Solar Powered Water Purifier for Disaster Relief

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Sept. 10  /PRNewswire/ -- Finding uncontaminated drinking water is one of the biggest problems in disaster relief according to USAID, CARE, the United Nations and other disaster relief organizations. The Solar Container is a solution; it would eliminate the spread of water transmitted diseases, negate "the second wave of deaths," give farmers desalinated water that wouldn't kill their crops, reduce logistical planning, and produce enough excess energy to charge communication equipment. Trunz/ Spectra Watermakers' Solar Container is cutting-edge field technology designed to meet the requirements FEMA outlined in their Operational Requirements Document released in April of 2009. 

The Solar Container is powered by renewable solar or wind energy and can produce over 8,000 gallons of virus-free drinking water per day. Currently in Pakistan clean water is trucked in over rough roads and contaminated flood water is treated with single-use water purification tablets. Haiti relies on above ground pipes that often rupture. These are temporary solutions; the Solar Container can operate without generator or fuel which eliminates follow-up logistical attention during emergencies. The Solar Container has been designed for the harshest desert conditions; the equipment is installed in a sealed, lockable, air-conditioned container.

The product is a joint venture of Spectra Watermakers Inc., a California company known within the marine industry for its reverse osmosis watermaking equipment, and Trunz Water Systems, a Swiss manufacturing company. The Solar Container is made possible by the integration of the Spectra Pearson pump, a revolutionary water treatment technology that dramatically reduces the power required for desalination. The Spectra Pearson pump, found in several of Spectra's watermakers, is a new proprietary pump developed by Spectra to meet the needs of a thirsty world. It is an environmentally clean solution for anyone in need of water where energy is expensive or inaccessible; all you need is water, sunlight and a cup. The Solar Container is presently on site at Spectra Watermakers in San Rafael. Please call for more information or to set up an appointment to see the Solar Container. 

How It Works

The Solar Container works by placing a pump into a brackish or saltwater source. The water is pumped through a series of filters to remove large matter then filtered through eight reverse osmosis membranes which purify the water at an ionic level, eliminating bacteria, viruses, salts and dangerous chemicals.

The Solar Container runs on self-sustaining green technology. The integrated photovoltaic solar panels charge the water purifier's 24 volt batteries.

Pricester.com Announces SunBlazer Cell Phone Charger

HOLLYWOOD, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pricester.com, Inc. (OTCBB:PRCC), www.pricester.com, announced that it’s Genesis Electronics subsidiary has unveiled its first consumer product release, the revolutionary SunBlazer™. To view the SunBlazer™ and learn more about Genesis, visit www.genesiselectronics.net.

The SunBlazer™ is a sleek, wearable, holster-type cell phone case that utilizes solar energy to maintain the cell phone’s battery at peak charge. The SunBlazer™ eliminates the need to re-charge the battery with time-consuming ”plug-in” methods. Plus, by continuously charging the battery, SunBlazer™ vastly increases the talk-time available to the user. Genesis holds a U.S. patent for the technology.

Phil Thomas, Genesis’s Chief Technology Officer and a former executive with Cisco Systems and Hitachi, commented, “We’re living and working in an increasingly mobile environment, with a growing dependence on portable electronic devices. Genesis is developing technologies and will deliver products that are specifically geared to improving the efficiency of the electronic tools that we rely on.”

The world-wide proliferation of hand-held electronic devices — particularly cell phones — has created an enormous demand for a consumer-friendly response to the problem of limited battery life. Genesis Electronics, with its SunBlazer™ and other upcoming product releases, is on the cutting edge of solar and alternative energy solutions.

Xantrex Expands Solar Products Line

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xantrex Technology Inc. (TSX:XTX) is expanding its renewable power product line with the addition of the Xantrex GT3.8 Grid-Tie Solar Inverter. The new GT3.8 offers improved solar system sizing with a wide Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) window and a high efficiency rating as determined by the California Energy Commission (CEC) inverter test protocol.

The GT3.8 will complement the existing Xantrex GT Series Grid-Tie Solar Inverter product line, with the same great features and a high CEC efficiency rating of 95%. The GT3.8 offers a wider MPPT window (195 to 550 Vdc), which provides an optimal fit with high current, low voltage modules, such as BP Solar’s SX 3200. The GT3.8 also offers installers the highest inverter output power possible with a 20-amp over-current protection breaker. This is convenient for installers since it allows for the largest solar system possible when interconnected to a 100-amp service panel.

Xantrex GT Series Inverters efficiently convert direct current (DC) power from solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for the utility grid. The GT3.8 is the latest addition to the product line-up, which also includes the GT2.8, GT3.3N, GT4.0N and GT5.0 models. All power levels have high efficiency and a compact design that is easy to install in either single-phase or three-phase applications. The full line-up also features a 600-volt UL listed DC/AC disconnect, and 240/208-volt compatibility with line voltage auto-detection, plus a standard 10-year parts and labor warranty. This wider product range offered by Xantrex gives system integrators and installers the ability to better meet the capacity requirements of a broad spectrum of solar system sizes.

“We are excited to offer an extensive product line that is convenient for dealers, distributors and installers,” said John Wallace, Xantrex CEO. “Xantrex uses a disciplined approach to design its grid-tie solar inverters for high efficiency, long life, and reliability, and we continue to be committed to offering quality products that meet the needs of our customers.”

The Xantrex GT3.8 Grid-Tie Solar Inverter will be on display in the Xantrex booth #1007/1008 at the Solar 2008 tradeshow, May 3 - 8, 2008 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, California.

Day4 Energy Rated Top Solar Panel

BURNABY, British Columbia, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Day4 Energy Inc. (TSX: DFE), a leading manufacturer of high performance, cost-effective solar electric modules, today announced that international third party testing has confirmed Day4 Energy's 48MC solar panels
consistently offer industry-leading efficiency and field performance under a variety weather conditions.

Monitoring at Germany's Albstadt-Sigmaringen University occurs in real-time and tracks power output, density, and module efficiency throughout the course of the day for monocrystalline, multicrystalline, and thin film solar panels. Repeated measurements among 12 test sites have demonstrated that, across different levels of irradiance and temperature,
Day4 Energy's modules regularly produce the most power per given area.

"It is truly invaluable to see such robust results coming from Prof. Franz Josef Kuhn and his team, for they are veritable connoisseurs of the solar industry," said Jake Brown, vice president of marketing and business development of Day4 Energy. "As our customers across Europe and North America have found, and the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University has confirmed, our proprietary innovation, the Day4 Electrode, creates a superior product that in diverse environments, seasons and daylight provides significant return on investment as reliable clean electricity for decades to come."

"Solar energy represents an immense opportunity for our society and economy, so it is with great enthusiasm that we test, analyze and observe such a wide variety of PV products," said Professor Franz Josef Kuhn, project lead at Germany's Albstadt-Sigmaringen University. "The results for Day4 Energy are enviable -- quite frankly we have been impressed by the Day4 48MC panel's system performance and proven long-term reliability. Our testing has confirmed that the Day4 Electrode produces one of the best modules we have observed, offering high quality and precise manufacturing. What is truly important though is this product's field performance, demonstrating some of the strongest results among a great variety of products that we have tested."

The Day4 48 MC solar module is based on the company's proprietary Day4 Electrode technology, an innovative approach to module construction that directly replaces decades-old soldering methods. The result is a high-quality Day4 solar electric product with higher performance, improved aesthetics and lower cost.

The Albstadt-Sigmaringen University's Department of Industrial Engineering has monitored more than 400 photovoltaic (PV) installations since 1996 both independently and in conjunction with leading municipal utilities, and began collecting data on Day4 Energy's advanced solar modules in July of 2007. The results are available online at http://www.hs-albsig.de/solar.

Credo Mobile Offers Solar Accessories

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CREDO Mobile, the greenest mobile company in the U.S., today unveiled the availability of two new eco-friendly mobile accessories, making it even easier for socially conscious consumers to make a difference simply by using the products. The only wireless service to offer the products, the company’s new Iqua Solar Bluetooth headset and the Tread phone case allow consumers to have the latest technology while driving social change with every call they make.

“People should expect more from their phone company,” said Laura Scher, CEO of CREDO, a division of Working Assets. “At CREDO we’re about making sure everyday tasks like talking on your cellphone yield big impact. We understand that our members want to effect change in the world but may not feel they have the tools to do so. By continuing to deliver new, easy-to-use products, we unify everyday necessities with positive social change.”

In addition to the environmental benefits of the mobile accessory line, CREDO Mobile takes its commitment one step further as the only mobile phone company to donate one percent of revenue—including mobile accessories, phones and calling plans—to progressive groups such as Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network and Endangered Species Coalition. CREDO members can expect this “money-forward” guarantee with every call they make or product they purchase through CREDO. To date, members of CREDO Mobile and its parent company, Working Assets, have donated $60 million to these and other progressive organizations.

CREDO Mobile’s eco-friendly product line includes:

* CREDO Iqua Solar Bluetooth headset: the first solar-powered Bluetooth headset that draws its energy from the sun. It features 200 hours standby time and up to twelve hours of talk time and is compatible with most phones, smart phones, and any other Bluetooth enabled devices.

* CREDO Tread handset case: a fully functional handset case made with recycled tires that otherwise would typically be burned or added to landfills. Recycling the small amount of rubber needed to make one Tread case eliminates the emissions of 200 trillion molecules of benzo(a)pyrene, a hazardous gas that leads to cancer.

* The CREDO Solio Charger: a solar powered charger that charges cell phones, iPods, digital cameras and other devices using the sun’s energy. According to the Fraunhofer Institute, in just one year, one hundred thousand users charging their cell phones creates 172 lbs of CO2 – the equivalent of six million basketballs. By using the CREDO Solio Charger, consumers are reducing their carbon footprint without compromising functionality and performance.

In addition to the mobile accessory line, CREDO Mobile offers a wide variety of phones for its members including the Sanyo S1 and Katana II, and Motorola MOTO Q.

Pricing and Availability:

* The CREDO Iqua Bluetooth Headset retails at $99.99.
* The CREDO Tread Handset Case retails at $24.95.
* The CREDO Solio Charger retails at $99.95.
* Products are available at www.credomobile.com.

Solar AC Showcased At Green California Summit

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA--(Marketwire - April 7, 2008) - AquaCell Technologies, Inc., doing business as GreenCore Technology (PINKSHEETS: AQUA), announced today that it is exhibiting its GreenCore 10200 solar powered air conditioner at the Green California Summit and Exposition, being held at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, CA April 7-9, 2008.

GreenCore's solar powered air conditioner is the ideal fit for the summit's theme: "Green solutions for tight economic times." By capturing energy from the sun, the GreenCore 10200 can provide off the grid or hybrid climate control, saving both energy and money.

The Summit, designed to forward state and local programs to build clean and sustainable communities, is attended by decision makers from state and local government, as well as commercial sector building owners, architects, engineers and facility managers.

About AquaCell Technologies / GreenCore Technology

AquaCell Technologies, Inc. (www.aquacell.com), doing business as GreenCore Technology, Inc., is based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. GreenCore develops, manufactures and markets "green" technology products. GreenCore is dedicated to helping conserve energy and natural resources while reducing pollutants and unwanted biological agents.

GreenCore is the world's only producer of a patented air conditioner powered by solar energy. The Company also manufactures earth-friendly water coolers designed to eliminate the energy required to produce and deliver traditional bottled water, as well as the waste generated in landfills.

Solar Power Purchase Agreements Spur Growth

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MMA Renewable Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC ("MuniMae") (Pink Sheets: MMAB) today announced that it closed 2007 with approximately 34 megawatts (MW) of solar under operation and development, including more than 20 MW of new renewable energy generation last year alone, an increase of more than five times its 2006 portfolio. In total, MMA Renewable Ventures brought projects into operation at 18 sites across the U.S. in 2007, among them, North America's largest solar photovoltaic system at Nellis Air Force Base (14MW). The successful growth solidifies MMA Renewable Ventures' position as one of North America's largest solar power
purchase agreement (PPA) providers. The company's expanding project pipeline also includes over $100 million in energy efficiency projects and 100 MW in additional renewable energy sources including wind and bioenergy.

"We saw a robust increase in demand for solar PPAs during 2007, growth that we have already seen persisting through the first part of 2008 as energy customers across the country continue to look for easy, cost-effective ways to take advantage of clean, predictable energy from the sun," said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. "In total, these systems will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by more than 63 million pounds each year."

Through the PPA model it helped pioneer, MMA Renewable Ventures makes solar energy cost-competitive by financing, owning and operating the installations on behalf of its customers and investors. In turn, the energy customer simply purchases the power generated under a long-term contract, benefiting from predictable electricity pricing and a solar energy system
that is cash flow positive from its first day of operation. MMA Renewable Ventures arranges for third party institutional investment in its solar projects. The company typically structures financing by aggregating a number of its high- quality solar projects into low risk debt and
tax-advantaged institutional investor funds, which enable multiple investors to participate while at the same time diversifying their risk.

"In addition to sound state policies that promote solar energy, innovations in clean energy project finance have helped open the doors for unprecedented U.S. solar market expansion in this past year. With MMA Renewable Ventures helping to lead the way, the PPA model has emerged as one of the most effective mechanisms for making solar cost-effective for commercial and large-scale energy customers," said Sara Birmingham, Director of Western Policy for The Solar Alliance.

"MMA Renewable Ventures consistently delivers on its promise of providing competitively priced clean energy for its customers and exceptional investment opportunities in solar energy," said Michael L. Falcone, CEO of MuniMae. "We are proud to count MMA Renewable Ventures'
growing project portfolio among the high-quality investment opportunities that MuniMae offers its institutional investors."

In 2007 MMA Renewable Ventures delivered customized solar PPAs to commercial, utility, and public energy customers nationwide. In addition to the landmark PV system at Nellis Air Force Base, the company's operational portfolio for the year includes commercial-scale installations at Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Estee Lauder as well as east and west coast locations for Roche Pharmaceuticals. Municipal customers include AC Transit, and the City of Thousand Oaks. MMA Renewable Ventures also added a number of academic institutions to its portfolio, including: CSU Fresno, Sussex County Community College in Newton, New Jersey and the Happy Valley Elementary School District in Anderson, California.

Solar Lawn Mower to Help Lower Emmissions

GUELPH, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 4, 2008) - Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR) has entered the consumer products market with electric motor technology powering a 'green' electric lawnmower. Linamar's innovative motor offers the convenience of an environmental friendly electric mower with the cutting power of a traditional internal combustion engine.

The motor technology, produced by Linamar Consumer Products, a Linamar Company, is known as the Terra Phase Power System. The Terra Phase motor is literally the driving force of Linamar's lawnmower product and creates performance comparable to a traditional gas motor.

Solar Electric Mower

The Linamar cordless, electric mower uses no oil, no gas and can last up-to an hour on one battery charge. The addition of a solar re-charge option makes this product a truly green alternative for maintaining your lawn.

"We are excited to introduce our Terra Phase motor technology to the public, it's a product we are very proud of and it unites many of our core competencies of research, development, innovation and assembly. Plus, it has a tremendously positive impact on our environment," said Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation.

Retailers have been enthusiastic about the product and its environmental benefits. Three major retailers will carry the lawnmower this spring, including The Home Depot who recognizes Linamar's lawnmower as part of its "Eco Options" line-up of environmentally friendly products, which consists of over 1,500 SKU's.

"Mow Down Pollution, is a joint program between The Home Depot & Clean Air Foundation, introduced to encourage consumers to replace old gas lawnmowers with more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives, such as Linamar's electric mower," said Annette Verschuren, President of The Home Depot Canada & Asia. "The Home Depot carries more than 1,500 Eco Options products and is pleased to carry Linamar's Solaris lawnmowers in our stores this spring."

The Home Depot's Eco Options label identifies products for consumers that have less of an impact on the environment than conventional products. To be certified as an Eco Options product, suppliers must answer a series of detailed questions and provide supporting documentation proving their products environmental benefits.