Here's Why Solar Farms Are Booming in the U.S.

Hint: They’re cheap and look like the traditional power grid.

Solar panels on the rooftops of homes might be the most visible, and emblematic, form of solar energy. But it’s the solar panels that make up the sprawling farms built on the ground in remote regions of the U.S., selling energy to utilities and big companies that are driving the boom in the solar industry overall this year.

http://fortune.com/2016/09/12/solar-panel-farms-boom/

Can Solar Farms and livestock co-exist?

Other than war and weather, the biggest problems facing the planet are producing enough food and energy, both consumed at staggering rates by a population growing faster than farmers and fossil fuels can keep up with. Solar farms are certainly helping address the increased energy demands in the U.S. and abroad. Sheep, goats, chickens, hens, turkeys and other smaller species have successfully lived on solar farms in the U.K. for years.

http://innovativesolarfarms.com/can-solar-farms-and-livestock-co-exist/

Utility Scale Energy Storage Idea # 3

Make use of an abandoned quarry by turning it into a pumped "water storage battery".  Many abandoned quarries are deep enough to contain a massive amount of water with stone walls already there!  A pumped water storage battery can store enormous amounts of energy, and release it very quickly.

Separate the quarry into two areas or use two quarries near each other with one at higher altitude than the other. When the Grid has spare electricity, the battery charges by pumping water to the upper quarry. At peak times the water is released through a hydro generator turbine. Peak electricity is more useful and hence more valuable than off-peak electricity.

Powered by electricity, pumped storage batteries produce no smoke and do not require fuel deliveries. Once the quarries have been made water tight and connected with a pipe, a properly maintained facility will work indefinitely.

http://quarrybatterycompany.com/what-we-do.html

Solar Panel Energy System Tutorials, Design Tools, and an Interactive Solar Simulator.

Our tutorials cover Solar Panels, Charge Controllers, Power Inverters, Storage Batteries, AC Generators, Wires & Cables, Meters & Monitors, and more. Complete system wiring diagram examples plus interactive online design tools are also featured with a point and click interface. NOT plain worksheets. No math required! And, don't miss our new Solar Energy Electric Power Simulator where you can test drive a Solar Energy System.

http://www.freesunpower.com/index.php

More Women Wanted In The Solar Industry!

GRID Alternatives is leading a National Women in Solar Initiative to bring more women into the solar industry and support them in their professional advancement. Solar jobs are growing by 20% a year, and women’s voices, talents and leadership are needed more than ever to build a strong and sustainable industry. Join us!

http://www.gridalternatives.org/programs/women-solar-initiative

Utility Scale Energy Storage Idea # 2

Each “train car” is actually a concrete block pushed up the tracks at nearly 20 miles an hour. When released, these would run down the track gain, driving a turbine generating power to the grid, virtually instantly.

http://earthtechling.com/2015/09/novel-energy-storage-leverages-free-gravity/

Utility Scale Energy Storage Idea # 1

Gravity Power is based on the proven principles of pumped storage hydropower.  Gravity Power will sell turnkey plants using patented technology. Activities will include general management, marketing and sales, plant design, project detailed engineering and construction management, pump/turbine motor/generator purchasing, start-up and long term maintenance. Hundreds of megawatt-hours per shaft can be stored with high efficiency, since pump-turbines have low losses and friction is negligible at modest piston speeds.

http://www.gravitypower.net/technology-gravity-power-energy-storage/