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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Floating Solar PV Power Plants A reader notes:  Craig – pretty neat that someone is turning unused golf courses into solar farms, but the idea in this story that really caught my eye was a proposal to “develop and operate a 13.4 megawatt floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir.”  Got me thinking: How much of the water loss in, say, Lake Meade is from evaporation?  How much would that be reduced per acre by floating solar farms? How much of a win-win floating solar farm would it take to make Lake Meade start gaining ground again (or is that even possible)?

It’s possible, though I’m not sure how feasible.  My friend Gary Tulie of scenic Buckinghamshire England (pictured) knows more about this than I do, as proven in his excellent article: Saving the Salton Sea with Solar Arrays.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Climate Change

Yes, Environmentalists Are SincerePart of the reason I’m optimistic about our civilization’s approach to sustainability is that more people care about the subject each year, and, at the same time, our understanding and appreciation of the subject continues to grow more profound.  We’re increasingly aware that the progress we’ve made in terms of wealth has come at the expense of the Earth’s finite resources, and that this cannot continue indefinitely; this, of course, is why many scientists argue that we’ve entered a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene.

We’re starting to view all this as a holistic problem, examining the interplay between fossil fuel consumption, consumerism, climate change, the quantity and quality of food and water, human health, international hostility, the loss of biodiversity, and so forth. (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

More on Solar PV Market ResearchThe folks with the front-lawn-mounted solar PV device described here are not sanguine with my suggestion that they should begin with market research.  They respond: We have a target market ready to buy our product and able to buy our product. As in any great commercial breakthrough, the target market is unaware of what it needs until it is given what it needs.

Well, if I were trying to answer the market demand question, I would walk around a sample neighborhood with a clipboard and my cell phone, asking permission to survey people.  To those who assented, I would show a shortened version of your video, and then ask:

  • What do you like best about the concept?
  • Do you see any drawbacks?
  • Would you pay $15K for this?
  • Why?  (Why not?)

If you do that as few as 20 times, you’ll learn an inestimable amount about the receptivity of the market.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

So Much To Love About Electric BikesA friend writes: electric bikes are becoming amazing; check this out.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled to see all this attention flowing into the e-bike space, as there are so many good things it accomplishes simultaneously.  Not only does it reduce car and light-truck VMT (vehicle miles traveled), but it gets a ton of people out there bicycling who wouldn’t have considered it before.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Advice to Solar PV Entrepreneurs: Begin with Market ResearchA reader introduces his company:  We are Zion Solar. Our company is a concept-stage solar generator designer and manufacturer. We are based in Los Angeles, CA.  The idea is to build beautiful and powerful off-grid solar generators.  Our deck linked above.  Let us know if you would like to get involved in a business relationship with us as an investor and a mentor.

I have to applaud you for thinking outside the box; I didn’t see that one coming.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency, Sustainability

Conserving Space: What are Hospitals Doing Today to Stay Sustainable?As more people realize the power of their actions on the environment around them, they look for more environmentally conscious solutions. Individuals and businesses alike are choosing materials and practices that are efficient and won’t waste precious resources. Healthcare professionals are no different because amidst all of the emergency surgeries and doctor’s appointments, these facilities have to think about their impact on the environment. Medical providers today are considering many different ways they can improve the sustainability of hospitals and clinics worldwide.

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Fossil Fuels

The Coal Industry Offer JobsA reader notes: The L.A. Times had an editorial today about the obvious need to abandon coal as an energy source, and yet what to do about the coal miners and others whose jobs directly exist because of that industry…..It gets down to the workers who become impoverished due to their industry going away.

Personally, I don’t see this as a big deal.  (more…)

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

Pope Francis Receives Praise from People of All Religious PerspectivesI’m thrilled to see the scores of op-eds extolling Pope Francis’ humanitarian mission, some of which are written by people who have no love for organized religion whatsoever. Linked above is one that begins:

I’m not a fan of the Catholic Church as an institution. I have a number of bones to pick with it right down to its core mythology. That said, I have a great deal of respect, and even admiration, for the incumbent Pope.

If you can get past those sarcastic first two sentences, however, the article goes on to explain exactly why the recent encyclical, Laudato Si, is such an important document for all of us, from whatever religious viewpoints, who honestly care about the world around us and the ultimate fate of our civilization.

 

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Sustainable Building

A Simple 6-Step Energy AuditA DIY energy audit is a quick and simple way to find out how much energy you are using in your home, and you can then make changes that can help you to reduce your bills. There could be many areas of the home where you are wasting energy, so follow these six simple steps to seek out problem areas and improve them.

1. Check the Loft Insulation

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by craigshieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Are Hospital Green Initiatives Really Saving Money?Sustainability is known as the ability to continue something indefinitely and is a widespread theory that many industries are taking to protect and support our fragile environment. Though this isn’t possible for everyone, greener, more environmentally friendly ways of doing business are encouraged and often thought as cost reducing as well. Is this true? Could going green honestly save a substantial amount of money?

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