Highlights from the technical sessions:

• New techniques for making high-performance quantum-dot and nanoparticle photovoltaic cells.
• The status of the High Definition PV Project, and industry-wide program to reduce the cost of solar installations through plug-and-play standardization.
• Several new techniques to reduce the cost of dispatchable power from utility-scale concentrating solar (CSP) thermal plants, a key development in providing cheap, clean solar power to run municipal grids through the night.
• Solar-powered furnaces that generate hydrogen or syngas fuels at high efficiency.
• A wide variety of simplified techniques for minute-to-minute and hour-to-hour forecasting of solar farm output, useful for balancing loads across geographical regions.
• Efficient new ways to store solar-heated hot water – and use solar heat to drive air-conditioners.
• Low-cost feedstocks to make cheap biodiesel.
• Hybrid light rail that runs when the grid goes down.
• Driving large desalinization and waste-water recovery systems with renewable energy.

Photovoltaics ・Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) ・ Solar Thermal ・Hydro ・Small-Scale, Distributed Wind ・Hydro ・Forecasting & Modeling ・Sustainable Transportation ・Water – Energy Nexus

• the 38^th National Passive Solar Energy Conference
• the 8^th ASES Policy and Marketing Conference, and
• the inaugural Young Professionals in Renewable Energy Conference.

The American Solar Energy Society invites participation from professionals with special knowledge in the solar, renewable or sustainability fields. Program selections are based solely on the merit of the abstract or proposal. Acceptance of abstracts or proposals for presentation is based on a review of submitted materials by the designated Solar 2013 review committee. Proposals may include technical papers (to be presented at the conference) as well as forum sessions.

 Technical paper presentations at the conference include:

• Oral presentations – Typically 10-20 minutes per paper presentation (length to be determined and included in acceptance information).
• Poster presentations – Presenters will create a poster to display and will have the opportunity to do a brief overview, followed by discussion.
• “Ignite” presentations – Each presenter has 5 minutes, 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide.

Forum sessions may include:

• Panel discussions organized on a specific topic.
• Demonstrations of technology or techniques.
• In-depth discussion or debates.
• “Shoot-outs” or comparisons of competing (or complementary) technologies.

These are the topical areas for Solar 2013:

Annual National Solar Conference

• Photovoltaics
• Concentrated Solar Power
• Solar Thermal
• Distributed Wind
• Resource Applications and Integration
• Sustainable Transportation
• Water and Energy Technologies
• Cross-Track, Multi-Technology, or Other

Passive Solar Conference

• Emerging Architecture & Passive Building Technologies
• Daylighting, Modeling and Building Automation

Solar and Renewable Policy & Finance Conference

• Finance & Industry Development
• Policy & Sustainability

 Young Professionals in Renewable Energy

The inaugural Young Professionals in Renewable Energy Conference will include sessions from other tracks at Solar 2013. If you would like your proposal to be considered for inclusion, please enter the appropriate information during the abstract submission process. Additional information will be available at solar2013.org.

Continuing Education Credits

Depending on topic, ASES may be able to offer professional continuing education credits for various technical sessions and forums.  Having a session approved for credit can potentially increase attendance and expose your presentation to interested conference attendees.  Presentations that qualify for CEUs will be grouped with other qualifying presentations to enable the entire session to offer credit. If your proposal meets the criteria and is accepted, additional information may be requested from you.

Important Information and Deadlines

• The deadline for submission is November 6, 2012.
• The review process is “blind” – author/submitter names are withheld during the review process.
• Please do not submit multiple formats (e.g., paper and forum) on the same research.
• You will have the opportunity to select your presentation-style preference
• Registration: the presenting author for accepted papers, as well as organizers of accepted forum proposals, must register by February 15, 2013 in order to secure the presentation in the schedule. Other registration information is included in the Terms and Conditions.

We all know to turn off the lights when leaving the house and using more energy efficient lightbulbs. There are many little ways that we leak energy through small actions every day that may slip by in the rush of our daily routine. One way to save energy while online is by using Blackle, the Google powered search engine with a black screen. This project by Heap Media grew out of the discovery that black screens consume less energy than white screens.

The philosophy behind Blackle is that saving small amounts of energy adds up and that every time you see the black screen it will remind you to be mindful of your energy consumption. The search box is just like google with one small addition: the display of Watt hours saved. The site is also just as fast as the traditional Google site which means you can do good  for the planet without sacrificing performance.

Small actions can really add up to have an impact on our climate. WREF 2012,  which is a mere two weeks away, has an entire track devoted to climate change. We hope you’ll join us.

Dan Barasch & James Ramsey Photo Credit: Observer.com

Last month we introduced you to the LowLine, a sustainability-focused project in NYC. The goal of the LowLine is to transform an abandoned train station into a beautiful underground park using fiber-optic solar technology. This project garnered worldwide  attention and as result, it exceeded it’s fundraising goal on KickStarter by 55%. This extra funding means that project initiators Dan Barasch and James Ramsey can complete the first step–building scale models of the park. It’s been so successful that this many be one of the biggest ever crowd-funded campaigns focused on urban development, reuse and innovative design.

Photo Credit: Observer.com

Barasch and Ramsey partnered with the Mark Miller Gallery in New York City for a special showing titled “Let There Be Light.” The exhibit featured a three-dimensional model and fiber-optic solar technology to be used in the park. It’s estimated that building the 60,000 square foot park will cost $20 million. Prints of the artwork will go on sale to support fundraising efforts to build this innovative park. The gallery installation will be on display until April 29th.

There is still a long way to go with this innovative project. We look forward to hearing more about what Barasch, Ramsey and their team develop in the way of solar technology. This fall you can see other innovative uses of solar in ASES’ National Solar Tour.

2011 student entry from the Odyssey Academy - photo courtesy of Doug Shoemaker

St. Paul, Minnesota is the place to be on May 19, 2012 to witness teams made up of adults as well as Junior and Senior high school students in the annual Minnesota Renewable Energy Society Solar Boat Regatta. Held at the Beach House at Lake Phalen in St. Paul, this annual event gives kids and others the opportunity to get creative in a fun and educational way.

Imagine designing and building a solar-powered boat then putting it through it’s paces in speed, slalom and endurance races. This year’s regatta has three classes: student, adult and experimental/exhibition, that will compete in races as well as website design and creative design categories.

Participating teams demonstrate knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math while learning about solar electricity, wiring, motors, fluid dynamics and boat design and construction.

Check out this fun event and volunteer if you’re in the area and have some time to devote to a great cause!

Water Drop on Leaf by angrylambie

Today was World Water Day–an event that raises awareness about one of our most precious natural resources.  Like the use of solar to capture the power of the sun there are many ways we can use water more effectively. To commemorate World Water Day, Whole Living magazine dedicated their recent edition to water. Their cover article focused on 50 Ways to Save Water. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Calculate your water footprint. This water calculator allows you to see how much water you really use so you can make decisions on your water usage. Knowledge is power.

2. Hang on to your jeans. It was shocking to learn that it takes 2,900 gallons of water to produce just one pair of jeans. This is really alarming when you consider it only takes 9 gallons produce a pound of tea. If you need to have your jeans mended try a site like denimtherapy.com.

3. Harvest the rain. Putting a rain barrel by your gutter will help you capture excess water up to 50 gallons during rain storms, providing you with a valuable resource to water your garden.

One thing the article didn’t cover are the many advancements in renewable energy technologies and solar water heating. There are many innovations in this field that are helping to harness and make wise use of water. The upcoming WREF conference will feature some of the most recent developments in water & hyrdo power, solar hot water and more.