Sustain Design Studio, based out of Toronto, makes contemporary prefab green homes, including the popular miniHome.  They’re small and approachable in price terms but require no sacrifice of style.  This home, the 12×36 TRIO, currently located in Brighton, Ontario, has about 400 square-feet of living space, including a master bedroom, kitchen with open living space, and a bathroom.

Sustain Design Studio designed the TRIO for passive ventilation and cooling and energy efficiency.  With a high-performance envelope, carefully placed windows, and appliances and lighting optimized to require the smallest load possible, the TRIO is capable of off-grid living.

TRIO is built with green materials (i.e., low maintenance, durable, non-toxic, renewable, formaldehyde-free, FSC-certified materials).

The 400 square-foot 12×36 California Edition starts at $134,900, and can be expanded up to 1,110 square feet with other modules.  TRIO is available most anywhere in North America.

[+] Learn more about the 12×36 TRIO. 

Photo credits: Sustain.

The city’s Board of Health has decided to end its decades-long ban on city beekeeping, and allow the honey to flow! Just minutes ago, the AP reported that the movement to legalize bees has succeeded.

Honeybees are non-aggressive, and the very low incidence of bee stings within the city limits convinced the Board to change the rules. Honeybees are great pollinators, and allowing rooftop hives and so forth will be a fantastic boon to the burgeoning urban agriculture movement!

Go bees!

(via Gothamist/AP)

Most of the energy monitoring tools on the market right now gather aggregate information about the overall electricity use of a home.  But the new eMonitor from PowerHouse Dynamics could change all this with circuit level monitoring.  The eMonitor solution combines hardware, software, and service elements to provide home electricity use, electricity cost, and carbon footprint information by the minute.  Past and present information is then available online and on the iPhone (starting in about Q2 2010). 

Information gathered by the eMonitor is detailed and thorough and, in the hands of the right homeowner and home, could help save 5-20% or more on energy bills. 

The single-unit solution monitors 24 circuits, or 2 main and 22 additional circuits, in either the 120V or 240V variety.  eMonitor can also be integrated with solar PV, solar thermal, or wind installations. 

eMonitor has a ZigBee antenna to control various add-on devices, such as smart outlets, smart thermostats, etc, but these capabilities may not be available until Q3 2010, or thereafter. 

According to a press release, Energy Circle is selling the system online.  Purchasers should have the eMonitor installed by an electrician, but there’s a video on Energy Circle’s product page explaining how that works.  The single-unit system is available for pre-order for $799.00 and includes five-years of bundled monitoring service. 

[+] Learn more about the eMonitor from PowerHouse Dynamics.

Photo credits: Energy Circle.

“Solar Panels Plus is pleased to see our solar thermal collectors being installed in New Mexico and we look forward to providing more home owners with the industry’s most efficient solar products,” said John Williams, COO, Solar Panels Plus. “Evacuated tube collectors are the right choice for Northern New Mexico, as well as for any area where temperatures can be too low for flat-panel type collectors to perform well year-round. It’s encouraging to see more people learning about evacuated tube solar thermal collectors and taking advantage of this cost effective technology.”

The first Los Ebanistas solar thermal system was installed at their main facility and consists of seven SPP-30 solar thermal collectors, each with 30 evacuated tubes. For residential single family homes, a smaller 25-tube version, the SPP-25, is used. The SPP collectors work especially well in situations where water temperatures at or above 120ºF are needed regardless of cold or cloudy climate conditions. The evacuated tube collectors function in almost any environment, including cold or freezing climates.

“We have already installed two solar water heating systems from SPP and have orders for five more,” said Mark Johnson, owner, Los Ebanistas. “The system works extremely well considering the cold climate of Northern New Mexico, and it can easily produce 120ºF water in a snowstorm or on a cloudy day.”

As an incentive for installing a solar thermal system, homeowners in New Mexico will receive a 10 percent solar credit (up to $9,000) and the federal government will pay 30 percent in the form of a federal tax credit. The 7 percent sales tax is also waived on a solar system purchase.

“We’ve been building homes for thirty years and we are now officially ‘green builders.’ SPP has been great to work with, providing us with quality solar products suitable for this environment as well as outstanding technical support,” said Johnson.

“I believe constituents will embrace local government encouraging developers to build sustainable communities that are energy efficient, safe and non-toxic for their families,” stated Robert Hines, President of Evolution Solar Corp. “We are looking forward to working with state and local governments to start implementing solutions.”

Yolanda Ford, City Planner of Missouri City said “It is also my professional belief that local city and county government offices should begin to look at simple adaptations to facilities with items such as solar lights and solar panels so that they serve as a green initiative paradigm for developers and design professionals.”

Evolution Solar is currently building a solar demonstration site in partnership with Texas Southern University, to be placed at the university’s Houston campus. This project should help Evolution Solar acquire new projects in an industry that is growing to compete in the energy industry, currently dominated by Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX), Conoco Phillips (NYSE: COP) and BP (NYSE: BP).

Founded in the year 1800, Karnataka Power is one of the most established power providers in India. In addition to this solar project, Karnataka Power owns a number of renewable power plants, including the country’s first hydroelectric power station (opened in 1902) and one of India’s first wind power projects.

Titan designed the 3MW solar project incorporating Suniva’s high-efficiency ARTisun® series solar cells while providing engineering, procurement and construction services. “This project exemplifies Titan’s ability to execute large scale solar projects quickly and cost-effectively, which are key measures of success in rapidly growing solar markets like India,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “As we continue to increase solar cell and module efficiency and reduce costs, our customers will benefit from higher performance in large-scale applications.”

“Suniva’s high-efficiency cell technology enables our solar modules and solar projects to exceed their performance targets,” said Sankar Chodagam, Managing Director of Titan Energy Systems Ltd. “As India prepares for sustained growth in its solar market, our partnership with Suniva greatly strengthens our position as a manufacturer and system integrator.”

In November 2009, the Indian government approved a National Solar Mission, which aims to deploy at least 20GW of solar projects by 2020. This strategic initiative is part of the country’s plan to provide power to millions of citizens lacking access to energy sources, as well as to combat climate change. Over the next five years, Titan plans to develop a series of large-scale projects and installations in Andhra Pradesh, India, using Suniva’s technology.

J.S. Whang, Chief Executive Officer of Amtech, commented, “This appointment of Fokko Pentinga to President of Amtech is another indication of our substantial growth in recent years and, more importantly, the anticipated growth ahead of us, which calls for a strengthening of our management depth. Fokko was instrumental in securing Tempress’ successful R&D partnership with Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., LTD (NYSE: YGE) and the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), and obtaining the recently announced 300MW order from Yingli. Fokko brings to the President’s office a thorough knowledge of our technologies and products and proven management, sales and marketing skills. I am very pleased and excited to have him join our executive ranks. While Fokko has responsibility for all of Amtech’s subsidiaries in his role as President, his near-term focus will be on executing the operational ramp-up needed at our European operations to support our tremendous backlog of solar orders.”

Mr. Pentinga has over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor and solar industries and has spent the past 15 years as general manager of Amtech’s solar subsidiary, Tempress Systems. In December 2008 Mr. Pentinga was appointed as Managing Director of Amtech Europe, which is comprised of Tempress Systems in Vaassen, the Netherlands, and R2D Automation® in Montpellier, France. Amtech’s other subsidiaries include Bruce Technologies®, Inc. in Billerica, Massachusetts, and P.R. Hoffman® Machine Products, Inc. in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

The Temescal Canyon RV storage facility will consist of 400 stalls of which 280 will offer covered RV parking provided by the elevated solar system SPI is developing. This is the second project SPI has performed for the property management group that is developing the facility. In 2008, SPI developed a 160 kW system for the Temescal Canyon Storage Center, LLC. The storage center is adjacent to the site for the Temescal Canyon RV, LLC storage and shares 50% common ownership, and the same management team with the Temescal Canyon Storage Center, LLC. “Solar Power, Inc. executed a cost-competitive, high-quality system installation at our self-storage facility. They were very easy to work with and we couldn’t be happier with the finished result. Their products and their design and installation teams are world-class,” said Sean McCoy, General Manager, Temescal Canyon RV, LLC. “We look forward to working with their team once again on this project.”

“This is going to be a great project for our client and for us,” said Bradley Ferrell, President of Business Development for Solar Power, Inc. “It is especially rewarding because it is the result of our success with the first project we executed for them. It’s also a milestone as the largest photovoltaic solar structure of its kind anywhere. We look forward to working with them again in the future as they continue to include solar energy in their projects,” Ferrell concluded.

The project, which was designed and installed by Italian project developer Greenvision, has a total surface area of 100,000 square meters and uses 24,600 Evergreen Solar ES-A series String Ribbon solar panels. It will provide enough electricity to power approximately 2,400 homes and will prevent more than 3,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, the equivalent of planting approximately 75,000 trees. The solar power plant is funded by Enia Solaris, a joint venture of two Italian-based companies, Enia SpA and Ata Group.

“This is a milestone project for Evergreen Solar as we continue to expand our company’s global footprint with the largest installation in company history,” said Scott Gish, Evergreen Solar’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Italy is an important and growing market for solar power because of the country’s high amount of sunlight. Our solar panels are particularly well liked as they deliver the most electricity with the smallest carbon footprint of any silicon-based panel.”

“The Apulia solar park was our highest-profile project in 2009,” said Carlo Ghiglieni, project manager for Greenvision. “We chose Evergreen Solar panels for this installation because of the product’s reputation for having one of the best power tolerances and its proven reliability.”

In the same way that historic Californians caught gold fever, the city of Banning caught clean and green fever. But Banning’s solar knight didn’t come ’round the mountain on a noble steed; he came riding in on a stagecoach packed full of groundbreaking solar rebates and tax incentives. Stationed in southern California’s San Gorgonio Pass, this “Stagecoach Town, USA” continues to culture a prolific history in solar power.

Our story begins around the turn of the century, when a little-known statewide public benefit program required by AB 1890 immediately began changing the face of Banning. AB 1890 required that electric utilities collect money from Californians from energy efficiency and renewable projects, and began spreading that accumulated wealth among residents in the form of renewable energy efficiency incentives.

What Happens When a City Pays for Half of Your Solar Installation Costs?

…your town goes solar! The Banning Electric Department began offering rebates of $4 per watt for the purchase and installation of  home solar power — up to 50 percent of total costs. Suddenly, solar panels started popping up on rooftops, buildings found themselves sealed tighter, green spaces and clean air began to spread and the sunlight in Banning somehow felt a bit brighter.

In 2002, the city began offering rebates for developers and homeowners that exceded the state’s Title 24 energy standards. Banning had five Energy Star rebate programs in place by 2002 as well, including one real crowd pleaser that offers rebates for purchase of energy efficient ar conditioning units. A rebate of up to $500 per ton is offered, depending on the unit’s efficiency rating.

Banning: Way Ahead of the Green Game

Indeed, the great solar city of Banning has become the foremost leader in solar power and energy efficiency in all of California, which is saying a lot considering California’s status as unrivaled national solar mecca. Banning was the first city to meet California’s renewable portfolio standard requiring an electric utilty provider supplies at least 20 percent of their electricity sales from renewable energy resources by 2010. Banning accomplished that feat two years ahead of schedule in 2008, and is well on its way to achieving the longer-term goal of 33 percent reduction by 2020.

He may be on a stagecoach, but the city of Banning’s knight in solar armor is nothing to scoff at. In fact, Banning has become its own solar knight and, for its size, a role model to all of California. Banning shows what a determined city can do in a short time with an aggressive solar agenda. When the state of California told Banning to hand out $2 million for solar rebates, Banning handed out $2.5 million. When the people of Banning were told there were solar incentives to be had, the people bought them up faster than the rest of us could fathom. Already, Banning’s funding for solar power rebates is sold out through the summer of 2011.

The city of Banning may seem like the little guy, sandwiched between Palm Springs and mega-city Los Angeles, but there is nothing small about this city when it comes to solar power. A short 21st-century history has already become epic. As Banning’s version of the ol’time litany goes, when she comes around the mountain, she’ll be riding six solar panels when she comes.

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