Tag Archives: Solar

Solar Server reports Construction resumes on 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch

On November 2nd, 2011 SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced an agreement with environmental and land use organizations to settle and dismiss a lawsuit against the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) solar photovoltaic (PV) project.
Following this announcement, Bechtel Corporation (San Francisco, California, U.S.) reported that it has received Full Notice to Proceed on construction of the CVSR. Bechtel began working on the site in August 2011, and construction is scheduled to last roughly two years.
“Upon completion, the California Valley Solar Ranch will produce clean, renewable energy to meet the power needs of approximately 100,000 homes,” said Bechtel Renewable Power Division President Ian Copeland. “Equally important, it will be built with minimal impact to the land and habitat.”
“We are honored that SunPower Corporation selected Bechtel to deliver this world-class, large-scale solar facility that will advance the renewable energy industry.”

SunPower limits use of site to 50 years
Under the agreement with North County Watch (Templeton, California, U.S.) and Carrizo Commons (San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.), SunPower has agreed to limit the use of the site to 50 years, and to decommission the plant and restore habitat at the site within that time frame.
The company has also agreed to provide for enhanced communication and collaboration regarding mitigation and monitoring activities during the construction of the project, as well as funding of research for endangered species.
SunPower had previously committed to preserve more than 36 square kilometers of grasslands in the area.

SunPower to advertise at Orchard Supply Hardware
Also on November 2nd, 2011 SunPower announced that it will offer PV systems via informational displays at Orchard Supply Hardware (OHS, San Jose, California, U.S.) stores in California, as well as on the company’s web site.

Contractors State License Services introduces new Solar PV Technical Sales Course

Contractors State License Services (CSLS) has introduced a new Solar PV Technical Sales Course intended to teach the skills necessary to work as a salesperson in the growing solar industry. This course covers important sales skills combined with the technical information that are specific to a solar sales position. The course includes a comprehensive curriculum covering; mining for prospective customers, evaluating the needs of a PV System customer, the technicalities of site analysis and system selection, concept design, performance estimates, economic analysis, financial concepts, proposal formation and building a working relationship with your customers. Robert Srinivas the Regional Green Technology Training Manager at CSLS developed this program to help people in construction or sales related fields transfer their skills to this broadening industry. The first class was held at the CSLS Orange location on October 8th and 9th, 2011. Initial response to the class was very positive. Willy Littlefield, course participant shared “Rob had a passion and depth of understanding in solar. I asked many challenging questions and all of my questions were answered fully”. Classes are planned to be held at Contractors State License School locations throughout California. For details on the course schedule interested contractors and sales professionals can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.

LA Times reports: KB Home hopes building green turns luxury condo sales red hot

By Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times

May 17, 2011

KB Home, a major home builder, is hoping energy saving, eco-friendly features will help drive sales of luxury condos.

When it opens Tuesday, the company’s Primera Terra residential development in Playa Vista will include a host of green essentials: A white “cool roof” to deflect sunlight and heat, electric vehicle charging stations in the garage and storage space for bicycles.

The condo complex with 52 units also has its own community garden. Each condo has a tankless water heater and hi-tech showerheads that save as many as 2,700 gallons a year.

Residents can save more than 40% on their energy bill compared with a typical new home of comparable size, executives said. Condo owners can monitor energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and electricity costs through their computer, iPad or iPhone using a device connected to each unit’s electrical panel.

The construction was also environmental friendly, company executives said. More than 95% of the waste generated during construction was recycled. Builders used nontoxic paints and carpeting.

KB Home said Primera Terra is among the largest residential communities in the state to be awarded Platinum certification — the top rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program.

The complex is among the first of its kind to land the certificate without including solar panels in the design, executives said.

In February, KB Home launched its Energy Performance Guide, a label included with all model homes that displays the new property’s expected energy efficiency and estimated electricity bill.

Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.contractorslicensingschools.com/

 Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction.

 Contractors State License Services (CSLS) will be hosting an open house at all school locations throughout California on April 29th, 2011 in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction.  A variety of speakers and vendors offering construction related information; green products and construction business services are scheduled at 20 plus locations throughout the state. CSLS and strategic partners are working together to educate Contractors and Construction workers on available services and products that can help them take advantage of value-added green offerings that they can integrate into their construction business. “Green construction starts with getting your contractor’s license so assisting students and graduates to get connected in this growing part of the industry is a wonderful opportunity for Contractors”, says David Mizener, CSLS CEO.

At many of the Contractors State License Services school locations Green industry experts, speakers and vendors will participate including American Home Inspection Training (AHIT), Home Depot, HD Supply, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Global HVAC/Ruud, Lowes, Harbor Freight Tools, Jem Industrial Coatings, CBIA Insurance Services, Ewaste Recycler, Contractor Manager, Deep Blue Pool Service, Corp 911 and Solar Seminars.

For this event topics of discussion will cover Zero VOC Paint products, Green insulation, Energy Audit Training, Solar Installation, Sustainable building, Energy Tax Rebates for consumers, Energy efficient appliances, Tankless water heaters, Greenscaping including native landscaping, and much more.  CSLS will also present information on the recently required EPA-Renovation, Repair and Painting certification. Promotions, giveaways and special offers will also be part of this statewide event. Schedules and presenters vary by location. For details on individual school events interested contractors can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.

  About CSLS (http://contractorslicensingschools.com/) @contractorslic  #Contractors#License

Contractors State License Services (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 25 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. In fact, 1 in 3 applicants to the California State Licensing Board (CSLB) have used CSLS to successfully pass the exam. Contractors State License Services offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including: General Engineering Contractor | General Building Contractor | Specialty Contractor | Insulation and Acoustical Contractor | Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor | Concrete Contractor | Drywall Contractor | Electrical Contractor | Elevator Contractor | Landscaping Contractor | Warm-Air Heating | Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. Contractors State License Services also provides CSLS Contractors with Business Development Services to assist in every aspect of sustaining a strong Construction Business. These include Bonds, Corporation Services, DBA’s, Application Processing, Fingerprint Services, Home Inspection training courses, BPI Energy Audit training courses, NAPCEP Solar PV Photovoltaic Installer training courses, Locksmithing training courses, and Insurance Services.

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Contractors State License Services (CSLS) introduces home inspection training course, BPI Energy Audit training course, NAPCEP Solar PV Photovoltaic Installer training course, and Locksmithing training course.

VAN NUYS, March 08, 2011— Contractors State License Services adds Home Industry training classes its course offerings for the Spring semester.

Students can elect to be trained in one or all of these in-demand professions.  Home inspectors earn an average of $76,000* per year.  The average inspection takes two to three hours.  Energy Auditors are used to establish Home Efficiency and can earn an average of $58,257** per year.  Solar PV Photovoltaic installers make an average of $61,000* per year.  Demand for Locksmiths is projected to increase by 25% in the next 4 years*.

 These courses will provide a great experience for anyone who has an interest in homes and has an eye for detail. 

 This first-time offering was created in partnership with American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT), a national leader in home industry training and based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. AHIT is the largest provider of professional home industry training in North America and has been training for over 15 years.   The class can be taken online or in a traditional classroom setting.  Tuition costs include course materials and tips on how to start your own home industry business.

* Department of Labor Statistics   **Matchcollege.com

World’s largest solar project moves towards final approval for Blythe, CA

NewEnergyWorldNetwork.com reports California Energy Commission approves construction of world’s largest solar project at Blythe.

The California Energy Commission has approved the construction and operation of the project’s four solar-thermal power plants, with the full conclusion of the approval process expected to be reached in October when the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) makes its final decision.

California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, ‘I applaud the California Energy Commission’s decision to approve the construction of the Blythe Solar Power Project – the world’s largest.’
The Blythe project’s developers said the 1,000MW solar project has a generating capacity equal to the output of a nuclear power plant or a modern coal fired power plant.

Solar Millennium intends to begin the initial construction on two of the four plants that will make up the project, by the end of the year. The four power plants are slated to together supply an annual electricity volume of approximately 2,200GWh.
Thomas Mayer, spokesperson for Solar Millennium, said, ‘Once the first two plants are connected to the grid in 2013 and 2014, we will have implemented the Desertec idea in California: With solar power plants in the California desert, we will be able to supply Los Angeles and other metropolitan cities on the American west coast with environmentally friendly electricity.’
The financing for the first two solar power plants is due to come to close imminently, which will include loan guarantees and grants by the US government. ‘The investment volumes of more than $1bn per plant make this one of the largest infrastructure projects in the US at the moment,’ said Mayer. Power purchase agreements between Solar Millennium and US energy provider Southern California Edison for the first two 242MW solar plants were approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in July.
Solar Millennium is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solar Trust of America, the US-American joint venture of Solar Millennium Group and Ferrostaal.