Tag Archive for: green

California ranks as the “greenest” state in America according to a report released Wednesday by the WalletHub personal finance website.

California ranked ‘greenest’ US state thanks to water conservation, EVs and rooftop solar

California ranks as the “greenest” state in America thanks to rooftop solar, water conservation and electric vehicles, according to a report released Wednesday by the WalletHub personal finance website.

“Eco-friendliness and personal finance are related,” noted Miami-based WalletHub in its introduction to the ranking. “Our environmental and financial needs are the same in many areas.”

States were ranked on environmental quality, eco-friendly behavior and contribution to climate-change using 25 metrics ranging from water quality to LEED-certified buildings to greenhouse gas emissions.

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Source: Times of San Diego

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Fremont achieved a SolSmart designation for their solar energy leadership and is the first to achieve the new Platinum level.

Fremont is the first city in the nation to receive coveted designation

Fremont is the first city in the nation to receive a Platinum Designation for advancing solar energy. The distinction is a result of the national SolSmart program, recognizing exceptional achievements in advancing solar energy use at the local level.

Fremont is one of over 500 cities, towns, and regional organizations that have achieved SolSmart designation for their solar energy leadership but is the first to achieve the new Platinum level.

“Fremont’s achievement of the SolSmart Platinum designation marks a significant milestone in our commitment to a sustainable and clean energy future,” said Fremont Mayor Lily Mei. “By actively promoting the adoption of renewable energy and streamlining the solar permitting process, we are empowering our community to reduce our community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and advancing our vision towards a climate ready Fremont. This remarkable designation is a credit not only to our dedicated City staff but also to the unwavering commitment and active participation of our incredible community. Together, we stand proud of this extraordinary achievement, which showcases the collective effort and shared vision of a brighter, greener future for all.”

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Source: Patch

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Urban mining recovers silver, copper, aluminium, glass and silicone -- all commodities that have a value on the open market.

‘Urban Mining’ offers green solution to old solar panels

As the world pivots from planet-warming fossil fuels to renewable energy, a new pollution problem is rearing its head: What to do with old or worn-out solar panels?

Thousands of photovoltaic slabs are being installed across the United States every day, particularly in the sunny west and south of the country, as states like California race to towards greener energy production.

But with an expected lifespan of around 30 years, the first wave of solar installations is now coming to the end of its usefulness, sparking a rush to recycle things that might otherwise end up in the landfill.

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Source: BARRON’S

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USC marked a major milestone in its sustainability efforts by adorning the rooftops of graduate student housing locations around the University Park Campus with state-of-the-art solar panels.

Latest solar venture powers USC toward a greener future

This summer, USC marked a major milestone in its sustainability efforts by adorning the rooftops of graduate student housing locations around the University Park Campus with state-of-the-art solar panels. 

This investment reduces the university’s dependency on the electrical grid and also propels it closer to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, a key goal of the Assignment: Earth sustainability initiative. 

The project kicked off in July, as cranes hoisted the giant panels atop the Windsor, Vista, Stardust and Seven Gables apartment complexes. Zelinda Welch, associate director of sustainability with USC Facilities Planning and Management, watched the project unfold from its inception. 

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Source: USC News

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Several high schools in the Modesto City School District high schools are installing solar panels. One of the those schools is Downey High.

Multiple schools in Modesto going green with solar panels

Several high schools in the Modesto City School District high schools are installing solar panels.

One of the those schools is Downey High. For a look at what installation looks like check the video player.

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Source: KCRA

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Scientists in the Netherlands have assessed how the so-called blue-green roofs can help reduce the operating temperature of rooftop PV panels and have found they provide a significant cooling effect.

Well-irrigated roofs with vegetation have cooling effect on PV systems

A research group led by the Netherlands’ Water Research Institute has investigated how a blue-green roof (BGR) may act as a cooling agent for rooftop PV systems and has found that this kind of roof may lower the roof surface temperature by up to 4.64 C compared to a conventional bitumen roof (BiR).

Blue-green roofs are roofs that use “green” technologies, such as lateral drainage and irrigation for plant and crop growth, as well as “blue” technologies like rainwater storage and dosage.

The scientists conducted a series of tests on a PV system installed on a so-called constructed wetroof in an apartment building in Amsterdam. Constructed wetroofs are roofs that use natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils, and their associated microbial assemblages to improve water quality. The irrigation system used for the research project relies on an additional water supply sourced from grey water from showers that is transformed into irrigation water.

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Source: PV Magazine

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Too many neighborhoods are not designed for today’s record-setting heat. “Smart surfaces” can make cities cooler and less vulnerable to flooding.

We need cooler cities. Here’s how to build them.

“Why is our neighborhood hotter than the one down the road?”
“Why are flooding and mold more frequent?”
“Why is it getting so hot that our kids can’t go outside and play?”

The last eight years have been among the eight hottest on record globally, with 2023 on track to be the hottest year ever recorded. This summer has seen days with more than 100 million Americans living under extreme heat advisories. And 2023 has also been a year of devastating floods across the nation, from California to Vermont.

As heat waves set records and floods reach higher marks, community members living in neighborhoods built to overheat and vulnerable to floodwaters want solutions. And they deserve them.

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Source: GOVERNING

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The SMMUSD, one of the city’s largest energy consumers, is set to begin the transition to running on 100% renewable energy.

Santa Monica Malibu-Unified School District to transition to 100% renewable energy

The Santa Monica Malibu-Unified School District (SMMUSD), one of the city’s largest energy consumers, is set to begin the transition to running on 100% renewable energy.

The move, which was approved by the Board of Education with a unanimous thumbs-up at their March 15 meeting, is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

The decision follows mounting pressure from district staff, teachers and students for SMMUSD to take greater strides towards sustainability in the face of climate change.

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Source: Santa Monica Daily Press

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The International Energy Agency has set out leading green transition pathways for Africa – delivering better economic and social returns.

IEA 2022 outlook for Africa highlights solar and hydrogen in green transition

Following on from recent statements suggesting that Africa must double investments to reach its energy and climate goals, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has set out leading green transition pathways for the continent – delivering better economic and social returns. These sustainable development routes, presented in the IEA’s freshly-launched Africa Energy Outlook report – a full policymakers’ summary of findings to be exhibited live at this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference to west Africa’s top corporate and government authorities in aid of formulating a unified African narrative ahead of December’s 27th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27) – call for two thirds of additional investment to be directed into clean energy sources by 2030.

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Source: Energy Capital & Power

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Here are the best breakthrough technologies that could help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient & resilient future.

Solar-powered tuk-tuks and thermal clothing: The best green innovations of May 2022

Every hour, the Earth is bathed in 430 quintillion Joules of energy from the sun. That is more than the amount of energy the whole of humanity consumes in a full year. These staggering figures show the true potential of solar energy for innovation. And the uses of sunshine go beyond solar farms and solar panels on domestic roofs.

Four of this month’s innovations use the sun as an energy source for applications as varied as urban mobility and water disinfection. A new tiny house achieves carbon neutrality through in-built solar panels, while an electric tuk-tuk can travel 10,000 kilometres per year on solar energy alone. Meanwhile, a cleantech startup has a bold vision to put super-efficient, digitally printed solar cells on every consumer device, and a social enterprise has developed a device that lets remote communities harness the UV rays in sunlight to disinfect drinking water.

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Source: edie

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