Is the Economy Killing Oregon's Solar Solutions?

With high gas prices pushing public opinion towards electric, solar and other energy options, the future of alternative energy seemed so hopeful, but then the economy went down the tubes. Will it take solar energy solutions with it?

SpectraWatt Inc. a solar cell manufacturer based in Hillsboro, Oregon recently announced that due to a lack of funds they are suspending construction indefinitely.

However, one has to wonder if this is going to mean bad news or good news for homeowners who are looking for low cost solar panels to install while they can still take advantage of this years federal tax break.

This tax break is for solar electric systems and it practically tripled in January for a typical homeowner. There is also a new solar loan program that homeowners can take advantage of that is sponsored by Portland-based Umpqua Bank and the Energy Trust of Oregon, the program is called GreenStreet Lending.

Tax breaks and a lending program combined with impending high gas prices will likely spur interest in alternative energy but what level of competition is required to keep prices competitive?

SpectraWatt may have pulled out, but other solar based companies such as SolarWorld and Sanyo are here and still going strong. Perhaps prices of solar panels will continue to fall giving North westerners a chance to capture the sun for a price that makes our appalling lack of sun, irrelevant.


What do you think?

Do you think SpectraWatt's inability to maintain a presence in Oregon will affect consumers?

Will lack of competition raise the price of solar energy solutions for consumers?

Sempra Generation completes North America's largest 'thin film' solar power installation

A recent press release from the soar energy company Sempra Generation states that the company's first solar energy project has been completed and will power approximately 6,400 homes.

The solar panels are unique as according to the press release they "Unlike some solar power projects, El Dorado Energy�s solar power plant will not use water or other liquids in the power-generation process. This water conservation feature makes the project especially suitable to the arid U.S. Southwest. As with other solar projects, the new Sempra Generation facility will generate electricity during the day when customer demand peaks."

To read the full press release go to:

http://public.sempra.com/newsreleases/viewpr.cfm?PR_ID=2329&Co_Short_Nm=SE

I'm looking forward to reading more about the other applications for this technology such as utilizing the new type of panels for portable devices, homeowners or apartment dwellers.

I-5 Solar Panels

I was driving home from the Salem Oregon area when I noticed a strange sight along the freeway. Solar panels were set up in a fenced off area along the side of the road and I mean ALOT of solar panels. I Googled the area when I returned home and it turns out that ODOT was the agency responsible for installing the first of what apparently will be 594 solar panels along the interchange of I-5 and I-205

The system stretches the length of about two football fields and is located near Tualatin. The plan is for ODOT to procuring 2 million kilowatt hours per year of renewable electricity on property owned by the agency.

This is ODOT's way of contributing to the state mandate of securing all of its electricity from renewable resources by 2010 and I say power to em!

Solar Energy of the Future

Every day I hear about records being passed and surpassed in regards to solar energy. Europe recently exceeded 30% efficiency for a solar device, which I believe sets a world record, yet we haven't seen a substantial price drop in solar devices. Now, don't get me wrong. I am the first to admit that there are deals on solar devices out there.

(I just bought a Power monkey solar cell phone/ipod charger for the $7.00 price of shipping and handling after a $100 rebate)

However, for anything with enough oomph to power a laptop, you need to spend at least $300 - $900 which is out of the price range of the average working person.

The high prices of solar panels are not only deterring prospective new converts, but are also having the detrimental effect of attracting thieves. Modern criminals have discovered lucrative markets for diverse products such as electronics like cell phones and laptops, metals such as copper, information and now solar panels.

"People are having panels stolen from their roofs in the middle of the night as they sleep" reports New York Times reporter Kate Galbraith in her article Thieves are stealing solar panels and selling them on the internet - September 23, 2008

There are hundreds of options for solar cells today, from solar panels with layers of prisms focusing and intensifying the suns rays to solar nano tubes.
Now we just need to be able to afford them.

My Review of the "Solio" Solar Charger

I purchased a Solio solar charger in 2006 in preparation for an upcoming trip to Mauritania, West Africa.

The Solio is a compact solar device with three solar panels that fan out to catch the suns rays and then neatly fold together for travel.

The Solio's internal battery is user replaceable and lasts roughly two years.

I used my Solio daily in Africa to charge my ipod as well as my family's electrical devices and it worked like a charm!

It charges quickly in direct Africa sun but I also take it with me when I go camping in Oregon and as long as you periodically rotate it so it's facing the sun it works just fine in cloudy Oregon as well.



I recently had to finally replace the battery in my Solio and sent away for a replacement from the company.

The replacement battery was in the 15 dollar range and was delivered within a week of ordering. Replacing the battery was a little tricky as the screws are teensy, but the instructions online and also included in the original packaging are very clear and easy to follow.

I was disappointed when the new battery refused to hold a charge and the Solio began flashing an angry red when I tried to charge it, so I emailed Solio to inquire about repairs.





The company is beyond professional.

I had a reply the next day inquiring further information.They had a few questions that I answered and then the following day they sent me a claim number and shipping information.

I shipped my Solio off hoping for repairs and was pleasantly surprised to receive a brand new Solio two weeks later!

All in all, I have to give a heady thumbs up to Solio. It's a sturdy, well made product that won't end up in a landfill like so many disposable power options (battery packs and the like) .

The company stands behind their product and have made it about as versatile as you could want by including adapter tips for just about every ipod and cell phone made.

It can be charged by the sun, by USB or by plugging it into a standard outlet if the sun is absent. A fully charged Solio will charge a 5th generation iPod video twice.

The Solio is compact, roughly the size of an eyeglass case and very lightweight even when all the accessories are included.

As a consumer friendly way to go green, it's a great start!

Slavery in Africa

Yes slavery still exists. In Africa there are still thousands of slaves being beat and raped on a regular basis. Why does this still happen and more importantly why does no one know about it. There is no slave trade in Africa, no slave markets. Instead slavery has been perfected to an art form.

The slaves of Mauritania for example are born not bought. They come from generations of ancestors who were also slaves and thus know nothing else. Only the very brave or very lucky ever escape and if they're women they often have children, products of rape by their masters, in tow.

The BBC has spoken out about this and so has NPR and I think it's time others spread the word.

All it takes is for one generation to be freed and the shackles will be broken for all time.

My visit to the Chinguetti Library

In 2006 I went with my mom and aunt to Mauritania. While we were there we toured Chinguetti, the 7th holiest city in Islam. Chinguetty is a really nice little town. Mr Saif the Chinguetti librarian (or one of them) told us that there have actually been three Chinguettys. The first city of Chinguetty was built around 777 the second around 1267 the last was built around 1963.

Each city progressively gets covered with sand and the people move all their stuff out, knock out the windows and ceilings and write their family name on the inside walls so if the sands recede, then future generations can move back in. We learned this and more at Mr. Saif’s library in old Chinguetty. (as opposed to new Chinguetty which is being built because of encroaching dunes)

The town is falling apart but people still live there and there are 15-20 collections of ancient books and manuscripts stored there by several families. Mr. Saif started the tour with the traditional Mauritanian greeting. I screwed up the greeting but Aunti said it correctly. Then Mr Saif went over the architecture, the history of the architecture and the history of the town.

He displayed some ancient relics. Bone jacks (a game and not human bones –sheep knuckles I believe) bowls, stone cylinders, ancient stone axes etc Then he showed us an ancient key and showed us how it works and in order to view the library we each had to open the library door with the ancient key. The key was wood with metal spikes and looked for all the world like a giants toothbrush.

I went first and had it open in about 60 seconds then mom went, she had trouble with it so I tried to help but now neither she nor I could open it. We finally got it open and Mr. saif showed us his collection.

It was amazing to see these old books from the 17^th to 18^th century out in the middle of nowhere in a town that is a ruin but here they were and except for the few that had been eaten by termites they were magnificent. Mr. Saif showed us the old writing implements and the ingredients used to make the ink. And even the wooden board used to practice the Koran.

The tour was great and he ended it by reading from an ancient book of poetry.

I love the way he rolls the r’s, he sounds like a space kat. Then we all wrote in his tour book and scott translated for him what we wrote.

I wish there was a way to either save or record these ancient books for posterity before they are lost to the desert or to termites and time.