Below is a repost from our sister publication, Windermere Sun.
Artist rendering of Panda Solar Power Plant at Datong, China (credit: China Merchants New Energy/Panda Green Energy, presented at: WindermereSun.com)
Panda Solar Power Plant at Datong, China (credit: China Merchants New Energy/Panda Green Energy, presented at: WindermereSun.com)
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As China continues to grow and develop, energy and pollution are important incentives for China to steer toward the renewables at a lightening pace. As solar generation becomes cost-competitive with electricity from fossil fuels, China rolls out the world’s biggest investment in clean energy.
One of the energy firms in China, Panda Green Energy Group Limited (formerly known as the “United Photovoltaics Group Limited”), has come up with an aesthetically pleasing way to promote the development of solar energy by arranging solar panels at a solar farm to resemble the image of China’s national treasure, the panda. Panda Green Energy’s panda solar power plant in a city of Datong in northern Chinese province Shanxi, with capacity of 100 MW once fully connected (some estimated that in 25 years, it would have generated 3.2 billion KWh, reduced 2.74 million tons of carbon emissions or 1.06 million tons of coal throughout China). The solar panda was constructed in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in tackling the problem of need for renewable energy in China. In June of 2017, Panda Green Energy Group Limited announced that its first panda shaped solar power plant (of 50 MW covering 248 acres, with the black part composed of the more efficient monocrystalline silicone and the grey and white part being the thin film solar cells) was officially connected to the grid in Datong, Shanxi.
This panda solar park is set to become a national monument and home to an education center aiming to teach young people from all over China about the importance of renewable energy and sustainable living. According to Reuters, Panda Green Energy is planning on launching more panda-shaped power plants (some estimate about 100 panda-shaped solar power plants), both inside and outside of China.
Gathered, written, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Four days after President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, the top American official in China, David Rank, tendered his resignation, citing the president’s decision. Rank, who served 27 years in the foreign service, sits down with Judy Woodruff in his first interview since stepping down.
Perhaps I am biased. But in my limited perception, I tend to think solar enthusiasts are also more likely to be futurists. This is a post, with two videos (one edited version of another), for all of you solar futurists out there!
I think you already know and I cannot say/add enough good things about Elon Musk or Tesla. This past Tuesday, Elon Musk was interviewed by New China TV in Hong Kong, where he commented that Chinese Minister of Finance mentioned Tesla favorably in a recent speech, with regard to Tesla’s effort in making its patents open sourced so that any company in China or elsewhere can utilize these patents to create electric vehicles. He further commented that Solar Energy can easily power the whole of China, the most populated country on earth (2015 population data: China has 1,361,512,535 India has 1,251,695,584 United States has 321,368,864, etc.). Below, you will find this comment (top video) edited from the complete interview (bottom video):
This will be a terrific move for the planet earth! For if all of China and India will be converting their vehicles to electric vehicles sooner as a result of Tesla’s patents being shared, the industry charger (Tesla’s Supercharger Event) will be standardized much more quickly and the CO2 emission of the planet will be reduced at a much faster rate, slowing the rate of climate change. In this process, both China and India will have much cleaner environment. This will also translate into much cleaner planet earth.
For the complete interview where Elon Musk speaks about Tesla, sustainable energy, and Mars at the Venture Forum in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the city where the most Tesla per capita (with the highest percentage of vehicles that is Tesla or electric vehicles any where in the world) and can function as the model for other high density cities to transform into sustainable transport future. Elon Musk further embellishes on the importance of focusing on creating products that would be loved by the customers. There are also discussions of: the future possibility in solving Beijing traffic issue via tunnel or flying cars; currently available supercharging station networks in China (such that people have driven from Beijing to Tibet in Tesla); upcoming affordable Tesla3 to be mainstream;whether rote educational format would be good for producing innovators;all new cars on the road will be autonomous within fifteen years; submmersible Tesla;pertonic ideal of a perfect car;how to supply Hong Kong with sufficient solar power;bringing human kind to Mars and enabling earthlings to become interplanetary beings and to be inspired and transcend beyond what is the current limit; anticipation of first flights to Mars by 2025; necessary high tolerance for pain if some one wants to try to build startup;brain computer interface at the neuron level (concept of brain internet). Ultimately, focusing on producing a product that is loved by consumers would help to insure the success of a startup. It’s an excellent interview that you don’t want to miss, below, enjoy:
For those of you who are entrepreneurs out there, the take-away is that: focusing on producing a product that is loved by consumers would help to insure the success of a startup.
Gathered, written, & posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any suggestions, concerns, questions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.sunisthefuture.net
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After much careful consideration, I’ve decided to still post this piece on “Please Support These Solar Car Teams“. I want to clarify that these teams come from cultural backgrounds that do not complain much nor easily request for assistance from others. Therefore, none of the teams nor their team leaders had asked me to post this piece. It is based on other sources and my personal observations that had brought me to the conclusion. I would also like to remind every one that the goal of these challenges, whether it be World Solar Challenges, American Solar Challenges, Abu Dhabi Solar Challenges, SaSol Solar Challenges of South Africa, the purpose is to stimulate learning opportunities, exchange ideas to stimulate the growth of Solar Energy, and help our future generations to transition into solar energy quickly. In order to help our planet to transition into a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable place to live in, we need to help all continents and countries to transition into EV (Electric Vehicle) and Solar Energy Age. So, I am taking this opportunity to shout out to electric vehicle companies such as Tesla Motors, Nissan, BYD, Ford, General Motors, etc. to ask for assistance for these teams in whichever way possible.
First: the two new solar cars from South Africa- Sirius X25 of North West University and Hulamin-iKlwa of University of Qwa Zulu Natal are the first and only two entrants from Africa. Both of these two teams are on very tight budget. They represent our hope for the solar future in the African continent, a place with much future growth potential.
WSC2015-Sirius X25 of North West University from South Africa (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
WSC2015-Hulamin-iKlwa of University of Qwa Zulu Natal from South Africa (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Second: first entrant from China-Sun Shuttle of Beijing Institute of Technology entered for the second time. Contrary to what some other bloggers presumed, Sun Shuttle hardly had any support this time. It’s amazing that they actually made it to WSC2015! For the good of the planet, it is critical for the Chinese to transition into EV (electric vehicle) and Solar EV future, because China is inhabited by one fifth of the earth’s population. A cleaner China will translate into a cleaner planet earth!
WSC2015-Sun Shuttle from Beijing Institute of Technology of China, with Professor Zhang You-tong (with sunglasses) and students (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Third: Aurora of Aurora Vehicle Association has entered every World Solar Challenge since 1987 until this year (2015). Apparently Aurora’s loss of its garage workspace further led to dramatic decrease in membership of the organization. It would be a pity not to see Aurora of Aurora Vehicle Association, the most competitive entrant of our hosting country Australia, in the future. It would feel as though part of the tradition of World Solar Challenge has been lost.
WSC2015-Aurora of Aurora Solar Vehicle Association with its loyal member and Chairman Martin Brook (email: martin.brook@aurorasolarcar.com)(credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
I hope all electric vehicle companies, solar enthusiasts, car enthusiasts, or simply any one who is interested in protecting our planet from pollution and accelerated climate change would reach out to these universities and organizations mentioned above, to show interest in helping these solar car teams.
More posts about World Solar Challenge 2015 will be coming.
As I’ve previously mentioned in an earlier post: If any solar car team needs to have a fund raising campaign, Sun Is The Future would be gladly help in letting the world know about your fund raising campaign. But it is crucial that individual solar car team would set up their own campaign and provide their own web site with appropriate contact information before contacting Sun Is The Future at sunisthefuture@gmail.com . Sun Is The Future will help to promote campaigns but would not be involved with the collection of donations.
You may also be interested in these posts from the past, below:
Glorious Day For Solar Cars Parade at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan SUn Nunamaker). It is Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 (Adelaide time) but Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 in some parts of the world.
The Solar Car Parade of World Solar Challenge will start at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 (Adelaide time…although it is still Oct. 24, 2015 in some parts of the world), at Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia. It’s a glorious day for Solar Car Parade and a glorious time for Solar Energy Future!
Solar Car Parade of World Solar Challenge 2015 at Victoria Square in Adelaide, Australia (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Below is the video of the Solar Cars that came in on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. A great big applause for all of these teams, students, and supporters for their time, energy, and effort. It’s been a great learning opportunity for all of us! More will be posted and video uploaded later.
Below is the video of all of the solar cars that participated in World Solar Challenge 2015 Solar Car Parade on Oct. 25, 2015, at the Victoria Square of Adelaide, Australia:
You may also be interested in these posts from the past, below:
Solar Independence Day, 2015 (credit: composite of The Spirit of’76 painted by A.M. Willard (L) & photograph by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker via photoshop work by Susan Sun Nunamaker)
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2015 is a momentous year for us, the Solar Enthusiasts! That is why I wanted to create a special image for the July 4/5, 2015 weekend post (above). For this image, I learned to use photoshop during the weekend of July 4/5, 2015!
July fireworks behind the Washington Monument, Public Domain-U.S.Airforce Employee
I am simply ecstatic! In the end of June, 2015, I came across some data (for PV projects as part of a 600-megawatt procurement, some new data on developer bids was just released by Austin Energy) that I want to share with you. According to Austin Energy’s vice president of resource planning Khalil Shalabi, the utility received offers for 7,976 megawatts of project after issuing a request for bids in April. Of those bids, 1,295 megawatts of projects were priced below 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. During a presentation before the Austin city council, Shalabi displayed an exponentially declining curve for PV projects in Texas,
Austin Solar Prices (Source: Austin Energy)
he said, “If you continue the curve, you can see that if the cost points continue along this sort of exponentially declining curve, we expect to see prices out in the future that are possibly below $20 a megawatt-hour.” Wow! $20 a megawatt-hour translates into 2 cents per kilowatt-hour (between 2018-2019)! That is definitely cost competitive (costing less than any other energy source if the cost of the plants, insurance, environmental costs, and operating costs are all being taken into consideration) when compared to all other energy sources.
Another exciting break-through is the fact that Solar has reached the 1% mark of global electricity demand. The actual figure may be even slightly higher than the cumulative capacity (178 GW) that’s being presented below because some countries (such as USA) did not include distributed solar into the calculations. With such an exponential growth, it will not be too surprising if/when solar will reach 10% of global electricity demand by 2025. According to EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association), in three European countries: Italy, Germany, and Greece, solar PV supplies more than 7% of the electricity demand.
Global Solar PV (Source: Solar Power Europe), Tweeted by Jigar Shah
Globally, Europe is the world’s largest player with more than 88 GW installed at the end of 2014. China is now the fastest growing solar country/market, installing 10.6 GW in 2014, followed by Japan with 9.7 GW, and the USA in third place with just over 6.5 GW in 2014. Solar Power Europe (SPE) indicates that capacity could reach 540 GW in five years’ time in a high growth scenario and would reach 396 GW in a low-support case.
In 2015, according toGlobalData, China is likely to retain its world leading status, with US becoming the second, Japan third, and followed by Germany and India, for annual solar addition. China has revised its annual target to 17.8 GW and is well on its way, given that about 5 GW of solar capacity was already installed in Q1. “In the US, annual installations are expected to remain high during 2015 and 2016 owing to tax incentives for power stations that come online before the end of 2016. Solar additions in 2015 are expected to hit 7-8 GW largely due to continued policy support.””Japan’s lucrative solar PV policies have been attracting an increasing amount of investment since 2012, with annual installed capacity in 2014 reaching 8-9 GW, the country’s highest ever installed capacity in a single year. However, annual installations in 2015 are unlikely to reach 2014 levels.” I just want to remind us all that the solar/renewable energy world would not have come thus far if it were not for spear-heading effort and policy by Germany’s Hermann Scheer. I am thrilled to see both China and India (two nations with the most populace on planet earth) are making a great deal of effort in development of solar future.
These are all signs of what is to come….the Solar Tsunami that will bring about the change of our entire planet’s energy matrix mix. Dear friends and viewers/readers of Sun Is The Future, time to wake up to and share the fact that cost of solar is dramatically lower than what it used to be. We are ready to unshackle ourselves from the fossil fuel, and be ready for a much healthier, cleaner, and brighter Solar Energy Future!
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics:
Wow, we are surely living in a magical time! Another form of upcoming mass transport is based on the magical Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) with upgrade. It is a transport method that uses magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground. A vehicle would travel along a guideway using magnets to create both lift and propulsion, thereby reducing friction and allowing higher speed. Here is a TED Talk that demonstrates this concept, below:
Of course, such a magical technology would have many potential applications;for example: theShanghai Maglev Train, also known as theTransrapid, is the fastest commercial train currently in operation and has a top speed of 430 km/h (270 mph) (and once reached 311 mph or 501 km/h in a pre-launch test). The line was designed to connectShanghai Pudong International Airportand the outskirts of centralPudong,Shanghai. It covers a distance of 30.5 kilometres in 8 minutes.
Maglev Train coming out of Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, China
Maglev trains move more smoothly and more quietly than wheeledmass transitsystems. They are relatively unaffected by weather. The power needed for levitation is typically not a large percentage of its overall energy consumption; most goes to overcomedrag, as with other high-speed transport. Maglev trains hold thespeed recordfor rail transport.Vacuum tube train systems might allow maglev trains to attain still higher speeds, though no such vacuum tubes have been built commercially yet.
Compared to conventional (normal) trains, differences in construction affect the economics of maglev trains, making them much more efficient. For high-speed trains with wheels, wear and tear from friction along with the “hammer effect” from wheels on rails accelerates equipment wear and prevents high speeds. Conversely, maglev systems have been much more expensive to construct, offsetting lower maintenance costs. Despite decades of research and development, only two commercial maglev transport systems are in operation, with two others under construction. In April 2004, Shanghai’sTransrapid system began commercial operations. In March 2005, Japan began operation of its relatively low-speed HSST “Linimo” line in time for the2005 World Expo.
Linimo approaching Banpaku Kinen Loen towards Fujigaoka Station (attrib: Chris 73)
In its first three months, the Linimo line carried over 10 million passengers. South Korea and the People’s Republic of China are both building low-speed maglev routes of their own designs, one in Beijing and the other at Seoul’s Incheon Airport. Many maglev projects are controversial, and the technological potential, adoption prospects and economics of maglev systems are often debated.
Even though no commercial vacuum tube train systems have been built yet, scientists at Southwest Jiaotong University in China have reportedly built a maglev train that could reach 1,800 mph (2,900 km/h). A vacuum is used to minimize air resistance, according to The Daily Mail.Dr. Deng Zigang, the project leader, claims such vacuum tube train systems could be used for military or space launch systems. At the high speed of maglev train system, air resistance becomes a serious issue. Dr. Deng Zigang writes in his paper, “If the running speed exceeds 400 km (250 miles) per hour, more than 83% of traction energy will dissipate wastefully in air resistance.” A maglev train running in a vacuum would increase its potential top speed and improve its efficiency level. If such a theoretical evacuated tube transport (this concept had been around for over 100 years now) may be successfully designed and built, people potentially will be able to travel between New York and Beijing in 2 hours!
Evacuated Tube Transport model of Southwest Jiaotong University of China (credit: Imagechina)
Evacuated Tube Transport model of Southwest Jiaotong University of China (credit: Imagechina)
In one of our previous posts we have also discussed a similar concept, Hyperloop, by Elon Musk, with the added feature of being solar powered and reaching top speed of 760 mph (1,220 km/h).
The beauty of universal collaboration through open-source is such that information in free-flow form, would enable much to be synthesized, exchanged, and edified quickly. Now the scientists and engineers at Netherland have also taken on the challenge and incorporated the concepts of maglev, evacuated tube, and solar power, working on the Netherland’s Quantum Train (quantum-locking or quantum-levitation). Quantum Train is essentially the solar-powered evacuated tube transport that will be CHEAP, SAFE, FAST, SUSTAINALBE, and GREEN. The future of Quantum Levitation will enable 2 mm thick 3″ diamter superconducting material to carry approximately 1000 Kg (a small car). The future will be magical ! Many top notched scientists and engineers are working on this at the moment in multiple countries and we are looking forward to the day when Solar Powered Quantum Evacuated Tube Transport/Maglev Train will be transporting us near 1,800 mph on every continent….perhaps even one day transporting us from one continent to another continent in this magical transport system.The world is getting smaller. I am very thankful that we are living in such a magical and collaborative world, full of wonderful scientists and engineers with visions and willingness to collaborate.
Here is another video on future transportation technology:
*If you want to find out more updates or to support the research and development of this technology, please feel free to check with Dr. Deng Zigang and/or Dr. Yaoping Zhang of Southwest Jiaotong University of China or go to: www.Quantumtrain.com for Netherland’s progress in working with this magical solar powered evacuated tube/maglev transport. Please feel free to contact me at: sunisthefuture@gmail.com if you know of any other groups/organizations that is/are currently working on this project and would also like to be mentioned/added into this post.
Solar Impulse 2 Journey Around the World Map (Source: Solar Impulse)
Solar Impulse 2 Diagram (Source: Solar Impulse)
Solar Impulse 2 Touchdown in Mandalay (Source: Solar Impulse)
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It’s a historical moment in Chongqing, China ! On March 30, 2015, just after 17:30 GMT, Solar Impulse 2 (the Solar Plane) has completed the fifth leg of its around-the-world flight. Solar Impulse is the first solar powered plane that has flown around the world! Due to weather conditions, the Solar Impulse team is laying over in southwest China for more than just a brief stop (as in the original plan) before pushing forward to Nanjing in eastern China and onward to Hawaii.
Solar Impulse 2 or HB-SIB would not have existed without the experience from Solar Impulse 1 or HB-SIA. Below is a video of Solar Impulse 1 or HB-SIA, “Best of 2010” of Solar Impulse:
It’s been almost three weeks since the beginning of the journey (of 12 legs) of HB-SIB that began from Abu Dhabi. The complete journey is expected to circumnavigate the globe and returning to the Emirate in few months. Solar Impulse has set two world records: First, the longest distance covered (1,468 km) on a single trip by manned solar plane between Muscat, Oman, and Ahmedabad, India. Second, the ground speed of 117 knots (216 km/h; 135 mph) achieved during the leg between Varanasi, India and Mandalay, Myanmar.
This fifth leg has proven to be not so easy for the Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard, Besides covering a distance of 1,375 km and facing some difficult winds while approaching Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, the local controllers also asked Piccard to delay his arrival due to the pressure of commercial traffic. This truly reflects the journey of Solar Energy Age, for despite all of its obstacles that needed to be overcome, its future is certain to be bright. Its future has arrived!
For all of you who is interested in seeing a Clean Future, please visit: futureisclean.org
There will be an upcoming event that will take place in Beijing, China, between March 31, 2015-April 3, 2015. The Intersolar China Exhibition will take place April 1-3, 2015 at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) in conjunction with CIPV Expo, the only solar energy event in China directly organized by state-run power producers and grid providers. The concurrent Intersolar China Conference will take place between March 31-April 01, 2015 at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Beijing.
Intersolar China provides a valuable platform for accessing the Chinese solar markets of the future. The exhibition and conference both provide unique insights into the core topics of photovoltaics, PV production technology, energy storage and solar thermal technology.
EXHIBITION QUICK FACTS
Dates
April 1-3, 2015
Hours
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
April 1, 2015
April 2, 2015
April 3, 2015
9:30am-5:00pm
9:00am-5:00pm
9:00am-3:00pm
Venue
China International Exhibition Center (CIEC)
Beijing, No.6, 3rd North Ring Road China
Sun Rays by Powerline (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
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Great News! I just found out that the Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) presented the ambitious goal of installing 17.8 GW (gigawatts) of solar capacity in 2015 (18.7% higher than the previous 15 GW proposal announced earlier this year). The NEA indicated the need to “stabilize and expand the solar application market,” as the reason for this new goal. China is determined to increase her renewable energy mix in power generation to 20% by 2030 and a target of 100 GW PV power by 2020. This is a fantastic way for President Xi Jinping to wage war against pollution!
Beijing air on two August 2005 days (after rain on left and smoggy day on right) (CC-Attribution: Bobak)
Such aggressive goal results from careful consideration of the inevitable skyrocketing demand for energy from industrialization and urbanization of China. For a country shouldering earthly population of over one billion people (approximately 1,361,512,576 ) and continued economic growth, Chinese leadership’s foresight to increase emphasis for clean energy and share of solar power will not only benefit the Chinese people but also rest of the world.
“This is good news for the industry,” Zhou Ziguang, analyst at Ping An Securities, told Reuters. “The state is hoping to boost solar consumption, although the chance of exceeding the target should not be big.”
Given the inadequate transmission infrastructure exists in many parts of the country, it is wise that the Chinese NEA is also rolling out a target of 8 GW of distributed solar (within this 17.8 GW goal) for 2015. Historically seen in many parts of the world, renewable/solar energy industry growth is strongly correlated to regional policies. So, despite the fact that problems such as financing and rooftop rights may have surfaced, policies such as subsidies and incentives will set the right tone to enhance future solar energy installations and industry growth in China.
Solar Rooftop at Beijing (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Beijing with beautiful blue sky-hutung solar rooftop-Distributed Solar (credit: sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
At Sun Is The Future, we strongly encourage Chinese people to consider the concept of micro-finance, crowdfunding, and community solar garden/farm as part of the solution for financing much of the distributed solar installations in China. Many of these concepts are also explained and made available in: various posts in Sun Is The Future , sunisthefuture youtube channel , Sunisthefuture Team at Kiva, and information on Start A Community Solar Garden/Farm.People throughout the planet earth will be encouraging the Chinese people growing toward solar/renewable energy. It is great that the Chinese government has already taken note on implementing the fantastic policy of Feed-In-Tariff in stimulating the renewable/solar energy implementation and growth. We would also recommend consultation with Germany on streamlining the process of balance of system. Further understanding and implementation of Value of Solar will also be helpful.
Since the inception of Sun Is The Future (2011), the earthly solar installations on planet earth has more than doubled!
Sunshine (photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
Such exponential growth is also seen in Chinese solar & renewable installations. If China will be able to continue with such an ardent rate of renewable/solar growth, there is no doubt that China and Beijing will be able to become the cleanest (or one of the cleanest ) country/city on planet earth in thirty years. The wild card here is the battery storage technology. For the sake of all the people in China, as well as all people on planet earth, we wish for the speedy arrival of optimal (higher efficiency/lower cost) battery storage technology.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, photographed, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be welcomed via sunisthefuture@gmail.com“”.
Please also get into the habit of checking at these sites below for more on solar energy topics: www.sunisthefuture.net
