Huntsville’s reputation as a leader in defense technology has gained the attention of the Small Business Administration...
Huntsville, Alabama (April 25, 2012) -- Huntsville’s reputation as a leader in defense technology has gained the attention of the Small Business Administration.
And that attention brought its leader – administrator Karen Mills – to Huntsville on April 18 to view what the area’s small business defense contractors have been able to do with the support of SBA loans.
"You are poster children for what can happen when small business partners on government contracts," Mills said. "The Department of Defense and all the primes have figured it out and they are partnering with small business. They have learned that working with small, innovative companies is a win-win situation."
Mills’ visit to Huntsville took her to the corner of South Memorial Parkway and Airport Road, where a unique public-private arrangement known as the Redstone Park and Energy Demonstration Center is bringing solar energy to the Huntsville power grid and, specifically, to defense contractors in Cummings Research Park.
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Huntsville-based Redstone Energy Group, broke ground today at the Redstone Park and Energy Demonstration Center...
Huntsville, Alabama (April 5, 2012) -- Huntsville-based Redstone Energy Group, which provides renewable energy systems for municipalities, businesses and the military, broke ground today on a center to demonstrate its systems that harness the sun's energy.
The Redstone Park and Energy Demonstration Center at the northeast corner of Airport Road and South Memorial Parkway will be a "showcase of market-ready technology that's available," said Lori Severin, a principal of Redstone Energy Group who's responsible for new business development. There also will be educational information "on how energy is generated by the sun and managed by Huntsvile Utilities back to the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) grid for use by the public and by nearby buildings in need of that energy."
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For the second year, Rick Skelton is "Racing for Children's" at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama...
Birmingham, Alabama (March 31, 2012) – Rick Skelton is a champion of the Baja 1000, which he won in record time in 2010, and finished second place in 2007, 2008 and 2011. His personal career wins include 5 first place finishes, 9 seconds, 4 thirds and more than 30 Top Ten finishes. He also founded Hypersport Racing, the predecessor of Dempsey Racing.
For the second year, he's "Racing for Children's" at Barber Motorsports Park with co-driver Clint Guthrie in the Grand Prix of Alabama - driving a special Children's of Alabama car sponsored by Medical Properties Trust. They are on target to raise over $150k net to the hospital for children with cancer.
(To sponsor a handprint on the car and help kids at Children's Hospital beat cancer, please visit: RacingforChildrens.org.)
When he's not racing, Rick Skelton serves as president of Redstone E. V. and as senior vice president of Redstone Energy Group, sponsors of the Baja 1000-Redstone Sun Cup Challenge, and the Redstone Energy Group is developing renewable energy alternatives.
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The U.S. solar energy industry installed a record 1,855 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2011...
Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2012) – The U.S. solar energy industry installed a record 1,855 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2011, according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insightreport. The amount represents a 109% growth rate over the previous year and is enough to power more than 370,000 homes. The total more than doubled the previous annual record of 887 MW set in 2010. The findings came from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, an industry trade group.
This growth was spurred in part by declining installed solar photovoltaic (PV) system prices, which fell 20% last year on the back of lower component costs, improved installation efficiency, expanded financing options, and a shift toward larger systems nationwide. In addition, the anticipated expiration of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s 1603 Program, which ended December 31, 2011, drove developers to commission projects before the end of 2011.
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Consumers could find the Nissan Leaf and other EVs more accessible under a plan proposed by the PEV Dialogue Group...
Washington, D.C. (March 13, 2012) – A coalition of automakers, electric utilities, environmental groups, state officials, and DOE on March 13 outlined joint recommendations for accelerating the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) nationwide. The PEV Dialogue Group, convened last year by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), presented its recommendations at a Washington, D.C. event.
The group's report, An Action Plan to Integrate Plug-in Electric Vehicles with the U.S. Electrical Grid, provides a roadmap for coordinated public and private sector action to ensure that PEV owners can conveniently plug in their cars without overtaxing the grid. It recommends steps to ensure compatible regulatory approaches nationwide, balance public and private investments in charging infrastructure, and better inform consumers about PEVs. Over the coming months, C2ES will support DOE-funded Clean Cities coalitions working in dozens of communities across the country to develop local PEV deployment plans.
C2ES will work with the PEV Dialogue Group and others to promote implementation of its plan. Nearly 18,000 PEVs were sold in the United States last year; over the next year or two, all of the major automakers plan to have models on the road. Some PEVs such as the Nissan Leaf rely entirely on battery power, while the Chevy Volt and others have backup engines to extend their driving ranges. Broad deployment of PEVs, which use little or no gasoline, can significantly reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil and curb harmful tailpipe emissions.
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Solar installions across the Southeast are beginning to go online, with more to come...
Huntsville, Alabama (March 15, 2012) – Numerous solar installations have been in progress for the past several months with many going online. Ranging from 1.5 kW to 200 kW, these installation are proof positive that energy independence is on the minds of many people in the Southeast, including Middle Tennessee.
Redstone Energy Group, along with Outpost Solar, LLC, have committed their project management, design, and installation skills to help further the cause of solar energy implementation. These installations indicate a determined effort to make the future brighter for all through the harnessing of the sun.
Upcoming projects will include new installations in Huntsville, Alabama in partnership with the Huntsville Sun Shot initiative.
Challenge to all: Develop solar-powered electric vehicles to compete in next year’s famed Baja 1000 off-road desert car race...
Ensenada, Mexico (November 17, 2011) – Starting line of the Baja 1000; the most challenging automobile race in the harshest racing conditions on the planet.
At the kick-off of this year’s Baja 1000, race organizer SCORE and Redstone Energy Group announced the Redstone Sun Cup Challenge. Their aim: to spur the best and the brightest in the electric vehicle and solar technology fields to work with racing teams to develop an electric-powered “EVPV” Baja race vehicle with battery charging provided by solar power.
The organizers hope the challenge will serve as a catalyst for developing the clean technologies of the future and, in turn, help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels. Racing has always translated to big advances on the highways.
“The goal is to apply technology and ingenuity, at which our nation excels, to create world-changing results,” said SCORE President & CEO, Sal Fish in announcing the new car-racing division and challenge cup.
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