Salpha

German Wind Power Beats Hard Coal, Nuclear Power for First Time

Power generated this year by onshore and offshore wind in Germany exceeded the amount of electricity coming from hard coal and nuclear plants for the first time, the Fraunhofer ISE institute said on its website.

German coal plant operators choked generation from hard coal plants in favor of cheaper-to-run lignite units this year and nuclear power operators kept plants like Grundremmingen B, which were offline for extended periods, according to Bruno Burger, a professor at Freiburg-based Fraunhofer ISE.

Lignite generation rose 0.3 percent to about 117 terawatt-hours so far this year, highlighting the addiction of utilities to one of the cheapest and dirtiest forms of energy, said Burger. Hard coal generation dropped 14 percent to 69.3 terawatt-hours, he said.

Onshore and offshore wind power has an installed capacity of about 54 gigawatts — outstripping all other main sources of power capacity. About 46 percent of Germany’s generation came from wind farms on Thursday, according to Wind Power Europe.

Source: Bloomberg Technology

Our Action Plan

The Problem

It is a well known fact that about 1.3 billion people are forced to live their lives in energy poverty across the globe. That is 17% of the global population living in the dark. This means that these people lack access to basic energy services. Access to energy, means access to education, communication, and income generating opportunities.

Life without electricity is almost unimaginable for some people. Electricity allows us to power the technology we use every day. Now close your eyes & imagine what your life would look like if you had no power or light in the evening or imagine not being able to turn on the central heating/cooling system in your home, use the toilet, preserve food in your fridge/freezer or have clean running water.

Even for most that are connected to the grid, the power supply is epileptic. Every year, thousands of families will experience power cuts due to natural disasters, bad weather or power line faults. A small storm that damages one power line can mean a power outage for hundreds of families and homeowners, causing total disruption in their daily routines.

A place where there is no electricity would suffer great underdevelopment. It sometimes takes a lot for some people to realise that without electricity it isn’t just internet and Wi-Fi that is affected, it also means no cash machines, no lifts, no power to keep the factories going, and no power to charge mobile phones. It is seen as the end of normality as we know it.

Our Solution

The sun is the most abundant and free energy source, when compared with the other alternative and renewable energy sources available for Africa. It’s abundant, sustainable and available everywhere. It’s a solution for everyone that lacks adequate power supply.

Clean, healthy and affordable energy is a basic right of every individual, regardless of the nationality or status; and we are of the opinion that no one should be left behind.

It is our vision to eradicate energy poverty by year 2030, and for every household to partake of clean, safe, sustainable and affordable energy. We want to create a world where there is little or no difference between the well-developed urban areas and the underdeveloped rural places.

We aim to transform the lives of people living in this penurious state by being their energy partner for life. This is why we are offering a line of quality conscious solar products that are built to last. With Salpha Energy Solar Solutions, everybody is able to tap into the sun and enjoy it’s full potential.

This is not a onetime thing; the plan is to ensure every person continuously upgrades their system over time to include the latest Salpha Energy solutions for their home, school, health center or business.

15 Celebrities Who Are Environmentally Making A Difference

There is a lot of hype these days about being eco-friendly in order to prevent global warming and we see so many individuals making efforts to save Mother Earth.

Now, there are some celebrities who go out of their way in this green activism. They are all about making the world a better place and they generously use their fame to make it happen.

What these stars have done is used their fame and wealth to raise awareness about the various ecological issues of their choosing; and more importantly, set an example – such that thanks to them (partially), support for environmental causes has never been as high as it is today.

Leonardo DiCaprio

As an environmentalist, DiCaprio is best known for having co-written, produced, and narrated the global warming film “The 11th Hour.” But long after the credits rolled, his own Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation continued to lobby hard for a variety of environmental and humanitarian issues, including forest preservation, healthy oceans, clean water access, and renewable energy.

DiCaprio actively serves on numerous environmental boards including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green USA, World Wildlife Fund and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. On top of sizeable donations he’s committed over the years, the superstar actor has also pledged to forgo private jets and drives a Prius.

Gisele Bundchen

The mega-model was hailed the Best Green International Celebrity in December, winning the online poll by a large margin, thanks to her work in ecological conservation and education. Through her eco-friendly flip-flop line — Ipanema Gisele Bundchen — the supermodel has raised funds for conservation efforts in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest.

She also launched the Clean Water Project with her family, whose mission is to restore vegetation and the micro basins in her hometown of Horizontina, Brazil. In 2011, Harvard’s Center for Health and Global Environment named her the year’s Global Environmental Citizen, and in January this year, she made her first official visit to Africa as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program.

Cate Blanchett

As co-artistic directors of the Sydney Theater Company, the actress and her husband, Andrew Upton, were key proponents of Greening the Wharf, a project that oversaw 1,900 solar panels being installed in The Wharf Theatre at Sydney’s Walsh Bay. This now provides 70 percent of the theater’s electricity requirements and, together with a system for rainwater harvesting, will eventually turn it fully carbon neutral. Under her guidance, the theater also started reusing and recycling costumes and props.

Although the Oscar winner and face of Australia’s “Who on Earth Cares” program recently came under fire for appearing in the Australian government’s carbon tax ads, Blanchett says she will “not be deterred from spreading the message about climate change.”

Maroon 5

Another Grammy-winning band committed to green touring. Since 2008, the Environmental Media Awards of 2006 honoree has been using biodiesel-powered tour buses, promoting recycling at its concert venues, and donating a portion of ticket sales to Global Cool, an environmental charity that works with entertainers. Maroon 5 has also played at Live Earth and headlined the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo last year. The bestselling artists are also strong supporters of the Environmental Media Association, Kiva, and Teen Impact.

Al Gore

The former vice president needs no introduction when it comes to his green credentials, which include leading the first Congressional hearings on toxic waste and global warming; winning the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (and donating the $1.5 million prize money); co-founding Live Earth, a series of benefit concerts that raise funds for sustainability projects.

His work on the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” however, earned both critical acclaim (an Oscar) and criticism. Still, the founder of the nonprofit group Alliance for Climate Protection soldiers on; these days, he’s mostly on the road, speaking about his most cherished cause and rallying volunteers—that is, when he’s not getting called back into politics to testify on environmental policies and regulation.

Pierce Brosnan

It’s all well and good to be nicknamed “Best-Dressed Environmentalist” by the Sustainable Style Foundation, but Brosnan takes his activist role very seriously.

Brosnan has dedicated a large part of his life to environmental causes, serving on the boards of numerous groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council, California Coastal Protection Network and Sea Shepherd. Together with his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, Brosnan has been inducted into the Environmental Hall of Fame for his efforts in raising awareness about and campaigning against illegal whale hunting and wetlands protection.

The Bond star, who says he’s proud “fighting for the forests and the oceans,” also lent his voice and name to environmental films and documentaries such as “Oceans” and “Lethal Sounds”.

Jack Johnson

The surfer-turned-singer/songwriter popularized EnviroRiders (riders are the contractors bands use for specific functions while on tour), drafting a set of stipulations requiring venues and tour operators to purchase renewable energy for 100 percent of the amount used at his shows, recycle at least 50 percent of the total waste generated, change all lights to efficient compact fluorescents, and, of course, compost and recycle.

Once called the Jolly Green Giant of the music business by Billboard magazine, Johnson and his wife, Kim, started the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to environmental education in Hawaii.

Adrian Grenier

The 35-year-old actor recently picked up awards from Global Green USA and Opportunity Green for his work on SHFT, a website advocating green living through traditional and social media. A far cry from his role as large-living Vincent Chase in “Entourage,” Grenier hosts the show “Alter Eco” on the channel Planet Green, speaking out about the little changes people can make to be kinder to the environment.

He also drives a Prius and has a solar-powered home in Brooklyn, New York.

Ed Begley, Jr.

Known for sometimes turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, Begley has been long been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community. Today he continues to serve actively on the boards of various green groups, including the Environmental Media Association, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Tree People, and Friends of the Earth.

Begley and his wife, Rachelle Carson-Begley, star in their own reality TV show called “Living with Ed” on the Planet Green channel, which chronicles the couple’s quest to live with a small carbon footprint. Begley also raises funds through a line of eco-friendly cleaning products called Begley’s Best and uses the profits to assist other local green organizations.

Robert Redford

A pioneer among celebrity environmentalists and a former “Time” magazine “Hero of the Environment,” Redford founded Sundance Preserve, a non-profit organization working to protect the North Fork Canyon in Utah. He also produced “The Green,” an eco-themed TV program that tackles issues such as solar energy and wilderness preservation.

In 2009, the Sundance Kid was honored with Duke University’s lifetime environmental achievement in the fine arts, LEAF, award. More recently, he has written op-eds calling for President Obama to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline project, citing severe environmental damage from extracting crude oil from tar sands. “The environmental tipping point has been reached,” Redford told MSNBC in a recent interview.

Daryl Hannah

Hailed for her role as the menacing Elle Driver in “Kill Bill,” Hannah proved she can be just as fierce in real life when it comes to issues close to her heart. For one thing, she has been arrested no fewer than three times in the name of the environment: First for a 23-day tree sit-in in 2006; then again in 2009 for protesting against mountaintop mining in West Virginia; and finally, for joining demonstrations against the Keystone oil pipeline in front of the White House last year. When not running afoul of the law, Hannah also produces a weekly video blog on green lifestyles called DH Love Life, and runs an online business selling eco-friendly products. She also grows her own food.

Dave Matthews Band

Through their very own Bama Green Project, the Grammy-winning band continues to champion green touring. At every concert, generators are powered by biodiesel, and recycling and composting stations are ever-present backstage. Emissions from air flights and hotels are offset, with the proceeds going to tree plantings and wind turbine construction.

More recently, the band has commissioned logistics provider UPS to devise more efficient ways to transport their equipment. The band also founded Green Music Group, a large-scale coalition of musicians, fans and music industry leaders seeking to bring about lasting change in the industry. Members include Linkin Park, Sheryl Crow, and Willie Nelson.

Brad Pitt

Apart from his well-documented humanitarian efforts, the “Moneyball” star is also a longtime environmentalist. His Make It Right Foundation is on track to finish 150 homes in New Orleans, where all the new residences will not only sport environmentally sound features, but they will also use advanced engineering to withstand strong winds and floods. The U.S. Green Building Council lauded the star for his role in establishing “the largest and greenest single family community in the world.”

Pitt has donated more than $5 million to this project alone and, through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, also helps oil the engine for various other natural resources and wildlife conservation campaigns.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon is passionate about water – which is why he founded Water.org, a nonprofit which works to transform communities in the developing world by providing access to safe water and sanitation. The organization backs cutting-edge water technology projects, looking for new solutions to create lasting change.

Damon also hosted a PBS series of environmental documentaries called Journey to Planet Earth, which explores the current and projected state of the planet.

Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder set up the ‘IS Foundation’ with the aim to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. The IS Foundation focuses on habitat, energy and animals, and seeks to make connections to strengthen the push for positive environmental change.

Somerhalder, who is United Nations Ambassador for World Environment Day (UNEP) is involved with a start-up called Go Green Mobile Power, which makes mobile solar, wind and bio-diesel generators and hopes to provide off-grid power for everything from the film industry to disaster relief overseas.

He is also involved with the group New Leash On Life, which takes in stray dogs and trains them to be service dogs.

Ways You Didn’t Know Solar Could Create Jobs

With high levels of unemployment and vulnerable employment on the rise, the world of work in Africa is still facing tremendous challenges in terms of job creation and sustainability.

Of all the continents of the world, Africa exhibits the highest unemployment rate. Creating productive jobs remains a key challenge in Sub Saharan Africa.

Most African countries are fast developing and there is a huge need for extensive innovation and creativity – being able to channel the little resources at one’s disposal into something positive to yield sustainability.

According to the World Bank, the African Continent has arguably the worst electric power infrastructure in the world with the lowest scores in power generation, consumption and security of supply.

The sun is the most abundant and free energy source, when compared with the other alternative and renewable energy sources available for Africa. Thousands of villages in Africa are so remote and too spread apart that it would take decades and billions of investment dollars to take electricity to all corners of the continent.

Because most of Africa sits on the earth’s equator, the sun’s reaches many parts of the continent including the remotest parts. This raw energy already touches the parts of the continent that power grids and infrastructure have still not reached – after many decades.

Below are some business ideas inspired by the discovery of solar energy:

Solar Phone Charging Business

In most developing countries, people have a greater chance to own a cell phone than to have access to electricity or water. In these countries where electricity can be a luxury not accessible to all, public phone charging is very popular. To counter the electricity issue, solar phone charging is one of the solutions provided to local consumers.

This involves setting up a solar powered shop or stall, where you charge small amounts of money for charging people’s phones.

Solar phone charging business is very lucrative because:

Most African countries are known for epileptic power supply.
Everyone uses phone.
It is convenient and cheap for the customers.

Water Business

Most rural communities in Africa are known to lack the most basic amenities such as electricity, clean water, and so on. This is why Water Business is a good idea.

An entrepreneur can set up a borehole and a solar powered pumping machine which is used to provide clean water and sold at affordable rates to the people within the community.

Wholesales Of Solar Products

Wholesaling is the sale and distribution of solar products to retailers. Wholesalers are usually the importers who stock large volumes of solar equipment.

These guys usually import all kinds of materials, equipment, appliances and materials relating to solar energy from overseas manufacturers or major distributors in the USA, Europe and Asia.
As expected, playing at this level requires a significant amount of capital. The exact figures will depend on the type of equipment and volume.

Solar Installation Service

Installation service contractors are the technical guys who do the actual work of fixing solar panels to rooftops and setting up the entire system to make it work for customers.

Due to their skill, these guys are contracted by individual customers; and work on government and NGO projects. They also help to maintain, service and fix problems relating to solar systems.

Ice Making

On a regular day, production and sales of ice is a lucrative business in Africa due to lack of electricity and hot weather.

With the invention of solar ice machines, be sure to be raking in all the cash. In a community where there is irregular supply of power, this is a hit business as you can make and sell ice to several people who need it to run their daily business.

Ice Production is lucrative because:

Apart from the machine, ice production is not capital intensive.
Ice is related to consumption, there are hardly any low days.
You can be a manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer at the same time, at no cost.

Retails Of Solar Products

Retailers are the folks who buy in smaller quantities from wholesalers. They usually don’t stock huge quantities of products and often sell directly to consumers.

Unlike the wholesaler who stocks goods in a warehouse or depot, a retailer is likely to sell his products from a shop or stall. Of course, retailers require much less capital to start up and offer a wide range of options to customers.

AGBOJU MARKET CLEANUP

There is a wise saying that “cleanliness is next to Godliness”, but in the case where everywhere is filthy, what then do we say? A clean environment is essential for human health and well-being. We need a clean environment so we can live healthy lives and leave future generations a healthy Earth.

There have been changes in the environment in every time period but the biggest and most negative changes are happening today which take drastic toll on the planet.

A lot of groups and people are doing everything they can to raise awareness about the importance of a clean environment and to make the environment healthier. Unfortunately, it is still not enough. The only way we are going to achieve a clean environment is if everyone works together to take care of our planet.

#AgbojuCleanup was borne out of the need to educate people on the benefits of regular cleaning of the environment and proper waste disposal. It is an environmental community service organised by Salpha Energy, with the support of Susty Vibes, ReesAfrica and Let’s Do It Nigeria – organisations that champion sustainability and sustainable practices.

Agboju Cleanup held on Saturday, 25th November, 2017 at 7:00am; was themed “…clean energy for a cleaner environment” and had about 30 participants (volunteers included). All parties got together at the market, geared up in their hand gloves and nose guards, equipped with their brooms and rakes; and commenced cleaning.