Southern California Green Real Estate Blog

BIG NEWS IN SOLAR EVOLUTION -> THANK YOU PETE

By Jodi Summers

PETE is the “big man on campus.” An acronym for “photon enhanced thermionic emission,” PETE offers a new solar conversion process that boasts efficiency upwards of 60% — and potentially cheap enough to compete with oil.

PETE was discovered by a Stanford University research group headed by materials science and engineering Prof. Nick Melosh.

“This is not a panacea, but is a unique method that can capture both heat and light, and may one day be a valuable part of the energy solution,” Melosh observed. “This is really a conceptual breakthrough, a new energy conversion process, not just a new material or a slightly different tweak,” said Nick Melosh, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, who led the research group from Stanford University.

Photovoltaic solar technology, such as those used in rooftop solar panels, currently uses the semiconducting material silicon to convert the energy from photons of light to electricity. But the cells can only use a portion of the light spectrum, with the rest just generating heat, and the more heat it generates, the less efficient the process becomes. Thus, heat from unused sunlight and inefficiencies in the cells themselves account for a loss of more than 50 percent of the initial solar energy reaching the cell.

Melosh’s theory was to harvest the wasted heat energy and make solar cells more efficient. The issue to be tackled -> high temperatures are necessary to power heat-based conversion systems, yet solar cell efficiency rapidly decreases at higher temperatures. Melosh’s group figured out that by coating a piece of semiconducting material with a thin layer of the metal cesium, it made the material able to use both light and heat to generate electricity. The Stanford team wed thermal and solar cell conversion technologies. PETE actually combines both mechanisms into a singular process using a semiconductor cathode at 200 degrees Celsius.

“What we’ve demonstrated is a new physical process that is not based on standard photovoltaic mechanisms, but can give you a photovoltaic-like response at very high temperatures,” Melosh noted. “In fact, it works better at higher temperatures. The higher the better.”

Stanford documents note that, “By using the semiconductor gallium nitrate, coated with cesium, the researchers constructed a parallel plate thermionic emission device, in which higher temperatures will excite more electrons from the semiconductor cathode and generate current.”

“When photons strike the cathode, they increase the population of electrons that can participate in the thermionic emission process, which Melosh and his team dubbed ‘photon enhancement.’”

“What we’ve demonstrated is a new physical process that is not based on standard photovoltaic mechanisms, but can give you a photovoltaic-like response at very high temperatures,” Melosh noted. “The PETE process could really give the feasibility of solar power a big boost.”

Researchers envision solar concentrators, which can multiply the sun’s intensity by 500 times, focusing light on a PETE device and siphoning unused heat to drive other thermal conversion systems.

Another big step in making solar more accessible and desirable for everyone is that the technology is impressively inexpensive. Melosh notes that, “For each device, we are figuring something like a six-inch wafer of actual material is all that is needed. So, the material cost in this is not really an issue for us, unlike the way it is for large solar panels of silicon.”

**

http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/08/12/pete-could-improve-solar-tech/

http://www.energyboom.com/solar/love-pete-stanford-university-reveals-groundbreaking-solar-technology?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+energyboom+%28EnergyBoom+Daily+Briefin

http://news.stanford.edu/pr/2010/pr-new-solar-method-080210.html

http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-research/stanford-pete-tech/

http://yubanet.com/scitech/New-solar-energy-conversion-process-could-revamp-solar-power-production.php

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/08/02/stanford-harnesses-light-and-heat-with-new-solar-tech/

http://earth2tech.com/2010/08/03/in-the-lab-solar-cells-that-capture-light-heat/

http://dunbar.stanford.edu/dunbar_ges.html

http://today.slac.stanford.edu/a/2010/08-03.htm

http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com/50226711/take_stanford_university_classes_online.php

THIN FILM SOLAR COMPANIES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

THIN FILM SOLAR COMPANIES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

by Jodi Summers

The economy has slowed new development in the green sector. Capital has dried up, as has demand. In the solar panel market this combination of circumstances has lead to excess stock and a subsequent drop in price. With the help of the Green Economy Post we look at up-and-coming thin film Solar PV startups based in the US.

Using thin film Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide (CIGS) technology and the following companies have collectively raised substantial amounts of VC capital (by some measures over $1 Billion). Those in the know say CIGS thin film technology holds the promise of high efficiencies – above 10% and up to 14 or 15% conversion rates. Certainly, the materials, Indium, Gallium, Selenium are expensive they are not inherently rare.

Nanosolar

http://www.nanosolar.com/

Nanosolar has concentrated seven years and several hundred million dollars on one goal of an all-out engineering effort: to completely reinvent the design and manufacturing of photovoltaics. Founded in 2002, headquartered in San Jose, Nanosolar has developed a unique roll to roll thin film production process based on a nano-scale CIGS ink that is wet printed onto a conductive aluminum foil substrate. Large capital savings and cost efficiencies are realized by using this CIGS-on-Aluminum stack.

Mirroring their U.S. success, Nanosolar’s European panel-assembly factory, located in Luckenwalde, near Berlin is aiming for a production rate of one panel every ten seconds, which equates to an annual production capacity of 640MW.

Solar foil efficiencies for Nanosolar cells as high as 16.4% have been independently verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and their first-generation

production is capable of delivering 11% panels. Their panels have attained IEC 61646 & 61730 product certification. And they seem to have worked out the roll to roll mass production process and are scaling up to mass production.

MiaSolé

http://www.miasole.com

The combination of CIGS thin films and the proprietary manufacturing processes enable Miasolé to produce solar products in volumes and at cost points that enable solar electricity to replace fossil fuels, including coal and natural gas. The result is a clean, locally generated source of electricity.

Headquarters in Santa Clara, MiaSolé, is a pioneer in the development of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin film photovoltaic products. MiaSolé is the first CIGS thin film producer to have its modules to be certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) to the three most critical certification standards (UL 1703 and IEC 61646 and 61730). The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed that their panels convert sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 10.2 percent.

The company now has a factory with an annual production capacity of 60 MW and is in the process of expanding this up to 140 MW of capacity.

Solyndra

http://www.solyndra.com/

Solyndra, based in Fremont, CA, designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic systems for the commercial rooftop market. Founded in 2005 Solyndra operates a state-of-the-art 300,000 square foot fully-automated manufacturing complex. The company is planning on going public and that it hopes to raise $300 million in capital to finance the final build-out of its second factory complex designed to produce 500 megawatts per year.

Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest cost of electricity on commercial rooftops by delivering the lowest total systems costs per watt and the highest kilowatt hour production per rooftop for typical installations.

The company currently boasts more than $2 billion in back orders, as well as a $535 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy for building its new production facility.

In addition to a 25-year power warranty, Solyndra’s products have received UL 1703 certification for use in North America and IEC 61730, IEC 61646 for international use.

Heliovolt

http://www.heliovolt.com/

HelioVolt modules enable the rapid growth of distributed solar energy. The glass laminate modules are compatible with existing industry installation tools and practices.

Based in Austin, Texas, Heliovolt has raised $101 million for its Series B round in 2007 and has recently opened a 20MW capacity panel production facility. The company employs an innovative two- staged thin film manufacturing process, based on its

research into the fundamental physics of the CIGS semiconductor material that reduces capital costs, lowers energy used in manufacturing and promises a higher throughput.

The company’s FASST manufacturing process produces high-quality large-grain CIGS crystals using a unique combination of low-cost ink-based or Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) based nanoengineered precursor thin films and a reactive transfer printing method. Reactive transfer is a two-stage process relying on chemical reaction between two separate precursor films to form CIGS, one deposited on the substrate and the other on a printing plate in the first stage. In the second stage, these precursors are brought into intimate contact and rapidly reacted under pressure in the presence of an electrostatic field while heat is applied.

The use of two independent thin films provides the benefits of independent composition and flexible deposition technique optimization, and eliminates pre-reaction prior to the synthesis of CIGS. High quality CIGS with large grains on the order of several microns, and of preferred crystallographic orientation, are formed in just several minutes based on compositional and structural analysis by XRF, SIMS, SEM and XRD. Cell efficiencies of 14% and module efficiencies of 12% have been achieved using this method.

SoloPower

http://www.solopower.com/

SoloPower, based in San Jose, is seeking to differentiate itself from other CIGS thin film startups, by its proprietary and innovative electrochemical process for laying the thin film onto a thin, flexible foil substrate in a high throughput, roll-to-roll process.

The company claims that by using an electroplating process to bond the CIGS thin film (and presumably also the bottom and top conductor layers as well) onto the substrate that this allows it to utilize nearly 100% of the chemicals, a higher material utilization rate than for other competing CIGS thin film solar processes like evaporation, sputtering or printing.

**

http://greeneconomypost.com/promising-thin-film-solar-startups-7588.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGreenEconomyPost+%28The+Green+Economy+Post%29

THE SUN IN SHINING BRIGHTLY ON CALIFORNIA SOLAR

By Jodi Summers

Prices on solar panels have dropped considerably in the past 18 months – and this has caused the California solar installation market to boom. According to research by Mark Bachman of Auriga USA, in the first quarter of 2010 there have been applications for the installation of almost as many megawatts of residential, commercial, and government solar power as the entire year in 2009.

2010 applications for the state’s solar subsidy program, the California Solar Initiative, totaled 252 megawatts in the first quarter. At this point last year, only 68 megawatts had been applied for, and the by the year’s end the number sat at 267 megawatts.

A big boom in manufacturing capacity in Asia, the economic slowdown, cheaper raw materials and less generous subsidy programs in Europe have combined to cause the drop in prices. Companies such as Suntech Power (NYSE:STP), Yingli Green Energy (NYSE:YGE), Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL), and Kyocera Solar (NYSE:KYO) are dominating the market.

**

http://www.energyboom.com/solar/driven-asian-manufacturers-solar-fire-california?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+energyboom+%28EnergyBoom+Daily+Briefing%29

http://blogs.forbes.com/energysource/2010/05/06/solar-on-fire-in-california/

http://www.rechargenews.com/multimedia/archive/00027/Suntech_solar_panels_27731b.jpg

http://www.maxsolarsystem.com/images-1/suntech-solar-panel.jpg

GREENING BUILDINGS THE EASY WAY - THE ICC GREEN BUILDING OVERLAY

GREENING BUILDINGS THE EASY WAY - THE ICC GREEN BUILDING OVERLAY

By Jodi Summers

More green building codes anyone? Sure, there are already several green building codes in use today - LEED, Energy Star, NAHB Green, Green Globes, BREEM and the latest, and perhaps most practical to join the crowd is ICC – the of International Code Council.

FYI, you’ve walked through hundreds of International Code Council respecting properties. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt building codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council. As the ICC already has such a huge fan base, they’ve decided to have their input into green building codes > a.k.a. IGCC.

The objective of this new project is to develop a Green Building Code for traditional and high-performance buildings that is consistent and coordinated with the ICC family of Codes and Standards.

“Congratulations on taking such an important step to ensure the creation of such a code system. We are pleased to support this effort in any way possible,” USGBC President Richard Fedrizzi stated publicly, throwing in a compliment to the Code Council for “undertaking a collaborative approach to this important work.”

A bit of insight: the International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.

Being the progressive state that we are, California, has already adopted a green building code, which is incorporated into the template the ICC has come up with for the rest of the country.

“California continues to lead the nation and I commend the hard work of the Building Standards Commission to adopt the first-in-the-nation statewide green building standards,” proudly observed Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The objective of the ICC code will be to raise the bottom line, giving all buildings a greener baseline. LEED, in contrast, is a bolder standard, providing innovative and more challenging ways to reduce green house gas emissions, materials usage, enhance energy efficiency, and all other good green things.

An ICC green code will make politicians, building inspectors and code officials comfortable with adopting and utilizing I-Codes as the basis for building regulations. By adopting an ICC code and augmenting it with what some of the greener cities like Santa Monica, Berkeley, Sacramento and West Hollywood are doing, municipalities will not have to reinvent the code wheel when looking to implement green building practices.

Wisely, the ICC Green Building Code is an overlay that can integrate with the I-codes that already exist in most jurisdictions.

**

http://www.greenbuildinglawblog.com

http://www.greenerbuildings.com/blog/2009/08/20/why-world-needs-another-green-building-standard

http://www.iccsafe.org/

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/?p=157

http://www.iccsafe.org/news/nr/2009/0722_USGBC.pdf

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POLL – SOLAR RULES

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY POLL – SOLAR RULES

Edited by Jodi Summers

An overwhelming majority -92% of Americans polled - Support Solar Energy Development, according to the 2009 Schott Solar Barometer. The Schott Solar Barometer is a national survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

The overwhelming support for solar power is consistent across political party affiliation with 89 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 93 percent of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.

Furthermore, close to eight in 10 (77%) Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government, including the financial support needed. This sentiment also remains the same since June 2008 (77%).

If only given the opportunity to support one source of alternative energy, 43 percent of Americans would opt for solar over other sources such as wind (17%), natural gas (12%) and nuclear (10%).

Almost half of all Americans (49%) say they’re currently pondering solar power options for their home or business – and another three percent already have solar power. Among those who would like to take advantage of solar power at home or at work, seven in 10 (70%) envision they would make the change within the next five years.

The general consensus is that many Americans feel they lack information – fewer than one in five (12%) - can claim that they’re extremely informed about the subject of solar power in general. What’s more, almost three in four (74%) Americans admit they wish they knew more about solar power options for their home or business.

http://www.cleanedge.com/news/story.php?nID=6455

http://www.resourceactionprograms.org/blog/index.php/tag/southern-california/

http://saferenvironment.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/solar-power-%E2%80%93-sustainable-green-energy-to-protect-our-economy-and-environment/

http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/articles-renewable-energy-transmission/solar.shtml

http://www.sunandclimate.com/images/solar-power-dallas.jpg

http://www.generatormart.com/200806092224444674.shtml

http://earth911.com/blog/2007/10/15/pros-and-cons-of-solar-power/

WHAT DOES THE GOVERNOR’S WIFE THINK? SACRAMENTO IS DIVIDED ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON NEW GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES

WHAT DOES THE GOVERNOR’S WIFE THINK? SACRAMENTO IS DIVIDED ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD ON NEW GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES

By Jodi Summers

The Governor and the Sacramento Democrats are divided in how to move forward and meet the state’s newly targeted energy goals. The Democratics wants the green power and the green jobs to come from within the state. The Governator just wants it done. As state 1st Lady Maria Shriver is a Democrat by birth married to a Republican, and a savvy politica in her own right – balance may lie with her opinion on the issue…would California’s First Lady offer her opinion please.

The recent update to AB 32, California’s landmark 2006 global warming initiative, says California electric utilities must get 33% of their power from renewable sources by 2020.

“With this action, we will ensure that California remains the pioneer in clean energy and clean jobs,” the Governor proudly declared.

The governor’s Executive Order S-21-09 came three days after Democratic lawmakers passed legislation Senate Bill 14 and Assembly Bill 64mandating the same goal, but in a way Schwarzenegger’s office said was too restrictive. The governor said he will veto the Democratic bills because they would limit how much wind, solar and geothermal energy utilities could import from other states.

The two sides did not disagree about the need or the practicality of setting an ambitious 33% renewable energy target. The conflict is over how California should reach the goal and the cost of making it happen.

The Democratic bills were backed by some but not all of the state’s utilities. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Sempra Energy supported the bills, while Southern California Edison Co. and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District asked the governor for vetoes. The bills also drew support from labor unions and consumer advocates and opposition from manufacturers and independent energy-generating companies.

A recent study by the California Public Utilities Commission observed that said 11 new transmission lines and additional infrastructure would be needed to meet the 33 percent goal. Transmission lines typically cross several communities a well as federal land, so the permitting and siting process is very involved, bureaucratic - and time consuming. SC+E noted that each line can take about 10 years to build, and the total cost to electricity customers would be $115 billion.

Critics of the governor’s mandate argue that California will end up subsidizing green jobs in other states and Canada.

Our first lady, Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger, a former newscaster, had Democratic roots that run deep. Maria is a member of Kennedy family through her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy. Her father, Sargent Shriver, is a former ambassador and a former Democratic candidate for the U.S. Vice-Presidency. Married to a Republican governor, the two must find political peace at the dinner table. California is interested in her opinion on how the state should achieve the bold green energy stance of Executive Order S-21-09.

http://gov.ca.gov/issue/energy-environment/

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_13345618?source=rss

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-power16-2009sep16,0,3412344.story

http://www.historyguy.com/biofiles/shriver_maria.html

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800320712/photo/573730

http://theenvelope.latimes.com/galleries/photo/globescl-arrivals29_iafwqnkf,0,5199746,email.photo

http://www.environmentamerica.org/uploads/ig/hp/ighpWSCwRpKVJbuUaA7LCA/DSC_0263.jpg

FINANCAL IMPACT OF WIND AND SOLAR ON YOUR BUILDING

FINANCAL IMPACT OF WIND AND SOLAR ON YOUR BUILDINGS

 By Ernst Diener

People are asking for hard numbers on how wind or solar energy can impact building

and business values.

Financial Impact of Wind or Solar on your Building

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Increase Earnings with Wind Power

For Office Buildings:

Each dollar invested in energy performance improvements in commercial real estate

at a 20 to 30% savings rate, is equivalent to increasing Net Operating Income by

 3 to 4% and increasing Asset Value by $2.50 to $3.75. So consider the impact if

 you produce $250,000 per year for your building, with wind power.

For Supermarkets:

A 10% reduction in energy costs for the average supermarket is equivalent to increasing net profit margins by 15%, increasing Earnings Per Share by $.06, and increasing  sales per square foot by $71. Consider what it means if you produce $250,000 per year for your super-market in power savings.

For Churches:

If your church can create $48,000 in electricity savings through wind power or renewable energy it is equal to increasing your church membership by almost 50 members. If  your church can create $250,000 in renewable energy it is equal to increasing your membership by 228 members.

For Convenience Stores:

A 10% reduction in energy costs for your store, is equal to your increasing your

 net profits by at least 15%, plus the wind turbine will drive in additional traffic,

and increase your gross sales within a range of 11% to 19%.

For Schools and Universities:

2 80 kwh wind turbines that can produce a total of $120,000 per year in energy savings

can allow you to hire additional teachers, buy books, increase educational potential.

(note: None of the above take into consideration tax credits, incentives, grants,

or carbon credits, all of which increase your financial gain with renewable energy)

For Hospitals:

Each dollar saved in energy costs is equivalent to generating new revenues of $20

for hospitals, or $10 for medical offices and nursing homes. So if you produce $250,000 per year with a wind turbine it is equal to generating $5,000,000 in new annual revenues for hospitals or $2,500,000 for medical offices and nursing homes.

For Hotels:

A 10% reduction in energy costs for the average full service hotel is equivalent

 to increasing Average Daily Rate by 2.6% and increasing Occupancy Rate by 4.3%.

 For the average limited service hotel, a 10% reduction in energy costs is equivalent

to increasing Average Daily Rate by 1% and increasing Occupancy Rate by 2.4%. Now consider, what this means to your hotel if you can produce$250,000 per year of electricity per year with a wind turbine.

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102603433038&s=4010&e=001owYh6s8MtLYbHlWEH7PlMKyKTQNgLqQKM-prqSpVCzJ14ef9r0z2UqjmCYn4KNlVeF-xSliDg5HNEaKWT8ttcAcTf_sus-uXpTw72aCyMjgga9J6Otk2YA==

http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/mixerejector-wind-turbine-to-produce-50-more-power/

http://whenhistoryattacks.wordpress.com/

http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-architecture-solar-powered-laboratory-in-california-makes-the-forensics-green/

http://global.kyocera.com/news/2009/0502_iuoi.html

http://oc-aerial.com/small-aerials/saddleback-church-solar-electric-panels-1-large.jpg

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/img/solar_church_onpage.jpg

YALE PICKS THE TEN MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COUNTRIES

ALE PICKS THE TEN MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COUNTRIES

Edited by Jodi Summers

Every year, Yale University releases an Environmental Performance Index (EPI), calculating national environmental factors such as a country’s environmental health, air pollution, water resources and productive natural resources. So let us present to you the most recent top 10 winning countries who can boast the title of the most eco-friendly nations in the world.

1 - Switzerland

Switzerland’s hard-line legislation on pollution makes it one of the world’s most eco-friendly nations. Switzerland’s strategy is to continue to foster cooperation between organizations and individuals. To make sure everyone is acutely aware of how precious the environment can be, Switzerland charges for their water and waste management services as well as establishing severe environmental taxes. Prevention is the third key tenet, shown by the 2006 development of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), to sustain natural resources and develop safety measures for natural hazards.

2 - Norway

Overcast Norway is the home of the world’s largest solar production plant, owned by REC Group. Norway has also taken emissions seriously, and is now planning on becoming carbon neutral by 2030, not 2050 as originally expected. The change in anticipated timing has been reduced because of what Norway has learned by funding green projects abroad and reducing at-home driving and flying.

3 - Sweden

Sweden’s mandate for a country free of fossil fuels by 2020 puts it as the third most eco-friendly country on the planet. Already, a majority of Sweden’s power is either nuclear or hydroelectric. Solutions for automobile and flight transport include ethanol and animal waste conversion. Additionally, Sweden is one of the world leaders working on harnessing the power of waves. At the University of Uppsala, Sweden is developing “wave power” which converts waves into 4x as much energy as solar power in the same amount of time, with no waste and no emissions.

4 - Finland

Finland is experiencing a remarkable recovery from industrialization, using initiatives to clean up water and air quality in industrial areas, and practicing land preservation. Bravo as Finland has managed to reverse deforestation. The country’s forests are now growing at a greater rate than they are being deforested, showing an environmental gain even with the annual timber harvest. Finland can also be attributed with starting the United Nation’s Environmental Program (UNEP) Task Force for Sustainable Building and Construction, which looks not only at the sustainability of the building, but of the resources and process used to construct it.

5 - Costa Rica

With 5% of the world’s biodiversity contained in one country, Costa Rica has always been on the forefront of environmental conservation. Did you know that a full quarter of the nation is devoted to park preservation? That helps the country score high on the EPI list. Couple their conservation efforts with the fact that Costa Rica uses hydroelectric power in 80% of the country, and add on their 5% gas tax which funds environmental programs, and Costa Rica comes in fifth.

6 - Austria

It’s very impressive that Austria’s environmental conservation measures are enforced by all levels of government, from federal to municipal authorities. For example, waste disposal is a highly regulated department encompassing everything from individual waste to corporate chemical, air and agricultural pesticide pollution. Water quality and forest preservation, are extremely high on Austria’s list of priorities, thus the quality level for Austria’s lakes and rivers is among the highest in the world. The development of Austria’s National Protective Forest Plan has also helped in keeping the nation’s natural beauty pristine.

7 - New Zealand

New Zealand‘s relatively small population in relation to land mass has helped preserve this nation’s natural resources. While automotive emissions and industrial pollutants are still problematic, New Zealand is working hard to develop restrictive legislation and alternative energy sources. The nation was host to the 2008 World Environment Day, and has developed the Environmental Risk Management Authority, which regulates the introduction of non-native species and environmental components so as not to threaten New Zealand’s pristine atmosphere.

8 - Latvia

The Baltics weigh in. By monitoring and reducing water pollution, Latvia’s salmon crop and freshwater bodies are all in the range of “good.” Taken steps toward improvement, Lativia has begun dismantling pollutive farms to reduce fertilizer and insecticide chemicals and allow room for the return of natural forests. Since obtaining freedom from the Soviet Union 1990, Lativa has decreased stationary pollution by 46% and wastewater by 44%, devoting a major portion of environmental funds to water treatment and energy conservation techniques.

9 - Colombia

Beating Costa Rica, Colombia is home to 10% of the world’s species, giving the country a wealth of ecological diversity. While Colombia has had problems in the past concerning deforestation, the detrimental effects of the coca trade, and political strife involving their natural oil deposits, these factors have served to motivate Colombia towards energy conservation and new, less politically tumultuous resources. Colombia has also begun programs for the cultivation of natural parks that support the growth of native medicinal plants with preserves such as the Orito Igni-Ande Medicinal Flora Sanctuary, a 10,626 hectare preserve.

10 - France

The French government is very aware of the problem of climate change. Their strict environmental protection measures are incorporated into the national Constitution and reviewed every year with the eventual goal of 54 million tons of saved C02 by 2010. France is one of the few in the Kyoto agreement to cut such a large amount of emissions so quickly. The country’s laws are comprehensive, covering every layer of production from supplier to producer to consumer. This has helped make France the number one producer of renewable energy sources in the EU, 78% of its energy being nuclear powered, which in turn has reduced nitrogen oxide and other hazardous emissions by 70%.

**

Sources:

http://epi.yale.edu/Home

http://epi.yale.edu/CountryScores

http://www.bemoreeco.com/2009/03/top-10-eco-friendly-countries/

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/International/europe/Sweden.jpg

http://greenferret.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/switzerland-mountain-lake.jpg

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/tag/norway

http://www.ippnw-students.org/Chapters/Finland/finland.jpg

http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-in-costa-rica-long-term/images/costa-rica-ocean-view.jpg

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0510/photos/Jpegs/NewZealand.jpg

http://www.austria-trips.com/images/Austria-Mountains.jpg

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/riga/jpgs/jurmala_latvia_hoskins_m06.jpg

http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/61720/335583/p/f/1781.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2qncqxi.jpg

http://www.bargesinfrance.com/premier-burgundy-countryside.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2352156385_c389b09b15_b.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/pj48/image/45644972/original.jpg

THE CITY OF L.A. WANTS TO GREEN INDUSTRY

By Jodi Summers

 Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced in Los Angeles’ State of the City Address that the city intends to grow the clean and green city concept …is it merely election time promises or can L.A. be the leader in Clean Technology?

“…We are aggressively growing the industries of the future here in LA.. We need to build a future in which clean technology is - as - synonymous with Los Angeles as motion pictures or aerospace. Where LA is acknowledged as a growing capital of the green economy.

“With our Solar LA plan, we’re working to cut our carbon footprint and to transform LA into a clean energy powerhouse. With the nation’s most far-reaching green building ordinance, we believe we can create America’s most vibrant jobsite in sustainable construction. And at the Port of Los Angeles, I’m proud to say tonight that we’ve sent 2,000 dirty diesel trucks to the junkyard and replaced them with vehicles that run on natural gas and electricity.

“I believe L.A.’s economic future starts right here, in places like Balqon, where the next generation of electric trucks are being designed, tested, and manufactured; where we are literally revving up the engines of our Clean Truck Program; where the wheels of a clean, green port are turning; and a new high-tech venture is producing clean fuel vehicles IN L.A., for the betterment of LA.

“This facility will serve as the model for our Harbor Clean Tech Center; for investments in the latest vessels for green development; for the San Pedro Bay Port Technology Development Center - home of green companies serving our port.

“A few miles up the 110, we are building a literal “Clean-Tech Corridor.” A business corridor bringing together researchers, designers and manufacturers from around the world dedicated to sustainable solutions and to creating green-collar jobs.

“Located just outside of downtown, this corridor will house our Clean Tech Manufacturing Center a catalyst for smart growth that could create as many as 1,000 high-paying jobs.

“It will host our Clean Innovations Research Center where the world’s leading experts will come together to define future renewable energy sources, water conservation strategies, and green building advances.”

http://mayor.lacity.org/pressroom/stateofthecity/index.htm

LIVE GREEN –> IDEAS TO GREEN YOUR PROPERTIES

Edited by Jodi Summers

1. Double-Paned Windows

According to the Department of Energy, the typical U.S. family spends $1,300 a year on home energy bills. Double-paned windows are up to 40 percent more energy-efficient than standard windows, and allow you to save from 10 to 25 percent off your heating or cooling bill, on top of saving five tons of carbon dioxide emissions per household per year.

2. Caulking and Storm Panels

Double-paned windows are expensive, and it could take decades for their savings to counterbalance their cost. To improve insulation without switching windows, seal up any leaks or gaps around doors and windows with caulking and weather stripping, then add a storm panel to your single-pane window to increase energy efficiency for far less money than double-paned windows.

3. Plant Trees

On top of soaking up carbon dioxide, trees that surround your house can provide hading in the summertime, keeping your property cooler and requiring less energy-intensive air conditioning.

4. Swap Your A/C for a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are remarkably effective in cooling and use far less energy than air conditioning. If you still need a little A/C, consider running it on low, and using ceiling fans to effectively circulate the cool air.

5. Get Your Ducts in a Row

Faulty duct work can cause serious, life-threatening carbon monoxide problems in the home. Check your ducts for air leaks. Look for sections that should be joined but have separated, and then look for obvious holes. If you use tape to seal your ducts, experts suggest using mastic, butyl tape, foil tape, or other heat-approved tapes (look for tape with the Underwriters Laboratories logo). A well-sealed vapor barrier on the outside of the insulation on cooling ducts prevents moisture buildup.

6. Be Reasonable with the Thermostat

No reason to be uncomfortable in your home to save energy or reduce emissions, but try to keep it as warm as you can stand it in the summer, and turn it down to 68 or below in the winter.

7. Change Your Bulbs

Electricity is the largest source of U.S. carbon emissions, using about 38 percent. A switch to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can reduce emissions and energy use drastically. Keep in mind, CFLs still contain mercury; LEDs are considered the best bet.

8. Turn Off and Unplug

Research conducted by the DOE shows that in the average American home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Unplugging seldom used appliances could shave up to $10 off your monthly electricity bill.

9. Reach for the Energy Stars

There’s an ENERGY STAR version of almost every appliance these days from a computer to a refridgerator. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), by choosing their ENERGY STAR-qualified products, consumers can cut energy use by 30 percent, a savings of about $450 each year.

10. Switch to Solar or Wind Power Without Buying Your Own System

According to the DOE, at least 50 percent of customers have the option to purchase renewable electricity directly from their power supplier. Such power is sometimes referred to as “green power” or “clean power,” and costs an average of $1.25/month extra.

11. Shower Efficiently

With our new tiered water rates, it’s wise to be conscious about how much time, and water, you’re spending in the shower. A one- or two-minute reduction in shower time can save up to 700 gallons of water per month.

12. Use the Cold Water

If your shower takes awhile to heat up, catch the cold water in a bucket and use it to water your garden or lawn.

13. Go Native

Using native plants in landscaping can reduce residential water use by 20 to 50 percent.

14. Green Paints, Materials, and Accessories

According to the California Air Resources Board, indoor air quality in the state is worse than outdoor air quality, thanks to the toxins in paint, wood finishes, carpet, adhesives, and solvents. Air quality in new and recently renovated homes can be up to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air quality. To cut down on indoor toxins, opt for Green Seal certified paints and solvent-free adhesives.

15. Displace Water

Put a plastic bottle or a plastic bag weighted with pebbles and filled with water in your toilet tank. Displacing water in this manner saves five to 10 gallons of water a day. That’s up to 300 gallons a month, even more for large families.

16. Seal Your House

Visit the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site for a printable home energy audit, check your home for cracks, and have adequate installation installed.

28. Keep Your Garden Green

It might surprise you to learn that homeowners actually use 10 times more pesticides and fertilizers per acre than farmers, on average; 67 million pounds of the stuff are applied on lawns each year. Opt for native plants, safer pesticides, and compost for fertilizer instead.

www.realtor.com

www.dinnergarden.org/victoryGardens.html