New research released this week concluded that the sun is not driving the global warming problem. However, the sun may be powering our global warming solutions in the near future thanks to a revolutionary solar panel being developed by the California company Nanosolar.

Their product represents a new approach to solar that aims to crank out paper thin panels at low cost through the same mass production techniques used in (not surprisingly) paper production. If successful, translucent solar powers could literally blanket our cities and drive a new era of renewable energy.





Nanosolar has the technology for the product in place and they have secured $100,000,000 for the construction of a pair of manufacturing sites in California and Germany. They can also count the founders of Google on their list of investors, as well as the US Department of Energy which contributed a $20 million research grant earlier this year.

Clip courtesy KQED Public Television 9

The clean energy industry, whose combined revenue jumped 39% last year, is calling on governments to implement three simple steps to ensure the greater use of responsible energy and that the US economy remains strong in the face of the coming low carbon economy. The recommendations are:

• A market-based national policy that will achieve a 60% to 90% long-term decrease of greenhouse gas emissions.

• A realignment of national incentives to stimulate new clean technologies.

• A clarification of company disclosure requirements from the SEC.

There call not only represents responsible policy, but also shows the untapped areas of economic growth available through addressing climate change. Oil companies in both the United States and Canada continue to receive billions of dollars in subsidies to help fuel their bottom line. If the clean energy industry is growing by almost 40% per year without a similar infusion of tax dollars, then there is more than an ethical reason for government to invest in reduced greenhouse gases and clearer skies - it's also business case no-brainer.

Link via DeSmogBlog

Overcoming opposition from France and several eastern bloc countries, the European Union has agreed to bold new deal on global warming that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% lower than 1990 levels by 2020 and to see the EU producing a fifth of its energy via renewable sources by the same date.

The tough work in now ahead. A major stumbling block was overcome when member countries conceded to France's demand that nuclear should remain an energy option. Now countries will need to determine what reduction targets each nation should be responsible for. Eastern nations are looking for less aggressive targets than their more economically advanced western neighbours.

However, the ground work is now in place for Europe. They will take their reduction targets with them to the G8 summit in early June where other industrialized countries and emerging economies, such as China, will be pressed to agree a 30% global cut to succeed the Kyoto protocol. Europe will follow suit with a 30% commitment if other key nations agree.

The Global Wind Energy Council has announced that the world's total installed wind capacity reached a new record of 74,223 megawatts in 2006 - a 32% increase over 2005, which was in turn 42% higher than 2004.

Germany continues to lead all countries with 20,621 megawatts, followed by Spain, the US, India and Denmark.

In the wake the Russian trade dispute that cut off oil supplies to parts of Europe, the European Commission is calling for an unprecedented common energy policy.

"Europe must lead the world into a new, or maybe one should say post-industrial revolution - the development of a low-carbon economy."

Citing European vulnerability to foreign imports of gas as a major factor, the plan calls for binding targets for increased efficiency, the development of alternate fuels, and a the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Specific highlights include:

Establishing a true internal energy market

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020

Supplying 10% of vehicle fuel through biofuels &

Increasing energy efficiency

Making all new power stations carbon neutral in 13 years