Solar Sushi the Best Thing to Happen to Soy Sauce Since the Bottle

Solar Power Sushi

Renewable Energies Create The Best Tasting Soy Sauce You Can Count On That

Good news for sushi and solar aficionado’s alike. Kikkoman’s soy sauce factory located Folsom California has recently put in a car port solar system to run it’s factory.

Carport solar array installations are becoming more and more popular with businesses as they are
much easier to install, maintain, and make use of space that otherwise would not be used. The solar array installations themselves are mounted in a parking lot and wired to the business taking care of much or all of their power needs.

Another clear advantage for companies is that they will have a clear and well seen example to customers and business partners the level of commitment that the company is going through in order to make better use of clean and renewable energies and utilize state of the art technology to not only save money which will then be passed onto the customer but also the will of the environmentally conscious customer.

I think this is really important, as a consumer I try to use products and lean towards companies that are environmentally responsible as it shows to me a commitment to it’ customers wants and needs. Why is this you might ask? Well to me it’s no longer a world without options. My meaning is that if their is a company who offers you a product then you better believe that there is plenty other company’s offering the same product or service. It’s up to these companies to ensure safe and better business practices to it’s customers. Personally I always take into consideration who I’m doing business with, and just offering a product is not good enough anymore, you need to be offering me a product that I know is good plus the knowledge that I, as in me, am not supporting the destruction of the Eco system out of association.

This is something we will be seeing more and more of and I think it is part of good customer service to not just think of me as money but as someone with needs and ideas.

The Kikkoman carport solar system will generate 150,000 kWh annually and all the renewable energy not consumed will be sold back to the grid which will lower the solar power costs considerably. So next time you’re at your favorite sushi bar rejoice in the fact that the sun was influential in the making of that soy sauce your plunging your unagi in!

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Solar Energy Funding Decreases

Ahhh, politicians you gotta love them. It seems just recently Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard, has went back on her campaign promises and retracted solar energy funding for projects throughout the country. This is a sad state of affairs for several reasons. For one she is taking money out of an industry that is achieving vital growth. This is a real blow to the Australians who voted her into office expecting to see real action in the renewable energy industry. A lot of people are wanting and needing these jobs. Not to mention the people investing in renewable energy technologies.

Look here’s the deal, is solar the cheapest energy generation out their at the moment? No, of course not, now why not ask yourself why? Here’s a big part of the reason. The more technology improves the cheaper solar power will be, the more solar power projects going on throughout the world the faster the technology is developed, the faster the technology is developed the cheaper solar power will be, not to mention the solar energy efficiency it will create. This is a cyclic event that takes place in any burgeoning and new technical industry.

Taking money away from the solar and wind energy industry is not going to do anyone any good, we have a lot of work ahead of us to make solar the viable vision it can and will be. Solar is an abundant form of renewable energy, it is clean, ever present, and it can create huge amounts of green jobs and revenue in the world market.

China’s solar industry has just made major profits, so why are we not, because China was smart enough to see the trend starting and leaped at the chance to start with there solar industry, they are ahead of us and a world leader, this is where America needs to be, I remember when our industry’s were the best, and our schools were the best. We should not be accepting of second or third prize we need to grab the bull by the horns and get back to what made this country great. Research and development, and the guts to go ahead with the plan. We need solar energy, it’s easy to see, yes we have made strides with several large scale projects. But in order to remain the world leader that we are and have been we need to go full throttle into the age of energy.

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Alright, So Why Do We Need To Switch To Alternative Sources Of Energy Anyways?

Alternative Sources of Energy

So Why Do We Need Alternative Sources of Energy Anyways.... Really?

So this is really a valid question, and I think it’s something we should be thinking about. Everyday there is something new about emerging alternative sources of energy. We all know it’s important, but that’s really because we are told it’s important by the mass media and by other people. But what is really the major reasons? Why is alternative energy important is what I’d really like to get down to. Is it because of monetary issues? Environment? Social responsibility? All of these are major reasons and we’ll be getting into these, but the fact that these are not the most important might surprise you. Read on to learn the #1 reason why we have to switch to alternative sources of energy, or our lives as we know them will simply cease to exist. So lets start with monetary issues.

Alternative Energy vs Traditional Energy

Are alternative energies cheaper than traditional power generation through the means of fossil fuels? Well, not at the moment. Really it’s not, as far as buying solar or wind energy from your local power company. Now I know what you’re saying right now, “what about Solar Power Cost installations,” okay, yes these in the long run will end up saving you quite a bit, but as far as buying energy as opposed to creating it, at the moment it is more expensive. This gap is closing at an exponential rate however, because of,

1. Better alternative energy technology.
2. Cheaper production methods.
3. Larger alternative energy project installation’s.
4. Drastic increases in the prices for fossil fuel due to scarcity, and the difficulty of obtaining it. I.e. the BP disaster.

So because of these reasons among others alternative sources of energy will be in the very near future, monetarily viable.

Next lets take a look at the environment. Anybody who tells you not to worry about traditional energy generation and that alternative sources of energy are unneeded is blowing smoke up your a$$. The dollar signs are there for more than one reason, THEY ARE LYING TO YOU TO LINE THEIR OWN POCKET. Either that or they are misinformed by propaganda from the the billionaire’s that are selling them their product. C’mon, really, you want to try to tell me that burning coal has no effect on the environment, or drilling for oil doesn’t totally f$$$ up our coasts. Really, do I need to even write about this? Fossil fuels are horrible for the environment, not just utilizing them for energy, but in the collection and manufacturing processes as well. Alternative sources of energy are clean, renewable, and safe. Fossil fuels are not! When it comes to alternative energy vs traditional energy there’s no contest to what’s better for the environment. It’s as simple as that. Now don’t get me wrong, I use fossil fuels, albeit a lot less than the average American. I enjoy my cushy live with all my entertainment, and comforts. However if there are better and safer ways to create my creature comforts I want that, don’t you?

So now lets take a look at social responsibility. Is there any? Are we as “individual, intelligent people” living on earth responsible for our actions? Well, who’s to say really. That’s part of being an individual with intelligence. We make our own choices, the government, your religion, your kids, your best friend, your parents can tell you how to act and whats right or wrong. But in the end it’s up to you, really it is. So what do I think? Hell yeah we’re responsible for our “own” actions, it’s the ripple effect. Everything you do has cause and effect. This is not only the way I was brought up, it’s also the philosophy I live by. My parents instilled this in me, however it was me who made the decision to accept this as part of my life, and to hold myself responsible for my own actions. What do you think? Are you socially responsible to demand whats right, by standing up and saying “hey, we need alternative energies!” because it’s right!

Alright, we have now come to the number one reason why we need to find and cultivate alternative sources of energy. It’s simple really, we’re running out of fossil fuels, fast. Do you know how long it takes for mother nature to make oil, or coal? A really long long time. Like, longer than humans have walked the earth. Since we have started using fossil fuels for energy, which has not been long mind you. We have devastated the earths supply. Some experts think we have “burned” through half of the earths fossil fuels since we started using them!

So lets take a logical look at this,

Fossil fuels take millions of years to make
Humans use all of them in 300 years give or take
What does this equal?

We are screwed if we do not do switch to Solar Power Cost fast. That’s all there is to it. Our society, our way of life, is energy. We are consumers of energy just like every organism on earth. However we use it, need it, not just to survive but to thrive as a modern species, and there is no reason why we cannot adapt to new ways to support our energy needs. We just need to stop pushing this under the carpet thinking somebody else will fix it, and accept that we have a problem. We all have a part in this drama, a responsibility to help out where we can. Can we do it? Of course we can. Will we do it? It’s not like we really have a choice do we.

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California Solar Power in Full Effect Ya’ll

California Solar, No Doubt About It.

California Solar Power

Way to go California! It seems San Jose has reached first place with reidential solar power systems and commercial installations, along with several other California city’s close at it’s heel. California solar power is on the rise and hopefully will not be slowing in the future.

Several years ago California adopted a state plan called the California Solar Initiative. The program encourages homeowners, business’s, non-profits, and local government to install solar panels on roofs and surrounding areas. The goal of the initiative is to have 1,750 new megawatts of solar energy installed in the state by 2016.  So far there has been 726 megawatts of solar energy installed or are in pipeline taking care of 42% of the initiative.

According to new data, since Jan. 1, 2007, to July 7, 2010, San Jose installed 14.9 megawatts of solar power on residential and commercial roofs, followed by San Diego with 11.3 MW and Fresno with 9.2 MW, according to an annual report released by the California Public Utilities Commission last week.

This came as no surprise to San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who was quoted as saying in the Mercury News “I’m not surprised that we’re high up the list,” Reed said Wednesday. “We’ve got some major solar installations in the city — including at eBay, Cypress Semiconductor and the San Jose Unified and East Side Union High School districts.”

San Jose is blessed by an average of 300 sunny days a year and is a perfect candidate for Mayor Chuck Reeds vision of a “green city.” The mayor’s platform has been has leaned heavy on green initiatives and renewable energies. The Mayor has also had solar panels installed on his own home.

San Jose is in the number one slot for now but as far as solar energy projects in the pipeline San Diego is first with an astounding 25.1 megawatt pending installation, followed by San Jose with 17.9 and Lancaster with 16 MW.

Advantages and disadvantages solar power

The advantages are that solar power is clean and renewable. So what are the disadvantages of solar power? Well for now solar power is still at a premium. The goal of the California Solar Initiative is to help reach “grid parity” which is the point where solar energy is able to compete with less costly energy production methods like coal and natural gas. The more solar power systems America installs the less solar power cost is involved.

What do you think of California Solar Power and the states initiative?

California solar initiative top 10 cities
1. San Jose “” 14.9 megawatts
2. San Diego “” 11.3 MW
3. Fresno “” 9.2 MW
4. Bakersfield “” 6.3 MW
5. Santa Rosa “” 4.9 MW
6. San Francisco “” 4.4 MW
7. Chico “” 4.4 MW
8. Richmond “” 4.3 MW
9. Visalia “” 4.1 MW
10. Livermore “” 4.1 MW

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Solar Power Airplane Takes Flight

Solar power efficiency has in the past been a major hurtle for the industry. There are so many things we could use solar energy for that for the moment we are just not capable of generating enough power for. However one hurtle has just been flown over.

That’s right flown over, man has gained much from flight. It is something that has always captivated us. To be able to break free of our terrestrial shackles and defy gravity. It’s a wondrous thing and because of it we are able to visit tropical paradises, bring aid to desperate people in need of help, and export and import goods from all over the world.

So what does solar power have to do with this? All right I’ll get to the point. The first ever solar powered night flight was successfully concluded on July 7, 2010 by André Borschberg a Swiss Air Force fighter pilot. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA solar-powered airplane was in the air for 26 hours and was powered only by solar power and battery backup system. The Solar Impulse is equipped with panels containing solar power cells that convert the sun’s energy into electricity. The plane flew to 28,000 ft. above sea level and flew at an average of 23 knots, or about 26 MPH, okay so it’s not blindingly fast but this is the longest and highest flight in solar aviation and has monumental significance for solar and wind power and what we can apply it to.

For one, this means that theoretically the plane could stay aloft indefinitely recharging it’s batteries during the day and using it’s stored power throughout the night. The Associated Press quoted the projects co-founder Dr. Bertrand Piccard as saying.“We are on the verge of the perpetual flight.”

This to me is awe inspiring, now we still have a long way to go before we’re seeing solar powered 747’s but this is a huge step for mankind.

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