San Fransisco, California is making a splash in the civil planning industry. At the end of May, 2009, Mayor Gavin Newsom cut the ribbon on the first of many Solar Powered Wi-Fi bus stops that will be lining the streets of San Francisco in the coming 5 years. These sleek, curvaceous and modern bus terminals do it all. Their LED lights, intercom schedule system and even Wi-Fi routers are all powered by the stream-lined and efficient solar panel roofing. Talk about efficient! This bus stop in the Richmond district of sunny San Francisco, California is the first of about 1,100 solar powered, Wi-Fi bus stops the city plans to have in place by 2013.

Cleverly Designed With the Environment in Mind

The solar panels embedded within the poly-carbonate roof are said to harness enough energy to run all of the bus stops operations and even have some left over to return to the grid. This patented approach to solar panels was created by 3form Materials Solutions just for this project and the structure was designed by Olle Lundburg of Lundburg design. He says it was his first civic project. To add to the appeal of these innovations, they are produced 75% of recycled material. Certainly an eco-friendly production.

In addition to benefiting the frequent users of San Francisco’s public transportation, this project will also have one key benefit for the city: Free Wi-Fi, everywhere! I’m sure no one has any complaints about this. There will be enough of these Wi-Fi powerhouses to make the whole city a Wi-Fi zone. Upon cutting the ribbon Mayor Newson said, “Transit shelters that use photovoltaics, LEDS, and Wi-Fi are going to be standard in the future and I’m proud that San Francisco is once again acting like the pace car for other cities by trying and implementing these technologies.

Setting an Example: Will the Rest of the World Follow Suit?

So what’s the catch? Well, there isn’t really one. Although the MTA hiked fares by 50 cents, they claim it has nothing to do with the extreme expense of these bus stops ($25,000 to $30,000 each), but many people deny this. For now, no one is complaining. These bus stops satisfy everyone from the environmentalist tree hugger, to the internet-dependent business man, to the average Joe trying to get to work. San Francisco, California is setting a standard of excellence and forward momentum in the United States and hopefully other cities and states will follow suit very soon.

Solar Power: From Saving money to Saving the World

The term solar power instantly recalls images of a seventh grade science text book, solar cookers, and a futuristic fantasy.  This future is becoming reality. 

Solar power is taking the sun’s light and converting it into usable energy. Think of a plant using sunlight to grow.  The sun hits the Photovoltaic (PV), or solar panels, and disturbs electrons giving enough movement to be harnessed as an electrical current.  The amount and the intensity of the sun’s rays is directly linked to how much energy can be produced. 

Although the technology has been available for more than fifty years very few strides have been made, partly because the initiative and concern have been absent.  That is until now.  Recently, MIT professors have hit a long anticipated milestone where solar power can be stored.  Now solar power can be used when the sun goes down, if the proper amount of energy was stored during the sunlight hours.

 The advancements made coupled with the efforts to “go green,” rocketing electricity prices, and government incentives have many businesses and institutions looking for solar powered alternatives.  These alternatives reach far beyond the solar panels on houses, unpractical solar powered cars, and your old calculator from 1994.

Electrify your Underwire

Now woman, and the adventurous male, can sport the new Japanese made solar powered bra.  This bra will enable people to sunbath, absorb some rays, and keep their phones or iPods charged.  Maybe not chic, subtle, or stylish but for those who cannot afford to be without a phone, even while relaxing, it could prove invaluable.

Solar Cookers to Save Lives

On the more humanitarian front the classic solar cookers are making a revival.  In places like the Sudan the solar cooker is a coveted commodity.  Because of the dangers in the region, many women and children are forced to stay indoors for fear of their life.   With inexpensive solar cookers, the task of risking one’s life to gather wood so a family can cook is eliminated.

Artificial Self-sustaining Oasis?

The most ambitious solar powered project is called the Sahara Forest Project.  Sound like an oxymoron? Give it a couple years and it may be as real as jumbo shrimp.  The project’s goal is to use solar power to evaporate sea water creating cool air, pure water, and the possibility of naturally operating.  If this project succeeds it will turn an immeasurable amount of unusable land into fertile grounds.  This is piquing the interest of many African and Middle Eastern countries.

With its booming possibilities and growing necessity, solar power can change the world.  The ability to use a replenishing source of energy could be the most precious secret to the survival of people across the world. 

The field of photovoltaics involves the research of harnessing solar power for energy where sunlight is directly converted into energy. Because of the growing need, photovoltaic (PV) production has increased dramatically since 2002, thus making it the fastest growing energy technology worldwide. Read the rest of this entry »

A 20 year purchase agreement between Southern California Edison and Stirling Energy Systems (SES) will culminate in a 4,500 acre solar power system with an over 20,000 dish array.  The new plant will generate an amazing 500 MW—more electricity than all other present U.S. solar projects combined.

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