No more panels? Dow unveils 'solar shingles' for rooftop power

Dow Chemical, the same company that makes Styrofoam and lots of other products, this week unveiled a new one that could change the residential construction business: solar shingles.

The Dow "Powerhouse Solar Shingle" offers "revolutionary photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials," according to a company press release.

Photovoltaic shingles aren't new. What's new is that these shingles use a type of thin-film solar cells produced by Global Solar that combine efficiency with low cost.

Reuters reports that Dow's Solar Solutions division said it expects "an enthusiastic response" from roofing contractors for the new shingles, since they require no specialized skills or knowledge of solar systems to install. As Solar Solutions boss Jane Palmieri explained to the New York Times, “As a roofer is nailing asphalt shingle on roof, wherever the array needs to be installed he just switches to solar shingle."

Palmieri told the Associated Press that the cost would run about $27,000 for an array of solar shingles to offset 60 percent of a home's power consumption. Dow will begin test-marketing the Powerhouse shingles next year, she said.

[Photo: Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles]

Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer

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U.S. Green Building Council to impose stricter standards for LEED program

I have heard criticisms for a while about slack enforcement of the LEED energy efficiency certification, which has become the nation's leading benchmark for "green buildings."

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and can be used to earn tax credits, and attract business based on social/environmental responsibility.

But the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), which administers the LEED program, has announced it is going enforce stricter criteria after criticism of some of the energy use of some buildings it has certified. The New York Times reports that the council’s own research suggests that a quarter of the new buildings that have been certified do not save as much energy as their designs predicted.

In a press release, the council says it is going to require that all newly constructed buildings provide energy and water bills for the first five years of operation as a condition for certification.

David Adams, Times Staff Writer

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"Global Warming Gestapo" to result from climate change bill, congressman warns

During a lengthy hearing yesterday in the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., warned that imposing a national building code to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions would effectively create a "Global Warming Gestapo." Here's the video:

Rep. Henry Waxman's response, according to Talking Points Memo: "I would welcome the expression of your point of view, but I would like to request that perhaps that's a little strong to say Gestapo."

The bloggers at The Wonk Room went a lot further, taking Scalise to task for misunderstanding or misconstruing the bill:

"Scalise ignored the difference between energy efficiency building codes and safety codes. Scalise was also seemly ignorant that the legislation explicitly preserves local building codes that meet or exceed the national standard, while providing federal support for states to implement new standards. Federal enforcement would only take place if states failed to act."

The bill's opponents, hoping to slow down the committee's progregss, have talked using a procedural motion that would require the reading of the entire 946-page bill, as well as major amendments totaling several hundred pages. So just in case, reports the Wall Street Journal, Waxman has hired a speed reader.

--Craig Pittman

New alternative energy business solutions: ultrathin solar tech, ocean thermal conversion, C02 to liquid fuel...

Smart metering, embedded solar cells, ocean thermal, C02 recycling, energy passive houses - these are all high tech alternative energy solutions discussed in a special section of The New York Times today, Business of Green.
Most of these technologies are still a ways from commercial viability, but they hold great potential. All are being performed in lab conditions, and some have limited commercial exposure already. Smart metering and home insulation, are both concepts that the Obama administration is pushing in its stimulus package to help us improve the efficiency of the grid and allow homeowners to improve their energy consumption, even by remote control.
* Companies like Semprius are already developing new ultrathin, semitransparent flexible solar cells that can be implanted in windows, building materials, and even clothing to maximize the capture of the suns rays.
* Lockheed Martin is looking at thermal energy conversion from the difference in temperature between the warmer and cooler layers of the ocean is another untapped source scientists are looking at.
* Carbon Sciences, a company in California is looking at turning sequestered carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and turning it into liquid fuel.

- David Adams, Times staff writer.

Empire State building goes green - saving $4.4 million a year

The Empire State Building is getting an energy efficiency make-over which owners say will save $4.4 million a year.
The work is part of a $500 million renovation of the 102 storey Art-Deco building that was constructed in 1931, with 6,500 windows and 73 elevators. It is expected to reduce the skyscraper’s energy use by 38 percent a year by 2013, at an annual savings of $4.4 million, The New York Times reports.

Miami hosts 'Gateway to Green' event for sustainable building.

On April 7th and 8th 2009, the City of Miami will be demonstrating its commitment to green building by hosting its first annual Gateway to Green at Jungle Island. Hundreds of building professionals will come together to connect with sustainable building products and services, green industry experts, and community leaders. With over 50 exhibitors, educational presentations and matchmaking opportunities, Gateway to Green hopes to put the city at the forefront of the green building movement.

- David Adams, Times staff writer

Group predicts 120,000 green jobs in Florida

Green jobs could put Florida's unemployed back to work, predicted a new report released today.

Investing in "clean" energy could produce 123,756 jobs in Florida, predicted the report from the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and commissioned by the Center for American Progress.

“This new report shows that investing in clean energy is a win-win solution. Shifting to clean energy will put more people to work and revitalize our economy at a time when many Americans are hurting,” said St. Petersburg Councilman Karl Nurse in a press release.

The report, released Tuesday morning at a press conference in Largo, counted jobs that could be created by making houses and buildings more energy efficient, expanding mass transit and rail, constructing "smart" grids, and investing in biofuels along with solar and wind power. These industries would need machinists, truck drivers, sheet metal workers, electricians, roofers, and builders -- many of the same types of workers that are struggling because of Florida's dismal housing market.

-Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer

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Wal-Mart goes solar, so do other big retailers hunting tax breaks

Wal-Mart and other big retailers are rushing to stick solar panels on the otherwise unproductive roofs of their stores to generate electricity on a large scale, according to the New York Times.

"Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, has 17 stores and distribution centers with solar panels in operation or in the testing phase," according to the Times. "It plans to add them soon to five more stores. People at the chain are considering a far larger program that would put panels and other renewable technologies at hundreds of stores."

Forty-three Kohl's already have solar panels, and the retailer plans to install them on 85 more. Macy's has put solar panels atop 18 stores and plans to install them on 40 more by the end of the year. The Times lists several more, including Whole Foods.

"One reason they are racing is to beat a Dec. 31 deadline to gain tax advantages for these projects," the Times reports. "Corporate officials describe a federal tax credit for renewable energy, one that Congress has let expire and then renewed several times, as particularly important. A Congressional deadlock over offshore oil drilling has held up legislation that would renew the credit for next year."

If that tax credit expires, Forbes reports, some in the solar industry fear their industry will be doomed, no matter how much people talk about using alternative fuels to combat global warming.

[St. Petersburg Times photo by Ron Thompson]

--Craig Pittman

Water use and energy sustainability the theme at 2008 World's Fair

While on vacation in Europe I took the opportunity to visit the World Fair at Zaragoza in Spain, a major international festival which this year highlights the theme of water and sustainable development.

The World Fair is an event that dates back to 1851 and is a regular opportunity to exhibit modern architecture as well as global trends. Previous fairs resulted in the construction of the Eiffel Tower and the Crystal Palace in London.

'Expo-Zaragoza' is a 93-day event with 5,000 shows and 140 pavilions that is projected to attract six million visitors before it ends in late September.

At the entrance to the Expo a metal monument bearing famous quotes includes the wise words of Bob Marley; "You ain't gonna miss your water until your well dries up." Another wooden monument lists how much water is required to produce items, such as a slice of bread (10.5 gallons), a kilo of rice (701.8 gallons), or a kilo of beef (4,222 gallons).

Progress Energy's $17B nukes approved by state regulators

Progress Energy's $17-billion nuclear project won approval Tuesday morning from state regulators, who voted unanimously that the the project is necessary and cost effective.

"It's an investment that pays off over time," said Public Service Commissioner Katrina McMurrian.

The St. Petersburg utility could start billing customers for the project as early as January. It remains unclear how it will impact monthly bills. Progress Energy said in March that residential customers could see an increase of $9 a month, but that number may have changed. The utility has redacted its latest estimates from recent state filings.

Progress Energy needs to return before the Public Service Commission in September for a hearing on how much it will charge customers for the project. The cost to customers will be made public in time for the September hearing, although it is unclear when.

"I also find the costs quite daunting," said Commissioner Lisa Polak Edgar. "But I think that it's a step we need to take."