A key step on the path to Space-Based Solar Power has been achieved: a “first-of-a-kind” long-range demonstration of solar-powered wireless power transmission using a solid-state phased array transmitter located on the U.S. island of Maui (on Haleakala) and receivers located on the island of Hawai’i (Mauna Loa) and airborne.
The demonstration, achieved by Managed Energy Technologies LLC of the U.S. and sponsored by Discovery Communications, Inc., involved the transmission of RF energy over a distance of up to 148 kilometers (about 90 miles): almost 100-times further than a major 1970s power …

You see them everyday and everywhere. Large retail outlets like Walmart, Kohl’s, and Whole Foods Market with vast floor space. They’re so big that by the time you’re finished shopping in one of them you’re exhausted and ready for a nap. But, have you ever thought about their roofs? Chances are you haven’t, but large-scale retailers are beginning to realize that they can put that square-footage to work for them. How? By installing solar energy systems to generate a substantial portion of their electricity needs.
For instance, Kohl’s last year began …

Two companies tobuild solar power plants that are 10 times bigger than the largest now in service.

Congratulations to Advantage BMW of Houston who will on Tuesday unveil a shiny new solar panel-covered roof which it says will make it Houston’s first solar-powered car dealership.
Installed by Houston-based Standard Renewable Energy LLC, the photovoltaic solar electric power system is expected to produce 18% of the electricity required to run Advantage BMW’s Midtown location. It is expected that the 30.75 kilowatt system will reduce the dealership’s carbon footprint by more than 2 million pounds of CO2.
James Rodriguez, Houston city councilman, will join officials of Advantage BMW and Standard Renewable …

Even as more Americans look to shrink their carbon footprints, relatively few have switched to green energy.

Chris Tracy often steps inside his garage to check on his new toy. It’s not a power tool or a fancy lawn mower; it’s an inverter box with a digital display.

Six municipalities in New York State could save nearly a million dollars in energy costs by relying on solar power, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
The audit also found that these local governments could reduce air pollution by millions of pounds over the life of the panels.
“With the rising cost and dwindling quantity of fossil fuels, along with the toll on the environment and public health, it makes sense to promote the use of renewable and clean energy sources,” said DiNapoli. “Local governments …

As the states and communities in the Niger Delta region of the country sustain sundry hostilities on the petroleum industry, Lagos state government is exploring the economic opportunity of providing a safe, secure and congenial corporate haven for the energy industry operators.
In doing this, the state government headed by Alhaji Babatunde Fashola is targeting to leverage the economic investments in hospitality, tourism, power and ancillary services to generate employment and revenue to sustain rapid expansion of Lagos to one of the world’s megacities.

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The Queensland government will bulk-buy 1,000 solar power systems to drive down the price for homeowners and tackle climate change.
The idea came out of the 16-member Premier’s Council on Climate Change, which met on Wednesday for the first time since it was formed in December last year.
The council includes industry representatives and environmentalist Dr Tim Flannery, who was last year’s Australian of the Year.
Premier Anna Bligh announced two initiatives following the meeting.
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Sydney, Australia (AHN) – A $420 million solar power plant, the biggest and most efficient solar photovoltaic power station in the world, is set to be built in Victoria, Australia. The construction would start next year, according to Victoria state Premier John Brumby.
The 54-megawatt power station, almost double the size of the largest American solar power plant, would generate 270,000 megawatts of electricity directly from the sun – enough to meet the annual requirements of more than 45,000 homes.
The plant won’t produce any greenhouse gas emissions, translating to savings of …