IRISH creative minds are coming up with ideas to cope with the changing global environment, and, as we mentioned last week, there are huge opportunities for job-creation in green technology.
Solar panels, for instance, are appearing with more frequency on the roofs of houses around the country — a sight we’re sure to see more of in the future.
A Co Mayo energy technology company is to create 20 jobs over the next 12 months, after producing what it claims is the world’s most efficient solar panel. Surface Power is also launching its breakthrough product on the world market. Independent certification by TUV Rhineland — the world’s leading testing house — has shown that, when compared to other leading solar panels, the Irish-developed panel was, in one case, as much as 131% more efficient in the morning and evening, and 76% more efficient at midday.
Established in 2003, Surface Power is targeting key world export markets for renewable commodity products. The Údarás na Gaeltachta- and Enterprise Ireland-backed firm has played a central role in the development of the domestic renewable-energy sector.
Surface Power estimates that its product, which has undergone six years of development and testing, has the potential to reduce domestic and commercial hot water bills by up to 70%, if insulation standards meet new building regulations. Company founder, John Quinn, says that having a first-class product will drive growth and jobs for the company in 2009.
"The market for the solar collector was worth in excess of $1bn in 2008, and has grown by 300% since 1998," he said. "We received more than 400 enquiries from the US alone last month, after the specifications were released during the Christmas period. We also expect the international home renovation market to be very strong during the next three years, as our collector is the only pre-packaged vacuum collector on the world market. This leads to quicker, simpler, and cheaper installations."
Surface Power’s solar panel has been compared to 52 other collectors, which hold the prestigious Solar Keymark certification, and the results of the comparative testing are encouraging. The company has more products in development and plans to release one per year. The solar panel is a hot water-type, designed specifically for the retrofit market, but is also suitable for new builds.
It has been designed to deal with Irish climatic conditions, such as wind, rain and cloud. Solar hot water can be used in homes and commercial applications, such as shower rooms, hotels and swimming pools.
It is simpler to use and install than conventional panels, but it is not more expensive to produce. Its cost per kilowatt is its biggest advantage, while it can generate up to 70% savings on hot water bills, when coupled with an insulation upgrade, says Mr Quinn.
Meanwhile, the inaugural Green Planet Awards have been launched, in Dublin, with the Reva electric car as the main prize for the winning Green Planet Awards campaigners.
The awards are a new, third-level initiative, encouraging students in colleges across Ireland to consider how human actions impact on the environment. Students are invited to put their research and creative skills to the test by building awareness campaigns in their local communities, both on and off campus, to highlight environmental issues.
The 2009 Green Planet Awards aim to raise awareness of how the food we eat affects the planet, with eco-eating being the subject.
Very simply, the idea is to create awareness of how what we eat affects the environment and personal health. Excessive meat consumption contributes more to global warming than total worldwide transportation. The likelihood of contracting heart disease, diabetes, and many forms of cancer greatly increases the more meat is consumed, while a low fat, nutritionally-balanced, plant-based diet can cure diabetes and cardiovascular disease without surgery or drugs, and prevent and halt the spread of cancer.
More than 80% of Amazon deforestation is due to livestock being raised for food, therefore eating less meat will preserve the earth’s largest carbon sink.
Scientists have calculated that we would actually save more water by forgoing one pound of beef, or four hamburgers, than by not showering for at least six months.
A third of the world’s cereal harvest and more than 72% of soya is used for animal feed. Grain currently fed to livestock is enough to feed over two billion people, yet almost one billion people face starvation every day on the planet.
For further information and entry details, students should log onto www.greenplanetawards.org. The Green Planet Awards are held annually in third-level colleges.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 16, 2009
