The Golden State's Golden Investment

It comes at no surprise to many to hear that California schools are feeling the pinch from the current economic times.  Millions of dollars worth of budget cuts have left schools looking for ways to save money at every angle.  The San Ramon Valley Unified School District has decided to approach this problem from a different angle: investing in alternative energy.

Thanks to low-interest federal loans, SRVUSD has installed 10,000 photovoltaic panels at five of its schools.  This investment should cut the schools’ electrical use is expected to be reduced between 67% and 75%.  The initial savings will be used to repay the loans, and the panels are expected to pay for themselves in 16 years.  Afterward, savings are projected to $2-4 million dollars annually. 

Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/17/solar.schools.california/index.html?iref=allsearch

IKEA's Bright Future

IKEA, a Swedish furniture retailer, is aiming to power all stores from 100% renewable resources.  In an effort to fulfill this goal, IKEA purchased 39,000 solar panels in the UK.  Additionally, IKEA purchased a 12.3 MW wind farm which will generate 30% of the retailer’s energy.  This purchase increases IKEA’s wind turbine ownership to 67, generating 127 MW.

To further increase IKEA’s power supply, the retailer purchased $6.5 billion in solar panels. IKEA projects to be between 70-80% by 2015.   Hopefully this is the beginning of retailers moving toward renewable sources of power world-wide.  

Source:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/09/idUS401034494220110809

For more information on SOLAR POWER, check out SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT’s Volume 40 episode: SOLAR POWER – An Alternative Energy Source.
http://www.ssrvideo.com/vol40.html#5