Move Over Silicon, Carbon’s Coming to Town

Silicon crystals have long been the primary component in solar PV panels. But not for long if Matty Jones and other researchers have anything to say about it. A new form of carbon based solar panel technology could potentially disrupt the solar industry with a more cost effective alternative. Although carbon based or organic photovoltaic technology is not likely to ever achieve the same efficiency as silicon panels, their cost to produce is significantly lower and  the flexible nature of organic solar panels allows them to be mounted on a variety of surfaces.

As with all new technologies, carbon based solar panels require research and development to create a competitive, market ready product. My interview with Matty Jones, Physicist and Post Doctoral Researcher at the Boise State University Material Science and Engineering Department dives into the details of organic photovoltaics and how he is using computer modelling to improve the efficiency of the panels. Listen to the podcast of our show to learn more.

My interview with Matty aired on Radio Boise Tuesday 2-23-2016. You can listen to live shows by tuning in to Radio Boise Tuesdays @ 3 PM on 89.9 FM or 93.5 FM in the Treasure Valley. Or stream online @ http://www.radioboise.org.

Got an idea for a show? We’d love to hear about it! Contact us at buildingagreeneridaho@gmail.com

Read Full Post »

Who’s Land?

Kahle Becker, former Deputy Attorney General for the Idaho Department of Lands, has been fighting hard to protect Idaho’s public lands from what he (and the Idaho State Attorney General) thinks is misguided legislation. House bill 582, the public lands multiple use sustained yield act, seeks to move ownership and management of the federal lands in the state of Idaho to the state. Among Becker’s many concerns with the bill are loss of public access, sale of public lands to private interests, and state budget shortfalls from the costs required to manage the lands. Becker notes that one severe fire year can result in hundreds of millions of dollars in fire fighting costs, a figure that would decimate Idaho’s current budget. Becker also expresses concern with the expedited path of the bill which has precluded sufficient public comment for a proposal with such far reaching impacts in a state that is 63% federal lands.

The bill made it past it’s first hurdle today as it was voted 12-3 in favor in the House Resources Committee. But the bill is still a long ways to go before being passed as law. If that does happen, so begins a costly legal battle between the state of Idaho and the Federal Government.

Use the player below to listen to the interview with Kahle Becker and learn more.

My interview with Kahle aired on Radio Boise Tuesday 3-15-2016. You can listen to live shows by tuning in to Radio Boise Tuesdays @ 3 PM on 89.9 FM or 93.5 FM in the Treasure Valley. Or stream online @ http://www.radioboise.org.

 

Got an idea for a show? We’d love to hear about it! Contact us at buildingagreeneridaho@gmail.com

Read Full Post »

To Be the Most Livable City in the Country

Haley Falconer doesn’t train falcons – at least at this point – but she does work to help meet the City of Boise’s goal to become the most livable city in the country. I spoke with Haley about her role as the Sustainability Coordinator and Boise’s first “LIVability Report” she has been developing that will be released in April. We discuss the background of LIV Boise, the LIVability Report, and the myriad of programs and goals a sustainability coordinator for a city helps to advance.

Read Full Post »