: : Energy Efficiency

What is Energy Efficiency ?

Energy efficiency is the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. Energy conservation is any behavior that results in the use of less energy.

A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent is an example of energy conservation.

Why is Energy Efficiency Important ?

Energy consumers are looking for ways to increase sustainability by introducing energy efficiency technologies in commercial, government and residential markets. However, market forces alone will not suffice to maximize the opportunities to introduce energy efficiency technologies—targeted policies are needed to overcome the current market imperfections and regulatory hurdles that are acting as barriers to capturing higher levels of energy savings.

Rising Energy Costs, Efficiency Will Drive Cleantech Activity

By Nate Leaf

Nov 15, 2007 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. -- Rising energy costs and efforts to improve energy efficiency will be central drivers of the cleantech industry over the next five years, according to a poll of attendees at Ernst & Young's Strategic Growth Forum.

"These results demonstrate that the economics of energy continue to drive more and more businesses to adopt a cleantech strategy," said Joseph Muscat, Americas Cleantech Director at Ernst & Young LLP. "Cleantech is as much about addressing strategic corporate challenges as much as it is about responding to environmental concerns. Setting a corporate cleantech agenda is one of the top boardroom priorities today."

Half of all respondents said that of all cleantech initiatives, energy efficiency will have the greatest impact on their companies -- as much as solar, wind, hydro, biofuels and others combined. ....read more

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New Orleans is named as a DOE Solar American City. La CleanTech spearheads the effort to build the New Orleans Solar City team with The NO office of Recovery Management, FutureProof, Green Coast Enterprises, Alliance for Affordable Energy, and Global Green..read more

La Clean Tech is offering Solar Energy Installation training classes around the state, and is working with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to begin a Solar Training program.

LA Senator Nick Gautreaux was presented with an award for his dedication to passing the Louisiana Tax Credit. La Clean Tech Network credits Mr. Gautreaux with being the "Father of the Solar Industry" in Louisiana...read more

Southern Building Institute is formed by La CleanTech along with Louisiana based building professionals and teams up with Texas A&M to apply for DOE Build America grant.

Global Green Holy Cross Project partners with La CleanTech to begin workforce development program for Solar Installers during installation of 5kW solar electric system in the ninth ward. read more .

Louisiana Economic Development office and La CleanTech are working towards getting Solar PV manufacturere to locate a 175MW a year plant to locate in New Olreans to produce state of the art solar systems.