DIY Green Solar Energy

For the Far Niente Winery located in California’s Napa Valley, an acre of land is more valuable than gold, so finding space for solar panels is tough — and costly. The solution? To float the panels on their irrigation pond, using new photovoltaic technology. “Floating solar”, backers say, could be a boon for farming and a range of other industries. Duration: 02:24

The scheme turning Kenya’s lions and Maasai warriors into the best of friends; the Spanish company that has overcome one of solar energy’s biggest challenges; the Californian vineyard making pesticides a thing of the past; and car sharing in Europe.

For the Far Niente Winery located in California’s Napa Valley, an acre of land is more valuable than gold, so finding space for solar panels is tough, and costly. The solution? To float the panels on their irrigation pond, using new photovoltaic technology. “Floating solar”, backers say, could be a boon for farming and a range of other industries. A natural sound AFPTV report.

For the Far Niente Winery located in California’s Napa Valley, an acre of land is more valuable than gold, so finding space for solar panels is tough, and costly. The solution? To “float” the panels on their irrigation pond, using new “floatovoltaic” technology. Duration: 02:24.

This is the ONLY glass cutting method that cuts bottles perfect every time. A flaming string is not good. A blow torch is a BAD IDEA. Glass hammer will not work well. www.greenpowerscience.com I talked to a few people who have cut 1000′s of bottles, they say “you cannot get a perfect cut, top will always be ruined” Not true. Perfect bottle cutting 95% of the time. Glass Bottle Recycling. Reduce Reuse Recycle. Make glasses from bottles. Glass Bottleneck Guitar Slides. DIY Bottleneck, Slide & Lap-Style guitarist.

What do you get when you mix chocolate and wine? In the case of Clean Solar, Inc., you get solar. Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Randy Zechman, is the founder of City Chocolate Fountains (the largest chocolate fountain rental company in the United States). Jeff Ritchey is a San Jose native and wine guru. He is a wine consultant for Pichetti Winery, San Saba winery, and has two of his own labeled wines. Together, they are the co-founders of Clean Solar, a Silicon Valley solar installer and integrator.

Randy Zechman will readily admit that he is a serial entrepreneur. Just over a year ago, with two successful businesses in his portfolio: City Chocolate Fountains and World 2 Do, Inc., Zechman was ready for a new challenge. Zechman and a friend of eight years, Jeff Ritchey, an award-winning winemaker, regularly attended a monthly Bay Area speaker series with a group of friends. After every speaker they would end up at a local restaurant debating the subject matter of that night’s speech, global warming and the health of the earth were often the center of those debates, which resulted in them seeing Al Gore speak at the State of the Valley conference in early 2007.

After seeing Al Gore speak on solutions for protecting our planet, Zechman began to research the solar power industry. Ritchey, while continuing to grow his label, Sensorium Wines, was also showing increased interest in the green movement, realizing that green technology was an ideal fit with his knowledge in geology, winemaking and construction.

Zechman knew that the scientific and construction skill set that Ritchey could bring to the table would be the perfect compliment to his business and marketing skills, which led him to approach Ritchey about starting a solar power company.

Zechman and Ritchey met weekly for 6 months, discussing the in and outs of the business and making sure that their ambitions would not get in the way of their friendship. “We had a heart to heart regarding our friendship versus business. We both believed we could manage both and that our friendship would not get in the way.” says Zechman.

“We’ve been friends for eight years and never thought about getting into business with each other, but this presented the right opportunity. With the market timing, our passion for doing something good, Randy’s sales and marketing experience and my technical and construction abilities, we figured it was a natural fit.” says Ritchey.

Clean Solar Inc. quickly became a reality and is now the Bay Area’s leading solar installation company. The fuel for their business growth is in the form of state rebates through the 10 year, $3.4 billion California Solar Initiative. While silicon is still in short supply, the rebates offer customers a chance to significantly lower the installation cost of a solar power system. Zechman and Ritchey are committed to staying ahead of the curve and being early adopters of new solar technology as it comes on line. “We want the Clean Solar team to stay abreast of the latest advancements in technology, maintain certifications, and educate ourselves in order to provide our customers with the knowledge they need as a solar owner.” says Zechman.