The US may have recently become the world’s largest wind power producer, but it’s the Europeans who are still building the biggest solar power plants. Acciona, a Spanish engineering and construction organization, just built a 46 MW photovoltaic behemoth in Portugal.

This juggernaut is big, powerful and expensive. It cost about $367 million dollars (that’s just under $8 per watt, for those who tuned into last week’s discussion of grid parity), and is made up of 250 THOUSAND solar modules, with approximately one solar tracker for each 100 modules.

One of the cool things about this new plant is that it is not owned by just one organization. Rather, a number of different organizations each owns a piece of the 46 MW total, and they all agreed to build together in a common site. Economies of scale would dictate that the resulting whole would be more efficient than the sum of its parts.

Sometimes we get so used to hearing the latest, biggest number that we don’t fully appreciate the scale of projects like this when they actually come online. We have to remember that clean tech is still just a child, and these 46 megawatts are the latest scratches on the wall to show how tall it has grown. As we change the calendars, we can’t help but notice that solar – though it is not all grown up yet – has certainly gone through a growth spurt.

Via Earth2Tech

Original post by Yoni Levinson

Filed under: Food, Home

Here it comes, the official last party of 2008 — and not a moment too soon. After weeks of shopping, gift wrap, drinking binges, encouraging consumerism, and excessive packaging, I for one am starting to feel like I might be coming down with holiday fatigue. Still, there’s one raging, confetti-throwing shindig left, and even if you don’t have a game plan to green your New Year’s party — there’s still time. Just make your token effort at the liquor store.

My intention here isn’t to preach the gospel of green partying, but just to give you a couple of options on how to arrive at a liquor store an alcohol-craving bacchanalian ingrate … and leave as a cultured, slightly less wasteful, socially-conscious drunk. Whether you prefer vodka, gin, tequila, rum, or a nice scotch — there are options. Only some of them may not be easy to find on super-short notice. Check out a few eco-booze options in the gallery below.

Stock Up on Eco Booze for Your New Year’s Party originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:30:00 EST 0. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Yoni Levinson

Filed under: Home, Tips

Instead of worrying about a make-over in 2009, how about giving yourself a green-over? It sounds much nicer than a resolution. The best way, I think, to make it stick, is to make it something positive.

Instead of resolving to eat more vegetables how about giving yourself a kitchen green-over and deciding to try one recipe per week using organic ingredients (or produce if you need to eat more veggies anyway).

Instead of resolving to exercise more, how about a nature green-over where you plan on spending more time outside. Whether it is in the form of walking, biking, hiking or gardening, time spent outside will usually be time spent being active.

Look at things in a positive, green way in 2009 and it’s sure to be a good year.

Give Yourself a Green-Over For the New Year originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:01:00 EST 0. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Yoni Levinson

Filed under: Food, Home

If you’re pulling together party supplies last minute for a New Year’s Eve party tonight, these green cocktail (and mocktail) recipes might inspire you.

• Sparkling Pomegranate Mocktail made with organic juices
• Fat Tire beers, which are sustainably produced
• Long Island Iced Tea with organic ingredients
• Organic gin for martinis

There are lots of other options out there, you just have to look around and be creative. If you have some organic vodka you can grab some organic OJ and make screwdrivers at least. Or find an organic or sustainable beer to keep the masses happy. If you can’t find those, go for something locally produced. The same goes for wine. If you can’t get organic, go for local - try it for your food too and have a green evening all around. It’s a great way to start off the new year.

Green Drinks for Tonight’s Party originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:34:00 EST 0. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Yoni Levinson

Filed under: Home, Tips

The New Year is just about here and with that many of us will be making both grand and manageable commitments to better ourselves, our communities, and our planet in 2009. Pondering this I began to think of hobbies that we could each take up that might make a little difference and help others see how easy it is to be eco-minded. Here are a few suggestions of hobbies that won’t impact the planet in a negative way and might just be fun to take up:

• Knitting — make homemade items for your family and friends. You can even pick up wool from local farms and markets or organic cotton that is sustainably grown without pesticides.
• Music — find a used instrument and give it new life. Plus you can explore that hidden rock star within!
• Potted Plants/Gardening — even during the winter season you can grow plants indoors for your food and feng-shui enjoyment. Some plants are even known to improve the air in your home and trap unwanted particles.

• Blogging — I may be a bit biased towards this but it saves paper and allows you to share your interests, discoveries and green-ideas with others.
• Homemade Endeavors — this could include learning how to make homemade sauces to store or share, teach others how easy it is to make homemade cleaning supplies, or create homemade art from leftover materials around the house.

I’d love to hear what great green hobbies you currently pursue or hope to in the near future! Drop a comment and Happy New Year to everyone!!

Eco-Hobbies Start 2009 Anew originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:17:00 EST 0. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Original post by Yoni Levinson