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SolarSummary: November 5-11, 2002

by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news Ebara Solar Inc: www.ebarasolar.com Powerlight Corp: www.powerlight.com Shell Solar (Philippines): www.shell.com/solar Spire Corp: www.spirecorp.com Applications The US Navy Region Southwest announced it has deployed the largest federal solar photovoltaic system in the nation. The system is a unique solar electric carport at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, which makes innovative use of existing parking space. The installation is comprised of two contiguous solar arrays, covering a half-mile long parking structure that serves US Navy personnel. In addition to providing shade for parked cars, the system generates the equivalent energy during the day to power over 935 homes. This 750 kW solar electric system will reduce the demand on California’s power grid and was designed, manufactured and installed by PowerLight Corporation of California. The City of San Diego has taken the first step towards its goal of energy independence by commissioning its first solar-powered municipal building. The newly installed PV array consists of 468 panels and the entire structure will produce approximately 91,950 kWp per year to power the administration building, which currently uses 87,000 kWp of energy per year. The Citys Mayor believes that although the payback period may be as long […]

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Top Hospital Supply Purchasers To Label DEHP & PVC

Four top group purchasing organizations (GPOs) that buy supplies for more than 70% of U.S. health care facilities announced environmental commitments at the CleanMed conference, a conference on environmentally preferable products for the health care industry. Premier, Inc., Novation, Broadlane and Consorta, Inc. which together represent about $30 billion in medical purchasing power — announced initiatives designed to reduce purchasing medical products that contain mercury, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, and the chemical plasticizer DEHP. Novation will label DEHP-containing and PVC medical products in its catalogues so customers can seek more environmentally preferable alternatives. Consorta will ask shareholders for permission to label DEHP-containing and PVC products in catalogues, and to take mercury-containing medical devices off contract. Premier will take mercury-containing medical devices off contract. The company has developed a comprehensive list of pharmaceutical products that contain mercury to help hospitals identify them, and thus manage or dispose of them appropriately. Broadlane labels products that are free from chlorine, DEHP, latex, mercury and PVC in its on-line catalogue and contract implementation packages. Also at CleanMed 2002: Kaiser Permanente, the nations largest health care non-profit, discussed its green building initiative, which includes purchasing agreements for sustainable construction materials to be used in millions […]

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Scandic Receives Prestigious Environmental Award

Scandic Hotels, based in Stockholm, Sweden, received this year’s International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) Environmental Award (Corporate Category). The theme of the 2002 award is energy efficiency and indoor air quality. The runner-up is ITC Hotel Maurya Sheraton & Towers in New Delhi, India. The winner in the Independent Hotel category is The Orchid, an ECOTEL-certified hotel, in Mumbai, India, and the runner-up is Bucuti Beach Resort in Eagle Beach, Aruba. IH&RA and American Express launched the Annual Environmental Award in 1991. Since Scandic’s Environmental Program started nine years ago, over 9000 employees have participated in The Natural Step training sessions. The hotel has more than 9000 “eco-rooms,” has reduced energy use by 24% and has reduced unsorted waste by over 40%.Six hotels qualify for The Nordic Swan eco label. Last year, all Swedish Scandic and Hilton hotels began serving KRAV-certified (the organic certifier) organic breakfasts. Last month, all week Swedish hotels began serving eggs only from free-range hens (200 tons yearly). The most recent eco hotel, Scandic Hotel Alvik Stockholm, built entirely according to the Scandic Environmental Construction Standard, opened October 1.This award is yet another proof of the fact that sustainable business is not only successful and […]

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