Whatever posturing or politicking might go on here at ground level, the International Space Station stands as a beacon of community between the world’s spacefaring nations. That community, or at least the Netherlands’ role in it, has grown a bit with the recent signing of a deal that will see Dutch Space B.V. provide solar arrays for nine unmanned cargo ferries. The ferries will deliver supplies to the space station.

The deal is a feat of international collaboration here on earth as well. The shell of the cargo ships will be built by Thales Alenia Space of Italy. The solar arrays will be integrated, tested and constructed by Dutch Space. The cargo ferries themselves will be built by Orbital Sciences of Virginia, USA. Furthermore, Dutch Space will look to two other American companies, Alliant Techsystems and Emcore, to develop substrates and solar cells for the solar panels. (more…)

Popularity: 1% [?]

M&M chocolate candies just took on a new shade of green. Mars Candy recently installed the nation’s largest photovoltaic array at a food production facility in Hackettstown, New Jersey. The 2.2-megawatt solar system is made up of 28,680 solar power panels in a field next to the candy plant.

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) will operate and maintain the solar power plant. The resulting solar electricity will be purchased by Mars through a power purchase agreement. The “solar garden” will provide 20 percent of the Mars facility’s energy needs at peak output. The solar modules are thin-film panels provided by First Solar, a Tempe, Arizona-based international leader in thin-film solar production. (more…)

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ah, the tailgate. Fall mornings spent in impromptu living rooms arranged in the beds of pickup trucks, afternoons playing Hacky Sack, entire days spent with radio blaring and laughter soaring. It seems there’s always some reason to drop the tailgate or open the hatch and let weekend freedom roar. To gather the crew, crack some brew, munch on some nachos and cheer like the game depended on it…because it does.

The tailgate party is almost as American a pastime as football or baseball itself. It’s also a day when everyone wants to stand out. Painted faces, wild costumes, creative gaming and pickup football games are kings. Now, imagine if you will, among all those olfactory and tasty memories, what a stand-out experience a solar-powered tailgate party would be!

When you think about it, it makes sense. You have an entire day spent outside cooking, eating, drinking and talking – all things best done under the sun. And it’s surprisingly easy to do! You can incorporate solar power into any aspect of a tailgate party, from brews to brats to burgers. Sound a little strange? Here’s how you do it. (more…)

Popularity: 1% [?]