The World Economic Forum in Dalian, China last week sparked discussion on some of the most pressing issues of the day — our low-carbon future, the role of emerging economies and the energy sector transformation into a diversity of choices over the next 20 years. Solar and nuclear both garnered strong voices in the working sessions, with many attendees calling for more discussion about energy efficiency in future forums. The key take-away: a strong commitment from China t

Green Power! On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented us with a 2009 Green Power Leadership Award for our commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. This is a significant achievement for Applied, as we were one of only three organizations nationwide to receive an award for on-site generation of green power.

The feed-in tariff (FiT) and net metering are both methods by which a utility company compensates a homeowner or other producer for the energy fed back into the grid. Simply put, net metering requires one meter, FiT requires two. In net metering the meter simply “runs backwards” when a homeowner’s solar panels are producing more electricity than the property is using, sending the excess energy back through transmission lines to other energy consumers.

Earlier this summer, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to require auto manufacturers to install low-e glass on all new cars sold within the state starting in 2012. This type of glass is manufactured by many customers of Applied's Glass Coating Products division and is designed to help keep the interiors of vehicles cooler during the summer months, reducing the need for air conditioning, boosting fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions at the same time.

There are many misconceptions about solar energy; the most prevalent is probably cost. In part, this is because people aren’t aware of how much solar technology has progressed in recent years, but it’s also because many people don’t understand what makes up their monthly energy bill.

Just two years ago, the planet Pluto was downgraded to dwarf-planet status — but with SunTech Power’s announcement of its record breaking Pluto crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) solar module, the name Pluto is being venerated once again.

As policymakers return to Washington for what will be a packed fall schedule, health care is Issue Number One on their minds. It was their primary focus before they left for the August recess and, as the daily stories and video clips from town hall meetings make clear, the issue is well on its way to dominating the autumn congressional schedule. And it is a major issue, to be sure. But there is another health care issue that is even more significant – one that affects a lot more than 305 million Americans.

With economies around the world struggling with recession, many policymakers are looking for the “next big thing” that can spark recovery, economic expansion and job growth. At the same time, governments are grappling with proposed solutions to the climate crisis. The quick answer to these issues is to promote “green jobs”, but successfully building the infrastructure to make the clean tech sector a tangible part of the economy is a complex challenge.

MANUFACTURE AND GENERATE CLEAN ENERGY LOCALLY. RECIRCULATE YOUR ENERGY DOLLARS LOCALLY. It’s a concept that’s pretty hard to argue. Most recognize that taking advantage of the Sun's energy addresses greenhouse gas emissions, but this post isn’t aimed at making more sweeping claims that solar will save the planet. Rather, what’s often overlooked is that manufacturing clean energy locally yields economic benefits to the community.