Solar Toothbrush will allow you to toss tooth paste!

SASKATOON -- Toss the toothpaste. The future of oral hygiene is solar.

University of Saskatchewan dentistry professor emeritus Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak are recruiting 120 teens willing to brush with a prototype light-powered toothbrush and sit in a dentist's chair for a few extra inspections.

The manufacturer, the Shiken company of Japan, is paying the researchers to investigate whether the brush, which causes a chemical reaction in the mouth, does a better job of eliminating plaque and bacteria than a conventional toothbrush.

Komiyama's first model, which was described 15 years ago in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, contained a titanium dioxide rod in the neck of the brush, just below the nylon bristles. It works when light shines on the wet rod, releasing electrons. Those electrons react with acid in the mouth, which helps break down plaque. No toothpaste is required.

Now Komiyama's back with a newer model, the Soladey-J3X, which he says packs twice the chemical punch compared to the original. Protruding from the base of the brush is a solar panel, which transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire.

It won't work in the dark, though - the brush needs about as much light as a solar-powered calculator would to operate.

In the lab, Komiyama tested the newer brush on cultures of two types of bacteria which are major culprits in periodontal disease.

"You see complete destruction of bacterial cells," he said.

At the FDI Annual World Dental Conference in Dubai last month, the team's poster describing the lab research won first prize out of 170 entries, which gives Komiyama confidence there is scientific merit to the brush.

Saskatoon StarPhoenix

© CanWest News Service 2007

Tags: solar, science, solar toothbrush, World Dental Conference, Soladey-J3X, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Shiken

Nexxus Lighting, will light up and shine at 2007 Solar Decathlon

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nexxus Lighting, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEXS), a world leader in advanced lighting technology, including solid-state LED and fiber optic lighting systems and controls used in commercial, architectural, signage, swimming pool and retail lighting today announced that several of its LED products, including its new Savi™ LED light bulb and LED Flood Strip, will be featured in Georgia Techs’ entry into the 2007 Solar Decathlon.

The Solar Decathlon 2007 is an international competition between twenty universities to design, transport and commission an 800 square foot solar powered house on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in October 2007. The competition is sponsored by the US Department of Energy and is supported by BP Solar, Sprint, US Green Building Council, National Association of Home Builders, American Institute of Architects and ASHRAE. The Georgia Institute of Technology is the only university in the southeast selected to participate in this competition. George Tech’s College of Architecture is leading the project and working in collaboration with more than eighty students and faculty from the colleges of Engineering, Management and Sciences at all levels of the university: undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D.

“Nexxus Lighting is working with Georgia Tech to showcase the benefits of LED lighting systems in this unique solar power project,” stated Ralph Genova, VP of Sales for Nexxus Lighting. “LED lighting technology is extremely energy efficient, which is critical in alternative energy supplied structures, and has other unique attributes. Unlike compact fluorescent lamps that contain hazardous chemicals, our LED products do not contain mercury and therefore are truly an environmentally friendly light source, and they last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. We are very excited to support Georgia Tech in their efforts,” concluded Mr. Genova.

“Students working on this house have pushed the limits of residential technologies in all avenues ranging from solar technologies, architectural materials, engineering systems, lighting, and automation techniques,” stated Ruchi Choudhary, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Ph.D. Programs, College of Architecture at Georgia Tech.

“By providing the team with state-of-the-art LED light fixtures, Nexxus Lighting has contributed significantly towards upholding the spirit of innovation in the Georgia Tech Solar Decathlon House. Nexxus Lighting's contribution serves many avenues, such as demonstrating the integration of LED and fluorescent lights for ambient lighting in residential applications, demonstrating the integration of LED lights with architectural components of the house, educating both students and the general public about the advantages of LED technology, and finally providing low energy lighting solutions for operating the house under limited reserves of solar energy,” concluded Dr. Choudhary.

Nexxus Lighting introduced its Savi™ LED line of commercial light bulbs earlier this year and is expanding its offering of LED based lighting products and controls later this year as part of its “Life’s Brighter™” green lighting initiative.

For more information, please visit the Nexxus Lighting, Inc. web site at www.nexxuslighting.com.

Tags: Solar Decathlon, Nexxus Lighting, Savi™ LED light bulb, BP Solar, Sprint, US Green Building Council, National Association of Home Builders, American Institute of Architects, ASHRAE, George Tech, LED lighting

BP Solar to Welcome Governor O'Malley at Groundbreaking Ceremony

BP Solar and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley break ground today on what is now a $97 million expansion project that will further bolster the facility's output of solar energy products. Already the largest fully integrated solar plant in North America, the plan is to nearly double the current casting and sizing capacity to approximately 150 MW and will create approximately 70 new jobs.

Exactly nine months ago, the company announced it would invest $70 million in the project. That figure has now been increased to $97 million, which will allow for space to further enlarge its manufacturing capacity to 400+ MW in its casting, sizing, and wafering processes. Construction is slated for completion by the end of 2009.
This project is part of a larger growth plan for BP Solar globally. Earlier this year, the company announced it began construction on two mega cell plants -- one at its European headquarters in Tres Cantos, Spain, and the second at its joint venture facility, Tata BP Solar, in Bangalore, India.
"Expanding our Frederick plant ensures that BP Solar stays at the forefront of the global solar industry by meeting demand, providing
innovative products to our current customer base, and allowing us to enter new markets," said Lee Edwards, BP Solar CEO. "We recognize that in order to do business in the long term we must respect the broader needs of communities where we operate and be good corporate citizens. So, to complement our expansion plans, we will integrate sustainable building techniques such as a roof garden, bio- retention, extensive water recycling and the implementation of LEED(TM) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) design components such as energy efficient lighting, cooling and heating."
Furthermore, to help educate Maryland students about the importance of solar energy, BP announces it will contribute $100,000 to the Maryland Solar Schools program. Administered by the Solar Schools Foundation, the program assists schools in the installation of solar electric systems,provides curriculum guidance, technical assistance, and can provide limited
grants to help defray the high upfront cost of solar.
"I am proud to be here today to celebrate the expansion of BP Solar in the State of maryland," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "By capitalizing on Maryland's existing renewable industry and recently enacted legislation to
promote solar and wind energy, I hope to make Maryland the engine of the renewable energy economy. Today, BP is helping to lead the way by using sustainable building techniques and investing $100,000 in Maryland's Solar
Schools Program."

In April, Gov. O'Malley signed into law Senate Bill 595, which establishes a market for solar power and encourages homeowners, businesses and others to invest in roof-top systems to lower their electricity bills.
"Solar energy is an important option to address rising electricity rates," said Edwards. "With its recently-passed legislation, Maryland is
now among a number of states across the country with programs to promote the installation of clean and reliable solar power. At a time when
electricity rates are increasing, this legislation allows homeowners to reduce their power bills through their own solar system on their home."
BP Solar is a key business within BP Alternative Energy and a global company with over 2,200 employees focused on harnessing the sun's energy to produce solar electricity. This includes the design, manufacture and marketing of quality solar electric systems for a wide range of applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With
over 30 years of experience and installations in over 160 countries, BP Solar is one of the world's largest solar companies and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia. BP Solar is part of BP,one of the world's leading energy companies. To learn more, visit http://www.bpsolar.us.

Information on the Maryland Solar Schools Program can be found here
http://www.e3energy.com/SSF/index.html
Information on the LEED program can be found here
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

BP
Solar to Welcome Governor O'Malley at Groundbreaking Ceremony to
Celebrate Multi-Million Dollar Expansion Project and Contribution to
Maryland Solar Schools Program: 

Tags: solar, solar companies, bpsolar, Alternative Energy, solar power, solar energy, Maryland Solar Schools program

Venturi Eclectic OIL Independeant Vehicle, Solar and Wind Powered

Soaring gas prices, economic crises, wars, omnipresent pollution, irreversible changes in the climate… Our world is going through a period when the stakes in terms of energy form the very basis for worldwide chaos. While admitting that no solution for energy production can be perfect, we must become fully aware of the imperative need to limit our own personal consumption of energy.

Eclectic, the first autonomous vehicle in the history of the automobile, opens up a new era in the field of mobility : reserved for daily driving in urban areas, its low energy consumption makes it the most economical environmental vehicle ever built.

Innovative and astonishing, Eclectic is much more than a simple vehicle ; it is a production and storage plant for renewable energies, either solar or wind based. Charging of these energies, which is intermittent in certain regions, can also be complemented by electrical recharging.

This new solar and wind powered vehicle is energy independent to the extent that it is able to acquire the energy it needs on its own. For sunny days it has a solar panel on its roof, and for days without sun, if there is wind, a wind turbine can be erected to charge the battery. But for moments when both sun and wind is not enough, the renewable energy sources can also be complemented by electrical recharging by plugging in to an electric outlet.

Links;
Venturi

Tags: Venturi Eclectic, Venturi, Eclectic, solar, wind, solar car

"Go Solar California" is the moto of the new state website promoting solar Energy in California.

After all the initiatives that California has made, you can follow the progress on the new web site, "Go Solar California". The State of California plans or wishes to place 3,000 megawatts of new, solar produced electricity systems on rooftops by 2017. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger goal is to put solar systems on a million California roofs. And certainly the California need your help.
State has already taken steps to make alternative energy a part of the power Grig that runs through California.
About 10.2 percent of the electricity California already use comes from renewable sources - biomass, geothermal, small hydroelectric, solar, and wind.

According to a statement on the site, why alternative energy;

Benefits of Renewable Energy

Choosing renewable power provides many benefits:

• Making use of secure, indigenous, and sustainable natural resources.


• Helping to keep our air clean.


• Potential to reduce the production of carbon dioxide - a leading contributor to global climate change.


• Helping to create jobs for California and American workers.


• Establishing the United States as a world leader and exporter of renewable power technologies.


• Nationwide, reducing dependence on imported oil.

By purchasing electricity generated from renewable resources or installing a renewable energy system on your home, you can demonstrate your commitment to a healthy environment and a healthy economy.

Today, thousands of Californians have already made the switch to renewable energy, producing clean, "green energy" for themselves.

So join the race and be productive. The site is a source of information for Solar energy whether you are a Californian or not. I hope all the states in USA and other countries will follow a California, the state I live, and find best resources for energy. If you were to surpass us we will surely, follow you. Like we are already learning from Brazil about alternative feuls.
Only bad thing about site is videos are in windows format and not all can watch them. Please change them to a better format that ASF, not all people use windows, specially californians.

Links;
"Go Solar California"

Tags: biomass, geothermal, small hydroelectric, solar, wind, Go Solar California, alternative energy, renewable energy

Report from the floor of 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition

Gunther portfolio is on the floor of 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition and is fighting for his coffee with CEOs and a prominent PV research professors during the breaks. Follow the link below to find his flashes!

GUNTHER Portfolio: Light flashes from the 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition

21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 4-8 September 2006

Update:

The participation capacity at the 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference reached with 2.500 registered delegates its limits.

Press release

Scientists expect quantum leap in solar power generation

Dresden is expecting 2,500 scientists, industry representatives and politicians from 93 countries for the world's leading solar energy conference at the beginning of September.

Munich / Dresden, 21.08.2006 – For the 21st time, scientists, politicians and industry representatives will be meeting for the European solar energy conference at the beginning of September. After Rome, Paris and Barcelona, this year's European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) will be taking place in Dresden. Holding the exhibition in Germany has great symbolic power, as Germany presently accounts for 60% of the worldwide market. The organiser of the conference, which is supported by various bodies including UNESCO, the European Commission, the German Ministry for the Environment and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), is expecting 2,500 participants from over 90 countries.

"The drastic increase in oil prices and the growing awareness of business, politics and consumers with regard to the limited availability of fossil fuels has given the photovoltaics sector enormous momentum and has also greatly accelerated the innovation loop," explains Dr Heinz Ossenbrink, Technical Programme Chairman of the Conference and Head of the Renewable Energy Department of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability at the EU's Joint Research Centre in Ispra, near Milan. The boom in the sector, which brought about worldwide turnover of EUR 5.8 billion last year with a growth rate of 40%, has most recently led to a global shortage of the raw material, silicon.

This year's conference programme reflects latest developments in research and on the market. Technological progress with higher levels of efficiency, a reduced demand for silicon for the manufacture of solar cells, and a lower overall use of materials in the manufacturing process form some of the main themes of this year's conference. Scientists around the world are working on solar cells which can be produced entirely without silicon, which is a scarce commodity.

Germany is a heavyweight on the international solar energy market. As early as 1989, the first promotional programme was launched there. Germany's decision to stop using nuclear power and the determination to meet the Kyoto goals on climate protection, were the framework conditions under which for example the german Renewable Energy Sources Act came into being. Research institutions and industry have achieved a leading international position in this area. According to Dr Ossenbrink, there are few research programmes which can demonstrate comparable scientific and economic success.

For a long time, solar energy was reputed to be too expensive. However, surge current is meanwhile being sold on national energy exchanges at prices above the legally guaranteed feed-in tariffs. This was the case for the first time on the Leipzig energy exchange on 27th July. On that day, a kilowatt hour of peak load electricity cost 54 eurocents. In Germany, under the terms of the Renewable Energy Sources Act, a kilowatt hour of solar energy costs 40.6 - 51.8 eurocents. According to Dr Ossenbrink the viability threshold has already been reached in southern Europe. The continuing rise of energy prices will reinforce this development. Dr Ossenbrink is convinced that "in five to ten years, regarding surge current solar energy will be cost-effective". He sees this year's solar energy conference in Dresden as a turning point in the industry's development.

Overall, seven Topics will be addressed at this year's European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition: fundamentals, new components and Materials; crystalline silicon solar cells and material technologies; matters relating to the use of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon; thin-film technology; components of PV systems; grid-coupled systems and applications, and global aspects of solar energy generation. The latest trends in the photovoltaics industry will be explored within a PV Industry Forum, which is being organised by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association EPIA and WIP Renewable Energies on the third day of the EU PVSEC conference.

The biggest photovoltaics exhibition in the world to date will be taking place parallel to the Conference. Around 400 exhibitors from 29 countries, in a show space of 16,000 sqm will be showing research findings, new production techniques and new products in the area of solar energy generation. Explaining the positioning of the exhibition, Peter Helm, Managing Director of the project developer WIP-Renewable Energies, which has been organising the EU PVSEC since 1986, says that the exhibitors are "manufacturers of photovoltaic components such as ingots, wafers, cells and modules". He goes on to mention "the group of leading system suppliers. The second group of exhibitors, almost the same in number as the first, comes from the supply industry and plant construction, who build the production facilities for the manufacture of components. As such, the EU PVSEC covers all links on the value chain from basic research to the finished product, in a single exhibition."

The EU PVSEC 2006 is supported by the UNESCO, the World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE), the European Commission, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW e.V.) and the City of Dresden.