Replacing Oil

While the United States is still considering feed in tariffs, First Solar has signed a contract with Chinese government officials to build a staggering 2 GIGAwatt photovoltaic farm in the Mongolian desert.

The plant will operate under China’s feed-in tariff. Power companies are required to purchase electricity from the installation for a certain number of years. Since the projected costs for the massive installation are about 6 billion USD. A guarantee of return on investment in the form of the feed in tariff legislation is very likely the single most important factor that makes this degree of clean energy generating project possible.
More about this solar megaproject and China’s feed in tariff program here.

When I moved to the tropics I thought, “Great! I’ll never have to ride my bike to work through slushy ice covered roads again.” I soon learned though that I would never ride my bike to work again.
Try riding through 38 degree temperatures and then wander into a staffroom and finish the day without offending the noses of your coworkers. The problem is simple enough, but it wasn’t till I saw this glimmer of hope on the excellent blog Dump it in the Pump that I saw it addressed in an eco-friendly manner.

Solar-Powered Bicycle Parking Pods Provide Solar Hot Water Showers in Queensland

I know That 15 years I’m going to be explaining to my children how lucky they are to have the privilege of bike parking pods with showers!