NANO-SIZE SOLAR CELL?

This may not be the answer to extremely low cost solar, but every innovation moves us a step closer.  (See video below).

Notre Dame researchers have created a semiconductive paste, called “Sun-Believable,” which can turn surfaces its applied to into solar cells. The new material coats nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide with either cadmium sulfide or cadmium selenide, and then suspends them in a water-alcohol mixture to create a paste.

The paste can then be applied to a transparent conducting material, which creates electricity when exposed to light. The solar cell paint is cheap to produce, but it currently has a serious drawback: low efficiency. Silicon solar cells typically have 10-15% efficiency, while the material created by Kamat and his team has a 1% efficiency at best.

Read more at Notre Dame news.

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Come January first, forget everything you know about Fair Trade.  

The 21st Century Nomad blog by sociologist Nicki Lisa Cole entitled Fair Trade is Dead. Long Live the Farmer Cooperative, summarizes dramatic changes in the way we think of products with the 'fair trade' label. 

Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) has changed the rules dramatically. While they will continue to market the small-scale farmer and the cooperative as the face of the brand, the base of it will be transnational corporations and large-scale plantations. So much for the little guy.

A recent New York Times article takes an in depth look at how this issue will play out in local Starbucks, Wal-Mart and food markets carrying products labled 'fair trade.'

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FLORIDA'S OFFICE OF ENERGY PROPOSES RESTORING TAX CREDITS

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam says his department will finish a draft energy bill before the end of the year according to this report from an online line news article in the Current. 

Putnam said in the 2012 session he wants to remove regulatory barriers related to renewable energy and that he wants to restore tax credits originally in s. 212.08, F.S., that expired in 2010.  

Currently, Florida has no written energy policy.  Over the summer, Senate President Mike Haridopolos joined the Governor in calling for a new state energy policy that would open the door to oil and gas drilling off Florida's coast, new nuclear power and increased investment in renewable energy.

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CYCLING SAVVY CLASSES

Commuter Services of North Florida has graciously agreed to sponsor up to 20 students for the next Cycling Savvy class (a $75 value), to be held Friday and Saturday, January 6-7, in Tallahassee.  The class is designed to teach road and traffic-riding skills to a wide range of cyclists, opening even more roads up to Tallahasseeans who like two-wheeled transport.  

Please visit http://cyclingsavvy.org/2011/10/cyclingsavvy-tallahassee/ for more information and to register.  

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IT'S NOTHING REALLY - A GUIDE TO GREEN GIVING

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