This is the fourth issue of SUN-Enews, and we have been delighted by your immediate, favorable response to our newsletter. SUN-Enews is one of the newest email newsletters to be launched by Santa Fe-based ConnectPress, Ltd., which boasts more than 190,000 readers for its family of free email digests. At SUN-Enews, we provide connections for the solar community—as well as a section called Other Renewables covering topics such as wind, geothermal, fuel cells and general renewable energy information.
--Kate McGraw, electronic editor, ConnectPress, Ltd.

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There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence transform a yellow spot into the sun.
-- Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973

New Question
Q1
I have a husband, three kids and a busy life. Will a solar water heater really provide enough hot water to bathe everybody once a day, run the dishwasher at least once a day and between eight and 10 loads of laundry a week? Can anybody answer from experience?
-- Jane Adamson Jaramillo, Tucson, AZ
Do you have an answer? Send it to SUN-Enews here.

Previous Question
Q1, Vol. I, Issue 3
I pass by several wind farms every time I go to the valley near San Francisco. The windmills are all running at different speeds. How do they put the outputs of these windmills together so they produce useable power—that is in sync and at the desired voltage?
-- Dick Beach, Sealedair.com

A1
The wind generators are all synchronized to the same grid frequency. On older, smaller machines, the rotor can only turn at a single speed, determined by the gearbox that connects the rotor and generator. From one model to another, the gearboxes have different ratios, so the rotors will turn at different speeds. On newer, larger (variable speed) machines an electronic frequency converter allows the ratio of rotor speed to grid frequency to vary depending on the wind speed, so that the turbine can capture the most energy. These larger rotors can turn at high speed in high winds and turn slower at lower wind speeds.
-- John Schaefer, www.cleanpowerworks.com

And check out our new section, Other Renewables, here.

Previous Question
Q1, Vol. I, Issue 2
I need a solar-wind designer/installer who can coordinate with a ground source heat pump system in southwest Virginia, close to the North Carolina border. Thanks!
-- Joyce Johnson Rouse, Earth Mama Productions, www.earthmama.org

Still no answer! Do you have one? Send it to SUN-Enews here.

Editor's note: This question highlights the value of the directories we are building. Click here to learn about listing your resource on the SUN-E directories.

Send questions! Do you have a question about solar energy? Send it to SUN-Enews here.

Editor's note: We asked for feedback and you are sending it! Keep writing. This newsletter is for you...

Solar AC Help?
Hello Solar Pals: I wondered if you might be interested in solar products that we have developed in New Zealand. I need help with solar air conditioning if you can assist. Thanks for the info.
-- Bob Riley, manager, Solar Division, Reid Technology Ltd., Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand, www.reidtechnology.co.nz

We checked out the website, and Reid Technology has a long, intriguing history! We suggest a look-see at http://www.reidtechnology.co.nz/hypereal.htm for an interesting perspective on whether solar electric is right for you.
Meanwhile, we've asked Bob Riley to clarify what kind of help he needs with solar air conditioning. We invite readers to give us a short explanation of solar AC.

More Solar Thermal Defenders
Solar thermal is alive and well in the United States. Solargenix Energy (formerly Duke Solar Energy) is deploying a variety of solar thermal applications from solar hot water to solar absorption space cooling and heating to grid-connected solar thermal electric power plants. Our patented solar thermal collectors produce fluid heated up to 400 degrees F. for non-tracking systems and up to 750 degrees F. for tracking systems. See our website, www.solargenix.com, for more information.
-- Tom Henkel, technology specialist, Solargenix Energy, Raleigh, NC

Tom Henkel didn't tell us about Solargenix's latest news (see below)—but we found out anyway!

Keep it coming!
To send us SUN-E feedback, click here.

Solargenix Contracts in Nevada
Sierra Pacific Resources has announced that its two Nevada-based utility subsidiaries have signed long-term contracts with Solargenix Energy (formerly Duke Solar) to supply 50 megawatts of electricity generated by solar thermal power from a plant to be located in Eldorado Valley, near Boulder City, NV. (One megawatt will serve approximately 750-1,000 homes and businesses.) Nevada Power contracted for approximately two-thirds of the power and Sierra Pacific Power Company contracted for approximately one-third. The companies will file with the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN), which will review the contracts and apply the pertinent laws and regulations before determining whether they should be approved.

BP Builds East Coast's Largest Solar Power System
BP has built and is operating the largest solar field on the United States' east coast in Paulsboro, NJ. The project is another step forward in the company's efforts to facilitate productive reuse of a 130-acre former petroleum and specialty chemical storage and distribution facility located east of Philadelphia on the Delaware River.

The Paulsboro solar power field produces an estimated 350,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year in clean electricity, enough to power about 50 typical homes in the northeast U.S. The solar power is generated by an array of 5,880 panels and provides up to 30 percent of the energy needed for environmental remediation equipment at the former terminal. Use of this solar power system is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 571,000 lbs per year, sulfur dioxide by 1,600 lbs per year and nitrogen oxide by 1,100 lbs per year.

The project is being financed by BP with partial assistance from two programs geared toward environmental initiatives. The New Jersey Clean Energy Program provides rebates up to 50 percent for New Jersey residents and corporations to install solar and other clean energy systems. The Virginia Alliance for Solar Energy (VASE) is a program designed to foster solar projects in the Mid-Atlantic region. VASE is managed by the state of Virginia with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy.

To send solar energy news, click here.

PV at Crossroads in Australia
Australia's photovoltaic (PV) industry needs more government cash to become a global player, according to a renewable-energy business association analysis released recently. The Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) says that if the Australian government were to invest $10 million Aus a year into the country's solar PV industry over the next five years, it would leverage a cumulative investment of $6.4 billion in PV manufacturing capacity, PV systems and research for the balance of this decade.

BCSE claims that the sales tax from consumer purchases of PV systems alone would amount to $360 million during the period, in addition to 6,000 direct jobs created and annual savings of half a megaton in carbon dioxide emissions. A three-year-old federal PV rebate program has been successful in expanding the market for solar PV in Australia and building industry capacity in the grid-connected market, says the BCSE analysis. By investing $22 million, the government had pushed PV sales to $200 million by 2002. BCSE estimated that continued support would result in annual sales of $1.2 million by 2010.

But the continued subsidy is not guaranteed. The PV industry in Australia wants the rebate program to be extended and modified. It points to the fact that $20 million in sales taxes have been collected on domestic PV sales since mid-2000-an amount equal to the federal rebate funding. BCSE's members suggest that the rebate of $5 per watt in the first year should to be reduced to $2.50 over five years. That reduction would match the expected cost reductions of 5 percent per year for installed systems. The plan would provide a controlled reduction and leaving the minimum payment for a customer of $6 per watt.

"Australia is at a crossroad in PV," the BCSE report noted. "Continued commitment by the industry and government will see the gains of the last three years consolidated and expanded over the next five years." This would allow Australia to capture a significant share of the global PV market. "The solar PV industry is set to be a huge global industry as concerns for the environment continue to increase and installed PV costs continue to fall," but in order for Australia to attract the considerable global investment being made in PV "a vibrant local market is required," said the BCSE.

To submit solar political news or opinion pieces, click here.

SEPA—Promoting Solar Electric
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is a nonprofit organization of more than 120 electric service providers, utilities, associations, manufacturers, government agencies, research organizations and educational institutions from eight countries.

SEPA encourages the collaboration of utilities, energy service providers and the photovoltaic industry to promote commercial use of solar electric power. SEPA helps to establish standards for photovoltaic systems and their interconnection to the utility grid, hosts cross-industry workshops and manages educational and outreach campaigns.

Its current primary objectives are:

• Creating and encouraging partnerships to expand the PV market;

• Analyzing past projects for lessons learned in market and business development;

• Helping establish standards for PV systems;

• Promoting and hosting educational campaigns, conferences and workshops;

• Designing school and community outreach programs;

• Acting as a clearinghouse for information on solar electricity.

Among other projects, SEPA is managing an initiative called "Solar Power Solutions" (SPS) financed by the United States Department of Energy. SPS is an effort to address barriers to commercialization. Topics include the development of local PV infrastructure, financing mechanisms and education and outreach. SPS focuses on collaboration of the PV industry, energy service providers, state and local government agencies and other PV stakeholders. The SPS program has taken a two-pronged approach:

1. SEPA conducted extensive market research and analysis on the past, present and future of photovoltaics;

2. SEPA provided funding for PV projects to demonstrate the characteristics necessary to further the commercialization of PV, according to research results.

The PV installations for both projects were completed in the fall of 2002.The two recipients, city of Tucson, in partnership with Tucson Water and Tucson Electric Power, and the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, each received $75,000 for their projects.

SEPA also has a number of publications about solar electric available for free download, or a nominal payment. To review the list, click here.

To nominate an organization or company for a profile, click here.

How To Send Images
We love images! The basic criteria are: 72 dpi, in RGB color mode, 350 pixels wide (max) and in .gif (preferred), .bmp or .jpg format. To submit an image, click here.

Solar Glossary
A short list of common terms:
Passive solar—Harvesting the sun's radiant heat through greenhouse windows, Trombe walls, transpired solar walls, brick floors and other non-electric uses.

Solar hot water—Sometimes called solar thermal; usually involves storing solar energy in a heat storage device to heat water for household or commercial use. It also can be used to heat a home through baseboard radiators or embedded floor tubing, as well as to heat and cool swimming pools.

Solar electric—Using the sun's energy to run electrical systems, excluding electric heating elements.

Grid—tied and off the grid-Remaining on the electric grid after converting to a solar-electric system is called "grid-tied." A solar electric system that stands alone and is not connected to the electric utility is considered "off the grid."

Net metering—When you convert to solar energy and remain hooked to the larger electric utility, you have an automatic backup if your solar system does not generate as much electric power as you need to use on any given day. On the other hand, most of the time your solar system will generate more power than you are using, and will let that generation flow into the larger electric "grid." Most states now have "net metering" laws that allow you to connect your renewable energy system to the grid and bank your electrons there, literally making your meter spin backward and reducing your electric bill, often to a credit rather than a debit charge. To download a table of state net metering programs, click here.

To submit a news item or tip for people beginning to explore the world of solar energy, click here.

ISES World Congress
The International Solar Energy Society (ISES) 2003 World Congress will be held June 14-19 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Center, G�teborg. The scientific technical congress will give leading scientists, researchers, architects, engineers and industry representatives an opportunity to meet, present and discuss the latest developments in the field of solar and other renewable energy technologies.

An exhibition will showcase products of leading companies in the field of renewables. Technical tours will take the participants to a number of energy installations in Sweden. For further information, contact:
ISES SOLAR WORLD CONGRESS 2003
c/o Congrex G�teborg AB
P.O. Box 5078
402 22 G�teborg, Sweden
Email: ises2003@gbg.congrex.se
Website: http://www.congrex.com/ises2003

Solar Electric Database Launched
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is building a database of commercial solar power installations. SEPA is just beginning to build its database, so if your company's project is not listed, the association encourages you to submit it. See the SEPA Commercial Solar Electric Installation Inventory at http://www.solarelectricpower.org/installation_inventory/.

To submit a news item or tip for users or providers experienced in solar energy use, click here.

SUN-Enews has created four directories (with links) on our website, www.SUN-Enews.com. There is a nominal fee for listing, to cover costs of content management. These directories are always growing. To find out more about listing in one of our directories, click here.

• Employment

• Associations

• Education

• Resources

SUN-Enews has created two calendars that run in monthly segments on the website, www.SUN-Enews.com. The May calendars list (1) meetings of non-profit associations, and (2) trade shows.

To list your meeting, conference or trade show in the June 2003 calendars click here. Include the name of your association or trade show, date, meeting place (building), town and state/province/country. Also include an email contact, please. Submit June items by May 30. Thanks!

Consultants Say U.S. Renewables Will Fly
Renewable energy in the United States is "poised to take off on a sustained upward growth and to deliver its long promised vision of a better, cleaner future," according to an analysis from consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Renewable energies have "long been beset with numerous problems," Frost & Sullivan noted in its recent report, U.S. Renewable Energy Markets: Exciting Times Ahead, and still face many technological, financial and regulatory challenges and obstacles on the way to realizing their full potential. However, a "convergence of market forces, technological breakthroughs and renewed commitment from lawmakers" is helping to solve many of the major problems and making renewable energy sources one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy, the report said.

The current oil supply disruptions, declining natural gas production and global climate change means that renewable energy offers "fresh hope and a plethora of benefits" such as reduced emissions, stabilized energy costs and energy security, the Frost & Sullivan report noted. "In recent times, the market for green energy has been growing rapidly."

On the Other Hand...
A document from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) has a much more pessimistic view. The relative share of renewable energy around the world will remain unchanged for the next quarter-century, according to the DOE. "Renewable energy sources are not expected to compete economically with fossil fuels in the mid-term forecast," the DOE said in International Energy Outlook 2003, produced by the Energy Information Administration. "In the absence of significant government policies aimed at reducing the impacts of carbon-emitting energy sources on the environment, it will be difficult to extend the use of renewables on a large scale."

The share of renewables will remain static at 8 percent, the DOE said, although consumption of renewables will grow by 56 percent, from 32 quadrillion Btu in 2001 to 50 quads in 2025. Consumption of renewables will increase moderately at an average annual rate of 1.9 percent per year until 2025.

Much of the growth in renewables will come from completion of large hydroelectric facilities in developing countries, while hydro capacity outside the developing world is not expected to grow substantially. Canada is the only industrialized nation currently planning to construct large hydroelectric projects. Among non-hydro renewables, wind has been the fastest growing in recent years, with the number of installations so significant in western Europe that the governments in Spain and Denmark are considering the elimination of subsidies.

The report predicts that world energy consumption will increase by 58 percent by 2025, with much of the growth expected from the developing world. It expects world oil prices to remain high and volatile this year, with the price reaching $27 US per barrel in 2001 dollars ($48 in nominal dollars) by 2025.

To submit renewable-energy news, click here.

FYI

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