it into steam to a different level. Sierra SunTower is producing solar thermal energy at a lower cost than most other solar thermal plants. It's also beating the costs of other utility-scale projects that use solar photovoltaic panels.

The innovation here is eSolar's process of using what Gross calls "lots and lots of small mirrors, and lots and lots of software to control them." SunTower sports 24,000 small mirrors produced in China. The mirrors are called "Heliostats" and controlled by software to track the sun's movements throughout the day. Gross claims on the site that the mirrors track with unprecedented accuracy. SunTower will produce in the beginning, 5 megawatts of energy to the grid.

NRG Energy, a New Jersey based group are planning on working with eSolar to produce plants throughout California and the southwest that will have the capacity to generate 500 Megawatts of solar thermal power.

Gross's eSolar has big backers in the folks at ACME an Indian energy firm and Google to the tune of tens of millions of bucks.

Matthew Goldstein at Reuters calls Gross a "Serial Entrepreneur." Clever but highly accurate, we need more successful serial entrepreneurs.

You can view a flash slide show of the heliostats in action at eSolar.

Solar Convention Las Vegas 2009

Get your tickets early for the 2009 Solar Convention Las Vegas. Set up for exhibitors is on Sept. 13th and Tuesday the 15th the public can visit the booths to view the newest Solar Power Technology, Wind Energy, Renewable Energy as well some consumer products.

The convention will wrap up on the Sept. 17th.

Exhibitor List HERE.

Jobs in Solar: PV Design Engineer (Vista, CA)

Date: 2009-08-05, 4:01PM PDT
Reply to: job-ypk24-1307950982@craigslist.org

Photovoltaic Design Engineer

Are you looking to accelerate your career with a company that is well positioned in one today’s fastest growing industries? Are you an experienced Photovoltaic Design Engineer with a minimum of 2 years experience in the industry? If so, we’d like to talk with you…

Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. (IES) is one of the nation's most respected commercial photovoltaic design / build firms. We are headquartered in North County San Diego and enjoy an extraordinary reputation with clients that include SDG&E, Qualcomm, Pfizer, the U.S. Navy, Camp Pendleton, and many more... IES designs and builds commercial PV systems of all types, including roof-mounted systems, ground-mounted systems, solar carport/shade structures, complex hybrid and off-grid generation plants.

IES is currently experiencing rapid growth and are searching for an experienced Photovoltaic Design Engineer with a track record of success.

As an IES PV Design Engineer, you will work with an experience team to developed engineered drawings for commercial and utility scale solar / PV projects throughout the world. In this role you will be responsible for:

• Reviewing project requirements, RFP’s and proposals
• Completing jobsite visits as required to evaluate site conditions, shading concerns, electrical tie-ins, and other items that will impact system design and constructability.
• Evaluating Fire Department Requirements and incorporate requirements into designs
• Creating Array Layouts and Single-Line Electrical Drawings for Rooftop, Ground-mounted, and Solar Carport Structures (both grid-tied and off grid)
• Working closely with Electrical and Structural Engineering firms as necessary
• Facilitating both internal and external plan review processes
• Initiating requests for meter & main AC disconnect switch location approvals with relevant utility
• Assist in initiating CSI reservation application process to CCSE or other facilitator
• Creating Bills of Materials based on project design drawings
• Performing wire sizing and voltage drop calculations
• Facilitating final sign-offs with engineering firms, and client representatives.
• Obtain PE stamps/ signatures
• Prepare submittal drawings "For Construction". Obtain permits and notices to proceed
• Prepare as-built drawings
• Create and submit Operation and Maintenance Manuals

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience as a Design Engineer in the PV / Photovoltaic Industry
• 3+ years experience creating engineered drawings with AutoCAD or AutoCAD Lite (2008).
• Fundamental working knowledge of NEC Codes (including Article 690) and structural codes relevant to various PV array configurations.
• Strong working knowledge of construction drawings and electrical line drawings
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• This position requires access to sensitive military bases and therefore requires a clean background check (no felonies), U.S. born citizenship, a clean DMV record, and a clean drug-test.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with REVIT
• Experience with Sketch-up
• Bachelors Degree in Engineering (Electrical / Power)

Work Environment:

• Occasional travel may be required (including some overnight travel).
• Ability to walk construction job sites and climb ladders is necessary.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects.
• Overtime may be required to meet project deadlines.

Please email your resume and wage requirements to careers@indenergysolutions.com

Location: Vista, CA

• Compensation: $55K -$70K DOE
• 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.

Alternative Energy Project Funding (Downtown NYC)

Date: 2009-08-04, 11:40AM EDT
Reply to: job-e5avg-1305237701@craigslist.org

A large and growing multinational real estate and construction investment firm is seeking to fund projects in the renewable/alternative energy industry in the USA and throughout Latin America. Our interests include solar, wind, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, energy efficiency, low emissions transportation, carbon credit origination and trading, tidal power and geothermal power, among others. Management must be very entrepreneurial and have a strong desire to succeed. Our business model includes acquisitions and new company formation, in addition to conventional private equity investments. Funding large and small projects.

We are looking to fund projects in Americas from Canada to Argentina. Projects in other geographical locations may also be considered but our primary focus is the America.

Great opportunity to obtain funding and potentially team with an internationally recognized conglomerate.

Compensation: Open

• 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.

The Sierra Club's 50 Green Gadet List

50 Green Gadgets you can use to save the planet touts the Sierra Club. These assorted green gadgets are there for the buying if you find them useful and or practical, which no doubt some will. Others might have a few chuckles at some of these heartfelt attempts to "save the planet."

Your choices are everything from an "Air-Based Propel Air Toilet Flush System" to a "Wind-Helmet Power Generator" for you bikers out there. Some of these designs could be practical and some seem wildly unusable!

For example the "Solar Powered Nintendo Wii" is for a child who is addicted to games, never leaves the house and gets very little sun. For an initial layout of just $1,400 you can get that child out of the house and finally receiving some vitamin D from the sun! Add a hat and sun lotion as needed.

Check out the newest "planet saving" green gadgets that caught the eye of The Sierra Club.

Solar Powered Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Fun craft/baking activity for parents and kids: Bake chocolate chip cookies in a homemade simple solar oven.

Learn the quick and simple steps here at Sparkplugging.

Make sure you've got a pizza box or an equivalent, aluminum foil, black construction paper or black paint, and chocolate chip cookie dough for this little project to take off.

Ahhh Summer.....Solar Powered Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Powcell The Sleek Solar Charger for Premium Phones

If you use an iPhone or Blackberry "Motion Touch" has come up with a solar charged sleeve that slides onto the back of your device. The name of the charged up device is "Powcell" and it was originally targeted for the premium mobile handsets. It's design is sleek but no doubt some users will consider it a little too heavy or cumbersome for heavy usage.

The Powcell solar charger sleeve stores up energy even in ambient light conditions, so if the phone is removed the sleeve retains some power. If the handset runs low or out of energy pop it back into the sleeve to make the important calls to your stock broker!

Powcell has it's fans already as some other phone manufacturers have contacted them for making sleeves for their almost at market phones.

Read more about Powcell solar powered handset charger at MotionTouch.

A Disk That Stores Solar Energy in Development

Ceramatec Inc,. a Salt Lake City UT technology company has developed a battery attached to a disk that can store at least 20 kilowatt hours of solar energy. Home solar energy users are the ideal market for this new technology but non-solar homes would be able to use these batteries as well during off-peak hours.

The average American home uses approximately 25 kilowatts of energy per day so this battery-disk would save up to almost a days energy for later use. It's currently in development with an target of 2011 for testing how the market will react to these battery-disks. The current projected cost of one disk is approximately $2000.

Read more about the battery-disks at Popular Mechanics.