From The Workbench - Alternative + Renewable Energy Blog Valuable information for do-it-yourselfers interested in the latest in alternative + renewable energy

Today my friends, is officially Solar Power’s day!  I love when Wednesday gives me great news, and this, is some of the best.  According to new reports, a concentrated solar company named SolFocus is preparing and prepping what will be, upon completion, the world’s largest concentrated solar deployment in the entire world!

The project, to be built in Spain for EMPE Solar, will be a multi-site installment that will end up costing an enormous $103 million dollars.  Once finished, the site will be a 10 MW, multi-site intstallment that should generate and provide massive amounts of solar energy.  What’s more, this site will be, as mentioned, a concentrated solar site, which basically means that, “SolFocus modules use mirrors and reflective optics to concentrate the sun’s rays 500 times onto a solar cell. As a result, the systems use 1/1000 the amount of photovoltaic material typically used in PV modules.” More power, less material.  Not too bad!

The project will not be finished until an estimated 2010 launch date, but all of us stuck Stateside shouldn’t worry, the same company is planning a very massive California installation sometime in the very near future.  Pretty soon, massive concentrated solar energy farms might be popping up everywhere!  In the meantime, you can still do your part, head over to Northern Tool and start shopping all of our amazing solar energy products!  The more we do, the more we help.  Why not start right now?

Image via Wikipedia

All I have to say about this one is, Thank Goodness.  Now, I know it is Friday and that’s certainly a reason for a little TG, but I’m not going to add the IF to this one, this time I’m going to say, TGFI.  Thank Goodness For Intel.  Yep, you got it.

Why TGFI?  Simple, they are arguably the largest manufacturer of computer chips and products in the world, and NOW they are starting to completely divulge and share their solar aspirations.  Yay.

According to TheStreet.com, “Intel is joining the growing ranks of chipmakers with solar energy aspirations, announcing the spinoff of its key photovoltaic assets into a new standalone company Monday.Intel’s investment arm, Intel Capital, will lead a $50 million funding round in the new company, to be called SpectraWatt.”

Can you imagine, sitting down to a laptop powered by the sun?  Can you imagine infinite battery life?  Ahh, I know I’m jumping ahead and we’re not even there yet, but wow.  A guy can dream.