MIT and Chesonis Foundation Announce Solar Revolution
Goal: Bring the sun’s power to the people
Promising to transform solar power from a “boutique” option to an affordable, dependable, mainstream energy solution, MIT and the Chesonis Family Foundation today launched a “solar revolution” with the ultimate aim of making solar energy America’s primary carbon-free fuel.
The Solar Revolution Project (SRP), funded by a $10 million gift from the Foundation, will explore new materials and systems that could dramatically accelerate the availability of solar energy. The SRP will complement and interact closely with other large solar projects at MIT, creating one of the largest solar energy clusters at any research university.
Solar Energy Adds Power to California Wineries
April 12, 2008 by admin
Filed under Installations, Solar News
SolarNet solar panels
Melbourne, 11 April 2008, — Fosters’ Group Limited (Foster’s) has entered into an agreement with SolarNet, Inc. and The Bright Group, Inc. to host solar energy generating systems at six Californian wineries - Beringer Vineyards, Asti Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Etude, Stags’ Leap Winery, and Meridian Vineyards.
SolarNet will progressively install solar panels to the roofs of these properties at the wineries over the next six months.
When fully operational, the systems will generate 3.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, equivalent to 17% of the energy used at the six sites. This equates to a saving of 6.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year, or the equivalent of taking 549 passenger cars off the road for a year.
Sierra College Receives Grant to Train for Solar Panel Installation
Employment in the solar industry is expected to grow by 30% to meet California state mandates and the growing demand for solar installations.
Sierra College received a $470,000 grant to start a new program training a “green collar” work force in solar panel installation, officials announced last week.
The program, scheduled to start in the fall of 2009, will include classes at Sierra College and hands-on training at laboratories provided by the city of
Roseville and Nevada County Economic Resource Council.
“This is exactly what we do best and what we want to do,” Sierra College President Leo Chavez said. “That is to bring a variety of partners to the table to do something that enhances the economic well-being of this region.”
Funding for the grant came from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.
“Clean energy is a top priority for future private investment, public policy support and job growth in our region,” Roseville Mayor Jim Gray said. “Worker training programs in this high-wage, high-growth area are vital to our economic growth and global competitiveness.”
Programs, such as the California Solar Initiative to put solar panels on a million roofs and Roseville Electric’s BEST Homes incentive program to encourage solar-powered communities, have created an in- creasing demand for trained workers.
Sierra College To Offer Solar Panel Installation Program
April 4, 2008 by editor
Filed under Solar Workshops, Training
Sierra College officials announced Wednesday that they will use a $470,000 state grant to train students in the growing field of solar panel installation.
The college, along with other partners, plans to start a program in fall 2009, initially teaching 24 students in the finer points of the green technology. Eventually, more than 150 students would be enrolled in Sierra’s photovoltaic panel maintainance and installation program.
A news conference was to be held Wednesday morning to announce the award from the California Community College Chancellor’s office.
Sierra College is partnering with the city of Roseville in the effort. Students will take some classes at Sierra and also work at the Roseville Corporation Yard on the city’s photovoltaic system.
