VICTORIA, BC–(Marketwire - May 29, 2008) - As part of an ongoing commitment to equip Transport for London transit routes with solar-powered lighting and communications technology, Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX: CMH) (PINKSHEETS: CMHXF) (FRANKFURT: QCX) has received an additional purchase order of $1.1M from Trueform Engineering Ltd. for London Bus Stop systems. Carmanah currently has more than 3,000 of the London Bus Stop systems and 650 transit shelter lighting systems installed throughout the City of London, England. This latest order is part of a longstanding partnership with UK-based Trueform Engineering in support of an initiative to install up to 7,000 London Bus Stops in total.

According to Carmanah CEO Ted Lattimore, this application demonstrates the versatility and effectiveness of Carmanah’s core solar technologies in one of the world’s more challenging solar environments. “We’re pleased to work alongside Trueform Engineering to help support this ongoing solar-power initiative,” said Lattimore. “Since 2001, our solar-LED lighting and energy management technology has helped to provide London commuters with brightly lit bus stops, commuter-activated signals, and easy-to-read schedule displays. These applications really demonstrate the versatility of our core technology,” added Lattimore. “At the heart of these products is the same industry-proven technology that goes into all of our general illumination systems, including our award-winning EverGEN™ lighting products.” Carmanah’s new EverGEN general illumination system recently received the “Judges’ Citation” Innovation Award at LIGHTFAIR International — North America’s premier lighting industry event.

Carmanah’s solar powered LED (light emitting diode) lights offer distinct advantages over hardwired grid-based lighting systems, including easy installation, no scheduled maintenance, and the use of free, clean solar energy as a power source. An integrated energy-management capability ensures a reliable, year-round source of light in even the most adverse weather conditions. For more information, visit www.carmanahlighting.com.

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DIX HILLS, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Solar Thin Films, Inc. (OTC BB:SLTN.OB), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of manufacturing equipment for the production of “thin-film” amorphous silicon and CIGS photovoltaic modules, has signed a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with China Singyes Holding Limited to build out 100MW of module manufacturing capacity in China. Under the MOU, Solar Thin Films will supply equipment, technology and general engineering and design support, and retain certain rights outside of China to market and distribute building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products.

“This proposed arrangement with China Singyes could be a significant step forward in our goal to become a leader in supplying cost-effective, thin film photovoltaic module manufacturing equipment,” commented Peter Lewis chief executive officer of Solar Thin Films.. Combined with our recently announced $12.3 million order from Grupo Unisolar, S.A to build a 5MW turn-key a-SI Module plant in Spain, it clearly shows the progress we are making.

“Pursuant to the MOU, Solar Thin Films expects to install cost-effective thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing equipment through 2011. Equipment installation is expected to commence as early as the fourth quarter of 2008. The initial production and sale of BIPV products could begin in 2009,

“This is a terrific opportunity for us as China Singyes is one of the country’s largest curtain wall engineering companies, with numerous projects inside and outside China, and a demonstrated commitment to expand an already existing presence in the solar field,” concluded Lewis. “Our rights to market BIPV output from the new facility outside of China would also open new customer channels and markets for us within the construction industry.”

Solar Thin Films and China Singyes are currently minority shareholders and board members of CG Solar, a “thin-film” module manufacturing company located in Weihai, China, that utilizes equipment produced by Solar Thin Films.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of its Masdar Initiative, the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. is significantly expanding its investment in solar energy by contracting with Applied Materials to purchase three SunFab™ Thin Film Lines for producing solar modules. With an optional tandem junction upgrade, these SunFab lines are expected to annually produce modules with a targeted capacity of up to 210 megawatts (MW), or enough energy to power approximately 70,000 homes.

“The Masdar Initiative is focused on ensuring that renewable energies play a key role in the energy portfolio that the world needs now and into the future. We are doing this by applying scale, capital and commitment to the most promising technologies to accelerate the rapid adoption of renewable energy,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar. “We are pleased to be working with Applied Materials.”

The Applied SunFab Line is the only integrated production line for manufacturing thin film silicon solar modules using ultra-large 5.7m2 glass panels. Ideally suited for utility-scale applications, these 2.2m x 2.6m panels can reduce installation cost by over 17% compared to smaller scale thin film panels. The SunFab line is designed to deliver leading-edge manufacturing capability with the world’s most advanced engineering and equipment.

One of the SunFab lines to be supplied by Applied will be located in Erfurt, Germany, and is expected to start up in the second half of 2009. The other two lines will be located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and are expected to start up in early 2010. These lines will help supply solar power to Masdar City, the world’s first zero carbon, zero waste city, designed to be fully powered by renewable energy, and also will help support the broader global need for clean sources of energy.

“Abu Dhabi Future Energy is leveraging its substantial resources and expertise in global energy markets to bring the first major photovoltaic manufacturing capability to the Middle East,” said Dr. Mark Pinto, senior vice president and general manager of Applied’s Energy and Environmental Solutions Group. “We are very excited to be part of Abu Dhabi’s vision for the future in accelerating the adoption of solar energy to decrease the cost of electricity.”

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LIVERMORE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Leading residential and commercial solar installation company REC Solar announced they have been selected as a preferred solar electricity provider by The Livermore Solar Electricity Group. To celebrate, REC Solar is running a special summer program offering Livermore residents deep discounts on solar electric systems for their homes and businesses.

According to Livermore resident and community leader Tom Reitter, “The Livermore Solar Electricity Group, after spending two months investigating solar photovoltaic integrators and financing options, chose REC Solar as one of two companies to recommend to Livermore residents. REC Solar is a large, high quality company that sells only high quality products and services.”

REC Solar is offering discounts of up to $600 per kilowatt to residents in Livermore and Pleasanton with the following zip codes – 94550, 94568, 94588, 94551, and 94556. Certain restrictions apply to the discount. The community solar program runs through July 31 2008.

“For years REC Solar has provided superior service to the communities of Livermore and Pleasanton and it is a true accomplishment to have been selected through this bidding process,” said Matthew Woods, Director of Sales for REC Solar. “This community discount program provides the perfect opportunity for many more to go solar.”

REC Solar will be hosting an informational workshop on solar on Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pleasanton Masonic Center located at 3370 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588.

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For those with limited cash sources, discount solar panels is definitely a great buy if they are interested in using solar power, either for their residences or businesses. Still, because of the very high cost of home solar panels, which may run from $25,000 to $30,000, many consumers are only too willing to take advantage of any discount that are offered for every solar gadget purchase.

It should be a reminder however, for anyone who is inclined to buy such discount solar panels to be a scrutinizing buyer – panels should not be immediately bought and instead be checked for product quality.

There are some concerns that a prospective buyer must focus on when wanting to buy a home solar panel that is offered at a discount. Surely you yourself will think seriously about what could be the reason why a discount is offered on a panel.

One reason for the discount is the presence of debris such as small stones or any other things that can affect the function and overall condition of the residential solar panel. It is best to check all visible parts and corners of a gadget before buying it.

Another reason for the offered discounts is the presence of cracks. Again, these are unwanted features on home solar panels as they can seriously affect the efficiency and reliability of your gadget. Every part and parcel of the solar gadget system work together to provide excellent power product; therefore any crack, big or small will surely provide less reliable power system to the owner.

If you are uneasy enough because you are offered discount solar panels, then to clear up your doubts, it is best to ask the seller for the discounted price. Perhaps, there are valid reasons for the discounts and such may not have any connection with the overall product quality of the system.

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Here’s another flashy concept that uses solar energy for transportation: the solar speedboat! Unlike the solar sailor we talked about earlier, the Dutch MK1 prototype is designed to travel at speeds up to 30 knots! In 2006 the Delft Technical University Solarboat Team raced the speedboat to first place in the Nuon Frisian Solar [...]

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Here’s another flashy concept that uses solar energy for transportation: the solar speedboat! Unlike the solar sailor we talked about earlier, the Dutch MK1 prototype is designed to travel at speeds up to 30 knots per hour! In 2006 the Delft Technical University Solarboat Team raced the speedboat to first place in the Nuon [...]

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Filed under: Etc., Solar

This isn’t the first time you’ve seen a solar lawnmower on AutoblogGreen. In fact, we’ve seen quite a few different green yard and farming implements in our time — even solar powered tractors. The ever-increasing price of gas, though, may be causing the electric mowing option to loom a bit larger in people’s minds these days. So, here’s another man’s attempt to save a little gas, and therefore the related emissions, from his own neighborhood when he goes out to mow his lawn. Starting with a standard push-mower powered by a typical small gasoline engine, three steps will be required to get your very own home-built solar recharged electric mower. If you are hoping that this little mod is going to be saving your hard-earned green, though, you may want to think again. The estimated cost of a conversion such as this one runs about $1,500.

[Source: Hack N Mod via Engadget]

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Below is a roundup of contests currently running around the b5media Lifestyles Channel. Entering to win is easier and cheaper then playing the lottery! What have you go to lose?

Visit each link provided, leave a comment and you may just end up the lucky winner!

Last chance to enter at Inside Motherhood - Contests end tonight (May 30)! Hop over and register to win one of 10 great prizes!

Mary Emma Allen has a random drawing at Quilting and Patchwork for a quilting booklet, How to Make a Quilt - 25 Easy Lessons for Beginners by Bonnie Leman, founder of Quilters Newsletter Magazine. Leave a comment with the name of your favorite quilting/fabric arts book. Deadline June 6, at 11:59 PM (EDST).

Jewelry and Beading - Win a free copy of “Under $25” by Bead & Button magazine. Simply leave a comment on this post, telling us what your best source of bargain beads is, and you’ll be entered into the drawing. Next Wednesday, I’ll be
randomly selecting 4 winners!!

Three Contests on Keeping the Castle:

1. This giveaway is for one copy of the book “The Peaceful Nursery: Preparing a Home for Your Baby with Feng Shui” by home and lifestyle experts Laura Forbes Carlin and Alison Forbes. The authors use principles from interior design, Feng Shui, healthy, green living and their own parenting experience to help create a balanced, peaceful and green nursery.

2. The EZ-Fit Safety Gate Adapter, - by ’boutKids, provides a mounting surface for attaching pressure- or hardware-mounted safety gates to stairway posts.

3. Three winners will get a Mabel’s Labels Neat Freak Combo (spice, canister and bin labels). These labels are strong enough to “withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard-wearing children”.

Robust Cooking is giving away a copy of Henry and The Hidden Vegetable Garden. Henry and the Hidden Vegetable Garden was launched on May 1 to help promote the Love Your Veggies Campaign. The Love Your Veggies Campaign was created to help schools improve their students health and nutrition.

Have a great weekend everyone!

(image: stock.xchng)

Technorati Tags: contests,blog contests,lifestyles channel,giveaways,sweepstakes

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Mother Earth News recently featured an extensive article covering instructions on building your own small-scale solar heating system for as low as $30. The 9 page tutorial includes step by step instructions from Don R. and George Waterman of Springfield, Missouri, and is based on their experience installing the system on their 30×40 insulated [...]

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