August 20, 2010
Is saving energy as easy as flipping a switch? Yes, according to most Americans, contrary to expert findings. A new survey by the Earth Institute at Columbia University found that most American’s don’t really understand the best ways to save energy. 505 participants across 34 states were asked about their perceptions of their energy consumption and savings for a variety of activities and 30% of them chose switching off lights as the best way to save energy. Only a minority chose energy efficiency improvements, such as energy efficient appliances, cars, and home weatherization, which actually make a much bigger difference than switching off lights. The study concludes by suggesting that perhaps it’s time for the government, media, and scientists to rethink and revamp how they communicate energy conservation and climate change. We agree.
Speaking of lights, Enertia Engineering in Canada has designed the “first commercially available fully-integrated solar powered street light.” The best part of this design is that it’s completely self-contained with no need for external wiring, mounting, or installation. You simply connect the battery to the solar cell, then attach the structure to any pole. The street light, called EnerSolar, is compact, highly efficient, and provides 3 full nights of light on a single charge. Since EnerSolar uses a battery, though, it’s best for places that don’t get too cold (below 14 degrees Fahrenheit).
Sometimes flipping the switch can make a difference. On Thursday, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland flipped the switch on Wyandot Solar Farm, Ohio’s largest solar farm to date. At 12MW and 159,000 solar panels, the facility will generate enough energy to supply more than 9,000 homes with clean solar power. New Jersey energy firm, Public Service Enterprise Group, owns the plant and will be selling power to American Electric Power subsidiaries via a long-term power purchase agreement.
Solar power’s becoming the law in Illinois, with the signing of a new regulation that requires the state’s utilities to purchase up to 6% of their power from clean solar energy sources. The law states that a half of a percent of power provided by Illinois utilities must be solar power by June 2010. This percentage will double every year until it reaches 6% in 2015. Governor Pat Quinn estimates that this law is expected to create over 5,000 jobs in the Illinois solar power industry.
