A handful of towns were expecting clean, green renewable power from their new wind turbine installations this winter. However, it ain’t happening because the turbines freeze and can’t spin during the cold blasts that make Minnesota so famous.

Problem: The turbines were made in sunny California. But in a Minnesota winter, the grease, oil and hydraulic fluids that lubricate the turbines freeze up and the turbines can’t spin. They just sit there, still. Result: No power.

The turbines were supposed to be on line before Christmas. But they haven’t been working since frigid weather settled in back in. The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency told the StarTribune that the 115-ft wind towers that were supposed to supply clean power to 11 towns won’t be back in operation for another couple of months, when spring comes around.

Meanwhile, in another setback for wind power, officials in Sangamon County, Illinois, are clamping down on zoning rules to restrict placement of future wind farms. The Illinois Times reports that county officials are considering new rules to require bigger buffers between communities and wind farms.

Wind farms would have to be at least half-a-mile away from communities of 10,000 citizens. Larger communities would get a 1.5-mile buffer between them and the turbine farms.

Say goodbye to hopes of an early springtime. It’s time to invest in fossil fuels.

Mixing the two sciences leads to a surprising conclusion: Wind and solar power have a limited future in a warmer world.

So it might be prudent to invest in coal and petroleum for those who have to survive winter weather, which will routinely last six weeks past Feb. 2. The winter of 2010 will be extended because the great prognosticator of winter, Punxsutawney Phil, indeed saw his shadow yesterday as he was carried outside his hut in Pennsylvania.

The tradition of relying on a groundhog to predict the weather evolved from the Dark Ages in Europe when sunny skies on Candlemas Day (Feb. 2 under the old style calendars) meant an extended winter. The Germans added the hedgehog to the prediction technique. This idea emerged in America in 1887 with the twist that a sunny sky meant Punxsutawney Phil could see his shadow, therefore winter would last longer.

Why is this good for coal and fossil-fuel suppliers?

For a couple of reasons, Phil will be increasingly predicting longer winters.

The thinking: As global warming increases in intensity, a warmer Earth will decrease wind activity, which cools land and sea. Warmer seas would bring on more cloud cover, which would hang around for longer periods, so there would also be less sunlight to power up your cell phone.

Conclusion, at least from blogger Hank Green: Global warming will make it hard to generate green power from solar and wind technologies.

One plus from all the extra cloud cover: Fewer visible full moons, so fewer appearances of the Wolfman and other creatures born of the full strength of moonlight.

(Note: Not to rain on groundhog scientist too much, but officially, the Spring Equinox is March 20, so technically, Phil’s always wrong about a late spring arrival. Phil’s prediction of six more weeks of winter brings us to March 16. That means spring always comes early — by four days — according to Phil’s predictions about winter.)

That’s the goal of a new green energy investment plan unveiled by the UK’s Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband.

To get there, London’s offering lucrative incentives to get consumers to invest in solar panels, small-scale wind turbines and other low-carbon energy technologies by 2020, according to a story in the UK’s 24 Dash.com blog on housing issues.

To get there, London’s offering a “feed-in tariff” plan to purchase electricity generated by these small clean energy systems. For example, for a photovoltaic solar panel system, the government will pay owners to up about $1,000 for the installation.

The UK expects that small scale renewable energy projects — those less than five megawatts — will meet 2% of Britain’s electricity needs by 2020.

Meanwhile in the U.S., prospects for wind energy are looking good for small business and home owners interested in clean energy. Ron Stimmel with the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) points out that his industry’s eying a 30% increase in demand for wind energy projects for wind systems for homes and small businesses between 2009 and 2014.

There are two reasons for rising demand for wind turbines:

• 1) a 30% federal tax credit for wind energy installations that runs through 2018, and
• 2) prices for wind equipment are falling as manufacturers expand production capacity.

Proof: 2009 was a boom year for AWEA members. The group reports that the wind industry set an all time record by installing 10,000 megawatts of new generating capacity, enough to serve 2.4 million homes.

Some highlights gleaned from the musings of Web bloggers since the green thing really exploded in the last couple of years.

Bad idea #1: Reusable grocery bags. Sure the idea sounds like a great way to get away from the plastic bag. But as one blogger pointed out: Where else can you get a free source of trash-can liners and plastic bags to carry home a wet bathing suit or to pick up after your dog? She also discovered that reusable bags totally outperform paper and plastic. They’re so strong and durable that she ended up buying way more groceries than she planned and needed help getting them out to her car.

Bad idea #2: The computer-powered flower pot. Relying on the basics, like sun, soil and water is too much bother. What busy exec has time to remember to water the thing? Why bother when your computer can do all the work and just tell you about it? That’s the thinking behind the plastic flower pot that hooks into your computer’s USB port to supply light and monitor growth. Computer gets to run 24/7 on your dime, to do what the sun did in only half a day for free.

Bad idea #3: Green anti-virus spyware. Oh, think you can save the planet by somehow cutting power usage of your computer while you’re working away? Don’t bet on it. There’s a new computer bug linked to the “Eco Anti Virus” software that claims to hunt down evil software while improving the efficiency of your computer. Don’t touch this one. It is a virus and will deluge you with fake security alerts and force you to go to the Eco Anti Virus Web site to buy its product.

Bad idea #4: Solar powered necktie and jacket. Haven’t seen one yet in church, at the diner or while waiting in a Wal-Mart checkout line? What’s the power for? To hold the tie flat in a breeze? Maybe it really does repower your cell phone, but it didn’t win any kudos from the green movement. Maybe if they had made a solar-powered fork and spoon to go with the electric knife it might have caught on.

Bad idea #5: The Energy Curtain. What a great idea, this solar powered window shade collects enough juice during the day to provide free light at night. Unfortunately, the shade must be drawn all day to soak in the sunlight, so anyone in the house has to turn on a light to get this electric glow at night. Hmmmm.

Seen any other oddball green ideas? Share them in the comments section for everyone to enjoy.

Even the greenest wannabes can only roll their eyes when overly enthusiastic marketing departments get behind these gems.

Some highlights gleaned from the musings of Web bloggers since the green thing really exploded in the last couple of years.

Bad idea #1: Reusable grocery bags. Sure the idea sounds like a great way to get away from the plastic bag. But as one blogger pointed out: Where else can you get a free source of trash-can liners and plastic bags to carry home a wet bathing suit or to pick up after your dog? She also discovered that reusable bags totally outperform paper and plastic. They’re so strong and durable that she ended up buying way more groceries than she planned and needed help getting them out to her car.

Bad idea #2: The computer-powered flower pot. Relying on the basics, like sun, soil and water is too much bother. What busy exec has time to remember to water the thing? Why bother when your computer can do all the work and just tell you about it? That’s the thinking behind the plastic flower pot that hooks into your computer’s USB port to supply light and monitor growth. Computer gets to run 24/7 on your dime, to do what the sun did in only half a day for free.

Bad idea #3: Green anti-virus spyware. Oh, think you can save the planet by somehow cutting power usage of your computer while you’re working away? Don’t bet on it. There’s a new computer bug linked to the “Eco Anti Virus” software that claims to hunt down evil software while improving the efficiency of your computer. Don’t touch this one. It is a virus and will deluge you with fake security alerts and force you to go to the Eco Anti Virus Web site to buy its product.

Bad idea #4: Solar powered necktie and jacket. Haven’t seen one yet in church, at the diner or while waiting in a Wal-Mart checkout line? What’s the power for? To hold the tie flat in a breeze? Maybe it really does repower your cell phone, but it didn’t win any kudos from the green movement. Maybe if they had made a solar-powered fork and spoon to go with the electric knife it might have caught on.

Bad idea #5: The Energy Curtain. What a great idea, this solar powered window shade collects enough juice during the day to provide free light at night. Unfortunately, the shade must be drawn all day to soak in the sunlight, so anyone in the house has to turn on a light to get this electric glow at night. Hmmmm.

Seen any other oddball green ideas? Share them in the comments section for everyone to enjoy.

The university just completed installation of the nation’s first, non-penetrating solar installation on top of an historic building on the Watertown, MA, campus.

The system generates 500 kilowatts (kW) of electric power, enough to power 83 average Massachusetts homes. And by switching to a clean energy supply, Harvard gets credit for offsetting the equivalent of 367 metric tons a year of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that are blamed for creating climate change.

Harvard’s solar system features the T5 Solar Roof Tile from SunPower Corp. The company claims this system produces twice the electric power than competing thin film and conventional solar panel technologies. The T5 panels can generate 156 kWs compared to only 90 kWs for thin film and 60 kWs for conventional panels.

The T5′s other big advantages: Lightweight and ease of installation. And since the tiles are attached to the roof, not through the roof, SunPower’s system doesn’t create problems with roof warranties.

The companies didn’t release actual installation costs or energy savings to Harvard from switching to solar power. The economic benefit is only defined as a great return on investment in various company statements.

However, the installation didn’t cost Harvard anything.

The solar system is owned by SunPower and its partners, CarbonFree Technology and Integrys Energy Services, Inc. Harvard agreed to buy electricity from this trio for 25 years. The venture also benefited from a $1.1 million rebate from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Could your company benefit from adding a similar solar power system to the roof? What type of ROI would your company need to justify adding solar power?

Let us know in the comments box below.

We’re talking $2.3 billion dollars in federal tax credits handed out by the Department of Energy (DoE) to create green manufacturing jobs in 43 states.

DoE says the credits will generate 17,000 clean energy jobs and provide a boost to 183 renewable energy projects. The 30% tax credit approved by the energy agency is expected to pull in another $7.7 billion in private investment to help companies make:

1. solar cells, panels and arrays
2. wind turbines and microturbines
3. fuel cells for homes and businesses
4. high-tech batteries
5. electric cars
6. energy efficiency upgrades
7. smart grid technology products, and
8. pollution control equipment that captures carbon dioxide.

Some of the tax credits approved by DoE:

• AAF-McQuay, Inc., won $2.7 million to produce more efficient industrial chillers and filtering equipment in Kentucky and Virginia,
• Abound Solar, Inc., won $12.6 million to expand production in Colorado of solar panels made with cadmium telluride semiconductor technology,
• Brevini Wind USA, Inc., won $12.5 million to build a factory in Indiana that will make the gear boxes for wind turbines,
• CaliSolar, Inc. won $53.6 million to build a California facility that will make silicone used in solar cells,
• DuPont won $50 million to produce film coatings used to make solar cells,
• General Electric received more than $92 million to make Energy Star heat pumps, refrigerators, dishwashers, gas turbines, a heat-pump powered clothes dryer and a more fuel efficient airline engine. GE’s also getting credits to relamp some of its manufacturing facilities with fluorescent lighting systems,
• SolarWorld Industries America, Inc., won $82 million to make solar components and materials in Oregon, and
• United Technologies Corp., won $110 million to produce a more efficient jet engine in Connecticut.

All of the Section 48c Manufacturing Tax Credits approved by DoE must be completed by 2014. Roughly 30% of the projects will be ready in 2010.

The clean energy industry is off to a hot start this year with a lucrative set of tax credits to create those green jobs that President Obama likes to talk up.

We’re talking $2.3 billion dollars in federal tax credits handed out by the Department of Energy (DoE) to create green manufacturing jobs in 43 states.

DoE says the credits will generate 17,000 clean energy jobs and provide a boost to 183 renewable energy projects. The 30% tax credit approved by the energy agency is expected to pull in another $7.7 billion in private investment to help companies make:

1. solar cells, panels and arrays
2. wind turbines and microturbines
3. fuel cells for homes and businesses
4. high-tech batteries
5. electric cars
6. energy efficiency upgrades
7. smart grid technology products, and
8. pollution control equipment that captures carbon dioxide.

Some of the tax credits approved by DoE:

• AAF-McQuay, Inc., won $2.7 million to produce more efficient industrial chillers and filtering equipment in Kentucky and Virginia,
• Abound Solar, Inc., won $12.6 million to expand production in Colorado of solar panels made with cadmium telluride semiconductor technology,
• Brevini Wind USA, Inc., won $12.5 million to build a factory in Indiana that will make the gear boxes for wind turbines,
• CaliSolar, Inc. won $53.6 million to build a California facility that will make silicone used in solar cells,
• DuPont won $50 million to produce film coatings used to make solar cells,
• General Electric received more than $92 million to make Energy Star heat pumps, refrigerators, dishwashers, gas turbines, a heat-pump powered clothes dryer and a more fuel efficient airline engine. GE’s also getting credits to relamp some of its manufacturing facilities with fluorescent lighting systems,
• SolarWorld Industries America, Inc., won $82 million to make solar components and materials in Oregon, and
• United Technologies Corp., won $110 million to produce a more efficient jet engine in Connecticut.

All of the Section 48c Manufacturing Tax Credits approved by DoE must be completed by 2014. Roughly 30% of the projects will be ready in 2010.

That’s the warning sounded by energy suppliers and investors in clean energy technologies. The problem is that energy demand is growing, despite the current recession.

However, there are no plans to create new power capacity that’s based on the status quo of burning good old coal. Instead, everybody’s been investing in solar, wind and nuclear energy.

These investments all depend on a high price for carbon credit offsets to justify building new clean-power capacities. But the lack of binding GHG reduction agreements at Copenhagen has pulled the rug out from under these plans.

The Guardian reports that the price of carbon credits fell 10% after it was clear that the Copenhagen event would end without a mandatory agreement to cut GHGs. Lack of a Copenhagen agreement forced the European Union to scrap plans to raise its goal of cutting GHGs from 20% to 30% by 2020. The 20% reduction target remains in effect.

Reuters reports falling prices for carbon offset credit prices, now at a six-month low, have cooled interest in the once-hot clean energy sector. Investments in solar, wind and geothermal projects may not revive until 2012, the news service reports.

Result: No GHG cuts, no income from carbon credits to build new capacity, no new capacity ready to go. So suddenly talk is back to energy shortages and higher prices.

Check out some of the recommended Great Geek Gifts from the WebEcoist blog. Judging from the 13 geeky ideas reviewed, solar power is the big winner this year.

Not solar panels, but solar-powered gadgets — for example, the latest Apple iPod Nano features a solar-powered charging system that cuts power usage by 50%.

But it’s Nano’s cutting edge design that’s even more impressive and signals a major shift towards green chemistry and clean manufacturing. This iPod was manufactured without using any hazardous materials. Its features include:

• mercury-free LED-backlit display
• arsenic-free display glass
• brominated flame retardant-free, and
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free plastics.

Then there’s the Solar Style solar-powered recharger that features 10 different types of connecting ports to recharge most phone, mp3 players and other electronic gadgets.

Or, how about the solar-powered lawnmower from Sunwhisper? But who’s thinking work for Christmas?

But don’t dismay if you’re a wind-power enthusiast. There’s a gadget for wind as well. The HYmini recharging device is a hand-held wind-powered recharger that’s lightweight enough for Santa to re-power Rudolph’s nose as he jumps from rooftop to rooftop next week.