Solar-powered drone that would violate your privacy 24/7

You've heard of the Flying Car which people say is now 'pretty' close to reality.

Now your privacy will be further violated by this unmanned solar-powered drone because it can fly all day without the need for refueling and its surveillance cameras will allow the owner to see things like the hawks do.

Welcome Silent Falcon^TM - now you can "Fly Silent, Fly Longer, See More"

The Silent Falcon, launched last year, is a 6-foot-long unmanned aircraft that can be launched by hand and can fly for up to 14 hours.

• Price                   : $250,000 to $300,000 (up to RM900,000)
• Origin                  : New Mexico, US
• Size                    : 6-foot long (just about the size of an average human)
• Power source     : Light weight solar panels
• Length of flight   : up to 14 hours in full daylight

Targeted markets are the likes of private military contractors and militaries including those in Brazil, India, and Thailand.

Any interest from Malaysia? Ten units of Silent Falcon for $3 million should be a peanut compared to the $500 mil Scorpene submarine we purchased sometime ago.

The Silent Falcon in action, to watch over you!

At 6-foot long, it is light enough to be launched by hand.

This small plane can beam back HD video and is silent from a distance of 30 m

Sources: Forbes, Silent Falcon UAS Technologies
Images: Credit to Silent Falcon website (link given above)

SolarCity gets $500mil financing from Goldman Sachs for Solar Leasing

The amount of financing demonstrates that Financial Institutions have confidence in solar power as a viable business venture.

This initiative by SolarCity:-

• $500 million in financing (approx. RM1.5 billion)
• 110 MW of solar power generated,
• Largest single financing agreement for rooftops in the US, so far
• Little or no up-front cost for homeowners and businesses who invest in the system

Rooftop solar leasing, anyone? The Solar Settlement in Freiburg, Germany. Photo credit: Rolf Disch Solar Architecture

SolarCity is getting more than $500 million in financing to develop and implement solar roof systems in the United States. Similar solar 'leasing' on rooftops was mooted in Australia last year.

SolarCity scores $500 million in financing

SolarCity Corp. (SCTY), a solar-energy developer chaired by billionaire Elon Musk, won financing from Goldman Sachs (GS) Group Inc. for more than $500 million in rooftop solar systems that the company will complete this year.

The lease-financing agreement will help SolarCity build about 110 megawatts of solar power systems with little or no up-front cost for homeowners and businesses, San Mateo, California-based SolarCity said today in a statement.

The deal is the largest single financing agreement for rooftop systems in the U.S. and will raise awareness of the quality of the solar-lease asset class, SolarCity Chief Executive Officer Lyndon Rive said in a telephone interview.

“We hope it sends a signal that solar is a stable and reliable asset to invest in,” Rive said in an interview. “These aren’t luxury yachts we’re talking about, it’s your energy, and the default rates are lower than mortgages.”

During the first quarter, SolarCity said it invested $138.2 million in solar systems as demand for rooftop panels from homeowners and businesses surged.

For New York-based Goldman Sachs, the SolarCity agreement will help reach the Wall Street bank’s goal of financing $40 billion in renewable energy during the next decade, said Stuart Bernstein, global head of clean technology.

“SolarCity’s range of distributed solar solutions targeting a wider customer base will help us move toward a low carbon energy future,” Bernstein said in the statement.


Source: REW

Sabah and Penang the best solar energy spots

If you have been asking lately, Kota Kinabalu is the most ideal place to generate energy through solar PV.

Sadly though, we do not enjoy the same premium rate enjoyed by our counterparts in West Malaysia through the FiT Scheme. Reason - because we do not pay the 1% levy on our electricity bills.

Colour coding of the solar irradiance in Malaysia. Darker is better.

Kota Kinabalu and Sabah, in general, together with Penang are the best two spots to produce electricity from sunlight, according to Ahmad Hadri Haris, former Head of the Renewable Energy Unit, Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (Malaysian Energy Centre).

Ahmad Hadri is currently the CEO of Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) after his appointment on April 1, 2013.

"In terms of the amount of sunlight we can capture, Kota Kinabalu measures 1,800 kWh/metre square per year compared to 1,500 in the Klang Valley"
- Ahmad Hadri Haris

Global horizontal irradiation - Solar.

For this reason, a solar energy producer in KK can actually produce up to 30% more electricity than the guy in KL, Ahmad noted. He was speaking in conjunction with the 32nd International Energy Agency Meeting in Kota Kinabalu, back in 2009.


Note:

Irradiation is the sum of irradiance over a time period (e.g. 1 hour, day, month, year, etc.) expressed in J/m². However, in daily routine Wh/m² are more commonly used.

The above solar irradiation maps can be found at SolarGis website.

Solar panels now make more electricity than they use

"We are going into break-even" - Stanford University

Solar energy has short history in Malaysia, at least in terms of "installed capacity".

But when the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) started promoting the renewable energy in 2009, many quarters started to became aware of the benefit and incentives available. Thanks to the ministry's (then) Chief Technical Advisor for renewable energy, Ir Ahmad Hadri Haris. He came to Sabah on few occasions to give talks and seminars on RE, and one of the inetersting topics is solar PV.

Then people started to ask question: Is the electricity generated by the PV panels more than the energy to make them?


Solar panels generate more energy than they used?

Solar panels make energy, but they take energy to make, too. It was thought that more electricity is used to produce them than electricity they generate during their lifespan. But according to Stanford University, by 2020, the industry is set to "pay back" the energy it used. [check out the above video clip].

A study by Michael Dale and Sally Benson looked at what went into building and installing solar panels all over the world, including everything from home installations to solar farms. Most solar panels manufacturers now consume lots of electricity, usually pulled from coal or other fossil fuel-burning plants.

Stanford News pointed to the example of melting silica rock to obtain the silicon used in most panels. The melting requires electricity to fire ovens to a temperature of about 3,000^o F.

"I think that this paper shows that actually the industry is making positive strides and it's even in spite of its fantastically fast growth rates, it's still producing, or it's just about to start producing, a net energy benefit to society."
-Michael Dale, climate and energy researcher, Stanford University

The researchers believe that solar panels' energy balance is now tipping, however, because newer technologies reduce that electricity consumption. For example, some newer panels require less silicon, or waste less material in the manufacturing process.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

This reminds me of the never ending argument on viability of using solar cells (PV) to generate electricity. Some people think that solar power is not viable yet as it is still very expensive. Take the subsidy out of the equation and the industry will take a massive tumble, they say.

The efficiency of solar panel is just about 21% to 25% at the moment, so, yes I tend to agree with the notion that we are forcing an inefficient technology on people.

But then again, if not now, then when? We can not wait for the fossil fuel to deplete before we embark on new alternatives, can we?


Refer: Video by Stanford Uni. Other story by Popular Science

Chinese volatile market drives solar PV downturn in 2013: Report

Solar PV demand in the first quarter of 2013 dipped due to the volatile market in China. The rest of the world, though, saw more stable growth - according to Solarbuzz.

Chart 1: Phases of PV demand from China, Europe and Rest-of-the-World. Source: Solarbuzz

“Chinese solar PV demand was the key global driver at the end of 2012, which helped to deplete upstream inventory levels that had accumulated over previous quarters. However, extreme swings in PV demand from China over the next year will make capacity utilization and inventory control particularly challenging.”
- Michael Barker, senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz

The report says that, over the next four quarters:

• China will account for more than 20% of global PV market demand, i.e. 0.9GW to 3.6GW.


• Germany, Italy, France, and the UK will lead solar PV demand in Europe, accounting for over 65% of regional demand.


• Demand from European end-markets is expected to range from 2.7GW - 3.2GW


• New demand from the emerging PV markets, such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia (ROW)  demand will range from 2.5GW - 3.6 GW each quarter.


• The Japanese market is strongest during the first half of the year.


• The U.S. market is strongest during the second half.

TheGreenMechanics: Not a totally bleak year for the solar PV industry as some have predicted last year. China will come good eventually.


For your reading pleasure, jump to Solarbuzz Quarterly report.

Solar plane to fly coast to coast across US

This is the same Swiss solar-powered plane that made a daring voyage from Europe to Africa last year. The  aircraft takes off on 24 May 012 in Payerne and travel through Madrid , destined for Rabat in Morocco.

Powered by 11,628 solar cells on its back and with a wingspan of about equivalent to a Boeing 747, a solar-powered plane that has wowed people in Europe is now preparing to fly across the United States.

The Solar Impulse plane will take off on May 1, weather permitting, and will make stops in Phoenix, Dallas and Washington before arriving in New York in early July. Reuters photo.


ACROSS AMERICA MISSION 2013

(California-AFP) - The experimental Solar Impulse plane, which has made several trips since its maiden flight in 2009, will take off on May 1 on a transcontinental tour split in five stages.

"We are ready to do this flight across America," said Solar Impulse co-founder Andre Borschberg during a press conference at a hangar in Mountain View, near San Francisco.

Borschberg said the flight is being split into multiple stages for security reasons, emphasising nevertheless that the single-seat aircraft was technically capable of flying non-stop across the United States.

A non-stop flight would take approximately three days travelling at the aircraft's cruising speed of around 43 miles (70 kilometers) per hour.

"We have limited ourselves to fly a duration maximum of 24 hours," said Borschberg, who will share the piloting duties with Solar Impulse president Bertrand Piccard.

The plane will spend up to 10 days at each stop on its journey in order to showcase its technology to the public, schoolchildren and students who will also have a chance to talk with the pilots.

"The people will be able to follow the mission, to speak to the pilot, to ask questions. We would like to inspire students, schoolchildren, inspire as many people as possible to try to have the spirit to dare, to innovate, to invent." Piccard said.

Borschberg and Piccard are planning an around-the-world flight of the plane in 2015. - Copyright (AFP RELAXNEWS), 2013.


TheGreenMechanics: If this solar-powered plane make a trip to Malaysia, I would definitely set aside some time off and make the tour to see it for myself.

For the rest of us who don’t live in the United States, we can still 'watch' the feat as it will be filmed and streamed LIVE on Solar Impulse's website with important news posted on Facebook.

Bosch stops RM2.2 billion solar project in Penang

Back in 2011, a global player in the solar energy industry, Sun Bear's plan to build a RM5.2billion solar glass plant in KKIP, Sabah didn't materialise due to power supply issue. Insufficient power supply to be exact.

Recently, Germany's Bosch announced it was shelving a plan to build a RM2.2 billion solar facility in Batu Kawan, Penang - for a different reason.

One of Bosch facilities in Penang. motortrader pix.

Bosch shelves RM2.2b investment in Penang

TheSunDaily, March 26

Bosch Solar Energy Sdn Bhd will quit a proposed RM2.2 billion investment to build a new solar facility in Batu Kawan as part of a decision by its parent to discontinue their global crystalline photovoltaic (PV) business.

In a statement last Friday Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH said it will stop manufacturing of ingots, wafers, cells, and modules at the beginning of 2014 and as far as possible, individual units are to be sold quickly. It said that its module plant in Vénissieux, France, is to be sold, while plans to construct a manufacturing facility in Malaysia will end.

In December 2011, after an extensive global site selection, Bosch purchased an industrial site in Batu Kawan.

They had planned to start construction of the new facility in Q1, 2012 and start operations by early 2013. These plans however did not take off but Bosch had paid the land purchase according to schedule to reflect its commitment to the project.

Early 2012 Bosch announced that due to global overcapacity, price declines and major shakeouts in the PV industry the project in Batu Kawan will be delayed.

"Despite extensive measures to reduce manufacturing cost over the past year, we were unable to offset the drop in prices, which was as much as 40%," Bosch Solar Energy AG supervisory board chairman Dr Stefan Hartung said in a statement, adding that losses for the solar division amounted to €1billion (RM4.04billion) last year.

In a separate statement, InvestPenang chairman Datuk Simon Wong said the state government's investment arm has noted the decision to stop the manufacturing of solar energy parts. He said the decision was unavoidable in view of the current state of the global PV industry.


TheGreenMechanics:
Hopefully, it is not the end of the road yet - at least in the context of FDI in Penang - as Business Times reported an industry source as saying "Bosch have conveyed to the state investment authorities that it is committed to the assets it possess in Penang and will need to rejig their plans."

SEDA Malaysia announced release of 20 MW solar PV quota for non-individuals under 500kW

Announcement date       : Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Solar PV quota               : 20 MW
Category                         : under 500kW, non-individual
Opening date                  : 2 April 2013, 12.00 noon
Degression rate               : 20% for installation exceeding 24kWp
Degression rate (bonus criteria) : changed from 8% to 0%
Degression effective date          : 28 March 2013


SEDA Malaysia Announces Opening of 20 MW of Solar PV quota on 2nd April 2013

Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) have announced the long anticipated solar photovoltaic (PV) release of the 20 MW of solar PV quota for the non-individuals under the 500kW category.

The solar PV quota will be released on Tuesday, 2nd April 2013 at 12 noon. Chairman of SEDA Malaysia, YB Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn said that these 20 MW solar PV quotas is subjected to the degression rates of 20%, for installed capacity exceeding 24 kW, as previously announced by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA).

Snapshot of the current SEDA FiT rate. For installation size of above 24kW, due to the announced 20% degression rate, come Jan 1, 2014, FiT rate would not be RM0.9988/kWh but lower.


The degression rates for bonus criteria of locally manufactured PV modules and inverters have been reduced from 8% to 0%. These degression rates are effective as of 28th March 2013.

Feed-in Approval (FiA) applicants who are applying for the 2013 solar PV quota need to ensure that their solar PV systems are commissioned before the 1st January 2014. If they are unable to commission within the FiA application’s approval year, their FiT rates for the following year shall be subjected to the degression rates prevailing at the point of application, i.e. 20%

Example of the consequence of the inability of FiAHs to have their solar PV systems commissioned before the 1st January 2014:

Installed PV capacity: >24kWp
Degression rate: 20%
Note: SEDA Malaysia is obliged to review the degression rates twice a year

If the degression rates are subsequently revised downward to say 9% on 1st January 2014, any feed-in approval holders (FiAHs) of 2013 who fail to commission their PV systems (installed capacity > 24 kW) by 31st December 2013 is still subjected to the degression rate at the point of application which will be 20%.

The new 9% degression rate is only applicable to applicants who applied after 31st December 2013. This means any FiAHs who are unable to commission their solar PV system before 1 January 2014 will have their rates degress to another 20%.


Source: SEDA Malaysia press release

China solar giant Suntech falls back to Earth

The last thing you want to hear from the solar photovoltaic industry is players going into bankruptcy.

Just a year ago, China's Suntech was the world's largest solar panel producer, but has plunged to a near bankruptcy, if what's reported is true.

Top 10 solar module producers in the world. Source: Renewable 12 Global Status Report

"What (Suntech) has done is increase supply to the market so much, that they really almost can't sell anything at a profit now. It is going to be difficult for them going forward. You might end up seeing a very different company down the road."
-- Ben Cavender, China Market Research Group in Shanghai.

Falling back to earth? Source: France24

Bleak day for Solar PV industry

China’s Suntech has made a painful journey from being the world’s largest solar panel producer to flirting with bankruptcy in just a year, highlighting the woes of the industry it shaped.

Oversupply as Chinese producers flooded the market and trade disputes over alleged Chinese dumping caused a sudden and spectacular reversal of fortunes for Suntech, which has defaulted on repayments for a $541 million bond issue.

The board ousted the company’s renowned founder just days ago after 12 years in which he led it from nothing to world market domination and now to the edge of ruin, leaving it scrambling to secure new funding and hold creditors at bay.

The global solar industry has been burned by the economic slowdown in Europe and the United States, together with weak prices blamed on Chinese companies which sought to build market share by under-cutting competitors.

References:
a) Renewables 2012 Global Status Report
b) PVinsights
c) France24 Internation News

Rooftop solar PV launched at SM St. Michael, Sabah

While 10 schools in Sabah celebrate their achievement of 100% passes in the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) this year, SM St Michael has a bonus reason to celebrate.

Greenery welcomes you as you approach St. Michael secondary school.

The school became the first in Sabah to have the solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on its roof to reduce the school's electricity consumption. More importantly, this will pave the way for Malaysians to learn and appreciate the technology at early stage.

The installation of the 5.4kWp rooftop solar here was completed in January 2013, thanks to a worldwide project named dena Solar Roofs Programme, coordinated by the Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH, and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Brief information of the rooftop installation:

Installed capacity       : 5.4 kWp
Solar module              : 24 panels
Area of roof covered  : 41m²
Panel rating                : 225W
Inverter                       : 2 nos (to convert DC to AC supply)
Energy production     : 6,800 kWh annually. Approximately 567 kWh per month
Cost                             : €2,000 to €2,500 per kWp without battery (RM8,000 - RM10,000)

For educational purposes:
A display panel has been installed in the centre of the school to display the actual power in kW and the accumulated generated energy (in kWh) and CO₂ savings over the entire period.

"The main goal is to support the cooperation between German and Malaysian experts in the field of photovoltaic and also sharing of knowledge about the systems under the specific conditions in Malaysia." 

           - Gabriele Eichner of the German Energy Agency.

The school became the programme's first recipient in Malaysia

Another school with solar PV installation is SK Pulau Sepanggar, located half an hour boat-ride from Kota Kinabalu. This is a full capacity installation which means the school gets all its power requirement from this installation alone. The school is not connected to the power grid due to its location.

It is a self initiative by the government to improve the quality of life of the local community as well as to provide a better learning environment for the school children.

SK Pulau Sepanggar hybrid system: The 25kWp solar PV is coupled with diesel generator set

TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

While fully agreeing to the school selection, I am hoping that the "dena Solar Roofs Programme" will also look into the many underprivileged rural schools in the interior. They acknowledged that the programme is most suited for places such as those in the remote areas in East Malaysia.

Germany hits 32.6 GW cumulative solar PV capacity

The title speaks volume for the success of the FIT scheme in Germany.

According a press release from Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) experts, last year, German solar installations make up more than the rest of Europe combined.

Putting things into perspective, TNB's peak demand is currently about 16 GW and the installed capacity of Germany's solar PV is more that double the maximum electricity demand in Peninsula Malaysia.

The Solar Settlement in Freiburg, Germany. Once Germany reaches 52 GW, the Federal Government plans to phase out support for solar power. Photo credit: Rolf Disch Solar Architecture


Germany's solar PV reaches new height

Germany installed 274 MW worth of photovoltaics in January, according to the latest figures from the Federal Network Agency. Overall, the country has a cumulative photovoltaic capacity of 32.6 GW.

The 274 MW of new capacity is spread across 9,299 systems. As such, cumulative photovoltaic capacity has reached an impressive 32.66 GW, of which over 26.5 GW were installed between early 2009 and late 2012. Once Germany reaches 52 GW, the Federal Government plans to phase out support for solar power.

Meanwhile, between June and December last year, 3.2 GW of photovoltaics was added in Germany. These figures have been subsequently corrected, said the agency. Installations in this period serve as the basis for calculating the future monthly degression.

For February, March and April, the Federal Network Agency has imposed a photovoltaic FIT reduction of 2.2% each month. As such, since March 1, €0.1127/kW is paid to systems between one and 10 MW in size. For smaller rooftop projects, operators receive between €0.1377 and €0.1628/kWh, depending on the system size.

TheGreenMechanics: Dear government - please bring back the FIT scheme for Solar PV (and the other 3 Renewable Energies) to Sabah and Sarawak.

Source: PV-Magazine

5.4kWp rooftop solar PV installed at SM St Michael, Penampang

It pays to go green!

The school’s positive spirit and enthusiasm in advocating Renewable Energy has won the hearts of people from Solarsysteme Sachsen GmbH, Germany. As part of its global “dena Solar Roofs Programme”, the company selected SMK St Michael in Penampang, Sabah for the installation of a rooftop solar PV:

Installed capacity    : 5.4 kWp
Solar module          : 24 panels
Panel rating            : 225W
Inverter                   : 2 nos
Energy production   : 6,800 kWh per year, estimated based on 3.5 hours of good sun per day
Storage                 : Back-up System M which stores energy during weekends for use during school days
Monitoring              : Edu/info panel which displays power in kW, energy in kWh and CO savings
Official launching    : March 18, 2013 at St. Michael school.

Solarsysteme's Sylvia Radisch-Siebert (white shirt) and Mandy Radisch (in blue) at St Michael school during the training on PV basics. Photos by Solarsysteme-Sachsen GmbH.
Bottom image (photo by New Sabah Times) shows St Michael students with the completed rooftop solar PV system.

I really hope that the school will allow the general public to witness the launching in March 2013. I'd love to be there.

If we are to fit this into the FIT scheme currently on-going in Malaysia, and assuming TNB/SESB buy the 6,800 kWh energy produced at RM1.40 per unit, this will give annual income of RM9,520 or RM793 a month. This money can be used to offset the school's monthly bill. Quite interesting.


Note: Active links are shown at the end of this article.

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Installation of 5.4kWp rooftop PV system at SM St Michael completed
New Sabah Times
PENAMPANG: Solarsysteme Sachsen GmbH announced that it has completed the installation of a 5.4 kWp rooftop photovoltaic system at SM St Michael in Penampang, Sabah.

The installation is part of the worldwide “dena Solar Roofs Programme” coordinated by the Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) – the German Energy Agency – and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) within the initiative “Renewables – Made in Germany“.

Locally known as the Solar Roofs Project Malaysia, the project was initiated in October 2012 in co-operation with the SM St Michael. The school is the first in East Malaysia to be fitted with a PV system. Sabah was chosen due to the state’s great potential on the availability of solar energy.

The school was chosen not only because of the many prizes they have won for implementing green projects, but also because of the school’s positive spirit and enthusiasm in advocating renewable energy. The intention of implementing this project is to further educate the students on PV’s crucial role in improving living conditions around the world, as well as displacing the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity.

The “dena Solar Roofs Programme” was developed by the Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) – the German Energy Agency. Launched in 2004, this programme, co-financed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, supports German solar energy companies entering new markets.

The PV system installed at the St. Michael Secondary School consists of 24 panels, 2 inverters and a battery system distributed over 41 square metres rooftop of the school, which has 903 students. The solar system generates approximately 6,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar energy per year and helps to offset the school’s utility costs. The system includes a back-up system whereby the energy stored in the battery can be used during a power blackout.

To illustrate the benefits of the rooftop solar system to members of the local community, a display panel has been installed in the centre of the school to display the actual power in kW and the accumulated generated energy (in kWh) and CO2 savings over the entire period.

Donald Malingan, Chairman of the Board of Governors SM St Michael said: “I have nothing to dispute but to thank Solarsysteme Sachsen and dena for their generosity and benevolence in installing the solar panels in the school.”

An official launch will take place at SM St Michael on 18th March 2013. Guests will have the opportunity to see the project and the accomplishments by the students thus far.

Sources and references:
1) Installation of 5.4kW rooftop PV - N.Sabah Times
2) Solarsysteme Sachsen GmbH - dena Solar Roofs Programme

http://www.sesb.com.my/images/stories/news/2013/02/07/2/NSabahT-Installation-of-5.4kWp-rooftop-PV-system-at-SM-St-Michael-completed.jpg

Volkswagen of America plugs into 9.5MW solar farm

Last month, at a dedication ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee, dignitaries flipped a giant light switch to signal the official opening of the “Volkswagen Chattanooga Solar Park”, built on Volkswagen’s compound.

While we have the SEDA-regulated 20-year FIT power purchase agreement between power producers and TNB/SESB, Volkswagen Chattanooga and another private entity (Silicon Ranch) entered into 20-year power purchase agreement without involving the government or any of its agencies.

This is a business agreement between two private entities. And for solar power purchase, this is remarkable!

Chattanooga auto assembly plant is on the background. Volkswagen photo.

The automaker has begun using the 33,600 solar modules on a 33-acre solar farm adjacent to its manufacturing facility to power up to 12.5% of the plant’s needs during full production and 100% during non-production periods. VW’s embrace of solar power will reduce its operating costs over the long term.

Location                : Chattanooga, Tenn
Solar farm area      : 33 acres
Solar module type  : poly-crystalline
Number of panel    : 33,600
Capacity               : 9.5MW
Power production   : 13.1 GWh per year (equivalent to energy consumption of 1,200 homes)
Powering up          : estd. 12.5% of plant needs (100% during off production)

Module manufacturer     : JA Solar
Developer and operator  : Silicon Ranch (www.siliconranch.com)


The solar installation at Volkswagen Chattanooga confirms the awarding of the highly-coveted LEED Platinum certification to VW by the U.S Green Building Council in late 2011. At that time, the Building Council called the Chattanooga manufacturing facility “the world’s greenest auto plant” and noted it was the first automotive manufacturing plant in the world to receive the top LEED certification. Today, the Chattanooga plant remains the only auto plant worldwide to earn the LEED Platinum certification.


World's only LEED Platinum certified auto plant

Volkswagen's Chattanooga Operations runs the first and only automotive plant worldwide that was awarded with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification of the U.S. Green Buildings Council.

Its new paint shop saves the use of 20,000 gallons of water per day by its innovate dry scrubber technology, while its water harvesting system provides about 6 million gallons of water annually for restrooms and cooling circuits in the body shop. The plant is certified according to ISO 14001 for its environmental management system and according to ISO 50001 for its energy management system.

And now, it came up with its own 13 GWh/year green power source from the sun.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

I think it is very possible for, say, Cypark to work out means to supply one of the industrial areas, or plants (e.g. KK Industrial Park, Proton Assembly plant, etc) for similar Solar Farm development and operations. A 20-year agreement is very much feasible.


Source: Volkswagen Press Release

Seminar on Lightning and Surge Protection for Solar PV Installations

This is good for people who are currently involved in solar PV or those who simply want to enhance their knowledge in Lightning Protection Design and Surge Protection Design requirements for solar PV installations including large PV farms and small residential systems in Malaysia.

This is SEDA Malaysia's commitment to ensure that qualified persons receives updated information on solar PV including design, operation and maintenance, and the safety aspects.

The one day workshop titled   “Introduction of Lightning and Surge Protection Guideline for Solar PV Installations” covers among others, the conditions and protection requirements for lightning and surge protection designs in Malaysia. It is important to ensure that all solar PV installations in Malaysia comply and adhere to the safety requirements with regards to lightning protection.


Limited to 100 participants only:

Date        : 14th March 2013 (Thursday)
Time       : 8.30 am – 5.00 p.m
Venue     : Marriott Hotel, Putrajaya
Fee          : RM 500 / Person

Topics that will be covered in this workshop/seminar:

1) Introduction To Malaysian Lightning Condition and Required Protection

2) Lightning Protection Design Requirement for:

a) PV Farms
b) PV on Commercial Rooftops
c) PV on Residential Rooftops

3) Surge Protection Design Requirement for

a) PV Farms
b) PV on Commercial Rooftops
c) PV on Residential Rooftops

More information can be obtained from SEDA official website.

Yingli to be largest solar panel manufacturer in 2012

Final data for 2012 is not yet out, but for 2011 top solar module players are Suntech, First Solar, Yingli, Trina and Canadian Solar, in that order. According to Solarbuzz, the top 5 manufacturers in 2012 is expected to remain the same except that Yingli is tipped to be number one for the first time.

Yingli Green Energy, a Chinese solar manufacturer, has more than 20 subsidiaries and branch offices worldwide, including one in Singapore although none in Malaysia.

Poised for No.1 spot

World's largest panel manufacturer

Yingli expects 2012 panel shipments of more than 2.2GW, exceeding an earlier forecast of 2.1GW to 2.2GW. At that volume, Yingli expects to become the world’s largest panel maker. This feat would be at the expense of Suntech, the world number one for the past two consecutive years.

“According to public data to date, we believe Yingli has evolved into the largest PV module supplier” -  Miao Liansheng, Chairman and CEO of Yingli Green Energy in early January 2013.

Will it come to Malaysia?

Yingli distributes its PV modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, Japan and the United States, with domestic sales contributing to its increased shipment.

European markets for Chinese solar panel have declined and the 'anti-dumping' duties imposed by the US on Chinese imports means that Yingli (and many other China-based manufacturers) will have to look for new markets.

Southeast Asia is one of these markets and you will not be too surprised if PV panels installed on your solar rooftop under SEDA Feed-in Tariff scheme are Yingly products.

I suppose with the reputation as top manufacturer, you will not be far from right choosing Yingli when you install your grid-connected solar power. I may still be wrong though, as many of the Approved Licensed Installers in Malaysia choose either US or German made modules.

Latin America and Caribbean PV demand growing 45% annually to 2017

Despite all the bad news - solar companies winding up, unrealistic subsidies in China, etc - the demand for solar PV energy in other parts of the world is expected to grow at explosive growth.

Now that is optimistic but given the current momentum, and the benefits of going into renewable energy, this idea should be supported. Latin America reminds me of the initiative by the Brazil government to power up its stadiums used to stage the football 2014 World Cup, using solar photovoltaic.

Source: NPD Solarbuzz

Solarbuzz reported that demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy across Latin America and the Caribbean is poised for explosive growth through 2017, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45%, according to the new NPD Solarbuzz Emerging PV Markets Report: Latin America & Caribbean.

Historically, PV demand was confined to rural off-grid and niche applications, but new renewable energy policies and incentive programs are now opening up the region for strong PV deployment. Set against a backdrop of strong economic growth, expanding energy demand, and increasing electricity prices, the conditions for PV adoption appear particularly attractive.

Mexico, Chile, and Brazil are emerging as market leaders within the region, driven by a combination of net-metering, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and other policies. These three countries are forecast to have almost 70% of PV demand within the region by 2017.

By the end of 2012, energy regulators across the region will have received PV project applications in excess of 6 gigawatts (GW), stimulating a healthy pipeline of new opportunities for PV component suppliers, developers and installers.

Chris Sunsong of NPD Solarbuzz:

“Electricity subsidies in Mexico and low natural gas prices in Peru are also delaying the onset of PV grid-parity for some end-user categories, while import tariffs across the region are keeping PV system costs on the high side.”

Other interesting topic related to this article:

1) Solar PV powers the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
2)Renewable Energy: Work on Belo Monte dam in the Amazon

Solar Powered water supply system for local village in Sabah

A very humble installation but definitely beneficial to those at one of the remote villages in Sabah. With no electricity and lack  of other basic infrastructure, Rotary Club of Tawau Tanjung did what was necessary for the less fortunate society.

This was done sometime back in 2007 but it is good to refresh to remind us of the good deed by the Rotarians and  about putting solar power to good use.

Where       : Kg Serudong Laut, Sabah
Population : 302 villagers
Access     : by boat via Serudong River

Children enjoying cleaner water

The Clean Water System

The water supply system is powered by solar PV, costing about RM12,000 at that time. Pump used was from Grundfos.

The Clean Water System runs from the spring, where the water is directed to a 900 gallons reservoir tank.  The Solar Panels is installed next to this Tank to power the submersible pump. The pump pushes the water to two 400 gallons tanks located on a platform about 30 meters higher and 200 meters away. Water from there is then piped to a 400 gallons tank located near the primary school at the centre of the village; another pipe is led to the jetty, where villagers living on the other side of the river collects clean water at the jetty.

Villagers initially draws water from this tank. The initial system consists of one Grundfos Solar pump system, one 900 gallon and three 400 gallons tanks, 900 meters of one inch diameter HDPE pipes and necessary fittings.

Installing the source of power.

The result?

Grateful villagers and contented volunteers. School children can now  have their daily teeth brushing session and enjoy the convenience of having their daily showerl. The Village headman commented that for the first time ever they now have the luxury of taking a bath with clean water.

We should be thankful for all these kind-hearted members of the public among us.


Note: This is not my story and I am not involved in the community project. It was one of the Rotary Club's CSR that deserved mention.

Read further here.

Big name brands embrace Solar Power

We have huge shopping malls around us.

While many of the popular stores and consumer brands in US embrace solar power, we seem to be more laid back about it. Even the US-based IKEA in Peninsula Malaysia have not initiated anything similar to what their sister stores back home did.

A recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in conjunction with the Vote Solar initiative, offers a snapshot of some of America's biggest companies and their varying committments to commercial solar installations.


Most big brands in US have solar PV installed on top of their roofs. Image from www.seia.org


Why bother?

Energy costs make up a significant chunk of a business's operating expenses. A solar PV system helps to reduce these costs, improve the bottom line and allow a company to focus more energy and financial resources on their core competencies.

The rapidly falling cost of solar energy has made solar an increasingly appealing investment for American businesses. Between the second quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2012, the average price of a completed commercial PV system fell by nearly 14 percent.3 The economics of PV have become so attractive that many of the best managed corporations, which are synonymous with low cost and efficiency, are adopting solar energy on a massive scale across the U.S. 


Covered with solar panels. Walmart, Marina, California. Photo: seia.org

Source: Website of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - report

Poorly made PV modules hurting Solar PV industry?

If you are producing, say, Chevrolet vehicles, do you accept a one-in-every-100 defective cars or 1% defect rate? I bet not.

Renewable Energy World (REW) stated in its recent article that from a factory checks carried out, solar panels defect rate stands at 8.8% on average. That is almost one in every ten panels!

The checks are done immediately after the panels roll out of the plants and the spread is from 5.5% to 22%.  That is a very bad and worrying defect trend. As if 5.5% isn't bad enough, it is amazing that some manufacturers continue to produce panels at 22% defect rate! How is that possible, and how is that profitable?

Image: french.alibaba.com

This is tarnishing the reputation of one of the most exciting and interesting sources of renewable energy - Solar Power.

REW reported the common source of failures which include:

1) The use of substandard materials for:

• metal contact lines,
• backsheets and encapsulants for protecting panel from UV radiation,
• encapsulants for protection from other environmental damage,
• cable insulators.

2) Poor workmanship during the soldering process when connecting the cells together inside a panel.


Who will be on the losing end?

Common sense tells us that it does not require a second fault to discourage people from buying the same product. One failure is good enough (or bad enough, in this context) to keep a keen-head away from an uncharted territory. And solar PV industry is still 'uncharted' business venture until today.

Remember, people are still trying to chart the business model of solar PV and there's no curve yet that is acceptable to the majority.

So, not only the buyers (enterprises or individuals) will shy away from investing, but the industry as a whole will suffer. Financing will become harder to come by, and the only driving factor to push Solar PV forward is politics. Governments are forced to enforce unrealistic FIT schemes for a short term sustenance and it will become very expensive to maintain.


Where is my 20-year warranty on Solar Panel?

Until such time that corner-cuttings and the unrealistic governmental supports to every-tom-dick-and-harry manufacturers come to an end, we will continue to have a lot of 5-year rather than 20-year warranted panels.

On the same token we can ask our Malaysia Government on the currently on-going Solar-hybrid power supply for the rural folks. It is a known fact that many of the solar PV systems (hybrid or stand-alone) fail after only few years in operation. Was this due to poor maintenance or as a result of lousy solar panels/components?


Read the article by REW and the interesting discussion by industry players here.

SolarLight-300 by Kirchner

The beauty of Solar power is that it can be harnessed everywhere. It is environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and the single major advantage of solar energy is its location-independent availability.

We have seen many solar light from various manufacturers (predominantly from China) but what set Kirchner Solar Group apart from the rest of the Asian manufacturers is the history and track record for quality solar products. It has many off-grid solar power systems in its product range and one of them is the Solar Light 300. It is an energy saving rechargeable lamp with 300 lumens in brightness.

Quite nicely built.

The difference is that it does not require power supply mains to recharge; it comes with solar charger. As a guideline, a typical 40W incandescent bulb can have brightness of 275 to 400 lumens, depending on brand and colour temperature. So, you can think of this portable solar light along the same line.

It is developed in particular for the energy requirement in structurally weak regions, however, it can be used in remote rural regions at any location if so desired.

There are various way you can position it to suit your need

In comparison with diesel generators, kerosene lamps, paraffin lamps and similar energy or light sources, the Solar Light 300 surely protects the climate and health better. I'd like to have one for outings and camping trips.

For further reading, visit Kirchner Solar Group.