Green Energy News | November 2, 1997

November 2, 1997 – Vol.2 No.31

ENERGIES... week of November 2, 1997

THE STATE OF MARYLAND is the first to respond to President Clinton’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative by assisting in the installation of 20,000 rooftop photovoltaic systems by 2010. In the first year of the Maryland Solar Roofs Program, developed by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), 10 residences and 10 elementary schools will receive PV systems. Schools with the installed systems will include solar energy education in their curriculum. Homeowners will be able to take advantage of the newly passed net metering law where owners of grid-connected PV systems can “sell” excess electricity to the power company - the meter running in reverse.

The Solar Roofs Program will grow each year until the 2010 goal is reached. The U.S. Department of Energy is in partnership with the MEA, and DTE Energy of Detroit, Michigan will install the systems on schools. Both will be seeking corporate sponsors for the school PV systems.

Maryland firm Energy and Environmental Consulting will take charge of the 1.6 kilowatt Solarex PV-Value systems for the homes. Solarex is the second largest manufacturer of PV panels in the world and is located in Frederick, Maryland.

ACROSS THE POND Britain is considering solar power to combat global warming. To date there are only 5 (five) grid-connected solar homes in Great Britain, three of them installed by Greenpeace this year. Current Government spending on solar energy in England is £1 million per year. The Government’s Solar Industry Taskforce has asked the Department of Trade and Industry to consider a greater commitment.

In the U.S. there have been 300,000 pledges for solar roofs in response to the President’s Initiative. Japan plans to install 70,000 solar roofs by the year 2000.

ALSO ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE a new endurance record was set for electric vehicles. A zinc-air battery system from Electric Fuel Corporation powered a Mercedes MB410E van to run 272 miles (439 km) from London to Paris without recharging. The 150 kw battery pushed the 10,000 lb vehicle at an average speed of 43 mph (70 km/hr). The zinc-air battery system includes removable cassettes which are reprocessed and recharged outside the vehicle.

GOING WEST, Chrysler’s EPIC (Electric Powered Interurban Commuter) 5 passenger minivan will be offered to fleet customers in New York for a lease rate of $450 per month for 24 months. Saturn will begin selling its GM EV1 electric commuter car in Sacramento, California in hopes of increasing lease sales - now 275. Kia of Korea will be testing a Sephia sedan-based EV in the home market.