RECs - The New Green Currency

Source: EPA.gov

In addition to federal grants, federal tax credits, state tax credits, and various incentives from utility companies, businesses have another financial incentive to produce their own energy - RECs, or Renewable Energy Certificates.

A REC (pronounced: rěk) represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other nonpower qualities of renewable electricity generation. A REC, and its associated attributes and benefits, can be sold separately from the underlying physical electricity associated with a renewable-based generation source.

RECs are increasingly seen as the "currency" of renewable electricity and green power markets. They can be bought and sold between multiple parties , and they allow their owners to claim that renewable energy was produced to meet the electricity demand they create.

RECs are measured in single megawatt-hour (MWh) increments and are created at the point of electric generation.

Cool Roofs - A Piece Of The Green Puzzle

Source: RoofingContractor

As green building strategies evolve to keep up with increasingly stringent building energy codes and standards, so do cool roofs. A roof, as any other building component, can be selected to best serve a particular purpose, such as weather resistance or thermal regulation. Cool roofs are optimally designed to minimize the transfer of heat from the sun to the interior of a building.

A cool roof is defined by the radiative properties of the roof’s outer layer, or more specifically, by its solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties. Solar reflectance is a measure of the portion of initial solar radiation that is immediately reflected off the roof surface back in the atmosphere without heating the roof itself. Thermal emittance is a measure of the solar energy that the roof re-emits, or re-releases into the atmosphere as infrared light, after being initially absorbed. The remainder of the solar energy, that which is neither reflected nor re-emitted, is transferred to the building as heat or is convected by ambient breezes into the surrounding atmosphere, heating the surrounding air. The amount of solar energy transferred to a building can therefore be influenced by the roof design and construction (See below).


Thanks to advances in materials technology, white roofs are no longer the only type of cool roof available. Cool color pigments have been developed to efficiently reflect solar energy (light) in the Near Infrared (NIR) spectrum, whereas standard colors tend to absorb NIR energy. The NIR spectrum is invisible to the human eye, so two seemingly identical colors in the visible spectrum can perform differently in the NIR spectrum. With vast color and material choices, selecting an aesthetically pleasing roof design while maintaining cool roof performance is now possible.

In addition to reduced building energy consumption from diminished air conditioning requirements, cool roofs have numerous indirect benefits, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions, alleviating the urban heat island effect, reducing smog, as well as various public health benefits.

Cool roofs reduce greenhouse gas emissions by conserving electricity and reducing power plant production demand incurred from air conditioning use. Creating electricity not only wastes a great deal of energy in the conversion process, but also produces CO2, particulate matter and other air pollutants.

Cities can be 2 degrees to 8 degrees warmer than surrounding environments due to the large areas of dark surfaces, consisting mainly of roads, parking lots and dark-colored roofs. The extra heat absorbed through dark surfaces during the day is convected away by ambient breezes, raising air temperature averages; this phenomenon is referred to as the urban heat island effect. Cool roofs help mitigate the intensity of the urban heat island effect by reducing heat absorption and transfer to the surrounding air.

Lower ambient air temperatures resulting from cool roof applications also reduce the production of smog, a process accelerated by warmer temperatures. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and smog production benefit public health by reducing the prevalence of asthma and other respiratory health conditions aggravated by air pollution.

As building technologies improve, building codes and programs have evolved to enforce strategic green building design and construction practices. The following section provides an overview of some cool roofing codes, green building programs, rebate programs and tax credits. For more information, please visit www.coolroofs.org.

Two primary organizations, the International Code Council (ICC) and the American Society of Heating and Air- Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), have developed National Model Energy Codes. These codes are not mandatory or enforceable until a jurisdiction adopts the documents as part of regulation or law. In the United States, many states and jurisdictions have adopted these codes, while others like California have developed their own.

Rebate Programs: As the green building movement sweeps the country, more utilities across the United States are providing incentives for cool roofs. States with current utility rebate programs include Arizona, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

Cool roof purchases before December 31, 2010 qualify for a $1,500 dollar tax credit. For more information please visit our website.

Mayor Kasim Reed Launches "Power to Change," The City of Atlanta's New Sustainability Blueprint

Source: AtlantaGa.gov

Mayor Reed also will announce Sustainability Week, a series of daily events focusing on water and energy conservation, green jobs, transportation and access to local food, Oct.25-29, 2010.

WHO:	Mayor Kasim Reed Mandy Mahoney, Director of Sustainability Atlanta City Council Members Partners from the City of Atlanta’s environmental community
WHAT:	Mayor Reed will announce his vision for sustainability in the City of Atlanta. His blueprint, “Power to Change,” outlines how Atlanta will become a top-ten sustainable city in the nation by 2012. In addition, Mayor Reed and Mandy Mahoney will discuss details about the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, October 25-29, 2010.
WHEN:	Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:	City Hall Atrium

CITY OF ATLANTA SUSTAINABILITY WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Oct. 25	Mayor Kasim Reed launches “Power to Change,” the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Blueprint, during a press conference at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave. SW. City Hall also hosts “Sustainable Products, Practices, and Places” Vendor Fair featuring local businesses and organizations whose products and services will help city employees integrate more sustainable practices into their daily lives inside City Hall and at home.
Oct. 26	Mayor Kasim Reed joins Southface officials for the unveiling of the Southeast Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Training (SWEET) Center, 9:30 a.m., Piedmont and North Avenues. More information is available at southface.org. The day also will highlight the city’s green jobs plan, as well as energy efficiency rebate programs that are available to Atlanta city residents.
Oct. 27	City Hall will host a Local Food Day, featuring a farmer’s market and “Lunch and Learn” for city employees at 11:00 a.m. The event highlights the city’s effort to bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of Atlanta’s residents by 2020.
Oct. 28	City officials will showcase gains in water conservation by illuminating innovations of the Department of Watershed Management at City Hall.
Oct. 29	Mayor Kasim Reed joins Nissan to announce Atlanta as one of the first cites in the Southeast to launch the Nissan LEAF Electric Vehicle, 12:00 p.m. at Georgia Tech’s Manufacturing Research Center (MARC), 813 Ferst Dr. N.W. Atlanta, GA 30332 Immediately after, experts from Georgia Tech, Georgia Power, Nissan, and the Atlanta Electric Vehicle Task Force will panel an Electric Vehicle Forum.

Winter Heating Bills: Higher Overall Depending on Region, Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Source: Alliance To Save Energy

Your heating bills are likely to be slightly higher this winter compared with last winter, but costs will vary widely depending on where you live and what kind of fuel you use, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) Winter Fuels Outlook. But energy efficiency upgrades can help curb bills no matter where you reside.

Although households stand to use less heat this year because of a forecasted mild winter, higher fuel prices will offset these savings. Overall, households in the continental United States will pay an average of 2.5 percent, or $24, more for heating this year than they did last year, for a total average bill of $986. But differences in regional weather, fuel mix and fuel prices will have strong effects on heating costs throughout the country.

Data comes from the annual Winter Fuels Outlook, which was released on Oct. 13 and predicts winter heating bills throughout the United States, based on the EIA’s energy price projections and forecasted weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

A Warmer Winter

Compared to last year’s frigid temperatures, this winter will be a relief for many Americans. On average, temperatures will be 3 percent higher in winter 2010-2011 than in the 2009-2010 season, and 1 percent higher than the 30-year average.

However, not all regions will experience this warming trend: While the Southeast will enjoy temperatures 15 percent warmer than last year, the Northeast will be 5 percent colder.

Higher Fuel Costs Mean Bigger Bills

Despite an overall warmer season, most consumers will spend more on heating this winter because fuel prices are expected to increase compared to last winter.
Many factors, both national and international, can account for the increased fuel prices, including increased international demand for energy and the weakened U.S. dollar, according to the Associated Press.

Region, Heat Source Affect Heating Costs

The bottom line on Americans’ heating bills will largely depend on where they live and what fuel they use for heat. The relatively small proportion of Americans who use heating oil and propane will see the greatest spending increases. But natural gas spending will be up only slightly, and electricity expenditures will actually be lower than last year, according to EIA projections.

Cost changes also vary substantially from region to region. For instance, Midwestern homes can expect bills from 6 to 14 percent higher than last year, while Southern homes can expect bills between 6 and 3 percent less than last year’s.

So How Much More Will YOU Spend?

Choose your U.S. region and heat source to find out how much more (or less) you might be spending this winter. All numbers are rounded and based on EIA projections for the continental United States and reflect the six-month period from October 2010 through March 2011.

If You Use…Natural Gas

About 52 percent of households nationwide use natural gas to heat their homes.

• Average natural gas heating spending: about $780, which is 4 percent—or $25—higher than last winter.
• In the West: about $500 (3 percent, or $15, lower than last winter).
• In the South: about $690 (3 percent, or $20, lower than last winter).
• In the Midwest: about $850 (6 percent, or $45, higher than last winter).
• In the Northeast: about $1,150 (12 percent, or $120, higher than last winter).

If You Use…Electricity

About 37 percent of households nationwide use electricity to heat their homes.

• Average electric heating spending: about $940, which is 2 percent—or $20—lower than last winter.
• In the West: about $900 (unchanged from last winter).
• In the South: about $860 (4 percent, or $35, lower than last winter).
• In the Midwest: about $1080 (1 percent, or $10, higher than last winter).
• In the Northeast: about $1490 (5 percent, or $65, higher than last winter).

If You Use…Heating Oil

About 7 percent of households nationwide use heating oil to keep their homes warm in the winter, with more than three-fourths in the Northeast.

• Average heating oil spending: about $2120 (12 percent, or $220, higher than last winter).
• In the West: about $1390 (9 percent, or $110, higher than last winter).
• In the South: about $1,620 (4 percent, or $50, lower than last winter).
• In the Midwest: about $1,610 (10 percent, or $140 higher than last winter).
• In the Northeast: about $2,200 (13 percent, or $260, higher than last winter).

If You Use…Propane

About 5 percent of households nationwide use propane to heat their homes.

• Average propane heating spending: about $1,970 (8 percent, or $135, higher than last winter).
• In the West: about $1,980 (10 percent, or $185, higher than last winter).
• In the South: about $1,680 (6 percent, or $100, lower than last winter).
• In the Midwest: about $1,920 (14 percent, or $240, higher than last winter).
• In the Northeast: about $2,680 (14 percent, or $325, higher than last winter).

Keep Costs Down with Energy Efficiency Upgrades

While you can’t control the weather or the price of fuel, you can control your costs by improving the energy efficiency of your home and being smart about your energy use.

“With heating accounting for 31 percent of the typical home’s energy costs, energy efficiency measures that lower heating bills will keep real money in consumers’ pockets,” noted Alliance President Kateri Callahan.

Federal income tax credits for energy-efficient upgrades—including insulation and sealing products and highly-efficient furnaces, heat pumps and windows— expire Dec. 31, so the time to invest is now.

The metal roofing options we at Energy Roofing Systems offer are an excellent solution to the problem of keeping your home warm during colder months. Instead of letting household heat escape through the roof like shingles, our metal roofs will actually contain heat and keep the house warmer. Monthly energy bill savings up to 40%!

What Is GA Amendment 4?

Source: YesToAmendment4

Amendment 4 allows the State to execute multiyear contracts for projects to improve energy efficiency and conservation.

The amendment reads: Shall the Constitution be amended so as to provide for guaranteed cost savings for the state by authorizing a state entity to enter into multiyear contracts which obligate state funds for energy efficiency or conservation improvement projects?

What is an Energy Saving Performance Contract (ESPC)?
Performance contracts divert funds that would be spent on utility bills into building improvements that lower energy consumption. The key feature of an ESPC is that upfront costs are paid by the energy services company (ESCO) via guaranteed energy savings. Under performance contracts, the ESCO also bears all of the risk because the company guarantees to pay any difference between guaranteed savings and actual savings.

Why don’t we have ESPCs in Georgia?
Some provisions in Georgia’s Constitution prohibit multiyear contracts and prevent the state from partnering with private companies, making Georgia one of the few states in the U.S. that cannot use this tool. The legislature overwhelmingly voted to propose the amendment and it now must be ratified by voters.

What are the benefits of ESPCs to the state?
ESPCs would allow Georgia to fast track energy saving improvements to state owned buildings. With ESPCs, improvements can happen immediately at no cost to the state. Without ESPCs, building improvements must be made using cash or general obligation debt, which slows down the process, wastes energy and diverts funds from other critical needs.

How do ESPCs help the environment?
ESPCs help install such technologies as efficient heating and air conditioning, low consumption lighting, geothermal energy systems, solar energy systems, and other innovations that lower overall energy consumption. In turn, this reduces state costs for energy and water.

Will ESPCs help create jobs?
Yes. Because Georgia has been so far behind in implementing this tool relative to other states, there is a tremendous backlog of potential projects in our system. If we authorize ESPCs via a constitutional amendment in 2010, then we can see a substantial amount of economic activity beginning in 2011, with total numbers eventually reaching the hundreds of millions mark. Additionally, key areas of job creation are in engineering, electrical, construction and heating and air conditioning -- all areas that have been hard hit by the construction slowdown and are a significant cause of high unemployment and lagging state revenues in Georgia.

More than 11,000 jobs for Georgians can be created in the
service, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Because our state has a large backlog of projects, we will be able to launch tens of millions in performance contracts as soon as this Amendment is passed. Repairing outdated systems in our buildings will create more than 11,000 jobs, based on current estimates. Many of these jobs will be for engineers, electricians, plumbers and heating and air conditioning professionals. Creating jobs in these areas will help Georgia families who have been hurt by the real estate slowdown, and allow our workers to learn more about the technologies that will provide the jobs of tomorrow.

Improving energy efficiency preserves valuable resources and
ensures Georgia continues to be the best place to live.

Every year, Georgians spend too much of their hard earned tax dollars on energy for our inefficient government facilities. Energy is the single largest operating expense in a typical office building, with 35% to 65% of the energy used in buildings consumed by space heating, cooling and refrigeration. As energy prices continue to rise, we cannot afford to spend more on our inefficient state buildings.

Georgia can save taxpayers millions of dollars instead of raising taxes
or increasing costs to the general public.

Without spending a dime of taxpayer funds, performance contracts use the savings created by improvements to finance their cost, and include a guarantee that the savings will be greater than the cost.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) reports that the median energy savings for the 82 state building Energy Saving Performance Contract projects in its database that were completed between 2005 and 2008 is 23.8%. LBNL assembled and maintains this database, which now contains about 4,000 projects, in conjunction with the US Department of Energy. These improvements could ultimately save taxpayers more than $50 million per year now spent on utility payments by state agencies.

It seems like this is a no-risk deal for the state to partake in. System upgrades are financed by only if there are savings experienced between what the state would have paid and what they are paying for with the upgrade.

GA Homeowner Battles Neighborhood For Rights To Add Solar Panels On His Home

Source: AJC

Bill Fogarty used the sun to heat his water when he lived in Denver and San Diego.

It cut his gas bill to almost zero in the summer and gave him water hot enough to scald him, if he forgot to turn the cold tap

"It almost worked too well," he said.

Now Fogarty and his family live in Alpharetta and they want to do it again.

They can't.

Their homeowner's association won't allow it, on the belief that visible solar panels hurt property values, Fogarty said.

"I don't think they're any more of an eyesore than utility boxes, telephone or light poles or some homeowners themselves," he said.

Fogarty's dilemma is not unusual. Neighborhood covenants and even zoning conspire to restrict if and where residents can install solar panels, not only here but nationally.

The Solar Energy Industry Association lists HOAs and other restrictions at the top of a list of impediments in what it calls a solar bill of rights.

"Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses," the manifesto begins. "But many are prevented from doing so by local restrictions."

Some HOAs ban solar power outright. Others let neighbors nix proposed changes to the home's appearance, which can also block solar installations.

Still others, like Fogarty's in Alpharetta's Windward community, want panels hidden on the back of homes only, which means people whose homes face south -- the direction solar arrays need to point -- are out of luck.

Fogarty is one of those. He wanted to lay panels on the south-facing roof at the front of his house.

"We handle it on a case-by-case basis," said Maxine Plotkin of Community Management Associates, which manages Windward and its homeowner's covenants. "In general though, we would want solar panels only on the back of the house."

Visible solar panels would depress property values, Plotkin said. Solar "doesn't fit there," she said. "Windward is not a modern development. Solar panels would be really out of place."

Fogarty disagrees: "No one in their right mind would want to do something to reduce their property value anyway, if they thought that would be the result, especially in this market," he said.

Mark Chien is another solar energy fan who ran afoul of his neighbors. He sank more than $7,000 into a solar water heating system at his home in John's Creek, only to tear it down a few weeks later.

Chien's HOA was supportive. He built the system in his enclosed backyard, out of sight from the street.

But it was too close to his property line and somebody complained. The city cited Chien, who discovered that every sunny location in his yard was too close to one of his property lines. He gave the dismantled system to Lanier Technical College, where he hopes it will help educate people.

"In a way, it's better," he said. "It's much more visible than it would have been in my backyard."

Solar developer James Marlowe said hostility to solar next door stems from outdated ideas.

"It's similar to what people went through with satellite dishes, back when they were big and ugly," he said. "People don't realize that the technology has changed. They can be done very attractively. And they increase home values, because they save energy."

Some states, like California, have laws protecting solar from local restrictions, said Lee Peterson, a Reznick Group partner who works with solar issues.

He doesn't see that happening soon in Georgia, but said, "In an ideal world, that's something we should probably have."

For more information on adding your name to the Solar Bill of Rights please check our previous blog posts.

A full list of state and federal tax incentives can be found here.

Have You Seen These Solar Powered Trash Compactors?

Source: SolarFeeds



BigBelly Solar, based in Newton, MA, markets and sells the world’s first trash compactor powered by solar power. Trash is compacted with no utility connection needed, thereby minimizing the number of garbage pickups necessary and reducing operating costs by up to 80%.

The average trash compactor requires a grid-based electricity connection. With Big Belly Solar, the sun shine (which is free and always available) provides the energy needed. In addition, less frequent pickups equal a reduction in transportation related expenses. Newer “BigBellys” can even send text messages when the cans are full to alert a pickup is needed.

BigBelly Solar has reported that sales have doubled in 2008 and 2009. About 46 states in the United States and 25 countries have purchased these solar-powered compacting units. Philadelphia has leased 500 Big Belly compactors and has reduced pickups from 17 times to 5 times in a week, and is estimated to save $13 million in a 10 year span.

U.S. Solar Companies Expect to Create 24,000 Jobs Next Year

Source: SolarFeeds

A review of national solar employment identified more than 16,700 solar employment sites and 93,000 solar jobs in all 50 states.

Additionally, the report--released by the non-profit Solar Foundation--found that solar employers expect to increase the number of workers by 26%, representing nearly 24,000 net new jobs by August 2011.

The National Solar Jobs Census 2010 is the first attempt to quantify the current employment and projected growth of the United States solar industry and is based on a statistically valid sampling of employers throughout the nation, according to Solar Foundation.

In general, U.S. solar companies expect to add jobs at a pace that is much faster than the general economy, and are highly optimistic regarding their overall revenue growth over the near term. Specifcally, as of August 2010, the U.S. solar industry employs an estimated 93,000 solar workers--defined as those workers who spend at least 50% of their time supporting solar-related activities.

Over the next 12 months, over 50% of solar firms expect to add jobs, while only 2% expect to cut workers. This finding is especially relevant given that the overall expected 12-month growth rate for the entire U.S. economy is only about 2%.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Solar jobs exist in all 50 states.
• The average solar installation firm employs 8 solar workers.
• The average solar manufacturing firm employs 24 solar workers.
• The average solar wholesale trade company employs four solar workers.
• The average utility that generates solar electric power employs four solar workers.

"Over the past 10 years, a strong and vibrant solar industry has emerged through innovation, market forces and smart government policies to create thousands of jobs across the value chain from manufacturing and engineering, construction and sales, to installation and other supporting industries," said Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) president and CEO. "This unprecedented census of jobs in the industry and the individual stories behind Solar Works for America illustrate that solar is indeed working for America in all 50 states and will only continue to grow stronger."

The full report is available at the website below.

Website: www.thesolarfoundation.org/

Mary Matalin, James Carville Agree, Solar a Good Product that Needs to be Sold in DC

Source: GreenTechMedia

Closing keynoters at Solar Power International 2010 foresee a shift to Republican influence and the need to sell the economic and jobs benefits of building sun

Al Gore was recently asked by Tom Friedman if he thought the discussion of climate change and renewable energy was expanding or remained confined to the same small demographic. Strange bedfellows Mary Matalin and James Carville, keynoters at the closing general session of Solar Power International 2010 (SPI), suggested an answer to Friedman’s question.

Republican Matalin, adviser to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, and Democrat Carville, part of President Bill Clinton’s brain trust, remain – despite their recent relocation to New Orleans – on intimate terms with behind-the-scenes Washington.

Announced to be bringing inside dope on the brutal political realities facing the solar and other renewable industries in the mid-term elections, their celebrity nevertheless failed to noticeably boost the SPI general session turnout, perhaps because of the solar industry’s meager appetite for news about the brutal political realities facing it.

Carville joked about the Democrats’ November fate. Republican candidates are, he said, “some entertaining people. You know with one dressing up like a witch [Delaware Republican Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell] and another dressing up like a Nazi [Ohio Republican Congressional candidate Rich Iott], you’re doing pretty good.”

Widely predicted losses by Democrats across the nation could cost them control of both the House and the Senate. That bodes ill for the advancement of renewables-supportive policy legislation like a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), requiring the nation’s utilities to obtain a portion of their power from renewable sources. It would also mean the end of any action that might help prevent the advance of global climate change.

“There’s a hurricane coming,” Carville said. “It’s not gonna change course. It’s gonna hit the Democratic party on election day.” But, Carville asked, “Is it gonna be a category five? In which case, you lose everything. You’re wiped out. 1994. Is it a category four, where you lose most things but some things sort of survive? Or is it gonna be a category three, where you lose a lot but the structure remains intact, you keep a majority in the House and the Senate?”

Carville said the situation is still shifting. “A month ago it was a five. Two weeks ago it was a pretty strong four. Today, it’s a weak four.” His colorful description belied his tactic. By reframing the argument, if the Democrats just maintain control of the Senate they can claim a sort of victory.

Matalin handled this carefully. “Most handicappers,” she said, “even the thoughtful ones, have a takeover of the House by Republicans by somewhere between 40 and 50 seats.” She called that “unprecedented.” On the other hand, she said, “handicappers would still not predict a Senate takeover. But that there are as many seats in play in the strange situations that they are says something about the zeitgeist.”

She predicted that Republican Carly Fiorina would beat incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer in the California Senate race.

“If Boxer loses, it’s a five,” Carville said quickly.

Matalin and Carville agreed that one race to watch is the fight for the Colorado Senate seat where appointed incumbent Democrat Michael Bennett is running just behind Republican challenger Ken Buck.

“If I knew the outcome of the Colorado Senate race,” Carville said, “I would know a lot about the election.”

“I agree Colorado is illustrative,” Matalin hedged, not wanting to provide even a small opportunity for Democrats to gloat after November 3, “but not necessarily dispositive.”

Matalin and Carville both agreed on three points. The first was that putting up rooftop solar panels is a good idea.

“Magnificent,” was the way Matalin described the Brad Pitt/Global Green Make It Right sustainable housing project in New Orleans. “They were initially quite expensive but over a short period of time,” she said, “they are selling energy back to the city.”

Carville said the solar panels Matalin recently had installed on their New Orleans home make good economic sense with Louisiana incentives.

The second point they agreed on was that the way to sell solar and the other renewable energies is to emphasize that support of the renewable industries with smart incentives will provide domestic revenues and jobs.

There is a way, Matalin and Carville agreed, to win the fight for renewables policies that until now, as someone said, has resembled the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan. “Repackage it and call it something else,” Carville said of the vital Treasury Grant provision of the Recovery Act.

“I agree,” Matalin said. “Don’t say recovery, don’t say stimulus, don’t say earmarks, say job-creating.” She added something very important. “The type of Republicans that are going to win,” she said, “get innovation, they get entrepreneurship, they get the decentralization of solar and they get that they have to deliver.”

The third point on which Matalin and Carville agreed was not explicit but was the answer to the question Tom Friedman asked Al Gore. Like the larger public, Matalin and Carville are beginning to see the inherent economic value of renewable energy and sustainable ways and agree those things can be politically viable with the right methods and language.

“Your future,” Carville said, “is going to be determined by politicians. And your competitors, the coal people, the petroleum people, the nuclear people, they’re all in this, they’re all over Washington. I would urge you to make your case. You have a very good case to make.”

Support The Solar Bill Of Rights

Source: SolarFeeds

Americans love solar energy and 92 percent of them are demanding greater access to it.

It’s hard to get that many Americans to agree on anything – let alone something as politically charged as energy. And yet, solar energy generates that kind of support.

Americans understand that solar is a solution to many of the problems facing us today. Solar reduces pollution. It reduces our use of finite energy sources. And it reduces our dependence on foreign sources of oil.

Despite these real and immediate benefits, the solar industry continues to face restrictions on its growth. Some local governments have enacted time-consuming and/or expensive solar installation procedures. Yet other limitations are imposed by neighborhood associations who are supposedly concerned with solar “aesthetics,” while completely ignoring the dozens of power lines lining their streets.

While these types of regulations are counterproductive to solar’s growth, the biggest obstacle to the solar industry is the billions of dollars in subsidies Big Oil and Big Coal continue to receive from the federal government.

For almost a century, dirty fuel companies have used tax credits and other public funds to grow their coffers and political reach. But today, the finite resources they’ve been pulling from beneath the earth are diminishing as quickly as their toxic carbon footprint is growing. As this year’s mining and drilling accidents have shown us, the past and present course of tax subsidies, aggressive digging and unintended environmental consequences have now reached a very scary point.

A shift must be made.

The solar industry recognizes this and is ready with needed solutions. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) has launched the Solar Bill of Rights Campaign, a grassroots movement working to educate Americans about solar energy and provide the answers to our energy needs.

Driven by frustration created by the climate bill collapse and the continued pressure by dirty energy industry lobbyists, Americans are no longer remaining silent. Over 30,000 of us have signed the Solar Bill of Rights in the past few weeks, creating a growing movement for energy change. Later this fall, SEIA’s president, Rhone Resch, will march the Solar Bill of Rights into the halls of Congress and demand the roadblocks to solar’s growth be lifted.

Be a part of this important moment and add you name to the Solar Bill of Rights today. Help change the destructive course we are on and create the kind of future we deserve.

IKEA is going SOLAR

Source: BrighterEnergy

IKEA is to become the latest retail giant in America to make more use of its vast area of unused roof space to generate its own renewable energy.

The Swedish furniture specialist has announced plans to install solar panels on eight of its stores in California.

Subject to permits being secured, it is expecting installation to begin later this fall, with 4.5 megawatts of generating capacity put in place by early 2011.

The buildings will represent nearly 90% of the company’s presence in California, hosting nearly 20,000 solar panels to produce about 6.65 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

The project would produce enough power to supply 580 homes with clean energy, with the environmental benefits equivalent to taking 914 cars off the roads.

Solar systems will be installed at three stores in Northern California – at East Palo Alto, Emeryville and West Sacramento – along with four stores in Southern California – Burbank, Costa Mesa, Covina and San Diego.

IKEA’s 216,000 square foot distribution center in Tejon will also host a solar system that is set to be one of the 10 largest rooftop commercial solar systems in the US, the company said.

Sustainable

Mike Ward, IKEA US president, said the investment was being made to cut the company’s carbon footprint and promote renewable energy.

He said: “This approach is consistent with our commitment to sustainable building practices and we are thrilled that our evaluation determined these projects to be feasible for IKEA. We always are open to ideas for incorporating key environmental technologies and look forward to considering other opportunities as they arise.”

For seven of the stores, IKEA has contracted with Gloria Solar, a subsidiary of the E-Ton Solar Group. For the Tejon distribution center project, REC Solar will provide the solar system set to be the second largest single-roof installation in California.

Both solar companies have offices in California.

IKEA already has solar energy systems operating in Brooklyn, New York, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in Tempe, Arizona.

94% Of Americans Want Solar Energy

Source: Solarfeeds.com

The Schott Solar Barometer, an annual national report, confirmed that Americans overwhelming want and support the growth of solar power. With 94% of Americans behind the expansion of solar energy, this is an astounding sign of enthusiasm.

General Findings:

1. Support has remained unchanged over the last three years. This is the third year in a row the study was conducted by independent pollster, Kelton Research. In all three years, the results were similar showing that support is unchanged. In 2008 and 2009, 92% and 94% respectively approved of development and funding for the solar industry.
2. Endorsement for solar is similar between party lines. Renewable energy is not and should not be a red or blue issue, and the study showed it isn’t. 92% of Republicans, 94% of Independents, and 98% of Democrats believe in the expansion of solar energy.
3. Americans want subsidies to go to solar, not fossil fuels. The study by Schott confirmed that 80% of Americans want to see subsidies transferred from fossil fuels to solar. People are ready for a change. We have an addiction to fossil fuels that threatens our national and economic security.
4. About half of those considering solar energy on their home or business plan on moving forward in less than a year. Americans not only support the solar industry, but would like to incorporate solar into their daily lives.
5. 1 in 2 people in this country would be willing to pay more for clean, green solar energy. The people of this nation realize it is the right thing – not only environmentally, but for our national security and competitiveness. We lost the fight for fossil fuels; let’s not lose our place in the growing renewable energy industry.

There has been a lot of talk about making a commitment towards sustainable energy and not enough action—a commitment that will make us self-sustaining and stronger as a nation. We can each do our part by incorporating more energy efficient practices into daily life and utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar.

To learn more if solar power will work for your home or business you can contact us for a free consultation with us in Georgia.

Ga Power Cleared To DOUBLE Solar Purchase Program

Source: BrighterEnergy.org

One of the nation’s largest utilities has been given the green light to nearly double the amount of solar power it buys through its Green Energy Program.

Georgia Power, part of Southern Company, said yesterday that it has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission to offer a new tariff for small-scale solar power installations.

Available from January, the Solar Purchase Tariff will offer Georgia Power customers the chance to sell their power to the utility for 17 cents per kilowatt-hour.

The tariff is limited to installations of less than 100 kilowatts in output, and will cover 1.5 megawatts of projects overall.

A further condition of the tariff is for all those on it to provide Georgia Power with all cost and operational information, so the company can gain experience in solar electricity generation.

In a second part of the program, Georgia Power will issue a request for proposals for a further 1MW of solar capacity, offering a price of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour maximum. The RFP has no limit on project size up to the 1MW total.

Purchasing

The new solar generating capacity will be made available for Georgia Power’s customers to buy through its Premium Green Energy product, where 100-kilowatt-hour blocks are available at $5 per block, comprising 50% solar energy. The company’s Standard Green Energy, comprising biomass power, is priced at $3.50 per block.

The company, which serves 2.3 million customers across Georgia, said nearly 4,200 customers have purchased 3.8 million kilowatt-hours of green energy through the Green Energy program since it began in October 2006.

“Since we began offering customers a 50% solar option, we’ve added almost 1,000 new blocks of the Premium Green Energy product to the program,” said Angela Strickland, director of Energy Efficiency at Georgia Power.

“By increasing our solar capacity in the program to 5.4 MW, we hope to keep pace with the significant growth of solar purchases by our customers both now and in the future.”

White House To Go Solar (again)

Source: NYTimes.com

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced plans to install solar panels on the White House roof today, kicking off a three-day federal symposium focused on targeting sustainability efforts throughout the federal government.

"Around the world, the White House is a symbol of freedom and democracy," Chu told an audience of federal employees. "It should also be a symbol of America's commitment to a clean energy future."

The Department of Energy aims to install solar panels and a solar hot water heater by the end of next spring as part of a demonstration project showcasing the availability and reliability of the country's solar technologies. In a press release, DOE officials emphasized the growing industry and the availability of tax credits for those who install panels.

The news comes less than a month after environmentalist Bill McKibben led a rally demanding that President Obama install solar panels and presenting White House officials with a solar panel from former President Carter's White House.

At the time, White House officials seemed to rebuff McKibben's pleas, releasing a vague statement about Obama's commitment to renewable energy. But today McKibben and other environmentalists praised federal officials for taking the symbolic step.

"The White House did the right thing, and for the right reasons: They listened to the Americans who asked for solar on their roof, and they listened to the scientists and engineers who told them this is the path to the future," said McKibben, the co-founder of the nonprofit 350.org. "If it has anything like the effect of the White House garden, it could be a trigger for a wave of solar installations across the country and around the world."

The planned panels will convert sunlight directly to electricity, while the solar hot water heater will have a "solar collector" to heat water for the White House residence, according to the DOE press release. The department will immediately begin the competitive bidding process to select a company for the installations.

Nancy Sutley -- chairwoman of the White House Council of Environmental Quality -- joined Chu in making the announcement at the GreenGov Symposium. The news is "in keeping with our commitment to lead by example," she said.

Indeed, that was the stated purpose of the three-day symposium, which will feature panels and lectures on topics relating to clean water, sustainable buildings, climate and a half-dozen other government priorities. Lecture titles range from "Measuring Your Water Footprint" to "Case Studies in Greening the Supply Chain."

"Regardless of whether your job is every day to worry about sustainability in your agency ... the federal community at large cares about sustainability," Sutley said. "This symposium is about turning a vision into practice and engaging minds from inside and outside the federal community."

'Race to develop clean energy technologies'

The symposium marked the one-year anniversary of Obama's Executive Order 13514, which directed the federal government to lead by example and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sutley, Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and biomimicry expert Janine Benyus kicked off the event with speeches today at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University.

Chu's speech served as a primer on global warming and DOE's efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Armed with a PowerPoint presentation, he led the audience through the statistics showing rising sea levels and warming temperatures.

DOE has implemented several programs aimed at slowing that trend, he said -- from encouraging energy-efficient white roofs to decreasing the energy used for the government's data centers.

"We are in a race to develop clean energy technologies around the world," he said, citing China's efforts to pursue clean energy. "So the question is: As these countries move aggressively into this space to develop these new technologies ... will we be a leader in this race or will we be importing technologies from these other counties five to 10 years from now?"

Vilsack also focused on his agency's progress over the past year, highlighting a program that reconnects people with their food supply through community gardens. USDA, he said, aims to help the country adopt a new American culture that values consuming wisely, innovating widely and exporting more.

"I think you need to understand what is happening in this country," Vilsack said, "and that is that we are in the process -- in my opinion -- of redefining the American experience."

Benyus also struck an optimistic cord, expressing hope that sustainability goes "from being a checklist to becoming a culture."

"We as a people in the United States are capable of grand, sweeping, bold, mature ideas," Benyus said, showing the audience a photo of a protected wilderness. "I think that we can do the same sort of thing around sustainability."

Two Solar Arrays Get OK To Build On Federal Land

Source: AJC

For the first time, federal land managers are allowing construction of two solar installations on public land to power hundreds of thousands of homes with renewable energy. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger announced the projects Tuesday. One includes a square mile of solar panels near Victorville in inland Southern California, and the other covers about 10 square miles east of San Diego.

What Are The Benefits Of Solar Thermal Systems?

Source: EcoGreenArticles

When we consider having solar power installed in our homes, we often imagine a crisp array of dark blue panels fixed neatly to the roof, paying the electricity bill. But solar electricity is not the only way we can use solar energy in our homes.

While those panels can cost an arm and a leg without extensive government rebates, an equally important path to saving money is to install a solar hot water heater.

There are many benefits to this. First and foremost is a reduced energy bill. Whether you currently have a gas, oil or even electrical water heater producing hot water for your home, installing a solar unit will have a massive impact on your fuel bill and save you lots of money very quickly.

Less immediate benefits include having a more positive impact on the environment by harnessing a renewable energy source, and making your home more valuable. Solar water heaters work effectively in virtually any climate and latitude. It is very likely that you will be able to get a grant or rebate on the cost of the unit and installation, which should make it very affordable (In GA it's 35% of the total system cost as a Clean Energy Tax Credit capped at $2500 for solar thermal). There are plenty of reasons to go solar for hot water and none against it.

Once you’ve decided to go solar for your hot water, you’ll need to decide on the type of system you want. There are a few varieties. Active systems use a pump to drive water from the main tank into the heating tubes. Passive systems let water density do the work and do not require a pump, though they do need to have the tank placed above the panels.

If you live in a frost prone area you’ll need to go for a system that uses some type of anti-freeze in the collector tubes. These systems require a heat exchange unit as well so they may cost a little more.

Be prepared to shop around to get the best deal. Most installers are willing to come to your home to give you an accurate quote and will also let you know what system is best for you. By getting several such quotes you will be able to determine what you should be paying and what system you want. The more quotes you get the better a deal you will end up with.

For information on the Solar Thermal system we at Energy Roofing Systems sell please click here.

For more information on Georgia renewable energy tax credits please click here.

Projected Growth For Solar Industry In 2011

Source Treehugger.com:

Solar Industry Expected To Grow Over 40% In 2011

This Would Mean Doubling in Size Every 2 Years...
The solar industry has grown quite fast in the past few years, and it looks like this will continue in 2011, at least according to a market research by iSuppli. "iSuppli forecasts that worldwide solar installations will reach 20.2 Gigawatts (GW) next year, up from 14.2GW at the end of 2010." This would be a growth of 42.3%. At that rate, the industry would double every two years.

While 40%+ is great growth any way you slice it, it will still represent a slowdown from 2009's 97.9% growth.

There is some concern that German demand could slow down - it accounts for almost half of total demand - but iSuppli doesn't think that Germany will put a cap on solar yet:

Speculation is also rife about the possibility of a PV installation cap being imposed in Germany for 2011. However, iSuppli believes that the German government will not dare to cut down PV subsidies, especially in the wake of a recent decision to extend the operation of nuclear power plants. (source)

Solar still represents a small fraction of total generation capacity, but something that keeps doubling rapidly can easily surprise people. Exponential curves are very counter-intuitive.

Solar Bill Of Rights

The following Solar Bill Of Rights was drafted by the SEIA:

1. Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses.
Millions of Americans want to put solar on the roof of their home or business, but many are prevented from doing so by local restrictions. Some homeowners associations have prevented residents from going solar through neighborhood covenants, which allow for the association to veto any changes to a property’s aesthetics. Some utilities and municipalities have also made it prohibitively time-consuming and/or expensive to have a system permitted or inspected.

2. Americans have the right to connect their solar energy system to the grid with uniform national standards.
Currently, each state (in some cases, each utility) has a unique process for connecting solar systems to the local electricity grid. National interconnection standards will create a uniform process and paperwork, creating a simple process for the homeowner. Connecting a home solar system shouldn’t be any more complicated for the homeowner than setting up an Internet connection.

3. Americans have the right to Net Meter and be compensated at the very least with full retail electricity rates.
Residential solar systems generate excess electricity in the middle of the day, when the owners aren’t usually at home. Net metering requires the utility company to credit any excess generation to the customer at full retail rates at a minimum – effectively running the electricity meter backwards when the system is generating more electricity than the occupants of the house are using. Allowing customers to net meter is critical to making solar an economically viable option for most homeowners. Setting a minimum threshold of full retail rates also ensures the option of creating feed-in-tariffs.

4. The solar industry has the right to a fair competitive environment.
The highly profitable fossil fuel industries have received tens of billions of dollars in subsidies from the federal government for decades. In addition, fossil fuel industries are protected from bearing the full social costs of the pollution they produce. The solar energy industry and the public expect a fair playing field, with all energy sources evaluated based on their full, life-cycle costs and benefits to society. Therefore it is critical that solar energy receive the same level of support, for the same duration, as the fossil fuel industry.

5. The solar industry has the right to produce clean energy on public lands.
America has some of the best solar resources in the world, which are often on public lands overseen by the federal government. But even though oil and gas industries are producing on 13 million acres of public lands, no solar permits have been approved. Solar is a clean, renewable American resource and solar development on public lands is a critical component of any national strategy to expand our use of renewable energy.

6. The solar industry has the right to interconnect and build new transmission lines.
Over the last 100 years, the transmission grid in the United States has been built as an uncoordinated patchwork of local systems. A decades-old power grid forces solar generators to play by decades-old rules for planning, building, and paying for access to the transmission grid. Expanding the use of renewable energy in the United States will require policies and investments that allow remote areas rich in solar resources to connect to major population centers with significant demand for electric power.

7. Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility.
Many utility companies have never thought to offer their customers the option to purchase clean solar energy, rather than dirty energy from coal or other fossil fuels. Nation-wide over 90% of people support increased use of solar energy, and over three-quarters believe it should be a major priority of the federal government. Despite this, only around 25% of utility customers in the US have the ability to actually purchase clean, renewable power from their utility, and only a tiny fraction of those programs offer solar energy. Utilities should be required to offer the electricity source that their customers want.

8. Americans have the right to – and should expect – the highest ethical treatment from the solar industry.
Solar energy systems are an investment as much as a physical product. Consumers deserve top-quality information and treatment from solar energy providers and installers. Consumers should expect the solar industry to minimize its environmental impact through panel recycling and other programs, and communicate information about available incentives in a clear, accurate and accessible manner. Finally, consumers should expect that solar systems will work better than advertised, and that companies will make every good faith effort to support solar owners over the life of their systems.

Updated Solar Incentives In Ga

We've updated the solar incentives in GA section on our website. The update can be viewed here.

Benefits Of Turning Your Commercial Property Rooftop Into A Solar Powerplant

Source: HannahSolar

Solar power is the fastest-growing portion of the energy industry. The combination of public pressure toward more alternative energy and impressive technological advances in solar power generation means that solar is cheaper and more widely available than ever before. When people think about solar power, the picture they conjure is typically either of a residential rooftop array, or that of a utility scale photovoltaic solar power plant. However, it surprises most people to learn that it is commercial, non-residential, solar installs that are leading the way across most of the country. There are many hidden benefits to turning your commercial property into a power plant.

One benefit is the public relations upside for going green these days. There is an undeniable benefit from a public relations standpoint from being able to advertise an environmentally friendly company, or from announcing the construction of a rooftop solar power plant. For instance, Kohl’s recently unveiled their 100th solar location. The announcement received local media attention in New Jersey, where the store is located.

Another benefit of the rooftop solar power plant is a reduction in costs. In this economy, businesses are looking for any way to cut overhead, and the rooftop solar power plant is a great way to do just that. The installation of a rooftop solar plant helped Dina’s Interiors & Leather in Lakewood, NJ cut their electricity cost by more than 65 percent.

Finally, having a rooftop solar plant installed allows businesses to monetize unused space in two different ways. Building owners with rooftop plants installed can become single-building utilities, selling power to their tenants, or can sell power back to the grid as a way to help subsidize the mortgage. Additionally, more and more companies are offering to lease your rooftop space the same way a phone company would lease space for a new cell tower. This allows you to earn a profit from your unused, un-monetized space.