A new study has found that being able to purchase a rooftop solar panel system is often a privilege of the affluent, but that leasing rooftop solar panel systems is an increasingly popular option for those who simply don’t have the money to pay up front. Asked time and time again what one can do for the environment, our answers are often dependent upon our income. In most cases, one of the biggest items — like installing solar panels — is for those who earn a lot (and can make a large up-front investment in a system that will earn them money several years down the road). However, if you have the money to lease a rooftop solar panel system, you’re not only helping the environment, but, within just a year after you start, you can start saving money. On the other hand, for those who have the money to make ...

Sumir Karayi, CEO of 1E, talks with us about why it is important to get a handle on the real energy cost of the cloud.

When President Obama put the seal of doom on a construction permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, supporters of his decision were quick to point out that the pipeline will not create a significant number of permanent jobs, and that the President already has initiatives in place that create far more green jobs in the alternative energy sector. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. New green technologies that have been in development for the past few years are beginning to hit the market, particularly in the building industry, which means that more individual property owners have the opportunity to chip in their own efforts for green job creation. Solar Power from Solar Shingles One consumer technology that CleanTechnica has been following for a while is ...

Manitoba’s biomass industry got a shot in the arm this week when the Manitoba government announced plans to boost the industry with the new Manitoba Biomass Energy Support Program (MBESP) by providing up to C$400,000 in grants. The program aims to encourage coal users within the province of Manitoba to switch to renewable fuels within the province. “Manitoba is committed to reducing our greenhouse-gas emissions and with the assistance of programs like this, Manitoba farms will reduce their carbon footprint and continue to be part of the solution to environmental challenges,” said Manitoba agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn, in a release on why the new program is important for provincial businesses to make the switch from coal to renewable energy sources. Biofuels are clean-burning fuels. Fossil fuels, which come from long-dead plants and other organisms, ...

February 7, 2012
11:30 am	to	1:30 pm

The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA), Natural Resources Canada, Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures and Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) invite you or a representative of your organization to attend a Technology Information Session (TIS).

The objective of the session is to introduce the Canadian Geothermal Power & Direct Use of Heat Technology Roadmap and Implementation Plan.

The Information Session will take place Feb. 7 from 11:30 – 1:30 at the Nexen Annex Theatre (+15 Level).  801 – 7th Ave SW, Calgary AB.

Register for the session HERE.
BACKGROUND

CanGEA is the collective voice of Canada’s geothermal industry (www.cangea.ca). As a non-profit industry association, we represent the interests of our member companies with the primary goal of unlocking the country’s tremendous geothermal energy potential. Geothermal energy can provide competitively priced, renewable, base-load energy to Canadian and export markets.
Canada boasts …

June 28, 2012
8:00 am	to	6:00 pm

The Canadian Water Summit is Heading WEST for the First Time!

It will take place in Calgary, Alberta at the TELUS Spark Science Centre on June 28, 2012 where you can  learn how to prepare for the challenges emerging from the interdependence between WATER, FOOD and ENERGY. Gain the skills, knowledge and networks to manage your water risk, identify opportunities for innovation, and contribute to water sustainability in Canada.

The Canadian Water Summit was created in 2009 to facilitate partnerships between leaders from business, government, NGOs and academia to help realize Canada’s potential to be a world leader in water expertise and technology innovation.
To learn more about the 2012 Canadian Water Summit and to join the journey to shape Canada’s Water Future, visit: www.watersummit.ca

  Ceres, director of the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), “a network of 100 institutional investors with collective assets totaling about $10 trillion,” informed us of the above, yesterday, as 450 global investors controlling tens of trillions of dollars from four continents gathered at the United Nations offices in New York City for the Investor Summit on Climate Risk & Energy Solutions. “Climate change is certain to be a major factor in investments for the foreseeable future—perhaps the biggest investment factor of our lifetimes,” said Kevin Parker, global head of Deutsche Asset Management. Some key news and points made at the NYC summit include: 45 new, carbon-reducing policies were adopted around the world in 2011 reportedly, only 4 negative policy actions were taken (not sure how they qualified such actions) $260 billion was invested in clean energy in 2011, according ...

  For readers who want to delve deeper into geothermal energy or solar, here are 4 upcoming conferences (or conference series) you might want to check out:   Geothermal Energy Finance Forum — January 18, San Francisco On January 18, the Geothermal Energy Association will convene the financial community at San Francisco’s Marriott Marquis for GEA Geothermal Energy Finance Forum 2012. After three years in New York City, GEA’s leading financial renewable program moves for the first time to the Bay Area, home of the world’s top technology leaders and venture capitalists. The event will create a networking dialogue between the finance and investment communities of the East and West Coasts, and offer a tutorial on geothermal energy investment with top experts and major players in geothermal development and finance. Event partners for the event are American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) as well as sponsors GeothermEx and Pratt & Whitney Power Systems. “California is ...

China has an energy problem. As the nation continues its rapid economic expansion, it’s hunger for energy grows larger each day. China relies heavily on dirty fossil fuels such as oil and coal to feed its industrial demands and growing middle class needs. But the cost is heavy for all this economic growth and increasing middle class posterity — pollution. So, to combat thickening smog and fouled rivers, China has been investing in green technology, especially solar. Moving along on solar at a rapid pace, one of the worlds largest solar companies, Canadian Solar Inc., and China’s Ningxia Electric Power Group recently announced the successful completion and activation of a 10-MW solar project. The energy that will be produced from this project will be around 13,511,167 KWh of power a year — and every drop of that energy will be ...

According to KPMG’s Cleantech Report Card, British Columbia (BC) may be the third largest cleantech cluster worldwide. The Canadian province has had a carbon tax since 2008 and its government became carbon-neutral in 2010. BC sits on enormous natural gas reserves, and its hydro-enabled energy prices are low. So what will drive cleantech adoption? For a major breakthrough, a two-pronged approach is needed: • Implementation of a planned cap-and-trade system, a favorable investment climate, strong R&D and incubation, and low corporate taxes • Strong public demand supported by lifestyle branding for green buildings, low-emission transportation, waste-to-energy conversion, and a sustainability-oriented consumer mindset Despite a favorable cleantech climate in Canada (the government’s posture not withstanding) the public’s concern with climate change is decreasing and adoption of new consumer paradigms is slow. Examples are NIMBY resistance to incineration and the current smart metering backlash against BC Hydro. In Europe, ...