DIY Solar Power System
DIY Solar
June
Breaking news on rising rnergy costs in California…
From Associated Press : “Calif. regulators approve SoCal Edison rate hikes”
ROSEMEAD, Calif.—California regulators have approved a Southern California Edison Co. rate hike that adds $2 to $4 a month to the average residential bill.
Rosemead-based Edison says rate hikes are necessary to upgrade transmission lines and buy equipment.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved the increases Thursday. The hikes go into effect April 4.
PUC president Michael Peevey says it will add $2 to the average monthly residential bill of $85, but consumer groups estimate it’s closer to $4. Rates for business firms also increase.
Edison estimates 65 percent of its 4.3 million residential customers would see little or no change in their monthly charges because they participate in special programs for low-income families or consume little power.
From Orange County Register : “Regulators approve $2.1 Billion electric rate hike”
State regulators have approved a rate hike that will give Southern California Edison an extra $2.1 billion in revenue over the next three years.
The hike will raise the average residential bill $2 or so, to $85 a month, officials said.
Some details of the proposal changed on the dais, but regulators granted the utility $106 million for employee incentive pay, and $4.4 million to start re-licensing San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, where licenses expire in 2022.
Thursday morning, the California Public Utilities Commission chose the greater increase of two rate hike proposals before it, on a 4-1 vote. Emerging victorious was a slightly-scaled-down plan penned by commission president – and former Southern California Edison executive – Michael Peevey.
The rejected proposal would have given Southern California Edison a smaller increase – about $1.4 billion over three years. That was not enough.
“I cannot support a decision that would leave California hamstrung,” Peevey said. The less-expensive rate hike “would require deferral of vital infrastructure projects and potentially lay off hundreds of workers,” he said.
Commissioner Dian Grueneich was the only one to disagree.
“If ever there was a time to leave these dollars in the hands of Southern California Edison’s customers, now is the time,” said Grueneich.
The smaller increase was robust and prudent, she said. It would have saved ratepayers $765 million over the next three years, while still allowing Southern California Edison to invest in infrastructure.
Grueneich took particular exception to Southern California Edison’s claims that the smaller increase would force it to lay off 1,000 workers. “Edison’s claim defies logic,” she said, suggesting the utility was “crying wolf.”
More excerpts:
“Edison is taking advantage of economic concerns to drive through rate hikes that can only add to the pain,” TURN executive director Mark Toney said in a prepared statement. “The CPUC did all Edison customers a disservice today.”
That sentiment was echoed by the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, the PUC’s independent consumer advocacy arm. This decision gives Edison “excessive revenue increases,” it said in a prepared statement.
“The cumulative amount of the increases and the resulting rise in electric rates will impose an additional financial burden on Edison’s Southern California customers and households during these difficult economic times,” said DRA Deputy Director David Ashuckian in the statement.
For the full story click here .
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
June
Media Advisory: Porsche to Receive First-Ever Certificate of Recognition for New Solar Panel Installation at its
Award to be Given to Porsche by Green Valley Initiative at Dedication Ceremony
Porsche will dedicate and reveal its extensive new solar panel system at a ceremony being held this Thursday, March 19, 10:30am at its Regional Support Facility in Ontario, California. The solar panel power array is the first on a Porsche facility in the U.S. and one of the area’s most significant. Porsche partnered with HelioPower and Sharp on the project.
At the ceremony, Porsche’s new solar panel installation will receive the Inland Empire’s Green Valley Initiative (GVI) award, the first ever “Certificate of Recognition” for environmentally sound projects in the region. GVI is a regional effort to establish the Inland Empire as a leader in green and clean technologies, a collaborative effort that will bring jobs, commerce and a better quality of life to the region. The Green Valley Initiative is a cooperative effort between government, business, academic and community leaders from throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and is a project of the nonprofit Green Institute for Village Empowerment.
The Ceremony will feature speeches from Porsche Cars North American (PCNA) representatives, and city and state officials, HelioPower, Sharp, as well as attendance by local environmental organizations.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
June
The Desert Sun reports today, ” Congressional subcommittee looks at solar development.”
Excerpt:
Witnesses in today’s Congressional subcommittee hearing today said it would take multi-agency cooperation to balance expanding renewable energy with environmental and land disturbance concerns.
Today’s nearly three hour hearing, by the Energy and Minerals Resources subcommittee, started around 9:30 a.m. at the University of California-Riverside Palm Desert Graduate Center. Their focus is solar development on federal lands.
Nine panelists, including representatives from the California Public Utilities Commission and Bureau of Land Management, discussed various projects underway as well as specific solar projects.
Many were California specific. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has set of goal of raising its dependency on renewable energy to 33 percent by 2020, as well as cutting global emission levels by almost 30 percent from current use levels.
“These are very, very important goals,” said Julia Levin, the renewable energy commissioner for the California Energy Commission.
“These are also critical for our economy. These will create jobs, these will create new business opportunities for California … and finally give us true energy independence.”
For the full article, click here .
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
May
Home Energy Upgrades That Pay
Posted by (0) Comment
Writer Richard Crume, of Solar Today Magazine , brings us this excellent review of home energy upgrades that pay in their March 2009 issue. Solar Today is the publication of the American Solar Energy Association . Here is an excerpt, click here for the full article .
Are homeowners making good choices when it comes to reducing home energy consumption? Do they make decisions about improving energy efficiency based on the best advice of experts, or are decisions driven by popular trends and the latest advertising campaigns? If our nation is to make progress toward the goal of energy independence, we need to understand whether homeowners are making rational decisions about conserving energy when remodeling their homes, upgrading their appliances or simply replacing light bulbs.
President Obama’s New Energy for America plan makes efficient use of energy a national priority. Calling energy efficiency the “cheapest, cleanest and fastest energy source,” the president wants to cut electricity demand by 15 percent from projected levels by 2020, saving consumers an estimated $130 billion in utility costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Under the president’s plan, more efficient energy use will be required across all segments of American society — in our factories and businesses, on our roads and in our homes.
Energy efficiency in the residential segment is particularly important because houses consume so much energy — nearly 21 percent of total U.S. energy production. Many homes are old and poorly insulated, and their owners cannot afford to make necessary improvements. Acknowledging this problem, the president’s energy plan sets forth a national commitment to weatherize at least 1 million low-income homes each year for the next decade. With simple improvements like sealing around windows and doors, fixing leaky ducts and installing insulation, the energy plan estimates home energy bill reductions of at least 20 to 40 percent. And by upgrading the furnace and adding energy-efficient lighting and appliances, a homeowner can achieve even greater savings.
Wise Decisions for Home Energy Upgrades
What are homeowners doing right now about energy efficiency? A recent survey by building products manufacturer Johns Manville (jm.com) helps answer that question. When homeowners were asked about energy upgrades made in the past year, 54 percent reported taking some action in their homes to conserve energy. The most popular action was putting in energy-efficient lighting, followed by caulking and sealing and then by installing energy-efficient appliances. Just 16 percent of respondents invested in attic insulation, a suprising outcome given that this may be the single most effective means for conserving energy in many older homes. (According to the U.S. Department of Energy, roughly 80 percent of older homes are poorly insulated.)
An interesting survey outcome concerns what motivates homeowners to conserve energy. Asked about the best reasons to increase home energy efficiency, homeowners gave these responses:
• Reducing home heating and cooling costs — 64 percent
• Reducing home contribution to global climate change — 19 percent
• Home comfort — 11 percent
• Increased resale value — 5 percent
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
May
Tyler Michael is HelioPower’s resident expert for the application of solar in new home construction. This week he is participating in the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Green Building Expo, a forum for sustainable
building technologies, in San Diego. The Green Building Expo is part of the ULI’s Smart Growth awards program and will be staged May 14 starting at 5:30 in the venerable Wonderhaus downtown.
The ULI provides leadership in the responsible use of land, and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. According to their website, as “the ‘go to’ land use organization for real estate issues in our region, the ULI San Diego/Tijuana District Council facilitates the open exchange of ideas among industry leaders, practitioners and policy makers.”
We asked Tyler about his interest in this region.
E. Tyler, are there special motivations that inspire you to be part of this San Diego Green Building Expo?
T. As a HelioPower specialist in solar for new construction, this event and the people and concepts that I encounter there are critical to my own growth and to my ability to contribute.
I believe that in San Diego/Tijuana we truly share a single urban landscape that is divided by a political line only. We are in the same region with the same beauty and the same challenges.
We are interdependent in resources and in the conservation of those resources. In my lifetime, I’ve seen Tijuana transform from just another “border town” to a thriving center of international commerce and I’ve seen San Diego transform from a quiet Navy town to a national force in research and technology. It seems only natural that we become an international leader in sustainability as well.
E. What in your background motivates your interest?
T. After moving to Chula Vista in 1952 and growing up within 7 miles of the Mexican border, I developed a real affinity for the bi-national mindset.
In my late teens, I became a true bi-lingual after studying Spanish for 8 years and hosting 26 Argentine foreign exchange students with others in my high school.
I’ve lived in Spain, Argentina, Ecuador, and nearly 14 years in Mexico. My time in Mexico and the lasting friendships I developed there have brought me a first hand awareness of the serious environmental sustainability practices being put into practice there. My career in solar for new construction in San Diego has broadened my perspective on sustainability in general and in green building methods in particular.
E. Do you have a vision for the area?
T. The resources we share tie our destinies together. Recognition of those who have dedicated themselves to the careful preservation of those resources is both inspiring and necessary to bring forth the future leaders in this field who are poised to make their contribution.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
May
Fat Spaniel Technologies , the market leader in monitoring and reporting services for distributed energy systems and HelioEMS , Energy Management Solutions, recently announced a partnership to develop a Demand Side Monitoring Channel focusing on energy monitoring services.
“Since you can’t save what you don’t measure, monitoring the energy use of a building and selected systems within it, is the critical component to meeting energy efficiency goals. Our breakthrough service is offered in partnership with Fat Spaniel to give building owners real-time actionable intelligence to understand energy use and proactively manage costs,” said TR Bietsch, Managing Director of HelioEMS. “We are pleased to offer an intelligent energy decision service at a time when our country reaches for new and expanded goals in energy efficiency. We are very pleased to work with Fat Spaniel to bring real-time energy analysis and performance measurement to property owners and facility managers.”
The technology gathers on-site energy information and delivers real-time energy analysis via an online portal to make energy use decisions. The on-site set up, proprietary energy analysis and load management recommendations are provided by HelioEMS, Energy Management Solutions specialists. The online technology delivery and portal user interface elements are powered by the industry leader, Fat Spaniel Technologies.
“Fat Spaniel has built a market-leading position based on our ability to deliver intelligent monitoring solutions to our renewable energy customers. Ever-changing marketplace dynamics require methods to reduce installation costs for our customers,” said Chris Beekhuis, President and CTO of Fat Spaniel Technologies. “Combining the strengths of the two companies will aid that effort. Together with targeted industry leaders, we can meet our customers’ solution needs.”
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
May
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – After weeks of debate, Democratic leaders in House of Representatives and the Senate have reached an agreement on an economic stimulus package that would pump billions of dollars into ” smart grid ” projects and renewable energy.
The $789 billion package, which now must be approved by both chambers, contains $11 billion for modernizing the U.S. electricity grid and developing so-called smart grids.
Smart grids utilize technology to create more efficient and less costly methods of moving electricity.
Aimed at boosting the nation’s economy and creating jobs, the legislation also provides $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects such as wind or solar energy development.
Solar industry representatives said the stimulus bill would add 67,000 jobs to the sector in 2009 and a total of 119,000 jobs over the next two years.
“The solar provisions in the bill will allow us to begin hiring, create growth opportunities for small businesses throughout the country and keep the economic engine going,” Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said in a statement.
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama stressed the importance of providing tax breaks and loan guarantees for firms that produce solar and wind energy.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
HelioPower joins other environmentally oriented companies to support the city of Palm Desert’s Bright Ideas Expo , this Saturday, March 14, from 11am to 3pm. The focus of this family oriented & kid-friendly Expo is: Ideas to save money on your energy bills, and living “green.”
The Expo will be held in the Palm Desert Civic Center Park, located at Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue. HelioPower local solar energy experts, Matt Rifkin and Matt McPherson, will be at Booth 29! Talk to our Palm Desert team about how we can help you reduce or eliminate your electric bill and use the city’s Energy Independence Program to finance the purchase.
For more information about the Palm Desert Energy Independence Program, click here.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
April
AB 811 Helps CA Towns Go Solar!
Posted by (0) Comment
The intent of the Legislature is that AB 811 should be used to finance the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements that are permanently fixed to residential, commercial, industrial, or other real property.
AB 811 authorizes a property owner, upon written consent of an authorized city official, to purchase directly the related equipment and materials for the installation of distributed generation renewable energy sources or energy efficiency improvements and to contract directly for the installation of those sources or improvements.
Funding options include using the general fund, issuing municipal bonds, partnering with a utility to get financing or setting up private financing.
Palm Desert and Berkeley led the legislative charge to put AB 811 in place, and have now enabled hundreds of properties to be outfitted with energy efficiency and renewable energy systems including solar. The “Berkeley First” program was launched Nov. 07. Their pilot program is fully subscribed at $1.5 million. The Palm Desert Energy Independence program is now in its third round of financing, having installed $7.5 million in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic systems in their town.
The Sonoma County Energy Independence program has completed a feasibility study and is planning on offering a $40 million program, which will also include water conservation systems.
San Diego is working on a “Solar Roof Program.” The pilot project will focus on 150 to 300 homes, and 1 technology – solar photovoltaic. Success for the pilot is deemed to be completing the financing cycle, collecting 150-200 loan packages, and aggregating those smaller loans into larger packages that can be sold off on the municipal bond market. Encinitas, Napa and Redlands are all in the exploration phase of AB 811 programs.
Cities like Anaheim and Santa Monica have solar supportive programs already in place. Santa Monica promotes solar adoption through its Solar Santa Monica program . Solar installation firms bid for program, and guarantee “group” pricing. HelioPower is a installer for this program.
All across California residents and property owners are working with their elected officials to find new and innovative ways to increase the use of sun to power our electricity needs.
For further information and a review of the legislation, click here . Support AB 811 adoption in your town!
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
April
A growing number of states are moving to require home builders to offer solar electricity and hot-
water systems in new homes, right alongside more traditional options such as fancy kitchen countertops and special window treatments.
“It’s just like the granite countertop upgrade or the two-car garage or the larger closet — these are options the homeowner can choose to purchase,” said Jeff Lyng, the renewable energy program manager for Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter’s Energy Office.
In Colorado, lawmakers are considering a bill that would require builders to offer a range of options, from pre-wiring the home for solar power to full installation of a solar system. The legislation would also require builders to tell buyers they can roll the cost of the system into their mortgage, reducing up-front costs, Lyng said.
“What this begins to do is standardize things. We’re trying to build Colorado’s infrastructure to be ready for solar,” Lyng said.
The Colorado proposal has passed in the state House and awaits Senate consideration. Ritter, a Democrat who had solar panels installed at the Governor’s Mansion in Denver several years ago, said he plans to sign the bill.
Elsewhere:
•New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill last month that would require builders in developments of 25 homes or more to offer solar panels to home buyers and to discuss during construction the benefits of clean energy.
•A California law taking effect in 2010 will require builders to offer solar panels on homes in developments of more than 50 houses.
•Hawaii, starting Jan. 1, will require all new single-family homes to include solar hot-water heaters, said Russell Pang, a spokesman for Gov. Linda Lingle, a Democrat. Hawaii imports 90% of its fossil fuel energy sources, Pang said. “Living on an island, that’s not the kind of thing we want to be depending on.”
•New Mexico home builders must offer solar-ready wiring but are not obligated to offer solar installation, under a law that took effect last year.
The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels or solar water heaters through 2016, said Karen Schneider, spokeswoman for the federal Energy Star program. The credit covers materials and installation costs, with no ceiling on claims.
Colorado officials hope at least 10% of the 12,000 new homes expected to be built in the state this year have solar systems installed, creating at least 300 jobs for installation technicians, Lyng said.
Daniel Glick, of Lafayette, Colo., helped persuade more than 25 families in his neighborhood to install solar systems over the past several years. Glick said residents agreed to use homeowners association dues to make low-interest loans to their neighbors to cover installation costs. Glick now gets a monthly check from his power company because his home is generating more power than it uses.
“It’s not just the right thing to do. It makes economic sense,” he said.
- Bookmark :
- Digg
- del.icip.us
- Stumbleupon
- Redit it
|
Download FREE Report Now! |
|
Free Special Report Worth $27: |
"Solar Electric Generation and Storage" |
|
Inside this amazing report, I will talk about everything you need to know about solar power storage.
Download now, as it’s available for very limited time only because this report will be sold for $27.00 soon!
Enter Your First Name & Email For Instant Download! And more information Your privacy will be strictly protected! I hate spam as much as you do.