SunPower (NASDAQ:SPWR) has once again raised the bar by introducing the highest-power solar panels available today for the residential market. In the United States, the company has launched its Next Generation Technology home solar panel called A-Series, delivering 400 and 415 watts of power. In Europe and Australia, homeowners can also now order a 400-watt solar panel from SunPower called Maxeon® 3. Each is the first home solar panel to deliver more than 400 watts in its region and is designed to deliver 60 percent more energy in the same amount of roof space over the first 25 years compared to conventional solar.
“SunPower is introducing the world’s first 400-watt residential solar panels as most in the industry are just crossing the 300-watt threshold for home solar,” said Jeff Waters, CEO of the SunPower Technologies business unit. “Our record-breaking cell technology and innovative research and development efforts have enabled us to fit more power capacity on rooftops than we ever have before. Our growing panel portfolio is delivering unprecedented value across global markets that goes unmatched by any other residential solar technology currently available.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8252054-sunpower-a-series-next-gen-solar-panels/
QROPS - Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes were introduced in 2006 as part of a major overhaul of Britain\'s pension framework, aimed at simplifying pension transfers to another country. New legislation was passed by the UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), in order to comply with an EU directive that pensions be free to move across Europe\'s borders. This ruling means that individuals, wishing to retire to countries such as France, Spain and Portugal can effectively take their UK pension funds with them: http://www.axis-finance.com/what-are-qrops.php
Who can apply for a QROPS?
A QROPS is specifically designed to allow anyone, not intending to retire in the UK, to transfer existing and frozen UK pension plans into a more appropriate retirement vehicle.
Individuals who are, or have been members of a UK registered pension fund and are currently living outside of the UK, or intending to leave the UK on a permanent basis, can consider transferring their retirement fund into a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France
Transfers to QROPS
The UK Government allows transfers to QROPS to be made free of UK tax. Their aim is to simplify the affairs of individuals leaving the UK on a permanent basis and to encourage them to continue saving in order to provide an income when they retire. There is no official limit to the amount of funds that may be transferred to a QROPS: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-France-pension-transfers
QROPS - HMRC Rules
What makes a scheme a QROPS?
In order to transfer your UK pension into a QROPS, it is necessary for the overseas pension scheme to be accepted by HMRC. The criteria outlined by HMRC for an overseas scheme to qualify as a QROPS include:
- The pension scheme must be established outside of the UK
- It must be recognised for tax purposes in the country where it is located
- It must be regulated in the country in which it is established
Age that benefits can be taken from a QROPS
The QROPS regime mirrors that of a regulated pension scheme in the UK. Benefits, including lump sum payments, from the transferred funds may not be distributed earlier than the normal retirement age of 55, if an individual has been a non-UK resident for less than five complete tax years: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-living-in-France-HMRC-Rules
QROPS Reporting requirements
HMRC should be notified if a payment is made within the first five tax years of a member becoming non-UK tax resident. Any benefits paid before five complete tax years of non-UK residency and not in accordance with UK Pension rules will be deemed an unauthorised payment.
The scheme manager does not have to notify HMRC if the payment is made 10 or more years after the day of the transfer that created the QROPS fund for the \'relevant member\', provided that the person is non UK resident for the duration of this period. This 10 year \'bracket\' for reporting payments took effect as of 6 April 2012.
QROPS List
When transferring your UK pension to a scheme overseas, it is important to check that the scheme meets the conditions to be a qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme (QROPS). Not all transfers to overseas or offshore schemes are QROPS transfers; it is therefore essential to verify that the scheme receiving your UK benefits is on the QROPS list published by HMRC, otherwise a transfer will be treated as a transfer to a non-qualifying overseas scheme and substantial penalties may be applied by HMRC at the time of transfer: http://www.axis-finance.com/qrops-list-living-in-France
How do I know if it is a legitimate QROPS scheme?
QROPS approved plans that agree to have their details published are listed on the HMRC website. A UK Pension administrator will confirm a QROPS listing before agreeing to a transfer. If not listed, the administrator will contact HMRC
“You are a Playboy and you have extraordinary powers. You enter a rooftop party. Here’s what could happen…”
Playboy launches a super-sexy, super-charged advertising campaign for Super Playboy, its new blockbuster fragrance and body care collection. The tongue-in-cheek television, print and digital campaign plays out the epic exploits of super seducers as they take control of the night. Forget saving the world – they’re too busy seducing and having fun! Are you ready to play? PRESS TO PLAY!
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61946-super-playboy-new-fragrance-body-care
Leviton unveiled today its next generation Leviton Load Center, an internet-connected system that sends users real time monitoring data and customizable alerts to their smart devices. Debuting at the 2019 NAHB International Builders’ Show® in Las Vegas, the enhanced Leviton Load Center with intelligent circuit breakers gives contractors, builders and homeowners a smarter and safer solution.
“Today’s homebuyers want a smarter home and we’ve answered the call with the Leviton Load Center,” said Daryoush Larizadeh, president and chief operating officer of Leviton. “The enhanced version of the Leviton Load Center is a ground-breaking milestone in our long history of innovation, integrating intelligence and efficiency into the nerve center of the home. It is easy to install for contractors and provides home builders with a smart, safe and aesthetically pleasing product for their customers. Plus, homeowners reap the benefits of an intuitive, manageable unit that simplifies their daily lives.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8489251-leviton-next-generation-internet-connected-load-center/
If hectic weeknight schedules have you dialing for take-out or popping a pre-packaged meal in the microwave, Gordon Ramsay has a time-saving tool that will get you back in the kitchen and cooking healthy, homemade meals in no time. Philips Airfryer is Chef Ramsay’s at-home sous chef for cooking delicious dishes for his whole family. This simple, multi-tasking kitchen appliance uses air instead of oil to fry, roast, bake and grill a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“This time of year can be quite the frenzy for our family, and a struggle to find time to cook healthy dishes,” said Ramsay. “The Philips Airfryer has been like having a sous chef in my home. It’s fast, easy and everything we make in it always comes out delicious, whether it’s sweet potato fries, juicy roasted chicken, or – my girls’ favorite – crispy kale chips.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7894851-philips-rapidair-airfryer/
A Firefly is lighting up operating rooms, making it easier for robotic surgeons to remove tumors. However, this Firefly is not the type that children catch in a jar during warm summer evenings. Instead, it’s a technology that uses a wavelength of light not visible to the human eye. A special dye is then injected which causes a bright green fluorescence of certain tissues, hence the name “Firefly.” This green glow lets surgeons clearly see the difference between cancerous and healthy tissue when performing surgery, allowing them to remove the tumor while saving the rest of the healthy organ.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7342452-firefly-lighting-operating-rooms/
In a ground-breaking collaboration, Volvo Cars, protective gravity sports gear manufacturer POC and Ericsson will present an innovative safety technology connecting drivers and cyclists for the first time ever at International CES in Las Vegas (6-9 January 2015).
The technology consists of a connected car and helmet prototype that will establish 2-way communication offering proximity alerts to Volvo car drivers and cyclists and thereby avoid accidents. No car manufacturer has previously put a stake in the ground to help address the problem by using Connected Safety technology – until now.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404151-volvo-life-saving-cycling-tech/
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and Major League Baseball (MLB) are once again teaming up to hit home runs for prostate cancer research and encourage fans to “Keep Dad in the Game” as part of the yearly celebration of Father’s Day and annual Home Run Challenge.
This year Joe Torre, MLB’s Chief Baseball Officer, Hall of Famer and prostate cancer survivor, encourages baseball fans everywhere to support PCF’s efforts to end prostate cancer by delivering an important public service announcement, “to step up to the plate, help save lives and get one step closer to finding a cure.”
“Joe has been a great partner in our progress toward improved treatment outcomes and an eventual cure,” said PCF Founder and Chairman Mike Milken. “His work as well as those by MLB and all 30 Clubs has helped us raise more than $45 million for research programs that are saving thousands of lives.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7729251-pcf-and-mlb-prostate-home-run-challenge/
A new solar power system is installed in the United States every 1.6 minutes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). With the number of residential solar installations expected to increase this year by 35 percent according to GTM Research, more consumers will have an opportunity to choose the best solar solution for their home, saving on electricity bills while generating clean energy. Offering a record-setting, proven solar power solution, SunPower reminds homeowners that better solar technology exists and is accessible today.
“Solar technology differs widely from brand to brand, so it’s important for consumers to consider that not all panels deliver the same amount of energy, look elegant on a roof, or are guaranteed to last as long as promised,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. “SunPower® panels are the most efficient that homeowners can buy, and we stand behind them for a quarter century. We’re proud to hold the world-record title for efficiency.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7706151-sunpower-residential-solar-panel/
Living Off the Grid - http://www.thriveoffthegrid.com/ - See how others are living offgrid using the advantages of wind and solar energy plus more for off grid power and ...
Living off the grid you must take advantage of renewable energy. This renewable resource originates from several sources, consisting of sun, wind and water, to start with ...
Researchers are constantly on the lookout for more ways of making green energy. Here are the 2 types you must understand now.
Living off the Grid: - Advantages of Solar Power
i. The energy that originates from simply one hour of sun suffices to supply energy for a year for the whole world
ii. A battery can be used to store off grid solar power for evenings and cloudy days
iii. Solar panels on a roof work when the sun's rays strike the cells in the panel and electrons are released, producing energy
iv. Using solar power will typically provide a saving of $100+ each month on utility costs for the property owners of off grid homes .
Living off the Grid: - Advantages of Wind Energy
i. When wind goes through the blades of a turbine that is connected to a generator, the energy produced by the spin is converted into electrical energy
ii. A single large wind turbine can provide electricity for around 500 off grid homes
iii. Last year, 42 % of the houses that were geared up with a source of off grid power used wind
iv. Unlike most other sources of energy, wind utilizes hardly any water; not only is wind energy carbon neutral, it helps water conservation also
v. There is around 10 times the amount of wind available in the U.S. than is needed to supply power for the whole country
vi. Wind energy is presently the fastest-growing source of renewable energy: - Around two wind farms are set up weekly in the U.S.
For living off the grid, the facts indicate that the advantages of solar power combined with the advantages of wind energy now exceed any advantages that fossil fuels may have had. However it is probably down to individuals to begin the shift to a larger scale adoption, so that we may all enjoy living off the grid.
WTF or WHAT THE FLUSH! The makers of the Stealth® ultra-high efficiency toilet and Bravo’s “Flipping Out” Star Jenni Pulos want to see more people saving both water and precious dollars when they flush.
On average, 27 percent of water consumption in the home comes from flushing it right down the toilet, which is completely avoidable – that’s not even mentioning the water lost by old or deteriorated flappers that leak. Niagara Conservation Corp. created the Stealth Toilet which uses less than one gallon of water per flush (0.8 gallons per flush to be exact) relative to the average toilet that uses 3.5 to 5 gallons per flush.
“As a California resident, I feel the gravity and importance of water conservation. That’s why I’m asking America to stop this invisible drain on our planet,” said Pulos. “With the Stealth Toilet we can do our part to save water and money with every flush. So join the cause for water conservation and say it with me – #WhatTheFlush!"
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7789051-niagara-conservation-whattheflush/
Live Looping with an RC- 300, GR-20, Digitech Jamman, phase shifter, ambient reverb, tera echo, and a Boss Digital Delay. The RC - 300 is used to loop guitar all on separate loops/tracks, the pedals are used to create ambient and delayed sounds with the guitar.
Video by HouseTwelve Media (http://www.housetwelve.com/)
