Traditionally, Japan and Germany have led the way in advancing the use of solar energy to generate power for every day use. However it seems that the state of California is catching up in the sustainable and renewable energy industry. In the near future it will not only take the lead in clean energy generation but will lead the way forward. This article will show why California looks set to become the world leader in clean energy technology and why this has happened.
California has a track record in encouraging technological innovation, as it has shown in the computer industry. According to the Climate Group, $523 million was invested in the clean tech industry in California in 2005. The clean tech industry is an amalgam of energy creating ideas, research and products that produce cleaner and sustainable energy. It estimates that there will be $167 billion invested in the industry worldwide by 2015. It also believes that some 20,000 to 83,000 jobs may be created in California in the clean tech industry.
Currently for the first quarter of 2007, $307 million has been invested by venture capitalists into the clean tech industry in California. This is more than double the amount invested in the whole of Europe for this period.
This influx of money is down to two major factors. The first is that the state government has encouraged the use of cleaner energy, notably solar energy through legislation and subsidies.
Approximately $3 billion is being put into a 10 year program that hopes to put solar panels onto roofs throughout California. The state government hopes to have 20% of the energy used in homes created through renewable sources (mainly solar power). There is also legislation planned that will aim to encourage businesses to cut green house gas emissions. In the future it will reward companies that can be more environmentally friendly.
The second factor promoting the innovation of cleaner energy sources is the unique culture of business in California. Many companies and their products are created based on the finance supplied by venture capital. Large investors are willing to take a punt on a particular idea or product. Some may not work out but some will. This has been proved in the computer industry to attract talent and promote rapid advancement.
This is particularly so in the solar energy industry where solar cells and panels continue to be developed using new material. One of the stumbling blocks in the solar industry was that silicon was used to produce the solar panels. This was expensive and took time to develop as silicon ran out. The new panels are designed to be easier to install on the traditional vantage point of most home solar panels, the roof. Work also goes on to improve the efficiency of a solar cell and panel.
Clean tech industries, and solar power in particular, look set to become a boom industry in California. Not just because of the location of the state but also the will of industry and government to make the technology work for everyday uses.
Solar power can be applied to many house and garden products. In recent years the cost of these appliances have become very affordable and saved money on energy bills. Learn more about solar powered appliances at http://www.solarpowerappliances.com/ . The site has features on solar pool covers and heating and solar outdoor lighting. Adrian Whittle writes about using solar power and appliances that can utilize renewable energy sources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Whittle
Friday, July 13, 2007
Drought
It has been predicted by meteorologists that this year will be a particularly rough year for storms and hurricanes. We have already seen examples of extreme weather all over the United States, as well as in other parts of the world. In the southwest there are record breaking floods. In the southeast and parts of the northeast there is recording breaking drought.
Most of us just go on with our daily lives, not giving the extreme weather much more than a passing thought. Most of us don’t realize the far reaching consequences of drought and floods, to animal and plant life, therefore to human life. I personally know farmers in Tennessee who have had to sell off their cattle due to the lack of pastureland and water, from drought. There is nothing for the animals to eat and drink. This effects all wildlife as well. Wild animals and reptiles , and even insects are venturing into territory which they usually avoid. Now here’s the crux of the matter. If wildlife is expanding out into territory where humans reside, this will present a problem. Animals will be pillaging gardens for food. Reptiles will be in residential neighborhoods , looking for water. And naturally humans and animals will collide. One or the other, may get injured or killed. The other considerations is that of course there will be shortages of fruits, vegetables, and meat, therefore, becoming expensive. Consequences are convoluted and numerous.
While some fundamentalist doomsayers would attribute these extreme weather patterns to the precursor to the second coming [ of Christ ], I don’t adhere to this belief. It is Mother Nature’s cycles , which in turn , causes natural selection to occur. Just as wildfires, as horrible as they are, kill everything in their path, allows and encourages new growth. That’s not to say we would just sit back and let disasters take over and, not act , but it would benefit us to be aware of natures ways. And on a larger scale, because of humans’ wastefulness, it won’t be long before there won’t be any viable water left for humans or animals.
In the past few years my consciousness has been pricked, and I have become aware of how wasteful humans really are. I have also made some effort to be more conservative with natural resources. Of course , I could do more. And I will strive to do more to be less wasteful. I also try to feed and water the animals around my house, especially in these times of drought. [ as an aside here. Don’t let standing water sit too long. It will become a breeding place for mosquitoes ]
A few things you can do to conserve water, is not to let your faucets run while not in use. For example, turn it off, while you are brushing your teeth, then turn it back on to rinse. Don’t just leave your outdoor hoses or sprinklers running for an indefinite time. I realize that our lawns are not as green or pretty as we would like them to be, but our need to conserve water is more important right now. We also could wash our cars less often. And wash dishes less often. Wait until the dishwasher is full before you start it. And in my case, since I live alone , I use to wash each dish with the water running. Now , I wait until there are three or four dishes, then fill the sink some, wash them , then rinse them quickly. The point being, that there are many ways in which to conserve water, and it would benefit us all to avail ourselves of them. On a more global and timeless scale, if we humans don’t start conserving now, I see a future in which people pay dearly for a few gallons of water for consumption and bathing. As for wildlife, I can’t even imagine a life without them.
I believe these weather patterns are not only natural cycles of nature, but are an extreme warning to us, which, if not heeded, will spell our doom. If not our generation, then definitely the next, will reap the effects of our careless disregard of nature’s bounty. Our resources are not endless and bottomless, so we and or our progeny will surely suffer for this selfish raping of the land , while not giving anything back to Mother Earth.
Dale Morrison 7/3/07
Dale Morrison
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Morrison
Most of us just go on with our daily lives, not giving the extreme weather much more than a passing thought. Most of us don’t realize the far reaching consequences of drought and floods, to animal and plant life, therefore to human life. I personally know farmers in Tennessee who have had to sell off their cattle due to the lack of pastureland and water, from drought. There is nothing for the animals to eat and drink. This effects all wildlife as well. Wild animals and reptiles , and even insects are venturing into territory which they usually avoid. Now here’s the crux of the matter. If wildlife is expanding out into territory where humans reside, this will present a problem. Animals will be pillaging gardens for food. Reptiles will be in residential neighborhoods , looking for water. And naturally humans and animals will collide. One or the other, may get injured or killed. The other considerations is that of course there will be shortages of fruits, vegetables, and meat, therefore, becoming expensive. Consequences are convoluted and numerous.
While some fundamentalist doomsayers would attribute these extreme weather patterns to the precursor to the second coming [ of Christ ], I don’t adhere to this belief. It is Mother Nature’s cycles , which in turn , causes natural selection to occur. Just as wildfires, as horrible as they are, kill everything in their path, allows and encourages new growth. That’s not to say we would just sit back and let disasters take over and, not act , but it would benefit us to be aware of natures ways. And on a larger scale, because of humans’ wastefulness, it won’t be long before there won’t be any viable water left for humans or animals.
In the past few years my consciousness has been pricked, and I have become aware of how wasteful humans really are. I have also made some effort to be more conservative with natural resources. Of course , I could do more. And I will strive to do more to be less wasteful. I also try to feed and water the animals around my house, especially in these times of drought. [ as an aside here. Don’t let standing water sit too long. It will become a breeding place for mosquitoes ]
A few things you can do to conserve water, is not to let your faucets run while not in use. For example, turn it off, while you are brushing your teeth, then turn it back on to rinse. Don’t just leave your outdoor hoses or sprinklers running for an indefinite time. I realize that our lawns are not as green or pretty as we would like them to be, but our need to conserve water is more important right now. We also could wash our cars less often. And wash dishes less often. Wait until the dishwasher is full before you start it. And in my case, since I live alone , I use to wash each dish with the water running. Now , I wait until there are three or four dishes, then fill the sink some, wash them , then rinse them quickly. The point being, that there are many ways in which to conserve water, and it would benefit us all to avail ourselves of them. On a more global and timeless scale, if we humans don’t start conserving now, I see a future in which people pay dearly for a few gallons of water for consumption and bathing. As for wildlife, I can’t even imagine a life without them.
I believe these weather patterns are not only natural cycles of nature, but are an extreme warning to us, which, if not heeded, will spell our doom. If not our generation, then definitely the next, will reap the effects of our careless disregard of nature’s bounty. Our resources are not endless and bottomless, so we and or our progeny will surely suffer for this selfish raping of the land , while not giving anything back to Mother Earth.
Dale Morrison 7/3/07
Dale Morrison
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Morrison
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