Solar Thermal Magazine

Concentrated Solar Power Summit USA 2010

Tracey A. Smith — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:30:11 +0000

As part of this years Concentrated Solar Power Summit 2010, you will get the chance to visit one of the most groundbreaking CSP sites in the world. Allowing you to see for yourself, up close and personal some of today’s most ground-breaking CSP technology that’s actually in the ground and producing power. The conference runs from June 24 to the 25th in Parc 55, San Franscisco, CA.

Ausra Kimberlina 5MW CSP plant

The Kimberlina plant is the first CSP development in California in over twenty years. As part of the registration for the conference you will be able to visit the plant and see how this pioneering technology looks and works in the field. Here is what you can learn by attending this years event:

Government perspectives on CSP development – Discover the latest regulation, legislation, incentives and support for the development of CSP in the North America
Experiences learned from CSP plants in the ground – Starting up, successful testing, and O&M experiences
Is project finance a mission impossible? – An honest appraisal from the banks on the situation in 2010 and beyond
Storage developments – Unique analysis into Andasol I data and the very latest technological developments such as concrete and PCM
Emerging markets – From state by state analysis to a broader global perspective discover the most profitable geographical markets for your CSP business
Technology and innovation – Exclusive insights and updates into the very latest designs and components for CSP

The 4th Annual Concentrated Solar Power Summit is North America’s premier CSP event. Quite simply, it is the industry’s most highly regarded meeting place for learning, networking and setting up deals. Every year, over 500 global CSP leaders converge on San Francisco, representing leading developers, key material and component suppliers, influential financiers, government organizations and agencies.

Learn more or register click here.

Concentrated Solar Thermal Collector Powers Industrial Air-Conditioning System in Abu Dhabi

Tracey A. Smith — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:05:08 +0000

Chromasun recently announced that it is collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) to showcase their MCT technology at the subsidiary Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) Distribution Management Center. The Center provides management and direct control of ADDC processes and activities. The building is presently air-conditioned by conventional electrically driven screw type chillers which have significant peak power demands on hot days.

In 2010 Chromasun will install a solar driven system to supplement building air-conditioning load and offset this peak electrical consumption with clean renewable energy.

The Chromasun MCT is a solar thermal collector that utilizes a classical Fresnel reflector optic to obtain 25 times sun concentration. The optic comprises lightweight, highly reflective aluminium mirrors which pivot in unison to follow the sun. The entire optic is enclosed in a sealed glazed canopy which protects the mirrors from wind, rain and dirt.

Solar energy is collected from the mirrors in a high performance receiver tube and sent to the plant room at 175˚C.

The project will involve fitting Chromasun’s MCT collectors on the roof spaces which will in turn provide high grade thermal energy to the air-conditioning plant room.

Inside the plant room a double-effect absorption chiller will be fitted that will convert the heat coming from the MCT panels into chilled water that supplements the cooling for the building.

Chromasun CEO, Peter Le Lièvre spoke about the project; “The Chromasun MCT showcase at the ADDC Distribution Management Center will be the first showcase demonstration of commercial solar air-conditioning in the UAE. I thank the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority for their support of this project and also thank ADDC for their generous cooperation.

I believe that advanced solar-air-conditioning technologies such as the Chromasun MCT can significantly reduce the peak electricity power demands of buildings and hence improve the operational stability of modern grid systems which are under the greatest stress on hot summer days. This showcase project will prove the viability of such systems and pave the way for far greater adoption of solar air conditioning in the UAE.”

About Chromasun

Chromasun’s mission is to develop and manufacture the next generation of commercial/industrial sized solar collectors for building energy needs. Chromasun’s vision is to harvest solar energy for air-conditioning, power, process heat, and lighting – right on the roof. Chromasun’s products capture the sun’s energy and make it available in ways buildings can immediately utilize.

Chromasun’s founders have deep experience in utility scale solar thermal systems. The massive scale of this technology is being forged now smaller into manufacturable products that are available for the first time in a building friendly and cost effective format. The benefits of these technologies have long driven the hopes of a sustainably powered economy in the isolated wildernesses of deserts and remote locations. Now, with Chromasun, the same technology can be mounted on your rooftop. Accessible for the first time where buildings are, where loads are and where people live. Efficient, effective and aesthetic.

Electronically Tintable Glass Adjusts Solar Energy and Heat Loss

Tracey A. Smith — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:58:05 +0000

A U.S.company has developed the world’s only commercially available, electronically “tintable” window glass. SageGlass® allows natural light in while controlling unwanted solar heat and glare and can be used in building windows, skylights, and curtain walls. The technology consists of a series of thin ceramic material layers deposited onto sheets of glass, forming an electrochromic device that allows the user to switch the window between a clear state and a highly tinted state using a low-voltage electrical current.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced the Department of Energy has offered a conditional commitment for a $72 million loan guarantee to SAGE Electrochromics, based in Faribault, Minnesota. The deal will support the financing of the construction and operation of a 250,000 square foot, high volume manufacturing facility to produce SageGlass®, an energy-saving window technology for commercial use. This new facility will be built next to SAGE’s existing production facility, enabling the company to expand production and lower costs.

“This investment will help cut utility bills, reduce carbon pollution, and create jobs our economy needs,” said Secretary Chu. “It’s a perfect example of the power of American innovation to create a stronger economy and a healthier planet.”

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), part of the DOE lab network, considers electrochromic glazings to be the next major advance in energy efficient window technology, helping transform windows and skylights from energy liabilities in buildings to energy savers. Since energy lost through conventional windows accounts for approximately 30% of heating and cooling energy, the potential for energy savings is significant. LBNL believes SageGlass® also has the potential to reduce building heating and air conditioning equipment size by up to 25%, resulting in construction cost savings. SageGlass® could also potentially reduce overall cooling loads for commercial buildings up to 20% by lowering peak power demand and may reduce lighting costs by up to 60% while providing building occupants with more natural daylight and greater comfort.

SAGE estimates that construction of this manufacturing facility will create 210 jobs over 12 months.

With Ausra’s proven technology, AREVA launches Global Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Business

Tracey A. Smith — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:12:16 +0000

AREVA announced today the completion of the 100% acquisition of U.S.-based Ausra, Inc., a leading provider of large-scale concentrated solar power solutions for electricity generation and industrial steam production. The Ausra acquisition, announced in early February, serves as the platform for building AREVA’s global concentrated solar power business.

AREVA is a pioneer in its strategy of serving the global solar market with a fully integrated offering, including technology leadership as well as Engineering, Procurement and Construction and life-cycle services.

“Power generation and industrial steam customers can count on AREVA to deliver the most cost-effective, land-efficient and water-conservative technology, backed by its financial strength and worldwide market presence,” said Dr. Robert E. Fishman, former CEO and Chairman of Ausra. Dr. Fishman now leads AREVA’s Global Solar Business Unit from Ausra’s existing Mountain View, Calif., headquarters.

More about AREVA

As the leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA Inc.’s 6,000 U.S. energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future of the electricity market. With 45 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2008, AREVA Inc., through its subsidiaries, combines U.S. leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century’s greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly toward future generations. AREVA Inc. is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

ReMapping the World for Solar Energy Potential

Tracey A. Smith — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:29:01 +0000

3TIER® has announced the completion of its REmapping the World™ initiative, which was launched in March 2008 to address the biggest barrier to global renewable energy adoption—the lack of reliable information regarding resource potential and availability. With today’s release of a global solar map and dataset, the company has completed its unprecedented goal of identifying and mapping the world’s wind and solar resources using a globally consistent methodology.

“3TIER’s aim in developing these maps is to help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy around the world by providing a blueprint for development,” said Kenneth Westrick, founder and CEO of 3TIER, the global leader in renewable energy information services.

“The creation of these maps is part of a larger effort to build a renewable energy information services platform which will provide customers with on-demand access to 3TIER’s massive datasets for wind and solar resources,” said Westrick. “Access to this critical data will enable global decision-makers and organizations to look at wind and solar potential on a regional scale and help maximize the value of renewable resources while mitigating the risks of their inherent variability.”

The newly released global solar map and dataset is based on 10 to 13 years of half-hourly, high-resolution visible satellite imagery collected from nine different satellites, dispersed across the globe and covering the entire surface of the earth. Satellite imagery was processed using a uniform methodology based upon a combination of in-house and peer-reviewed research documents supported by the global atmospheric science community.

“This global solar map and dataset offers a combination of resolution and spatial extent not offered by anyone else,” said Dr. Bart Nijssen, senior vice president of technology of 3TIER. “To provide the most accurate solar data available, we produced a satellite observation-based dataset because the traditional numerical weather prediction methods used for wind climatology do a poor job of modeling cloud cover, a major factor for determining solar radiation.”

At a resolution 3 to 30 times higher than any other publicly available data source, 3TIER’s global solar map and dataset leverage several in-house improvements to provide the following features:

Global coverage between 50° S and 60° N
Spatial resolution of 2 arc-minutes (approximately 3 km)
Hourly values of GHI, DNI, and DIF extending back 10 to 13 years

“This dataset provides the in-depth solar irradiance information essential to developers, financiers, and governments for targeting the best regions in the world for development,” said Westrick. “Our solar resource technology provides the critical data to make renewable power a viable alternative and will be increasingly important in areas where solar data only exists at coarse resolution and inferior quality or is simply unavailable.”

As part of the REmapping the World initiative, 3TIER also produced a 5 km resolution global wind map and dataset, based upon proven techniques and the application of advanced numerical weather prediction models, which accurately and consistently diagram wind spatial and temporal variability.

Nanotube Thermocells Hold Promise For Converting Heat Waste To Energy

Tracey A. Smith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:50:30 +0000

A study published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Nano Letters reveals that thermocells based on carbon nanotube electrodes might eventually be used for generating electrical energy from heat discarded by chemical plants, automobiles and solar cell farms.

The research was a joint collaboration between Baratunde Cola, assistant professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, and an international team of researchers from the U.S., Australia, China, India and the Philippines.

Cola, director of Georgia Tech’s NanoEngineered Systems and Transport Research Group (NEST), described the study as a breakthrough in efficiently harvesting electrical energy from various sources of exhaust or wasted heat.

“Our NEST Lab was fortunate to team with Dr. Ray Baughman’s NanoTech Institute at UT Dallas and Dr. Gordon Wallace’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute in Wollongong, Australia, in the final year of a long collaboration that solved key technical problems,” he said. “We brought fresh eyes, as well as our knowledge and experience with heat transfer engineering from the nanoscale to the scale of practical devices to the problem, which provided a key missing link. The team will together work to enable additional breakthroughs that are required for this technology to reach its full commercial potential.”

Efficiently harvesting the thermal energy currently wasted in industrial plants or along pipelines could also create local sources of clean energy that in turn could be used to lower costs and shrink an organization’s energy footprint.

The new thermocells use nanotube electrodes that provide a threefold increase in energy conversion efficiency over conventional electrodes.

One of the demonstrated thermocells looks just like the button cell batteries used in watches, calculators and other small electronics. One key difference, however, is that these new thermocells can continuously generate electricity, instead of running down like a battery. The research netted other thermocells, as well, including electrolyte-filled, textile-separated nanotube sheets that can be wrapped around pipes carrying hot waste streams from manufacturing or electrical power plants. The temperature difference between the pipe and its surroundings produces an electrochemical potential difference between the carbon nanotube sheets, which thermocells utilize to generate electricity.

The research team estimates that multi-walled carbon nanotubes in large thermocells could eventually produce power at a cost of about $2.76 per watt from freely available waste energy, compared with a cost of $4.31 per watt for solar cells, which can only be used when the sun is shining. On a smaller scale, button cell-sized thermocells could be used to power sensors or electronic circuits.

The new thermocells take advantage of the exceptional electronic, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes’ giant surface area and unique electronic structure afforded by their small diameter and nearly one-dimensional structure offer high current densities, which enhance the output of electrical power and the efficiency of energy harvesting.

“Georgians have worked with state support, and in partnership with initiatives such as the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech, to realize significant gains in renewable energy production,” Cola said. “But to become a leading energy state, we must increasingly explore new ways to extract and utilize all forms of energy. Harvesting waste heat as electricity is one direction our NEST Lab takes with international partners to help provide increased renewable energy options for Georgia and the world.”

This research was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation, The Welch Foundation and the Australian Research Council.

Cola recently received the 2009 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award for his work on solar energy conversion. As director of the NEST Lab, his research focuses on realizing the benefits of nanoscience in applications related to waste thermal energy harvesting, solar energy conversion, and thermal management of electronics and energy systems.

Oil Giant Chevron Developing Concentrated Solar PV Technology

Tracey A. Smith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:27:41 +0000

Concentrix Solar, a leading supplier of Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) systems and a new division of the Soitec Group (Euronext Paris), the world’s leading supplier of engineered substrates, has announced that it has signed a contract with Chevron Technology Ventures for the deployment of a one megawatt (MW) CPV power plant to be installed at a Chevron Mining facility in Questa, New Mexico, USA. With this announcement, Concentrix Solar confirms full commercial readiness for worldwide deployment, and is paving the way to utility-scale CPV projects.

Chevron announced that the company will install a one megawatt CPV solar power plant using Concentrix Solar’s FLATCON® technology. This will be the largest CPV installation in the U.S. and one of the largest CPV power plants in the world. The power produced will be sold through a power purchase agreement to the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Chevron stated in their press release (February 23, 2010).

“This commercial deployment is a key milestone for us and our U.S. strategy. It is an important reference for our technology, and the next logical step considering the outstanding performance demonstrated at our Spanish power plants,” said Concentrix Solar CEO, Hansjörg Lerchenmüller. “With their high direct normal irradiance and their high energy demand, the Southwestern states of the USA are perfectly suited for our CPV technology. Our FLATCON® technology’s high-precision, two-axis tracking system helps utilities to match U.S. peak power demands. We are excited to prove our technology with Chevron on the Questa site and are planning new investments to further expand our business in the Southwest of the USA in the near future.”

In the USA, Concentrix Solar already installed a demo system on the University of California San Diego campus. This demonstration tracker, installed in July 2009, confirmed system efficiencies (AC) of 25 percent under full field operating conditions.

Concentrix Solar operates a fully-automated manufacturing line in Freiburg, Germany, which produces high quality, durable CPV modules. The facility has a current capacity of 25 megawatts; further expansion is planned.

A FLATCON® CPV tracking system has a nominal power output of 6 kilowatts. One megawatt consists of approximately 175 systems, which can be placed in an area of 7 acres. Concentrix Solar recently announced that the company has received IEC certification 62108 for its CX-75 FLATCON® module generation.

Google’s Green Energy Czar Comments on the Company’s Ground Breaking New Solar Thermal Mirror Technology

Tracey A. Smith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:03:24 +0000

Google Inc has developed a prototype for a new mirror technology that could cut by half the cost of building a solar thermal plant, the company’s green energy czar said last week. Bill Weihl said that if development and testing go well, he could see the product being ready in one to three years. In solar thermal plants the mirrors are a critical component that focus the sun’s rays on a central point where the energy is converted into mechanical work and then to electrical energy.

“Things have progressed,” Weihl said in an interview. “We have an internal prototype.”

Google has been looking at unusual materials for the mirror’s reflective surface and the substrate on which the mirror is mounted.The Internet search engine company, which has been investing in companies and doing research of its own to produce affordable renewable energy, wants to cut the cost of making heliostats, the fields of mirrors that track the sun.

“There is a decent chance that in a small number of years, we could have a 2-X reduction in cost,” he said.

Global companies are increasingly investing in green technology as the world grapples with global warming and governments strive to implement regulations that could limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Google has invested in two solar thermal companies, eSolar and BrightSource, with which it has discussed the new mirror technology, Weihl said. He said the technology was not at a stage where it could be tested externally, but he added that both eSolar and BrightSource were interested in it.

“If it works, it would absolutely be something they would use,” he said.

Source: Reuters

New Residential Hybrid Solar Air Conditioner – Reducing your CO2 Footprint

Tracey A. Smith — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:20:03 +0000

Fafco Solar, a renewable energy company in Cape Coral, recently announced the debut of a hybrid solar air conditioning product for homes and businesses in Southwest Florida. This new hybrid solar air conditioner is currently available from Fafco Solar for area homes and businesses.

The product is designed to use a solar thermal collector to support the cooling process, which decreases the amount of electricity used in cooling. The solar thermal collector makes it the most efficient air conditioner on the market today. It allows customers to save significantly on their electric bills for cooling their homes and businesses. With the amount of money saved by using the hybrid solar air conditioner, customers can quickly recoup their investment, while also reducing their carbon footprint. The system consists of a traditional compressor and air handler for use with a solar collector mounted on the roof. The hybrid solar air conditioner can be installed in new construction or to replace an existing system.

Dominick Zito, Fafco Solar’s Sales Manager, says, “Hybrid solar air conditioning allows you to reduce the most energy consuming appliance in SW Florida homes and businesses by 50%. Coupled with other solar energy saving products, this revolutionary technology is a phenonmenal step toward energy independence.”

The product was first debuted in November, when Fafco Solar participated in the Southwest Florida Green Futures Expo and Energy Options Conference in Charlotte County. Realizing the substantial environmental and financial benefits to local businesses and residents, Fafco Solar will be making the hybrid solar air conditioning product available for sale and installation throughout Southwest Florida.

ABOUT FAFCO SOLAR:
The Fafco Solar Team is a dynamic blend of talent and dedication. They are committed to giving professional customer service. Fafco Solar is the oldest and most trusted name in solar energy in Southwest Florida. With over 151 years of pooled solar energy experience, the Fafco Solar Team is committed to reducing your use of fossil fuel. To find out more about the hybrid solar air conditioner product, call Fafco Solar at (239) 574-1500 or visit them online at www.FafcoSolar.com. Also, be sure to check out their blog at: www.GoSolarEnergyForLife.com.

BrightSource Energy Solar Thermal Developer Offered $1.4 Billion in Loan Guarantees

Tracey A. Smith — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:46:03 +0000

BrightSource Energy, Inc., developer of utility-scale solar thermal power plants, announced this week that the U.S. Department of Energy has conditionally committed to provide $1.37 billion in loan guarantees to support the financing of BrightSource’s Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System.

The commitment to provide loan guarantees marks a key milestone in the development of the Ivanpah project, California’s first large-scale commercial solar thermal power plant in nearly two decades. When constructed, Ivanpah will be the world’s largest solar energy project, nearly doubling the amount of solar thermal electricity produced in the US today.

“This clean-energy investment will help create up to 1,000 construction jobs in California,” said California Senator Barbara Boxer. “In these tough times, we need investments like this to create good clean-energy jobs for Californians, increase our energy independence, protect our children from pollution and ensure American leadership in the clean energy economy.”

“As home to some of the world’s best solar fields and the nation’s largest green economy, it is no surprise the world’s largest solar energy project would choose California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Our ambitious environmental policies are promoting the growth of clean, reliable energy in our communities and growing green jobs up and down the state. And, it is projects like this one that will help us meet our long-term energy and climate change goals while creating jobs and moving us towards a cleaner more sustainable future.”

“I am very happy to see utility-scale solar projects like this one moving forward with strong Administration support, and I am hopeful that this project will serve as a cornerstone of the clean energy economy in the Southwestern U.S.,” said Nevada Senator Harry Reid. “I look forward to BrightSource and other solar companies putting more Nevadans to work by building major projects like this in Nevada very soon.”

“The loan guarantee commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy serves as a tremendous validation of our technology, the BrightSource team’s ability to execute, and the Ivanpah project’s role in meeting our nation’s large-scale renewable energy needs,” said John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy. “We’re truly humbled by the opportunity to help build our nation’s green energy economy by creating good jobs for local communities. We look forward to beginning construction on the Ivanpah project, making a real and substantive impact on climate change, and creating a model for environmentally-responsible energy projects.”

The loan guarantee is made possible by the Department of Energy’s Title XVII loan guarantee program, which was started in 2005 under the Energy Policy Act to support commercially proven technology in addition to innovative renewable energy technology. Under Section 1703 of the program, the Department of Energy issues a conditional commitment to guarantee loans to be provided by the U.S. Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank. Execution of the final loan guarantees is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions specified in the conditional commitment.

State Governments Need to Lead By Example for Renewable Energy & Conservation Technologies

Tracey A. Smith — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:24:42 +0000

Markell Signs Executive Order to Set Clean Energy Targets and Mandate Environmental Practices

Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell signed an Executive Order today that will foster economic development while reducing the impact of State government on the environment and reducing operating expenses.

“State government is becoming far more energy and cost efficient. This executive order puts significant markers and milestones to gauge that effort and requires real progress,” said Markell. “We are eliminating unnecessary energy and resource costs while also improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening Delaware’s economic competitiveness.”

The executive order sets ambitious goals in five key areas:

Energy conservation and efficiency – All State executive branch agencies will aim to achieve an overall reduction in energy consumption of at least 10% by the end of fiscal year 2011, 20% by fiscal year 2013, and 30% by fiscal year 2015 as compared with fiscal year 2008.
Construction – The State will integrate the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) practices into construction, renovation, and facility operation. Where reasonable, agencies will aim for LEED Silver standards.
Renewable energy – At least 20% of the annual electricity demand for buildings owned or operated by the State executive branch should come from clean, renewable sources by the end of fiscal year 2012, increasing to 30% by the end of fiscal year 2013.
Transportation – All agencies will reduce expenses by reducing petroleum consumption by 25%, vehicle emissions by 25%, and vehicle miles traveled by 15% by the end of fiscal year 2012 as compared with fiscal year 2008.
Recycling – All State executive branch agencies will aim to achieve a 75% rate of diverted waste from landfills by the end of fiscal year 2012.
Procurement – The State will implement a cost-effective sourcing policy to reduce impact on the environment and use less toxic substances.

“Being more environmentally responsible can produce real savings,” said Collin O’Mara, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). “Moving towards clean energy, greater recycling, and LEED building standards will reduce costs for years to come and improve environmental performance at the same time.”

Energy usage and facility performance will be benchmarked and tracked in order to prioritize the most cost-effective improvement projects. Each agency will be responsible for implementing conservation practices such as Green Computing Practices, thermostat controls and the elimination of unnecessary lighting. Upgrades to building systems will be funded through federal stimulus funds, proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction, and financing administered by the SEU as announced in January.

Increasing the percentage of energy originating from renewable sources will further reduce the State’s carbon footprint, while also helping to drive local economic development. The State will leverage its purchasing power and partnerships with other buyers to secure cleaner energy supplies at competitive long-term costs. This commitment can help build the market for renewables, bring down costs and create jobs for Delawareans.

“State government must become a leader in environmental stewardship because it makes good business sense,” said Ann Visalli, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. “We have already reduced our State Fleet by more than 800 vehicles, but over 61 millions miles and 5.8 million gallons of fuel are used annually at a cost of $13.2 million. Transitioning to alternative fuels and vehicles with high fuel economy, while further reducing State travel, will have a real impact on the bottom line as well as on air quality.”

“Around our world, across our nation, and throughout our state, the economy is changing,” added Markell. “We must seek out creative ways to cut costs and prepare our people and our businesses to compete in the rapidly approaching clean-energy reality. The State government must lead by example.”

New Software Tools Announced to Aid Solar Energy Site Development

Tracey A. Smith — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:47:12 +0000

A Seattle Washington based company has announced the release of a new suite of global Solar (and wind)Prospecting Tools that will change the way renewable energy professionals decide where to develop renewable resources by providing immediate access to seasonal variability data, which is critical to understanding a site’s energy potential.

“3TIER has delivered the next generation of prospecting tools,” said Kenneth Westrick, founder and CEO of 3TIER, the global leader in renewable energy information services. “These tools provide – for the first time ever – instant and unlimited access to seasonal variability data of wind and solar resources, around the world. It is a smarter, faster and more cost-effective way for the industry to identify and prioritize potential sites for more in-depth assessment.”

3TIER’s Wind and Solar Prospecting Tools use a dynamic, point-and-click Web-based interface. The tools enable renewable energy developers, financiers, and manufacturers to instantly access information about any location worldwide, and compare-and-contrast sites with the click of a mouse.

“These tools empower better, faster decisions,” said Westrick. “They are easy to use and provide direct access to the most advanced global wind and solar datasets that have ever been developed. Ultimately, these tools will help accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and bring more reliable energy onto the grid.”

Based on sophisticated and globally consistent methodologies, the datasets provide more detail than any on-demand renewable energy information service currently available. The Wind and Solar Prospecting Tools are subscription-based products that provide map-based, point-and-click access to:

Solar

Annual and monthly mean Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI)
Annual and monthly mean Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI)
Annual and monthly mean Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DIF)

The suite provides access to 3TIER’s 5 km resolution global wind dataset and the company’s 3 km resolution solar irradiance dataset. Coverage of the solar dataset currently includes North America, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Global solar coverage will be achieved in the coming months as data is validated.

To learn more about 3TIER and the Wind and Solar Prospecting Tools, please visit: http://www.3tier.com.