Category Archives: Home Improvement & Decor

Suniva adds Solar UL 1000 Volt Certifications and Module Capacity

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on January 29, 2013 by CGR Staff Writer

suniva-logoNORCROSS, Ga.–()–Suniva, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced that it is expanding its (PV) module certifications by adding UL 1703 1000 volt listing for its high power OPTimus® line of modules. These modules feature 60 cell models with power output up to 270W and 72 cell modules with power output up to 315W. The high-power solar cells utilized in these modules are made at Suniva’s Norcross Georgia plant and headquarters.

With this enhancement, North American projects can now use Suniva modules connected in series strings up to 1000 volts DC. This can result in significant cost savings in reduced labor costs, more rapid installation, reduced number of wiring homeruns and combiner boxes, and lower cost, more efficient inverters can be utilized. Continue reading →

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New Earth-Aware VersaWalk™ Underlayment and VersaStick™ Adhesive for Luxury Vinyl Flooring

by tgilbrea69
Posted on December 19, 2012 by tgilbrea69

VW-laminate-install(Norfolk, Nebraska – 12.18.2012) – MP Global Products, the manufacturer of earth-friendly acoustic fiber floor underlayments, recently introduced VersaWalk™ underlayment and VersaStick™ flooring adhesive for high-performing LVT floor installations that protect indoor air quality in single family homes and multi-family residences. VersaWalk™ is a VOC-free sound reduction impact isolation and insulation system engineered for  maximized performance under luxury vinyl tile flooring. VersaStick™, a VOC-free and solvent free fast drying adhesive for use on subfloors and against the floor being laid.

Engineered to be odorless and non-allergenic, VersaWalk is composed of at least 94% post-industrial/pre-consumer textile fibers, scrap material otherwise destined for landfill.

The randomly air-laid filaments create a capillary effect to cushion the floor, dampen ambient sound, and absorb impact sound. VersaWalk both suppresses noise within the room and inhibits the transfer of noise into rooms below. A versatile underlayment that can be nailed, glued or floated, it is suitable for nail- or glue-down wood flooring, floating engineered wood flooring, and laminate flooring as well as for LVT. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, CSR, Environment, Furnishings, Goods, Services & Product Design, Green Business, Green Facilities, Green Living, Green Marketing, Home Improvement & Decor, Housekeeping, Office Management, Renovations & Construction, Sustainability News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Green Gift Idea of the Day – NEST Learning Thermostat

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on December 10, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

ORDER YOURS TODAY! Nest Learning Thermostat – 2nd Generation T200577

A thermostat for the smartphone generation

The next generation Nest has a new, slimmer design, is enclosed by a solid stainless steel ring and works with 95% of low voltage systems.

The Nest Learning Thermostat learns what temperatures you like, turns itself down when you’re away and can be controlled from anywhere over Wi-Fi. By programming itself, the Nest thermostat can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bill. You just have to teach it well.

  • 2nd generation design – Nest is now 20 percent thinner and works in 95 percent of homes with low voltage systems
  • Auto-Schedule – Nest remembers the temperatures you like and programs itself
  • Auto-Away – Nest saves energy by automatically turning itself down when you’re away
  • Remote control – Connect Nest to Wi-Fi to control it from your smartphone, laptop or tablet
  • Easy install – Most homeowners install Nest themselves in 30 minutes or less. After that, it’s just a matter of changing the temperature

ORDER YOURS TODAY! Nest Learning Thermostat – 2nd Generation T200577

Posted in Alternative Energy, Appliances, Business, Electronics, Energy, Energy Management, Green Business, Heating & Cooling, Home Energy, Home Improvement & Decor, Information Systems, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dow Powerhouse™ Solar Shingle Wins 2012 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on October 10, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

MIDLAND, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The DOW POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle was recently honored as a recipient of a 2012 Breakthrough Award by POPULAR MECHANICS for pioneering an integrated solar roofing system that protects a home from the elements, while generating electricity to power it. The POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards, now in their eighth year, uses this opportunity to salute the greatest innovations of 2012 as a celebration of world-changing ideas that will shape the future. POPULAR MECHANICS credits DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles with creating the new benchmark for roof design and engineering in the U.S.

“POPULAR MECHANICS recognizes companies and people who use science and technology to improve our lives, which is the cornerstone of Dow’s mission,” said Jane Palmieri, Vice President of Dow Solar. “It is an honor to be acknowledged for our work in creating a solar roofing system that allows homeowners to rethink what they should expect from their roof. In the spirit of this award, POWERHOUSE is truly game-changing.” Continue reading →

Posted in Business, BusinessWire, Carbon Management, Energy, Energy Management, Green Business, Home Energy, Home Improvement & Decor, Solar, Sustainability News, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Residential Energy Efficiency to Reach Nearly $84 Billion per Year by 2020

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on October 2, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The rising energy consumption of the housing sector, which has an impact on nearly every aspect of a country’s economy, is driving diverse and increasing interest in residential energy efficiency for both new homes and retrofits of existing ones. Globally, more than half of the energy consumption in buildings – which is expected to rise from 31,983 terawatt-hours (TWh) to 51,253 TWh by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) – comes from residential buildings. According to a recent report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, the energy efficient housing sector will expand rapidly over the remainder of the decade, growing from an annual market value of $14 billion in 2012 to almost $84 billion in 2020.

More than 118 billion square feet of energy efficient residential space will be created over that time period, the study concludes. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, BusinessWire, Energy Efficiency, Energy Management, Green Business, Heating & Cooling, Home Energy, Home Improvement & Decor, Sustainability News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IKEA Plugs-in Solar Panels at Dallas-Area Store

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on August 6, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

FRISCO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its Dallas-area store in Frisco, Texas – which, when combined with projects completed in Houston and underway in Round Rock, make IKEA the state’s largest private solar owner. IKEA Frisco’s 114,000-square-foot photovoltaic (PV) array consists of a 912-kW system, built with 3,780 panels, and will produce approximately 1,336,300 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,016 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 181 cars or powering 115 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

“We are thrilled at how this solar energy system furthers our commitment to sustainability at IKEA Frisco”

This installation represents the 30th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., with 9 more locations underway, making the eventual U.S. solar presence of IKEA nearly 89% with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated €590 million to invest in renewable energy, focusing on solar and wind during the coming three years. This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. More than 250,000 solar panels have been installed on IKEA stores and buildings across the world. The company also owns and/or operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Energy, Business, BusinessWire, Carbon Management, CSR, Energy, Energy Management, Energy Storage, Environment, Green Business, Green Facilities, Green Marketing, Home Improvement & Decor, Renovations & Construction, Solar, Sustainability News, Sustainability Practices, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suniva Powers Largest Utility Scale Solar Installation in Tennessee

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on April 16, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

NORCROSS, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Suniva, Inc., a U.S. manufacturer of high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and modules, today announced that the 5 MW West Tennessee Solar Farm in Haywood County is Powered by Suniva™. Designed and built by Signal Energy, and managed by the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF), the West Tennessee Solar Farm is the largest utility scale solar installation in Tennessee and one of the largest installations in the Southeast United States. Signal Energy and UTRF will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the project on Thursday, April 12 at the West Tennessee Solar Farm.

“Signal Energy is pleased to be working with Suniva and the University of Tennessee, and the Department of Economic and Community Development to move Tennessee’s clean energy industry forward”

“We’re proud that Suniva’s high quality solar modules are being used to power one of the largest solar installations in the Southeast,” said John Baumstark, chairman and CEO of Suniva. “The West Tennessee Solar Farm project has created numerous jobs for the Tennessee economy while securing a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.” Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Energy, Business, BusinessWire, Energy, Energy Management, Green Business, Green Living, Home Energy, Home Improvement & Decor, Press Companies, Solar, Sustainability News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lime Energy Partners with Figtree to Provide Pace Financing for California Customers

by CGR Staff Writer
Posted on April 13, 2012 by CGR Staff Writer

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Lime Energy Co. (NASDAQ: LIME) announced today a partnership with Figtree Energy Resource Company through which Lime’s Customers will benefit from the most flexible PACE financing options available in the State of California. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a Government initiative that allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their homes and commercial buildings. The addition of PACE will enable Lime’s California customers defray the costs of energy improvements that can be made to their facilities. This financing vehicle through Figtree can be used for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades to commercial properties.

“Partnering with clean energy firms like Lime Energy integrates the financial and technical components of energy projects and offers building owners immediate cash flow benefits while eliminating lengthy payback periods.”

“California is one of the leaders among states adopting aggressive energy reduction targets,” said Adam Procell, Lime’s Executive Vice President. “Projects that previously lacked funding now have the ability to move forward and contribute to state energy reduction goals. Our award winning team in California has worked with hundreds of customers to deliver energy saving solutions and our partnership with Figtree enables us to continue to bring high value to this market through our clean energy solutions.” Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Energy, Business, BusinessWire, Energy, Energy Management, Goods, Services & Product Design, Green Business, Green Facilities, Green Living, Home Improvement & Decor, Press Companies, Renovations & Construction, Solar, Sustainability News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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