Bloom Box is still no magic box

The hype these days over the Bloom Energy "Bloom Box Energy Server" may sound like a magic box indeed. A promise of unlimited energy produced close to the end user at a rate close to that of a local utility, but a closer look shows this is no magic box.

The Bloom energy server is a new flavor of fuel cell, that being said, the bottom line is this technology still requires fuel to convert to energy.

According to an article in the New York Times, Bloom devices can produce power at 8 to 10 cents per kWh using natural gas--lower than some commercial electricity prices, but remember: natural gas isn't a renewable resource. Also, Carbon dioxide and water are byproducts of the gas-to-electricity reaction.

The cost of this new whiz bang technology isn't cheap either, a single server is about the size of an industrial shipping crate, consists of four 25 kilowatt modules, and costs $700,000 to $800,000. In all, that means power for 9 to 10 cents, but only after current incentives in California.

Right now Bloom has beta units at Google, eBay and FedEx to name a few. Will these magic boxes be the magic bullet that everyone has been looking for? Will they be a better alternative to wind and solar? We will have to wait and see...

Green Jobs for a Clean Energy Economy

What do an auto mechanic, a college student, and a construction worker have in common? Green jobs. Millions of federal stimulus and state dollars are being invested to develop a clean energy workforce.

Demand is growing for employees who have skills in the clean technology arenas including energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation.

From hands-on jobs such as installing solar panels and maintaining electric vehicles to computer programming and researching fuel cell technologies, the American job landscape is poised to grow a low-carbon, clean energy economy.

Almost $75 million will be invested in the Clean Energy Workforce Training Program to create a well-trained workforce capable of filling the jobs necessary to promote renewable energy development, climate change strategies, vehicle fuel technology and green buildings.

Statewide partnerships of state agencies, educational institutions, local workforce investment boards, community organizations and professional traininers are moving forward to deliver 21st century training programs for workers with all levels of experience.

This collaborative effort combines funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the State Energy Program (SEP), the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program established by AB 117, Workforce Investment Act Governor's Discretionary funds, and private and local funds to create what's believed to be the nation's largest green job workforce development program.

California gets federal stimulus money for solar jobs training

• Department of Energy sends $3.5 Million to state

• To be spent on developing a training plan

The California Solar Training Partnership has received $3.5 million of federal stimulus money through the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a regional solar jobs resource and training center.

The center, one of nine in the nationwide “Installer Instructor Training Network,” will enable California to build a trained clean energy workforce, the California Energy Commission says.

The money will be used by a joint effort of the Energy Commission, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the California Center of Sustainable Energy to develop a training curriculum and provide professional development for trainers in solar photovoltaic and solar heating and cooling technologies.

Good Pay Without a 4-Year Degree

A well-paying, rewarding career doesn't have to mean a four-year slog through college. There are plenty of jobs that pay nicely with less education, ranging from certificate courses just a few months long to two-year community college programs.

Education costs for most of these careers are modest -- you might even pay nothing at all. If you're from a low-income family and between 18-24, you may qualify to receive up to three years of free job training, housing and support services through the federal program Job Corps. National program director Esther Jacobs says Job Corps serves roughly 100,000 students a year.

"We're the best-kept secret in this country," she says.

Otherwise, technical and vocational schools or private training companies are a great choice, and many offer financial aid. Most training programs will help you with job placement when you're done, too.

Here's a look at some of the best-paying jobs you can get into fast, listed with their median annual pay rate for someone with three to five years' experience, according to PayScale.com.

Solar energy systems installer - $44,460.
This and many other "green" jobs are hot now, as the recently signed federal stimulus bill put billions into alternative energy and energy conservation. Albrecht reports classes in this field are filling up fast at his college, as a boom in installing solar panels is expected.

Network installers / administrators - $49,801.

Court reporter - $47,275.

Clinical laboratory technologist - $47,081.

HVAC installer - $44,814.

Computer numerical control - $44,629.

Security and fire-alarm installers - $41,417.

Aircraft mechanic - $39,584.

92% Of Americans Support Solar

A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy, and their support for solar has remained consistent over the last year, according to the 2009 SCHOTT Solar Barometer, a nationally representative survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

The survey found that 92% of Americans think it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar energy. This strong support for solar remains unchanged since Americans were asked the same questions in the June 2008 SCHOTT Solar Barometer (94%). (The difference is within the margin of error for both polls.)

This support for solar power is consistent across political party affiliation, with 89% of Republicans, 94% of Democrats and 93% of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.

Furthermore, close to eight in 10 (77%) Americans feel that the development of solar power and other renewable energy sources should be a major priority of the federal government, including the financial support needed, according to the report. This sentiment also remains the same since June 2008 (77%).

The poll also showed that if they had to choose one energy source to financially support if they were president, 43% of Americans would opt for solar over other sources such as wind (17%), natural gas (12%) and nuclear (10%). Almost half (49%) of all Americans are currently pondering solar power options for their home or business.

However, many respondents feel they lack information on solar, as fewer than one in five (12%) can claim that they are extremely informed about the subject of solar power in general. Almost three in four (74%) Americans admit they wish they knew more about solar power options for their home or business.

The industry shows unlimited growth, Now is the time to learn about Solar and Photovoltaics.

KNOW the CODE

Many of the PV systems in use and being installed today may not be in compliance with the National Electrical Codes (NEC) and other local codes.


There are several contributing factors to this situation:

• The PV industry has a strong “grass roots,” do-it-yourself faction that is not fully aware of the dangers associated with low-voltage and high-voltage, direct-current (dc), PV-power systems.

• Some people in the PV community may believe that PV systems below 50 volts are not covered by the NEC.

• Electricians and electrical inspectors have not had significant experience with direct-current portions of the Code or PV power systems. The electrical equipment industries do not advertise or widely distribute equipment suitable for dc use that meets NEC requirements.

• Popular publications are presenting information to the public that implies that PV systems are easily installed, modified, and maintained by untrained personnel.

• Photovoltaic equipment manufacturers have, in some cases, been unable to afford the costs associated with testing and listing by approved testing laboratories like Underwriters Laboratories or ETL.

• Photovoltaic installers and dealers in many cases have not had significant experience installing ac residential and/or commercial power systems.

The only way to know how to properly install a photovoltaic system and ensure that you are following critical electrical codes, is to be trained by a knowledgeable source.

California’s goal of getting 33 percent of its electricity from the sun, the wind and other renewable sources by 2020 might be more feasible than previously thought, according to a new government report.

If all the renewable power projects proposed in the state last year were built, California would easily surpass that goal, according to a report issued Wednesday by the California Public Utilities Commission. All told, those projects would generate 24,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for 18 million homes.

That’s on top of the renewable power already flowing in California. According to the report, solar plants and wind farms built in California during 2008 can generate 516 megawatts of electricity, roughly as much as a midsize, fossil-fuel power plant. The previous year, the state only added 113 megawatts of renewable power.