Solar Energy network

American Solar Energy Society

Australian & New Zealand Solar Energy Society

Boston Area Solar Energy Association (BASEA)

El Paso Solar Energy Association

Greenstar: Solar Community

International Solar Energy Society

National Solar Power Research Institute, Inc.

New Mexico Solar Energy Association

Passive Solar Industries Council

Planetary Engineering Group Earth

Potomac Region Solar Energy Association

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

Solar Energy International

Texas Solar Energy Society

U.S. Department of Energy Photovoltaics Program

UK Solar Energy Society

Utility PhotoVoltaic Group

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-Emerging Business-

BP announces worlds largest solar project
March 30, 2001
Over 400,000 residents of the Philippines will benefit from a deal signed today between BP and the Spanish and Philippine governments to bring solar power to 150 isolated villages in the Philippines. Led by the Philippines’ Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the $48 million contract – the largest solar energy project ever – is financed by the Spanish government and will be implemented in two phases, the first scheduled to begin in September.
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JEA - Setting the bar for clean power
In the face of deregulation and stringent environmental regulations, many utilities are looking for ways to gain customer loyalty and reduce pollution. In Jacksonville, Florida, JEA has set a 7.5% clean power capacity goal for 2015, positioning itself to become one of the leading clean power utilities in the United States. This 7.5% capacity goal roughly equals 250 megawatts (MW). Renewable energy sourcesalone will supply at least 80% of this with a combination of photovoltaics (PV), solar water heating, solar thermal electric, biomass, biogas and low impact hydro. Clean technologies and practices - like demand-side management and efficiency programs, pollution control technologies, improvements to power generation efficiencies and switching from coal to natural gas - make-up the remaining 50 equivalent clean MW’s. In addition, JEA agreed to advocate policies and legislation at the local, state and national level that promote clean power, and encourage R & D alliances, partnerships and local clean power technology component manufacturing.
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-Emerging Technology-

Turning diamond film into solar cells
April 14, 2001
Timothy Fisher is taking a Tiffany's approach to converting sunlight into electricity: with a $348,000 grant from National Reconnaissance Office, the assistant professor of mechanical engineering is exploring the use of polycrystalline diamond as a replacement for the silicon solar cells currently used in many space applications. The solar wings of the international space station are the largest power-generating solar arrays ever flown in orbit. Photo: NASA "Diamond has a number of potential advantages for use in outer space," says Fisher, who will be working on the project with Weng Poo Kang, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science. Fisher maintains that diamond films: Can withstand the high levels of radiation typical of the space environment. By contrast, the performance of silicon cells degrades by about 50 percent after 10 years in orbit. Can operate at high temperatures. As a result, they can be used with low-weight inflatable solar collectors resulting in an energy system that produces more electricity per pound, a critical factor in space applications. Have a potential conversion efficiency of 50 percent as compared to 10 to 15 percent for silicon solar cells.
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-Solar Electric Power-

Photovoltaics reduce your electric power needs. Become your own power supply using the most efficient Photovoltaic Modules commercially available.
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-Solar Thermal-

Solar water heating is a technology that every homeowner can use to save dollars on utility bills.
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-Solar Coatings-

A new tube coating process for revitalization of weathered receiver tubes has been developed in Florida. With the electrical and natural gas energy distribution in a state utter chaos, great attention have been brought to alternative energy sources such as solar Parabolic concentrators and receiver tube applications which has been a proven technology for power generation for several years in California and manyother regions.
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A cooperative effort between the American research institute, Sandia National Laboratories and Energy Laboratories, Inc. is causing excitement among solar collector manufacturers worldwide. This new "Black Crystal" coating has proven to be one of the greatest advancements in the solar thermal industry. In addition to reducing power and water usage in production by as much as 96%, the coating has long term stability in temperatures nearing 320°C.
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-Worldwide Solar-

Sun power reigns for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument visitor center - with Sandia's help The photovoltaics array, which consists of 24 Solarex MSX-60 modules, each with a rated output of 60 watts, is powering the new visitor center for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. The center is located at Gran Quivira, one of three units that make up the national monument. The monument features stone-and-adobe walls built by the Anasazis between A.D. 700 and 1300 and representing the earliest stage of the pueblo society. They are intermixed with the ruins of mission churches built by Spanish colonists in the early 17th century. The Gran Quivira Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument was established in 1909 and covers 610 acres. It is operated by the National Park Service. The new 1,800-square-foot, $275,000 visitor center replaces one built in 1935 and is scheduled to be formally dedicated in ceremonies on June 26. Sandia photovoltaics engineers, including Hal and Mike Thomas, also of Photovoltaic System Applications Dept. 6218, will be there to recognize Sandia's contribution to helping expand the use of renewable energy technologies.
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