Environment Blogger

Archive for June, 2010

No people can learn how to build their own solar power systems to generate electricity for their homes by following the easy steps laid out in earth4energy. The reason why so many people respond positively to it is quite simple actually… The amount of money saved is huge and the environmental aspect is purely positive.

Are you like millions of people that are growing increasingly frustrated with high energy costs? Does it seem as though every time you receive a utility bill that it is more expensive than the prior month’s? It is quite unfortunate but there are certainly many unfriendly forces such as governments and petrol consortiums that control the cost of energy. There really isn’t any reason for it to be that way.

Earth4Energy has its genesis in the fact that Michael Harvey, 15 years ago, wanted to generate solar energy to power his home. He was quite shocked when he got an estimate for $20,000. It was clear from this though surrounded that Michael took his cue and learn how to build photovoltaic solar panels and teach others how to do it as well.

The end product is a guide that contains written instructions as well as step-by-step video tutorials where the homeowner can literally learn how to make solar panels in an easy to follow step-by-step fashion. Then earth4energy provides detailed instructions on how to safely and easily install them.

For less than $200 you can purchase everything you need to build a solar panel at your local home improvement center. No special skills or tools are required to get the job done. Anyone can do it.

Modern technology has made it so those that want to generate their own power can. By using the power of the sun people have learned how to create electricity for themselves.

In fact, some people have completely gone off the grid which means that they generate all of the power they need without having to rely on any utility companies. If there is ever any surplus electricity generated it gets sold back to the electric company. There is no question that the utility companies will want it.

Take the time to learn how you can take advantage of the sun’s powerful energy. There are plenty of benefits to be sure including being eco-friendly, saving a great deal of money on utility bills and increasing the value of your home. Find out how Earth4Energy can guide you to energy independence.

Officials from NASA joined Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today to commission FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center. The new solar photovoltaic (PV) power facility is the result of a unique public-private partnership between NASA and FPL and demonstrates both organizations’ commitment to bringing clean-energy solutions to the state.

FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center is located on NASA property at Kennedy Space Center and is producing an estimated 10 megawatts of clean, emissions-free power, which is enough energy to serve approximately 1,100 homes.

“NASA is a pioneer in the use of solar power for space exploration, so it’s fitting that we’re working with FPL to expand the use and R&D of that renewable energy source at Kennedy Space Center where many of those missions were launched,” said Robert Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center. “This type of commercial partnership with NASA helps provide Florida residents, and America’s space program, with new sources of ‘green power‘ that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment.”

“Like NASA, FPL is looking beyond the horizon. FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center is an important part of our state’s clean-energy future, but large-scale solar projects like this one also have a very positive impact on the economy today,” said FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera. “Projects like this and our Next Generation Solar Energy Centers in Martin and DeSoto Counties give Florida the opportunity to create and attract clean-energy jobs and produce millions of dollars in new revenue for local governments while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting the effects of climate change at the same time.”

FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 227,000 tons over the life of the project, which according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is equivalent to removing 1,800 cars from the road each year. It will also save approximately 122,000 barrels of oil and 2.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas over its lifetime.

“Florida is poised to be a leader in America’s growing clean-energy economy, which naturally includes solar power,” said Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, whose district includes the Kennedy Space Center. “Bringing new clean-energy jobs to our communities is one of my top priorities. This joint effort between NASA and FPL is an example of how we can create jobs while investing in common-sense solutions to the economic, environmental and national security challenges we face today.”

The facility features approximately 35,000 solar PV panels from SunPower Corp. (SunPower) /quotes/comstock/15*!spwra (SPWR.A 18.70, -0.60, -3.11%) /quotes/comstock/15*!spwrb (SPWR.B 16.70, -0.30, -1.76%) , a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, across 60 acres at Kennedy Space Center. The SunPower panels, which are the most efficient panels available on the market today, allow FPL to generate 50 percent more power at the Space Coast facility than a comparably sized project using conventional solar panels.

SunPower designed and built the 10-megawatt system and a separate one-megawatt solar power system at Kennedy Space Center, as well as FPL’s 25-megawatt DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in DeSoto County, the largest operating solar PV power plant in the U.S. SunPower intends to locate a research and development center employing up to 50 employees in Florida if the state government continues to support the deployment of additional large-scale solar energy projects.

“We congratulate FPL for its global leadership in the development of solar technologies, and for making solar energy a key part of the nation’s economic recovery and the protection of the environment for future generations,” said Howard Wenger, president, utility and power plants for SunPower. “Solar power systems can be built quickly anywhere and at any scale, and we are pleased to partner with NASA and FPL on these important projects.”

FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center is the second large-scale solar facility that FPL has completed in Florida. The first, FPL’s DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, the country’s largest solar PV facility at 25 megawatts, was commissioned in October 2009 by President Barack Obama. Later this year, FPL plans to open the world’s first hybrid solar thermal facility to connect to an existing fossil fuel plant, FPL’s Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Indiantown, Fla. It will be the largest of FPL’s solar facilities at 75 megawatts. In total, FPL’s three solar projects combined are creating more than 1,500 direct jobs and more than 5,000 total jobs for the state during the construction period.

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with 10,500 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and the No. 1 energy efficiency program among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!fpl/quotes/nls/fpl (FPL 49.12, +0.02, +0.04%) . For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

FPL Group and FPL: Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically express or involve discussion as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, climate change strategy or growth strategies and often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts and involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties.

Although FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) believe that their expectations are reasonable, because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, the companies can give no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release will prove to be correct, including FPL Group’s and FPL’s expectations and assumptions with respect to the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center or FPL Group’s and FPL’s other development activities (including the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center and the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center).

Important factors could cause FPL Group’s and FPL’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this press release. Factors that could have a significant impact on FPL Group’s operations and financial results, and could cause FPL Group’s and FPL’s actual results or outcomes, both generally and specifically with respect to the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center or FPL Group’s or FPL’s other development activities (including the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center and the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center), to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

– Inability to obtain the supplies necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center or other FPL Group or FPL power generation facilities

– Inability to complete construction of or capital improvements to FPL Group or FPL power generation facilities, including the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center, the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center and the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center

– Failure of the solar photovoltaic panels or other equipment installed at the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center to generate the quantity of electricity anticipated or otherwise perform as intended

– Changes in laws, regulations, governmental policies and regulatory actions regarding the energy industry and environmental matters, in particular with respect to the deployment of solar power

– Inability to obtain the required regulatory approvals and permits for the construction and operation of other FPL Group or FPL power generation facilities

– Inability of FPL Group or FPL to access capital markets or maintain its credit rating

– Inability to hire and retain skilled labor for the operation of the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center, or other changes or disruptions related to FPL Group’s or FPL’s workforce

– General economic conditions

– Hazards customary to the operation and maintenance of power generation facilities, including unanticipated outages

– Unusual or adverse weather conditions, including natural disasters

– Transmissions constraints or other factors limiting FPL Group’s or FPL’s ability to deliver energy

– Volatility in the price of energy

– Failure of FPL Group or FPL customers to perform under contracts

– Increased competition in the power industry

– Changes in the wholesale power markets

– Costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings

– Terrorism or other catastrophic events

These foregoing factors should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect FPL Group’s or FPL’s future results included in FPL Group’s and FPL’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be found at www.sec.gov or at www.FPLGroup.com.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and FPL Group and FPL undertake no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of facts, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement

Transferring does not have to be a circumstance that is lavish or terrible for nature. For people who are anxious about the consequences that humans have on the planet around us, there are matters that you could perform so as to be more ecological when you transfer. While relocating your automobiles by obtaining auto transport quotes for auto transport could save on fuel, there are other matters that you could perform so as to make your own transferring process trash free and environmentally sound.

Boxes and packing goods make up the bulk of the trash that is produced during a relocation. If you are as anxious concerning this as I am, then you need to consider green processes of packing so that your entire relocation is perfect to the environment. There are several matters that you could perform so as to decrease the packing trash that you suffer when transferring, however the huge thing that you could perform is use again boxes. There are a number of areas that you could get these boxes from, including local grocery stores or other retailers that get repeated shipments in. Talk earlier and have them save the boxes so that they are there when you arrive to collect them up. Chances are, they will be somewhat pleased to have you take them. Not only do they have to be concerned about disposing of them, the stores also have to pay to have them carried off. When you use again these boxes, you are saving them both time and funds.

Packing paper and bubble wrap is another thing that fills out landfills each year. Instead of utilizing these materials so as to pack your goods, consider utilizing cloths, towels, and linens that are already there in your home. Towels are ideal for packing dishes, and sheets could be used to give stuffing and lining to boxes where other delicate things are going to go. If you are thinking about packing bigger materials, think about utilizing blankets so as to pad them and ensure the highest level of security regardless of what you are thinking about relocating.

Lastly, there are several matters that you could perform so as to minimize the trash that you will experience when you transfer. These are merely a few of the excellent ideas available, however you must really spend some time examining the choices before you start your relocation. The planning phase of a relocation is the best moment for you to consider the environmental consequence of the transfer, and it is a great moment to come together with your family so as to see where you could decrease costs as well as trash. Don’t forget to get everyone caught up in the thinking process, as no idea is dumb, and a number of ideas that are out of the box can go a long way to making your relocation a green one.

Suburbs and cities can quickly become infested with people and traffic. A once calm and quiet vicinity can turn it a loud and bustling area in just a few quick years and those who longed to get away from the city life can find themselves right back in the thick of it. Unfortunately, this situation is not just occurring in cities, suburbs and rural areas across the world. What many don’t know is that the ocean is becoming overpopulates as well and it is quickly running out of room.

The U.S. government is branding the overpopulation of the ocean as “ocean sprawl” and it is currently a popular hot topic. Here are a few different reasons why ocean sprawl has become one of the latest concerns:

· There has been a decline in aquatic life in the oceans around the world. The underwater ecosystems are not as powerful and flourishing as it was once thought that they were.

· The land is running out in the United States and around the world. Due to this, more ocean space is being consumed by people.

· Energy companies take up the most amount of ocean space, but fishing companies also consume a lot of space in the oceans and they are also extracting fish and other aquatic life from the oceans.

· Black top (paved) areas have excess that run into the storm drains and are then carried and dumped into the ocean. Combine this hazard with oil spills and it is easy to see how the ocean’s ecosystem is potentially being damaged.

On the other end of the argument, there are concerns that imposing too many restrictions on ocean sprawl would only harm the fishing industry in the end. Due to the current laws and regulations, turning a profit as a fishing company can at times be a stressful ordeal and those in the business are worried that it will just get worse if more restrictions are imposed.

Ocean sprawl and what happens in the future is a topic and niche that would be interesting to monitor in the future as it seems that there are several sides to this issue.