Hymotion Prius Hybrid plug-in upgrade in the news.

On the environmentally good news front there is a "new" player in the Prius Hybrid game that specializes in converting these already high mileage cars to 100 MPG + Plug-in capability. The conversion entails retrofitting a stock Prius Hybrid with heavier gas cushion load-leveling shocks and heavier springs; a much larger battery system and a plug-in charging harness along with rewiring to incorporate the system into Prius' computer monitors and controllers.. The conversion takes about 6 hours by an authorized conversion garage. Mileage jumps to 100 mpg rating (but only for 30-40 miles before the extra batteries then revert to the standard ICE* charge/surge of a stock Prius.). At any rate, for average drivers this means their daily errands and commute will be all on battery power. The heavier battery pack's weight penalty is about the same as packing a large adult around at all times which is offset by the increased distance the batteries can go on a full charge plus some. With the steady incline of gasoline prices which are predicted to exceed the 2008 price spike but without the collapse that followed, this system makes sense.

Check it out at: www.a123systems.com/hymotion

* ICE, Internal Combustion Engine

Fw: [CR4] New comment to 'Wind Turbines Without Teeth' by Guest

Here is some really terrific environmental tech news! It is about Direct Drive wind turbines, which will surely drive their cost down; their reliability up; and increase the fortunes of inverter manufactures a bunch. Now, WHERE are my Siemens and GE stock positions links? ;-)

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Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:00:00 AM
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One progressive city has a retrofit solar panel program for everyman.

SOURCE: Urban Eco Electric

 

Aug 19, 2009 11:00 ET

Urban Eco Electric, New Philadelphia Electric Company, Hosts "Beer for Bills" Events

Trade in Your Peco "Clunkers" for a Beer and Free Solar Panels

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - August 19, 2009) - On August 20 and August 27, 2009, homeowners are invited to learn how they can get free solar panels and lower their electric bills during "Beer for Bills" events Urban Eco Electric (UEE) is sponsoring. Urban Eco plans to install 5,000 solar PV systems on Philadelphia homes with no upfront cost to the homeowner. These events are a chance to learn how they can participate in helping the environment while saving on their electric bills.

August 20                     August 27 Belgian Café                  Manayunk Brewery 2047 Green Street             4120 Main Street Philadelphia, PA              Philadelphia, PA (215) 235-3500                (215) 482-8220 

Urban Eco, a new kind of power company, is making solar energy affordable and practical for Philadelphians. Now urban residents can participate in going green without the prohibitive upfront costs. Through UEE's first-of-its-kind lease program, homeowners can lower their carbon footprint while reaping sizeable savings on their ongoing electric bill.

A brief overview of Urban Eco's solar equipment lease program:

-- Homeowners enter into a lease agreement for 20 years with Urban Eco Electric who then assumes all the upfront costs as well as ongoing maintenance.

-- Urban Eco then reduces the homeowner's (average) electric bill by 50% for the first two years of the lease.

-- Further savings are realized in years three and beyond when Urban Eco freezes their electric bill for the remainder of the lease. Pennsylvania will see significant rate hikes when the legal rate caps are removed in 2011.

-- Overall realized savings are roughly $20,000 to $30,000 for the panels; $15,000 for electricity savings.

David Blumenfeld, Philadelphia real estate attorney and founder of Urban Eco Electric, says, "Without this program, solar power would be virtually unattainable for many homeowners. I'm glad we can provide a way for our neighborhoods to benefit while creating a brighter, cleaner future for us all."

For more information, please visit www.go-uee.com. Homeowners are invited to call (215) 909-6814 for more information or a free in-home consultation. Contact information: Petrina Fisher Wells, Wells Marketing Group, www.wellsmarketinggroup.com.

Contact:
Email Contact
Wells Marketing Group
215-391-3300

Click here to see all recent news from this company

From the desktop of Warren Richardson   pro-active advocate
for conversion to energy alternatives and carbon footprint reduction.
Moderator of http://dfw-alt-e-caucus.blogspot.com/ and the

Webmaster of http://www.green-metroplex.com/ .... You are invited
to come see how cost effective, and even profitable, it can be to

                                                   go green!