IKEA Powers-up Completed Solar Energy Panels at San Diego Store

SAN DIEGO–IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in San Diego, California. The 30,000-square-foot array consists of a 252-kW system, built with approximately 1,120 panels.

IKEA San Diego’s program will produce approximately 366,400 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 290 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 50 cars or powering 32 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This investment by IKEA to purchase its solar photovoltaic energy system with Gloria Solar modules, and to install and operate it atop the San Diego store it owns, will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid. It also represents the tenth completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States. Additional installations currently are underway at two other IKEA locations in California as well as eight more in the Eastern U.S. … Continue Reading

Toys “R” Us announces rooftop solar installation at New Jersey Plant

The solar roof is estimated to offset 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys “R” Us facility, making it the largest operational rooftop solar installation in North America.

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us said Thursday it has completed a 5.38 megawatt rooftop solar power system at the company’s largest distribution center in Flanders, N.J.

The solar roof is estimated to offset 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys “R” Us facility, making it the largest operational rooftop solar installation in North America.

As part of the Power Purchase Agreement, Constellation Energy will designate 7,500 Green-e Certified renewable energy certificates per year for the next three years to Toys “R” Us Times Square, effectively offsetting 100% of the 7,064,800 kilowatt-hours of electricity typically needed to power the store. … Continue Reading

Santa Clara University to launch master’s degree in green energy

Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering will launch a new master’s degree in sustainable energy (SE) this fall to strengthen the training students receive in renewable energy and sciences.

Santa Clara University’s School of Engineering will launch a new master’s degree in sustainable energy (SE) this fall to strengthen the training students receive in renewable energy and sciences.

This program feeds the growing need and interest in understanding and solving environmental problems around the world.

“The establishment of a new master’s degree demonstrates and deepens Santa Clara University’s commitment to educate engineers who are technically competent and also socially compassionate and humane,” said Samiha Mourad, the advisor for the SE degree and an electrical engineering professor.

The SE master’s degree is by design an interdisciplinary program. Faculty from all facets of the engineering disciplines, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Business will participate.

The result will be robust in coursework that focuses on societal responses to environmental problems, allowing graduate students to later pursue careers in energy management, smart grids, as well as energy generation and distribution.

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Going Green with Rural Development

Use of wind turbines for renewable energy production on Midwestern farms is on the rise. Photo courtesy of USDA Rural Development.

As more Americans strive to be eco-friendly and environmentally conscious, the buzz surrounding renewable energy has exploded.  Millions across the country already do their part every day to recycle, reduce carbon emissions and make the earth a little bit greener, but how can you do more?

Rural Development has programs available to provide funding for renewable energy projects.  Here’s a glimpse of the investments made in renewable energy thanks to partnerships between our agency and the rural individuals and businesses dedicated to creating a cleaner world:

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) was designed specifically to spur renewable energy projects across the country.  This program recently clarified rules to include flexible fuel pumps, sometimes referred to as “blender pumps”, to provide fuel station owners with incentives to install flexible fuel pumps that will offer Americans more renewable energy options.

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Nissan using old Leaf batteries in new solar charging stations

Five 24kWh lithium ion batteries from old Nissan Leafs store electricity for Nissan's test solar powered electric vehicle charging stations. (Credit: Nissan)

Nissan Leaf owners may be happy to know that after their vehicle’s battery is retired, in its second life it will be put to good use, still powering EVs.

Nissan and 4R Energy Corporation announced development of a new solar-powered charging station that uses old Leaf batteries to store solar energy. The test station was revealed last week at Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. Three 50kW fast chargers and four standard EV chargers draw energy from the equivalent of five 24kWh Leaf battery packs that get their energy not from the grid, but from photovoltaic cells mounted on the building. … Continue Reading

Maine Community Seeing Things in a New Light

Fort Fairfield's new energy effificent streetlights | Courtesy of: Paul Cyr©2011 NorthernMainePhotos.com

As one of the northernmost communities in the “Lower 48,” Fort Fairfield, Maine (population 3,500) averages less sunlight every year than towns in the southern part of the state.

In the summer months, this isn’t a big problem since it stays lighter much later in the evening. In the winter, however, the hours of actual daylight are dramatically shorter, which can lead to higher utility bills for keeping streetlights on for more hours per day.

All this darkness and the need to save energy is one of the reasons Fort Fairfield was able to leverage $58,290 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funding with a $45,675 lighting incentive from Efficiency Maine to replace 174 streetlights with LED lighting technology. … Continue Reading

MXenergy Educates Homeowners About Saving Money While Going Green

MXenergy encourages homeowners to consider how environmentally friendly decisions can also benefit their bank account

STAMFORD, Conn., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Scan the news today and the message is clear; our planet is facing an environmental crisis and many Americans are facing an economic one as well.  As many people deal with tightening their belts and trimming expenditures, they struggle with the dilemma of saving the planet or saving cash.

MXenergy, a leading independent energy provider, wants customers to realize the struggle is an unnecessary one.  In fact, a “green mindset” can actually help save you money.

“There seems to be the perception that a commitment to the environment is going to cost you,” says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy Managing Director. “And while it is true that some environmental decisions, such as purchasing organic produce can have a higher price tag, many choices and lifestyle changes can actually save you money.” … Continue Reading

Mulch Much? A 5-Step Guide to Dig-Free Gardening

Photos by: Greg Luke Smith

Sheet mulching is a dig-free approach to soil prep hailing from the school of permaculture, where natural processes in the garden are favored over gardener manipulation and intervention.

The term mulch is nothing new to the experienced gardener. Used loosely, it refers to any top layer of decaying organic matter—whether it be bark, hay or grass clippings—and most good gardeners use it as a protective layer around plant bases to suppress weeds and encourage water retention in the soil.

In a forest, mulch happens in layers as leaves, twigs and branches pile on top of each other. Much like a compost pile, the deepest layer of materials is in the most mature state of decomposition, and is overflowing with microbial and insect life, providing ideal conditions for new plant growth. No one comes in with a shovel or a rototiller to toss the materials around, yet life goes on.

In a bare backyard with few trees to shower mulching material and continue the cycle of healthy soil, sheet mulching aims to mimic this natural process. You’ll have to gather materials and some sweat is still involved, but, if executed properly, an entire garden bed can be prepped in a day. It’s ideal for anyone with a troublesome back, and can be done anytime of the year. The following is just one of the many and varied sheet-mulching methods to choose from. … Continue Reading