April 30, 2007
The Growl of Gore...
Al Gore RIPPED into the Canadian Conservative government's plan to reduce greenhouse gases which calls for targets FAR above and much pushed back from the Kyoto Protocol.
He joins David Suzuki and a host of other environmentalists who have taken the Canadian government to task for its lack of leadership in this domain. It seems that while the Conservatives correctly determined that Kyoto's targets and its unfair singling out of developed countries without the engagement of China and India, was out of range, its more the manner in which they have gone about finding another "venue" and the preposterous position they take that Kyoto will hurt economies.
Frankly speaking, it simply smacks of a lack of ingenuity. Take all only a smart fraction of the funding for CANDU (the canadian nuclear platform) or the Alberta Tar Sands supplied by the government for R&D, and plow that into subsidies for the development of a renewable energy policy, and you will find that protecting the environment and job creation can go HAND IN HAND.
Steven Harper doesn't get it. He remains a holdback of the older conversative philosophy that "the market fixes most things". In this case, who speaks for the environment we are passing to our children? How do you "calculate" the effect this step backwards will have on them? Where do you value it?
Mr. Harper, its never too late to change one's mind. Only a fool doesn't.
Sass
PS. The Conservative Environment Minister, John Baird, fired back at Al Gore's critique. Click here to read his response.
Posted by sass at 10:47 AM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2007
ICP Solar Happenings...
Last Monday, ICP Solar held its first ever annual review board of directors meeting. What a mind-growing event for me. We had a packed agenda and had some members fly in from the USA, while another joined by teleconference from Sweden.
For myself, as Chairman, it showed me the depth of the people I have surrounded myself with. Deals on the table were not automatically accepted without challenge and request for modification. Employment agreements had to be justified. Options had to be vested over a longer period of time so as to truly act as "incentives to stay" (some call these golden handcuffs!).
The fact is that in the past seven months, ICP Solar has added a full Board of Directors (even now with audit and compensation committees), a VP of Marketing and Global Strategy, Senior Product Manager, Executive Assistant, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Operations, Managing Director for regions outside of America, Graphic Design artist, two sales coordinators and more are to join shortly....(I can hear the shareholders saying "watch those expenses" and don't worry, its all in the equation!).
All to say that its a completely different company from one year ago with very few exceptions (including yours truly still at the top). For how long will I stay at the top of this organization depends on two things only:
1. Do I deliver to the board and the shareholders that which I promise?
2. Am I still the person for the job as the company grows and develops new requirements from its leader?
These are two probing questions which challenge me each and every day through this growth phase. It will be interesting to come back to this posting at year end and see just how well I've fared in delivering on those two fronts.
Sass
Posted by sass at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2007
Green Riders
Arnold the Governor has decided to convert his vehicles to bio-diesel in an effort to show that's taking action to combat man-made climate change and carbon emissions from his own personal lifestyle.
Imagine if all 50 governors took this approach, what a difference it would make in the perception of the population in America of leadership in this domain? I invite you to urge your governor or congressman to do the same, make a significant step in their lifestyle and demonstrate a wilingness for personal sacrifice in the name of protecting the globe for their children. Let's see who walks the walk...
Sass
Posted by sass at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2007
Happy Earth Day!
What are you doing for Mother Earth today? Walking or biking instead of taking your SUV? Cutting down on the use of disposable diapers (not likely if you want your baby to be comfortable and you are not in a situation where you use resusable ones)? Using cloth bags instead of disposable plastic ones?
Guess what? Most of us won't change much today. We'll talk a talk, yet we won't walk the walk. Laura Turner Seydel, daughter of Ted Turner, walks the walk. Her new home is showcased at www.ecomanor.com and she is heading up Earth Day events, in addition to several commitments to agencies and foundations, like the Captain Planet Foundation, which ICP Solar is now sponsoring.
The question becomes...when are we affected enough so that we actually make a decision to make a difference? Is it the big deal made about one day that is important?
All I know is that we can make a difference, step by step, one at a time. However if we listen to governments in the North American continent today, the feds are saying that Kyoto would kill our economy so let's all forget about it. They are saying they have their own plans to reduce carbon emissions and these are the same people that are funded by oil companies and dine with their lobbyists.
My response? Go out there on Earth Day and participate in any local event you can. Make a difference by showing your kids that this is important enough. They are the generation that will really take this to the next level because they will have to, not because they will only want to.
We must embrace conservation and we must embrace the use of benign, renewable energies. Not in 30 years. Not in 20. Now. It is indeed the best earth day to date and hopefully next year's will be better than this one. And if we can continue that trend, then one day, it will be no longer necessary to have an Earth day, because actions that protect our earth will be first and foremost in our daily DNA make-up and we won't have to use single day celebrations to remind ourselves of this great thing called the preservation of that being which feeds us and our families each day...Mother Earth!
Ancient North American proverb says: "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children".
Happy Earth Day folks! From Google and Yahoo, come some interesting new logos for today:
Posted by sass at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2007
Follow your kids...
If you really want to know what's happening in technology today, don't ask adults, ask kids.
One year ago, my eldest, Ethan, put me onto Firefox as a browser. Then a few months later, and my own tremendous respect for Steve Jobs, he got me to move to a Mac, after having used PC's only for about 17 years.
These days, when I want to ask kids about the latest websites, they know them all. Youtube and myspace are now old hats. New versions are popping up which seem to be more the "edgy" feel that kids want. Remember they get bored quickly with other things in life, so why not websites? Well "why not" could be if you realize that your audience today on the web is actually moving quicker than any audience used to and you adjust your strategy to pre-empt their "boredom", thus keeping them interested and taking the time to develop evolving relationships with them.
Its not to say that youtube and myspace won't continue to grow like crazy. It just mean that kids that are cutting edge, thereby in fact predicting where the "masses" will migrate in the future, are the audience to listen to. ICP Solar is strengthening its marketing streams substantially as we speak to begin to really start to take advantage of these trends far beyond the "watt". This is what you've begun to see with our partnership with Ted Turner and with much more to come.
You ain't seen nothing yet is what I used to say...and now I listen to my kids attentively when they are about to show me the latest/greatest. Do you listen to your kids? I don't mean "hear", I mean truly listen. You'd be amazed at how much they can teach you...
Sass
Posted by sass at 02:35 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2007
When playing with oil is like playing with fire...
With President Hugo Chavez setting May 1st as the deadline of an ambitious plan to wrest control of several oil projects from US and European companies, a showdown is looming over access to some of the most coveted energy resources outside the Middle East.
The implications of this and the continuous change in control over global oil reserves from private entities to national companies are start for the Western world. Being far more political, the national companies pose a far greater energy security threat than people like Saddam Hussein ever did.
So the key is how to mitigate this increased politicization of the global oil? Perhaps by more than a "token" shift in energy subsidy policy towards renewables. Europe has a 20/20 target being 20% renewable by 2020. Is this enough? Why just Europe? While so much focus is placed on the benefits of renewable energy for climate change, how about energy independance and security? Nobody can take your roof from you unless by force. The sooner we have all of our rooftops covered in solar tiles, the sooner we own our future and thus our security.
Sass
Posted by sass at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007
Captain Planet and ICP Solar
What a wonderful thing we've done! Kudos to Laurent Lafite who helped guide me through the process by which ICP Solar became the exclusive Captain Planet licensee this week.
Ted Turner is a maverick and superstar when it comes to giving to initiatives that care for Mother Earth. He founded Captain Planet in 1988, the same year I founded ICP Solar. Now we're partners in working together to promote environmental activities and protection with a big focus on children. Read the press release below, of which our team is most proud:
ICP Solar Technologies Joins Forces with Captain Planet Foundation
The Solar Power is Yours!
MONTREAL – April 18, 2007 – ICP Solar Technologies (OTCBB: ICPR), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of solar cells and products, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Captain Planet Foundation to bring solar power to planet Earth! As part of ICP’s commitment to environmental causes across the globe, for every online purchase of their of Sunsei™ brand products via the ICP online store, they will make a contribution to the Captain Planet Foundation to support hands-on environmental projects for youth.
“Our decision to become involved with Ted Turner's Captain Planet Foundation is in line with our common concerns about climate change. We strive to provide solar power products that are both approachable and efficient in harnessing the renewable and clean power of the sun,” said Sass Peress, Chairman and CEO, ICP Solar Technologies. “The Captain Planet Foundation driven by the eco-living expert Laura Turner Seydel, has done a wonderful job reaching out to children and adults alike to raise awareness about environmental issues affecting our planet and we are excited about partnering to educate the next generation about solar technology.”
ICP Solar's Sunsei technology is the perfect fit for all solar energy needs whether they are home, work, car, RV or boat related. Sunsei products are designed to solve energy problems before they occur for great and enjoyable solar experience.
“We are thrilled to join forces with ICP Solar Technologies,” says Laura Turner Seydel, President, Captain Planet Foundation. “It is a very logical partnership since we at Captain Planet are focused on ways to preserve natural resources and ICP Solar has built their company on using the sun as an alternative power source. We both have a goal to educate the public on ways they can help preserve the environment. By educating them, we are empowering them to make a difference.”
About ICP Solar Technologies:
ICP Solar Technologies is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of solar cells and solar cell based products and building materials. ICP Solar Technologies Inc. has empowered its employees to push the boundaries of solar technology since the company was founded in 1988. From day one, ICP Solar has been committed to the research, development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of leading-edge solar energy products. ICP Solar’s user-friendly solar panels and accessories have been widely used in a variety of applications in the consumer, construction and OEM markets. ICP Solar is renowned for products that are reliable, innovative and efficient.
ICP Solar products can be found worldwide in retail stores such as Wal-Mart, Costco, West Marine, Sears, Target, Conrad Electronics (Germany), LeRoy Merlin (France), and Dick Smith Electronics (Australia). Its current focus in California and Europe is developing innovative rooftop solutions and working to develop OEM solutions for automotive markets, such as auto manufacturer Volkswagen.
For more information about ICP Solar's Sunsei technology please visit: http://www.icpsolar.com.
About The Captain Planet Foundation:
The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) was created in 1991 to support hands-on environmental projects for youth. CPF's objective is to encourage innovative projects that empower today's children as environmental stewards. CPF is committed to making a global impact with over 500 projects throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica and the US Virgin Islands. For more information, contact 404-522-4215 or visit their web site at www.captainplanetfdn.org.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the expected expansion of our solar solutions into Europe Middle East, Asia and Africa. Our actual results may differ materially from those implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, overall industry environment, customer acceptance of our products, delay in the introduction of new products, further approvals of regulatory authorities, adverse court rulings, production and/or quality control problems, the denial, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses by regulatory or governmental authorities, termination or non-renewal of customer contracts, competitive pressures and general economic conditions, and our financial condition. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in our most recent SB-2 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by applicable laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that discuss other factors germane to our business.
Posted by sass at 08:28 PM | Comments (1)
April 17, 2007
Commodity over-valuations
Analysts starting to claim commodity play over-valuations. It will be interesting to see how these types of plays find their values reduced or simply maintained over the summer months.
I maintain that only through ICP Solar's strategy can these current valuations be maintained or even grown. "Technology of today is the commodity of tomorrow" once said Michael Dell.
Sass
Posted by sass at 11:46 PM | Comments (0)
Where does it end?
Shocking and sad news today about a massacre at a University in the United States. I sometimes wonder where it all ends.
There is no doubt that massacres such as this one, and many far worse in numbers, occur around the world. However this was not an act of war. It was not a terrorist (in the common accepted definition). It was simply one angry human being with a gun.
Somebody please remind me why we need guns outside of the armed security forces? I'm often told to temper down my blogs for fear of upsetting potential customers. In this case, frankly speaking, you will get my complete mind and nothing short:
There is no possible explanation nor justification of "freedom" to permit the carrying of guns by anyone other than a law enforcement officer or a hunter. So you want to kill deer as they are frolicking near dear-feeders...fine (we supply solar cells to deer-feeder makers and we never stop to think about the deer). However can someone please illuminate me as to why, in this modern day and age, we find excuses to justify the bearing of arms by anyone who gets a license to do so? What is it about guns that enriches our lives?
On Saturday of this past weekend, my son Ethan asked the actress who played the daughter of the store owner in the movie Crash "did you buy blanks on purpose?" She replied "why of course", as if to say "what right-minded person would buy real bullets to use on another human being?".
I do not have many answers tonight as I write this blog entry, saddened by the events which occured on Monday. It simply continues to bring perspective to my own life and that of my family and friends. Cherish the day you will spend with them, for you just don't know when it may be the last. We had such an incident in Montreal a few months ago and it hit close to home when a friend was inside the school which was attacked by a madman. I pray that we are able, as a society, to rethink policies which make such outbursts possible in the first place.
Sass
Posted by sass at 02:22 AM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
Blog freedom needs a challenge...
Thoughts today from internet gurus who are debating whether or not blogs should have content warnings, just like porn or violence-laden websites, tv shows, etc...
There are two minds: one is the purist who sees the internet as the ultimate freedom of expression, say what you wish, when you wish and "buyer beware" mentality, and the other who feels that like any other "media", the internet should be warning about content and now more particularly, bloggers about content on their site.
Why should a blogger's site be different from a professional media/content site, and where do we now draw the distinction? How do you define the line between what should warn and what should not?
I believe that these lines have already been drawn for all kinds of sites and that blog sites should be no different. You're simply being courteous in the most free of all communities. I'm not advocating legalizing this, however just as the advertising industry has its own self-regulating council, why should not the "blog" industry? And if you think that blogging has become anything less than an industry, let's call a spade a spade...I and many other CEO's would not likely be blogging were it not to help promote our own companies (how's THAT for honesty?).
The key, as in everything else in life, is what you wish to be known for. Blog sites which have content where there is no line drawn, should warn their readers, and then its up to the reader to determine if this is for them. At least you would have done people navigating the internet the courtesy of warning them. What a word...courtesy...is it still in our vocabulary?
Sass
Posted by sass at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2007
Climate Calamity Counsel...
Dire warnings of billions affected by climate change this week if we don't do more to stem the growth of carbon emitting gases and their negative effect on global warming.
I am beginning to worry about the amount of media its getting. Sometimes, when you repeat such dire things too often, you risk turning off your audience. It is not to dismiss the urgency of action that I write this. Rather it is a general concern about the overplay or perception of exaggeration.
And yet, if this is indeed all true, then perhaps the wakeup calls are not even loud enough, and we all simply NEED to make changes that will affect our society for generations to come. We're trading in the SUV shortly for a hybrid which is far more efficient in gasoline consumption. Our kids are the ones pressing us to be more "green". I have to believe that with such momentum, the predictions of "ecological doomsdays" will be prevented or at the very least, pushed out far enough into the future to permit the mass adoption of technologies that will replace oil-based energy sources.
Sass
Posted by sass at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2007
Changing of the guard
Some very interesting perspectives in an article on the solar power industry which popped online this morning.
If you read back to some of my previous postings, I've been saying the same thing for several months, yet its great to see my thoughts validated by PV industry gurus. The changing of the guard is underway and those old-timer solar companies which were started by greenies or scientists must now morph into industrial powerhouses or superior marketing machines.
As the articles, writes EVERYBODY is growing simply by the fact of the growth in the marketplace yet we are starting to see some cracks in certain performance levels and its my belief that in a year or so we'll start to see more major moves. The withdrawal of the Photowatt IPO and the subsequent management shake-up shows that the solar corporate world will not tolerate a lack of performance any more than in any other industry.
Keep your eyes open, there IS going to be blood on the floor with some of the "disruptive" players not even being felt yet..
Sass
Posted by sass at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
April 03, 2007
Landmark Legal
In a landmark case, the US Supreme Court has rules that the Environmental Protection Agency DOES indeed have the right and power to regulate carbon emissions from automobiles.
It had refused to do so and was brought to court by several "green" states which saw its refusal as another policy by the Bush administration which ran counter to the "spirit of Kyoto" and the entire global concern over climate change.
Interestingly, the administration took the position that it would hurt the automobile industry to be too draconian in regulations as well as the general economy. This reflects an aged view of how to protect "american" industry (a label which in itself no longer exists in its own right). The fact that there is an emerging industry which depends on strong environmental policies is often set aside since that one has not yet developed the "washington-relationships" that it needs to in order to better influence policy at the federal level.
We once tried to hire a lobbyist in Washington and found out just how hard it is and how complicated it can be to get government behind environmental concerns. It ended up that our interest might have been considered as a "pork line item" in a larger budget pursuit. In the end, we really didn't care so long as we got the funding (which we never went through with).
The decision by the Supreme Court only reflects current popular sentiment that "sustainability" policies must go hand in hand with economic ones. They are no longer separable and the federal government in the USA, not only has the duty it has the authority to act.
Sass
Posted by sass at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)