Friday, December 30, 2011

Save the date!

Mark your calendars! UMA Solar's 2012 online dealer meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2012.

For the first time ever, our annual meeting will be open to all UMA Solar dealer professionals including: owners, sales, marketing and technical personnel. This webinar-style meeting will offer a variety of different topics throughout the day at set times. Choose the topics that interest you!

A full agenda and registration details will be available soon.

save-the-date-flyer

Groupon-Style Solar Rebates in Arizona

One Block Off the Grid, a community solar group, is offering a unique rebate program to Arizona homeowners. The rebate is offered to participants based on the total number of Arizona households that go solar within a 90-day period.

Group Solar Rebates in Arizona

The group will credit each eligible Arizona household with $100 in a community chest account. Each time an eligible homeowner goes solar in the Grand Canyon state, the company will add an additional $10 to each account. At the end of the three-month program, homeowners who purchase or lease solar panels will receive a solar rebate check from the community chest.

The rebate offer is available to homes in the greater metro areas of Phoenix, Tucson, Glendale, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Peoria, Mesa and Sierra Vista.

One Block Off the Grid, which calls itself the Groupon of solar, says its membership has grown 98.4 percent in the past two years due to the increase of utility bills and major outages this past September.

New $500 Solar Rebate in California

The Marin Energy Authority is offering a $500 solar rebate to customers who purchase their electricity from the authority.

The $500 rebate is available to customers who install a solar photovoltaic system in Marin County, California of at least 1/2 kilowatt in size. Customers will be required to fill out a form verifying that the solar panels were purchased on or after Dec. 11, 2011.

Solar Rebate in California

Marin Clean Energy currently serves 13,000 customers. More than 400 of those customers have already installed solar systems on their roofs. Marin Clean Energy expects the rebates to incentivize not only the installation of new solar projects but also the expansion of existing solar projects which would increase renewable power flow onto the electric grid.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Einstein and Solar Energy?

Did you know Albert Einstein received the Nobel Prize for his work toward the future of solar electric energy?

The Nobel Prize in Physics 1921 was awarded to Albert Einstein "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect".

The photoelectric effect is the emission of electrons from a material, such as a metal, as a result of being struck by photons. The photoelectric effect is used in photoelectric and solar cells to create an electric potential.

Einstein was, in fact, responsible for numerous solar experiments with early photovoltaic solar panels. (Maybe that's the mystery behind his electrified hair halo?)

 

albert einstein

Solar energy cheaper than grid power by 2027?

A new animated map, published on the Energy Self-Reliant States website, predicts which U.S. cities can achieve solar grid parity first. Grid parity describes the moment when electricity from solar power is less costly than electricity from the existing grid.

Energy policy analyst John Farrell predicts San Diego will be the first city to achieve grid parity in 2013, followed by New York City in 2015. By 2027, Farrell surmises that more than 40 metropolitan areas nationwide will reach grid parity.

Farrell based his projections on current decreases in the cost of solar electricity and increases in grid electricity rates.

Grid Parity Map

Sustainable Solar Art!

An Alabama artist's unique style is currently showcased in a new, 15-foot solar-powered sculpture in downtown Clearwater, Fla.

Deedee Morrison, a Birmingham, Ala. sculptor and installation artist, dubbed the sculpture Sun-Catcher. The large art project is constructed from recycled aluminum and vibrant yellow lucite that evokes hues of the sun. A solar panel is attached to the top of the sculpture, capturing solar energy by day and emitting dramatic golden light by night. 

suncatcher.jpg

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Landfills Converted to Solar Farms

Solar farms, which supply large amounts of clean energy while consuming less water than traditional power plants, are nonetheless more and more difficult to situate in the United States. Nearby residents complain of the aesthetics and biologists worry that farms located on undeveloped land will endanger delicate ecosystems.

But what if solar arrays could be installed in the hundreds of capped landfills throughout the nation? Several states, including Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii and Colorado, are doing just that.

New Jersey's Brick Township is one of the most recent communities to commence plans for a solar generator at the soon-to-be-capped French's Landfill. The township says it expects to save about $9 million over 15 years. According to township officials, the array will generate revenue in year one and provide free energy to the township after year 15.

In Georgia, the Hickory Ridge Landfill has already been transformed from a full capacity landfill into a commercial scale, solar energy generating facility. The landfill,  developed by Republic Services using $2 million in funding from GEFA as a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009, will be one of the largest single producers of solar power in Georgia and the state's first landfill solar farm. The site will sell 1 megawatt of power -- enough to power 400 homes -- to Georgia Power.

Hickory Ridge Landfill Solar Farm

As municipalities continue to buckle under budget strains, solar farms on closed landfills could be a welcome source of income and a bright lining on otherwise unattractive and unused lands.

Seven Truths About Solar in 2011

Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, recently published this review of the U.S. solar energy market in 2011, including what he called seven truths about the American solar industry.

“In contrast to some of the recent headlines, the solar energy industry is a strong, thriving industry in the United States that is creating jobs and lowering costs for the consumer. In 2011, a number of myths about the solar energy industry circulated nationally. Let’s set the record straight. Here are seven truths about this thriving American industry:

1. Solyndra did not kill the industry. In fact, the solar energy industry is expanding rapidly and has become a highly competitive, thriving industry in the United States. Solyndra’s high-profile bankruptcy in August was an anomaly in what proved to be the industry’s most successful quarter on record. Although Solyndra couldn’t compete, the rest of the industry grew by 140 percent in the last year and costs came down by 40 percent. America discovered that one company’s failure does not reflect an entire industry. In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans feel it’s important to develop and use more solar in the U.S., according to an independent national poll conducted a month after Solyndra declared bankruptcy.

2. Today, U.S. solar is an economic force: employing more than 100,000 Americans at 5,000 businesses across all 50 states. The solar industry proved itself to be a strong job creator in the United States. The vast majority of the 5,000 companies that make up the industry in the U.S. are small businesses, engines of growth for our economic recovery. These are real people in real solar jobs as reported by The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2011. The solar value chain includes engineers, sales people and other administrative professionals as well installers, roofers, electricians, plumbers and contractors – skilled labor professions hit hard by rampant unemployment in recent years – now finding new opportunities to put their expertise to work in the solar industry.

3. The solar industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy.The solar industry set a record for installations and achieved 140 percent annual growth in thethird quarter of 2011. In fact, more U.S. solar electric capacity came online in Q3 2011 than in all of 2009 combined; Q4 2011 is forecast to be even larger as solar becomes a cost competitive choice for more homeowners and businesses across America.

4. Consumer, business and industry support for solar continues to grow. Solar’s growth is leading to rapid innovation across the spectrum – from factory improvements to new financing and sales mechanisms – that allow more and more Americans to turn to solar energy. Target, Walgreens, Whole Foods, Johnson & Johnson, Safeway and others are powering their businesses with solar. In addition to GE’s investment in new manufacturing in the U.S., 2011 also welcomed new household-name corporations to the solar industry, with Warren Buffett’s MidAmerica Energy, Total Energy and Google all making sizeable investments in solar in 2011.

5. Solar is now affordable for more Americans. Today, there are 1.5 million households using solar water heating and enough solar electricity to power 730,000 homes. And solar is becoming more affordable every day with technology innovation, scaled up manufacturing, faster installation techniques, and new financing options. The price of solar panels dropped 40 percent since the beginning of 2010 and the average installed system price ropped 14.4 percent from Q2 to Q3 in 2011 alone.

6. Growing markets bring increased competition. Global trade in solar products has benefitted the United States by expanding export opportunities for domestic manufacturers, creating jobs and driving down costs. In fact, the U.S. was a net exporter of $2 billion in solar products in 2010. As global competition intensifies, the need is even stronger for open markets operating on rules-based trade principles and for governments and private parties to follow the framework of internationally-negotiated trade rules.

7. Uncertainty remains as a successful investment mechanism expires. Congress left Washington, D.C. without continuing the important 1603 Treasury Program, a program that provides flexibility in how developers finance projects. This program, which allows the market to choose winners and losers, was the single most effective policy for deploying a dozen energy technologies in the last year. The program has spurred completion of more than 22,000 energy projects across all 50 states and attracted $23 billion in private investment. The industry will push to renew this successful program when Congress returns in January 2012.

Solar works for America and 2011 was a record year for the U.S. solar industry. Although the past year presented challenges to the solar industry, with American ingenuity, hard work, and smart and consistent energy policies our industry is on track for another record year in 2012.”

Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA

Friday, December 23, 2011

New Solar Paint Could Power Home Appliances

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame recently announced the development of a new paint that generates electricity using semi-conducting particles. The paint, dubbed "Sun-Believable," would be cheap enough to cover an entire house and could produce enough energy to power home appliances.

solar paint

The research team says the paint was the result of an effort to move beyond silicon-based solar technology. By mixing power-producing nanoparticles, called quantum dots, into a spreadable compound, the scientists created a one-coat solar paint that can be applied to any surface.

Currently, the light-to-energy conversion rate of the paint sits at 1 percent. But the research team says further research will make increased efficiency possible. With the ability to make the paint cheaply, and in large quantities, researchers believe Sun-Believable paint will make a tremendous difference in meeting future energy needs.

The paint could play an important part in the construction of affordable zero-energy homes and buildings, complementing a combination of other green technologies such as solar water heating and energy-efficient design.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

New Online Solar Career Tool

Looking for a job in the solar industry? A new online tool makes it easier than ever to explore great solar career opportunities.

Developed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) as part of the Department of Energy's Solar Instructor Training Network, the new interactive solar career map website maps three dozen solar jobs across four sectors: production, design, sales and marketing, and installation/operations. According to the IREC website, a team of national experts selected the 36 occupations within the map. Each job requires some training in solar-specific skills and each is essential to building a thriving solar industry, the IREC said.

Visit the IREC information page outlining the map for more information, including an informative video.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

Are you a wrap star? What are your eco-smart gift wrapping techniques? Here are six budget-friendly green wrapping tips. 

Brownie Points

Plain brown paper bags or brown shipping paper looks beautifully natural when tied with twine and decorated with pine cones or evergreen sprigs.

Remains of the Day

Remnants of wallpaper or fabric you might have leftover from a home decor project makes a great statement while repurposing those scraps.

Shine On

Recycled aluminum foil looks sparkly and festive and is perfect for those odd-shaped gifts.

Read Between the Lines

Old newspapers and magazines can wrap your gifts for one last use before being recycled. This technique is an oldie, but a goodie, and you can choose the section according to your recipient's tastes.

Map it Out

Old roadmaps make a colorful graphic statement when used as wrapping paper. Who uses those old maps anyway in the age of GPS devices?

Bag It

Many stores offer holiday-themed reusable shopping bags this year. They make a great gift bag that can be used repeatedly for shopping after the holidays.

Friday, December 16, 2011

7 Reasons to Go Solar

Solar energy is the ultimate renewable energy option!

 

Reduce size of your carbon footprint

Using solar energy results in lower greenhouse gases, reduced acid rain and lower smog levels.

Reduce dependence on fossil fuels

The use of fossil fuels strains not only our environment, but our independence as a nation. Reduce dependence on foreign oil by taking advantage of clean, unlimited, solar energy.

Commit to a healthy nation

According to the Sierra Club, power plants contribute to 600,000 asthma attacks each year. Solar panels provide Americans with clean, harmless energy.

Save money

Solar energy is free, after the initial purchase cost of your solar system. Years from now, the solar energy you collect at your home or business will still be free.

Add value to your home

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a solar energy system may add $10 to $20 to your home’s worth for every dollar in energy costs saved in one year. For example, a system that reduces energy costs by $500 per year might add $5,000 to $10,000 to the home’s value. In addition, solar panels can help extend the life of your roof by protecting it from ultraviolet rays and weather.

Leave a legacy of clean energy for generations to come

Investing in solar energy is an important step toward leaving the next generation with a safer, cleaner world. 

Create green collar jobs

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar industry employs about 60,000 Americans. By 2016, SEIA predicts that increased demand for residential and commercial solar installations will add hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs in research and development, manufacturing, construction, sales and marketing, and other fields.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Solar-Powered Holiday Gift Ideas

Give the gift of green this holiday season and avoid the dreaded "no batteries included" clause with these solar-powered gift suggestions from UMA Solar.

Solar Holiday Lights

All the festive charm of traditional holiday lights without paying the traditional electric bill! Most solar-powered holiday lights use LEDs which run cooler and shine brighter than incandescent lights. Not only will they last longer, there is less risk of fire from overheating. Best of all, you won't have to worry about extension cords!

Solar Backpack

Convert an existing backpack or messenger bag into a solar-powered super bag with a Piggyback Solar-Powered Gadget bag from ThinkGeek . The charger includes two pouches, big enough for computer tablets and e-readers, plus built-in channels for running USB cables between pouches.

Solar Wireless Keyboard

The Logitech K750 wireless solar keyboard charges itself in any kind of light, artificial or sunlight, and will stay charged for up to three months in total darkness!  Just 1/3" thick, the keyboard features sleek lines and portability, perfect indoors and on the go.

Solar-Powered Sound System

Let the music move you, wherever you are. The portable Soulra XL solar-powered boom box features a flip-out solar panel. The panel allows you to charge your mp3 player or smart phone while listening to music through its eight speaker drivers (two tweeters, two woofers and four passive radiators).

Solar Hybrid Automatic Lawn Mower

The Husqvarna hybrid automatic lawnmower comes with a large integrated solar panel that allows the mower to extend its cutting periods before it needs charging. Best of all, you can leave it to cut your lawn while you sit back with a cold glass of lemonade. The fully automatic robotic mower will happily graze your lawn, return to its charging station when power is low, and send you a text message if anything goes wrong.

Solar Pool Heating

A gift for the entire family that keeps giving, a solar pool heater by Heliocol or SunStar will double the swim season in any climate. Enjoy a resort lifestyle in your own backyard! Heliocol and SunStar solar pool heating systems are maintenance-free and work with your existing pool pump, providing you with free heat from the sun.

Solar Toy Robot

For the eco-concious kiddies on your list, consider a solar-powered robot. The 3-in-1 Transforming Solar Robot not only teaches kids about solar energy, it transforms from a robot to a tank to a scorpion!

Solar Charger and Battery Back-Up

The Solio BOLT is a slick little charger that also works as a battery back-up for your smartphone, mp3 player, e-reader, GPS or camera. Just connect to the BOLT using your device's own USB cable. The BOLT holds a charge for up to a year and gives most smartphones more than two charges! 

Monday, December 12, 2011

MyGenflex offers increased flexibility and monitoring

Kyocera Solar's MyGen Kits — all-inclusive kits available as part of UMA Solar's Heliolectric line for residential and light commercial solar energy installations — have expanded to include MyGenflex. This latest addition offers increased versatility for installation, expansion and monitoring services, featuring Kyocera’s premier KD240 watt solar modules, and new M215.

The MyGenflex kit is Enphase Energized™ with high efficiency M215 microinverters from Enphase, enabling a scalable solar system by converting direct current (DC) produced by solar modules into alternating current (AC) from each individual module in an array. This allows owners the flexibility to add to their solar energy system as needed. Further enhancing the MyGenflex system is the Enlighten monitoring and analysis software from Enphase, which monitors each microinverter and solar module in the system. Performance information is available via the web as part of a monitoring solution that allows owners and installers to track system performance. “A Kyocera Enphase Energized solution not only enables a flexible, high-performance solar energy system that is expandable and intelligent, it is also backed by the same dependable support that Enphase customers swear by,” said Bill Rossi, chief marketing officer of Enphase Energy.

Kyocera’s current MyGen line is already recognized as a comprehensive, convenient way to integrate solar power — the pre-engineered systems include the modules, inverter, racking, monitoring, grounding, manual, drawings, and minor components needed to complete a grid-tied solar energy installation. MyGen “Made in America” kits, which qualify for participation in the ARRA “Buy America” Program, offer the benefits of U.S.-based manufacturing with the expertise that comes from Kyocera’s 37-year experience in the solar industry.

“Kyocera’s pre-engineered MyGen kits greatly simplify the task of installing a solar electric generating system on a home or business,” stated Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. “These turn-key kits offer the reliability and industry-leading output of Kyocera’s modules, which have repeatedly achieved record-breaking cell efficiencies. With the innovative features of the Enphase Microinverter System, MyGenflex represents an ideal solution for those seeking to invest in solar energy for cost and environmental benefits.”

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

America Should be Leading the Way in Renewable Energy Development

Bill Gallagher, president of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, responded to the recent Daytona News-Journal's article, "Proceed Carefully on Solar Energy Policy," with a letter to the editor explaining that solar energy makes fiscal sense for Americans.

As appeared in the Daytona News-Journal "Opinions" section November 21, 2011:

Reading Thursday's News-Journal article, "Proceed carefully on solar energy policy," I could not help thinking about the plight of the blacksmith 110 years ago, when the automobile was threatening to replace the horse and buggy. It is easy to envision statements such as, "That new contraption is noisy, it belches smoke, it is too expensive, and it will never amount to anything!" Fortunately, this short-sighted thinking did not deter the development of the automobile, the aircraft or the space shuttle.

As the rest of the world turns to renewable resources as a means of producing clean power, energy security, and a permanent hedge against ever-increasing utility costs, political affiliations continue to divide and effectively paralyze our nation and state from adopting common-sense energy policies.

There is little doubt that some folks, for political reasons, would like to see solar development postponed or eliminated. The recent loan-guarantee debacle has provided fodder for them, and they will continue to attempt to discredit solar utilization using phrases such as "too expensive, too soon, needs more development, hold off, proceed carefully." In the meantime, other nations are moving forward with renewable energy deployment, undeterred by attempts to derail their goal to provide clean, reliable energy for their citizens.

The fact is that the vast majority of Floridians and Americans support the use of solar energy as a cost-effective, viable alternative to conventional energy sources. They are confused by the messages being sent that are contrary to their notion of "common sense."

When they hear "too expensive," they ask "compared to what?" Continuing to purchase electricity to heat water?

Let's make a comparison: A typical solar water-heating system in Florida can be installed for $4,000-$6,000, depending on the size of the family, offset 20-25 percent of a homeowner's utility costs, and pay for itself through energy savings in as little as five years. This means that for every four or five homeowners who install a solar hot-water system, the cost of powering one home is effectively removed from the utility grid. Encouraging Floridians to invest in solar for their homes and businesses reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, saves utility dollars, and creates jobs that are crucial to Florida's economic recovery.

America should be leading the way in renewable energy development and deployment. We have the ingenuity, the determination and the work force to make this happen. It is time to put political persuasions aside and do what is best for our community, our state and our nation.

--Bill Gallagher, Holly Hill

Monday, November 21, 2011

Eneref's Solar Heating Article Focuses on Commercial Building Market

Commercial Building Products magazine, the leading US publication targeting owners, architects and engineers of low-rise buildings, featured an article by Eneref Institute intended to demonstrate the immense benefits of solar heating and cooling. The story was developed in conjunction with numerous solar thermal manufacturers and industry associations.

The story was printed in Commercial Building Products annual “Green Issue” in conjunction with the GreenBuild tradeshow. For a printed copy of the magazine contact the publication. Or download the article from eneref.org.

To download a pdf from eneref.org

http://www.reports.eneref.org/eneref_commercial-building-products_shc-benefits_sep11.pdf

 

To view the story on line from Commercial Building Products

http://tinyurl.com/6k3to67

About Eneref Institute:

Eneref Institute is a research and advocacy organization, whose Solar Thermal Advantage initiative is designed to encourage the adaption of solar heating and cooling in commercial and residential facilities.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Opportunity to Support Solar Industry and Squash Media Misinformation

From SEIA:

With national media still focused on solar issues, I wanted to share with you a few recent opinion pieces that help counter some of the misinformed articles that we’ve seen recently, including this skewed New York Times piece from this past weekend.

First, in the Columbus Dispatch, State Representative Peter Beck argues that Ohio is receiving a strong return on investment today solar power.

SEIA also placed op-eds this week in two outlets that have been traditionally lukewarm on solar. The first appears in the conservative online news portal, The Daily Caller. And in today’s Investor’s Business Daily, I argue that federal support for solar is not an anomaly - all energy industries have historically received federal policy support to power our economy.

It is important that we continue to push back on press pieces that are misinformed about solar. If you see a story that needs correction or context, feel free to use SEIA’s talking points on the industry’s real story. Keep the conversation civil and fact-based, but push back aggressively to show our industry will not let myths about solar go unchallenged.

I also have a quick request that will help extend the 1603 Treasury Program. Take ten seconds and add your company’s name to this letter. We will present the letter to Congress to show that allowing this program to expire will harm businesses across America. Real jobs are at stake – 37,000 next year alone hang in the balance according to EuPD Research. Please fill out the form at the end of the letter and we'll take it from there.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Radio Interview with UMA Solar Director of Marketing Tod Ellington

UMA Solar Director of Marketing Tod Ellington was recently interviewed by Bill Gallagher on the Solar-Fit Renewable Energy Show. Follow the link to learn a little more about Tod and hear his thoughts on UMA Solar and the solar industry.

http://files.wnzf.com/solar_fit_111211.mp3

Saturday, August 20, 2011

UMA Solar to Host Classes in Ohio

As appeared in Solar Industry Magazine

Close to 80% of the world's energy supply could be met by solar power and other forms of renewable energy by mid-century if deployment is backed by the right enabling public policies, according to a new report from researchers working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The findings also indicate that the rising penetration of renewable energies could lead to cumulative greenhouse gas savings equivalent to 220 to 560 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide between 2010 and 2050. The upper end of the scenarios assessed, representing a cut of around one-third in greenhouse gas emissions from business-as-usual projections, could assist in keeping concentrations of greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million.

This change could contribute toward a goal of holding the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees C - an aim recognized in the United Nations Climate Convention's Cancun Agreements.

"The report shows that it is not the availability of the resource, but the public policies that will either expand or constrain renewable energy development over the coming decades," says Ramon Pichs, co-chair of Working Group III. "Developing countries have an important stake in this future: This is where most of the 1.4 billion people without access to electricity live, yet also where some of the best conditions exist for renewable energy deployment."

The six renewable energy technologies reviewed in the report are bioenergy, direct solar energy (including photovoltaics and concentrating solar power), geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy and wind energy. More than 160 existing scientific scenarios on the possible penetration of renewables by 2050, alongside environmental and social implications, were reviewed, with four analyzed in depth, the IPCC says.

Although the scenarios arrive at a range of estimates, the overall conclusions are that renewables will take an increasing slice of the energy market. The most optimistic of the four in-depth scenarios projects renewable energy accounting for as much as 77% of the world's energy demand by 2050 - up from just under 13% of the total primary energy supply in 2008.

The report concludes that although the proportion of renewable energy will likely increase even without enabling policies, past experience has shown that the largest increases come with concerted policy efforts. For instance, if environmental impacts such as emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases were monetized and included in energy prices, more renewable energy technologies may become economically attractive.

Currently, direct solar contributes only a fraction of 1% to total global energy supply, the report adds. Potential deployment scenarios range from a marginal role of direct solar energy in 2050 to one of the major sources of energy supply. The actual deployment will depend on continued innovation, cost reductions and supportive public policies.

The full report is expected to be made available here after May 31.As appeared May 5, 2011 in SmartPlanet.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Heliocol Solar Pool Heaters Add Energy to Southern California

Article by Nan Sterman, as appeared in Angie’s List magazine

Gov. Jerry Brown recently set a goal for state utility companies to derive 33 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. Here in the land of sunshine, it just makes sense for homeowners to get a head start on the energy companies by finding opportunities to use solar energy now, especially outdoors.

Solar outdoor lights appeared on the market several years ago, offering "free lighting" that's a cinch to install. Simply put them in a sunny location, and they do their thing. No cords, no trenching, no inverters. And if you pick the wrong spot or find you need more light in a different location, just pick them up and move them.

Sounds perfect, and they would be if only they produced a quality light and had a long battery life. "There are no solar [lights] that are worth the dirt they are staked into," says Mark McAnelly, owner of highly rated Southwest Landscape in San Diego. McAnelly says the current generation of outdoor solar lights acts more like markers to illuminate a driveway like a runway.

On the other hand, solar pool heaters are impressive, says Steve Jacobs of highly rated Nature Designs Landscaping  in Vista, Calif. These simple systems pump water from the pool into solar panels, where the sun heats the water before it circulates back into the pool.

Jacobs likes Heliocol solar systems because of their reliability and low maintenance. The solar panels are best mounted on a south-facing roof or slope at ground level, providing there are no trees or nearby buildings to shade them.

As a rule of thumb, solar panels cover roughly the same square footage as the pool, though in cooler coastal areas, they might be 25 to 50 percent larger; in desert areas, 25 percent smaller.

Heating also determines the size. In Southern California, systems are typically designed to heat water to 85 degrees in summer, 65 degrees in winter. Warmer water requires more panels. Whatever the size, Jacobs says, they commonly install solar panels on roofs because of space. Most lots aren't big enough to put them at ground level. Weight isn't usually a problem for the roof, as a small volume of water moves through the panel at a time.

Tod Ellington, director of marketing at UMA Solar, Heliocol's parent company, says his systems can double the swim season. "In Southern California, you can get an additional six or seven months."

Solar heaters cost two or three times more than natural gas or propane with the average sized system priced around $5,000, but recouping the investment can take less than five years. "Some people can spend $800 a month trying to heat their pools with gas," Jacobs says. "At that rate, payback would only be only a year or two."

The longevity of solar systems is also impressive. Heliocol's warranty is 12 years, including labor, mounting hardware and panel connections with some systems working well past 20 years, according to Ellington.

Nan Sterman is author of "California Gardener's Guide Volume II." She's a gardening expert, communicator and designer who has long grown an organic garden of plants that both feed her family and beautify her yard.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Renewable Energy Could Meet 80% of Global Energy Supply Needs

As appeared in Solar Industry Magazine

Close to 80% of the world's energy supply could be met by solar power and other forms of renewable energy by mid-century if deployment is backed by the right enabling public policies, according to a new report from researchers working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The findings also indicate that the rising penetration of renewable energies could lead to cumulative greenhouse gas savings equivalent to 220 to 560 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide between 2010 and 2050. The upper end of the scenarios assessed, representing a cut of around one-third in greenhouse gas emissions from business-as-usual projections, could assist in keeping concentrations of greenhouse gases at 450 parts per million.

This change could contribute toward a goal of holding the increase in global temperature below 2 degrees C - an aim recognized in the United Nations Climate Convention's Cancun Agreements.

"The report shows that it is not the availability of the resource, but the public policies that will either expand or constrain renewable energy development over the coming decades," says Ramon Pichs, co-chair of Working Group III. "Developing countries have an important stake in this future: This is where most of the 1.4 billion people without access to electricity live, yet also where some of the best conditions exist for renewable energy deployment."

The six renewable energy technologies reviewed in the report are bioenergy, direct solar energy (including photovoltaics and concentrating solar power), geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy and wind energy. More than 160 existing scientific scenarios on the possible penetration of renewables by 2050, alongside environmental and social implications, were reviewed, with four analyzed in depth, the IPCC says.

Although the scenarios arrive at a range of estimates, the overall conclusions are that renewables will take an increasing slice of the energy market. The most optimistic of the four in-depth scenarios projects renewable energy accounting for as much as 77% of the world's energy demand by 2050 - up from just under 13% of the total primary energy supply in 2008.

The report concludes that although the proportion of renewable energy will likely increase even without enabling policies, past experience has shown that the largest increases come with concerted policy efforts. For instance, if environmental impacts such as emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases were monetized and included in energy prices, more renewable energy technologies may become economically attractive.

Currently, direct solar contributes only a fraction of 1% to total global energy supply, the report adds. Potential deployment scenarios range from a marginal role of direct solar energy in 2050 to one of the major sources of energy supply. The actual deployment will depend on continued innovation, cost reductions and supportive public policies.

The full report is expected to be made available here after May 31.As appeared May 5, 2011 in SmartPlanet.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Avoiding Silent Failure in Solar Installations

As appeared May 5, 2011 in SmartPlanet.

By Andrew Nusca

SunReports is a San Francisco, Calif.-based company that manufactures monitoring systems for solar energy installations.

SmartPlanet caught up with chief executive Tom Dinkel to discuss why this part of our smart energy infrastructure is surprisingly off-grid — and why an unmonitored installation can actually use more power than it generates.

SP: Tell us about SunReports’ market.

TD: SunReports serves the broad solar market in two halves: solar photovoltaic, which is small and sexy, and solar hot water, which is not-so-sexy but the larger of the two.

We focus on the residential level. There are 66,000 systems installed in California in PV; less than five percent are monitored, which is just nuts. Traditional monitoring companies are too costly and too complex [for the average homeowner], so they just don’t have traction in the residential space. I know this from first-hand experience, because I was at [renewable energy management company] Fat Spaniel.

It has to be incredibly simple and incredibly easy to install for installers. The price point has to be low enough so that an installer won’t even consider doing a system without having monitoring on it. We’re well under the $1,000 mark now.

The PV market, we estimate there are about a million installed systems around the world. The hot water markets we estimate about 45 million systems around the world. Most are in China.

It’s interesting that the person who is most interested in energy is least served by the smart grid. In California, they use net metering for measuring the solar arrays on the roof. The smart grid doesn’t touch the net meters. The person who is most interested is unable to see what’s going on. There is no data.

SolarCity has their own monitoring thing; SunRun has their own monitoring thing. But they have not optimized theirs, and I’d be happy to talk to them about it.

The hot water space is completely underserved by monitors. We’ve spent most of our energy serving this market, and have established distribution in the space.

Our efforts so far have been to touch as few people as possible to get the very maximum reach we can obtain. Mostly OEMs.

SP: What happens when we don’t monitor solar installations?

TD: The failure of the system is very quiet. There’s no smoke, klaxon horn, no flashing lights.

The problem is that you still have power — for hot water, you still are taking warm showers — but your solar generation system could be down weeks or months before you notice. That’s not a very good return on investment; that would be zero.

The homeowner gets a bill. They might notice that their first bill is a little higher than normal, but they pay it. The second month that it’s out of whack, it’s “Honey, why is this bill so high?” You’ve just wasted more energy than the thing costs.

We know for sure that over the course of the system — these panels live 25 years plus, inverters live maybe 8 or 10 years — you’re going to have one, probably two inverter failures. I would want to know when my inverter has pooped out.

It’s ironic: you’ve spent more on your solar array than your [Toyota] Prius, but there’s no dashboard on it.

Installers in California are required to provide a 10-year warranty on these systems. But they have no risk mitigation strategy. So we give them one dashboard, one Google Maps-based portal, where they can see their entire installed base. They can manage their entire installed base by exception.

It’s a really useful tool.

SP: How do you get installers to bite?

TD: It hasn’t been particularly hard. The hardest thing has been getting word out that the technology exists. Traditional monitoring has a power supply, web server and data logger that all have to get pinned together. The typical installer does not know what a subnet mask is.

We’ve designed a plug-in process. Our most common call from the field is, “I just did this really quickly, did I miss a step?”

The solar hot water guys have never thought of solar monitoring. The solar panel guys generally don’t unless they’re vertically aligned. It’s the inverter guys that have baked-in solutions. Where it falls down is when the customer calls. A visit by a repairman costs more than my product does.

SP: You attended a solar conference in January in New Jersey. Tell us about it.

TD: It was called Networked Solar, which is cute, because solar is about the least-networked thing on the planet.

Utility representatives were concerned that there were things on their distribution grid that were not in their control. For a utility to not have command-and-control is pretty terrifying. It goes against their grain. The information we get from the inverter is one-way, but it’s a two-way pipe.

This was the first conference I’ve heard of or attended where this was actually a topic.

The smart grid is more than just automating meter reading. It should be about managing your own power, especially for people who care.

There are two huge gravitational pulls that we experience on a daily basis: the smart grid and the home automation network. We can operate with both, but we’re not reliant upon either.

It’s sort of a hole in other people’s strategy. I think that we will be acquired by a larger player in either of these markets. Somebody will have to own that. It could be an existing player or someone who sees that we have a chip on a board that looks like a networked device and maybe it’s a Cisco or an Intel. I expect that we’ll get gobbled up before we’re too long down the road.

SP: What’s next?

TD: Software and hardware. We get asked all the time, “I can see my PV system, but what’s my load in the home? I know what I’m generating, but I want to know what I’m consuming.” Innovating to see consumption in the space. I don’t see many products I like in the home energy monitoring space.

The home energy guys are trying to satisfy a market that nobody cares about yet. The average energy bill in this country is $3 a day. Nobody’s going to save $1.30 a day. It’s just not compelling.

If installers were able to better demonstrate the performance of these panels, the decision will be less scary.

I’m currently batting .400. We’re just taking the installation business to the next level.

SP: What’s your ratio of residential to commercial customers?

TD: For numbers of installs, it’s 80 percent residential. In terms of megawatts…

SP: But you make your money on the number of installs, not megawatts.

TD: Exactly.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Solar Thermal Rebates in Nevada

Tens of thousands of Facebook users recently established a new Guiness World Record for the most comments to a Facebook post in 24 hours. The eco-conscious commenters joined with Greenpeace to call on the social network to begin powering services with renewable energy instead of coal and nuclear power.

The numerous comments will be displayed on an LED screen outside Facebook's California office, encouraging the company to meet Greenpeace's Earth Day challenge to announce a plan to phase out its use of coal power over the next decade.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Facebook Users Push for Renewable Energy

Tens of thousands of Facebook users recently established a new Guiness World Record for the most comments to a Facebook post in 24 hours. The eco-conscious commenters joined with Greenpeace to call on the social network to begin powering services with renewable energy instead of coal and nuclear power.

The numerous comments will be displayed on an LED screen outside Facebook's California office, encouraging the company to meet Greenpeace's Earth Day challenge to announce a plan to phase out its use of coal power over the next decade.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Wall Street Journal Poll

The Wall Street Journal wants to know: What should happen with U.S. government subsidies of renewable energy development? Share your opinion by submitting an answer to this poll at  http://ow.ly/4xVtW.

New Solar Hot Water Incentives in NY

The New York Energy Research and Development Authority is offering $25 million over the next five years to promote solar hot water system conversion.

The program provides incentives of up to $4,000 per eligible residential site and up to $25,000 per eligible commercial and non-profit site. Customers must currently use electricity to produce hot water.

State Agricultural Commissioner Darrel Aubertine is encouraging farms with electric hot water systems to apply for the incentives for solar thermal systems. Dairy farms, in particular, use a significant amount of hot water daily to sanitize milking equipment.

By combining federal and state tax incentives with the new program, incentives are expected to cover 70 to 75 percent of installed costs.

Visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2149pon.asp for more information and to apply.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

UMA Solar COO Bob Zrallack Quoted in Daytona Beach News-Journal

As appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal

By Bob Koslow, Business Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- There's enough sunshine during one day in Florida to produce energy to supply the state for one year.

Solar power, though, generates only about 2 percent of all the state's power, according to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association.

The top power-generating fuels are natural gas, 46.8 percent, and coal, 28.1 percent.

A lack of leadership and political willpower to develop and implement a comprehensive energy plan is why solar and other renewable energy sources are not more prevalent, said association officials who addressed a crowd of about 120 this week during a Solar/Renewable Energy Forum at the Advanced Technology College.

"There are hundreds of organizations in Florida, government, industry, legislatively-created and non-profits that are all components of the large picture," said Justin Sobol, manager of renewable project development for Florida Power & Light. "No one is looking at the larger picture making something happen. There needs to be central policies to unify the efforts."

Trying to unify that fractured environment, at least regionally, is one reason the College of Engineering Technology and Occupational Programs at Daytona State College sponsored the public forum.

"There is a lot of activity in the state, but none of it coalesces to a fine point and that is what we want to do," said Stan Sidor, associate vice president of the College of Engineering Technology and Occupational Programs. "Bring all the players together to talk so we know each other and know what's going on and to look to the next step."

Increasing the demand and use of solar technology could help existing solar installation companies expand and add jobs as well as open avenues for new solar equipment manufacturing and distribution businesses. And, if local officials can pull together the various regional organizations, such as the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, the Space Coast Energy Consortium and Daytona State College, the region could become a larger hub for solar technology research and development.

The timely forum played out as political unrest in the Middle East was driving up local gasoline prices beyond $3.40 a gallon and further demonstrating the nation's need to lessen its dependency on foreign oil.

The demonstrations also inspired a tool, although less violently, to push for increased renewable energy, especially solar.

"When people speak loud enough, like in Egypt and Libya, other people listen," said Bob Zrallack, chief operating officer of UMA Solar, an Orlando manufacturer of solar thermal water heater panels.

Officials agreed many voices flooding the Legislature and demanding action is the best first course of action.

Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, pointed out that solar and other renewable energy sources are popular.

"The state's solar rebate program ran out of money every year. No one imagined it would be so successful," he said.

He also pointed to a recent McLaughlin & Associates poll that found 80 percent of Floridians support renewable energy and 70 percent support a $1 a month surcharge on electricity bills to pay for incentives for renewable energies.

However, differences developed when discussing details of where incentives should be focused.

The big divide was between encouraging large utility-owned solar electric plants or smallerscale solar generating panels on more widespread homes and businesses.

The industries association backed rebates and other programs to spur rooftop solar installations, known as distributive generation.

Bill Gallagher, president of the FSEIA and owner of Solar Fit in Daytona Beach, said the added charge could help create 40,000 jobs for installers, plumbers, electricians and engineers; $12.2 billion in wages and $300 million in taxes.

"The benefit is long-term jobs. We need to change from the horse and buggy," he said.

Zrallack said that while the construction of three FPL solar power plants provided hundreds of jobs, they were for less than a year while rooftop installation jobs would last for many years.

Solar systems are costly and require a lot of capital that large utilities have access to, Sobol said.

He also noted the addition of large solar plants now would increase the development and use of solar technology that would eventually lower equipment costs and make it affordable in the long term for homeowners and small businesses.

FPL recently spent $625 million, $100 million less than originally estimated, on three solar electric generating plants.

New Partnership and Distribution Point in Midwest

UMA Solar, manufacturer and distributor of the industry’s highest-performing solar thermal products for residential and commercial applications nationwide, is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with John Ervin and a new distribution point in Hermann, Mo.

“Having a resident renewable energy expert centrally located in the Midwest will increase UMA Solar’s presence in an expanding market,” said Bob Zrallack, UMA Solar COO. “This will allow us to better serve our existing customers while reaching out to new ones.”

Ervin is a veteran in the renewable energy field with more than 10 years experience installing solar systems in Arizona, Mexico and Missouri. He is also a practiced sales representative, having sold renewable energy equipment globally with a focus on solar water heating, solar pool heating, solar electric and wind power in both residential and commercial systems. He is actively working towards North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification in photovoltaic and solar domestic hot water systems.

As part of the new partnership, a new UMA Solar distribution point will be added to the Midwest region, rounding out the company’s current network of distribution centers in northern and southern California, Arizona, Florida and Pennsylvania.

“Due to the increase in fuel and energy costs, it seems logical to have equipment available in the Midwest, reducing transportation costs for our customers in addition to reducing fuel use,” said Ervin. “As the demand for green energy grows in this country and as we try to reduce our usage of imported fuels, UMA Solar will continue to be a key player in distributing the equipment necessary in the most cost effective and environmentally sustainable method possible.”

Monday, March 14, 2011

Solar: The Safe Energy Choice

Between the BP disaster and the potential nuclear meltdown in Japan, do we need any more reasons to begin investing in clean, renewable energy like SOLAR?

There are 104 commercial reactors operating at 65 plants in the United States. While most are in the Midwest and along the east coast, some are in earthquake-prone areas. In particular, two in California are built on the Pacific coast near the San Andreas fault. These are built to withstand a magnitude 7.5 earthquake—much less than the San Francisco quake of 1906 measuring 8.3 and Friday’s Japanese quake of 8.9.

Solar power is safe, clean and readily available. Best of all, the wide range of available solar technology gives individuals and businesses the flexibility to achieve energy independence according to their own budget and needs. From solar hot water systems and simple, solar-powered attic fans to complex photovoltaic systems that can completely free users from the grid, solar power is a financially feasible and environmentally responsible choice.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

New Solar Testing Facilities Underway

Universities in Connecticut and North Carolina will develop special labs to test solar thermal products, addressing the current shortfall in available testing services in the U.S.

North Carolina State University is scheduled to open its special solar thermal products testing lab in late 2011, while the University of New Haven plans to open its lab in 2012.

Currently, only five U.S. labs are accredited to test the products, causing delays in the certifications that are required for tax credit eligibility.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Orlando Pool and Spa Show

UMA Solar will be exhibiting at the Orlando Pool & Spa Show February 11-12, 2011 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Please stop by and visit us at booth #224.

The Orlando Pool & Spa Show is the premier event of the swimming pool industry in the southeastern United States. The annual event attracts thousands of industry professionals from all over the United States as well as the Caribbean. The show features new products, networking opportunities, excellent education courses and opportunities to meet directly with manufacturers.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Jimmy Lupien Relocates

Jimmy Lupien, UMA Solar national logistics manager, recently relocated to the UMA Solar warehouse and distribution center in southern California.

“While this move has been challenging, it has also been very rewarding,” said Lupien. “Meeting some of our West coast partners has already given me a sense of being at home. UMA Solar has such a wide variety of products to offer that it only makes sense that the southern California market would be one of the many distribution areas that UMA wants to call home.

 “With our northern California office in Fairfield growing and with the CSI program going strong, there is just a need for a one stop solar shop in southern California and the surrounding areas. I look forward to meeting all of our west coast customers and helping them to grow their business.”

Ask Bob Z. - Prevent Scalding

Dear Bob Z.,

What is the best way to prevent scalding in solar water heating systems?

--Concerned Contractor

Dear Concerned,

As solar contractors we must be diligent when designing solar water heating systems. I have witnessed many systems over the years where storage tank temperatures have exceeded 165°F in the summer and the customer had not left on vacation. Although we want temperatures to be high enough to destroy bacteria (specifically Legionella bacteria), we do not want to cause scalding burns to small children, elderly or handicapped clients. Many experts recommend turning water heater thermostats down to 120°F to reduce the risk but unfortunately this puts your storage tank right at the high range for breeding Legionella.

Of course turning the thermostat down on a solar system only shuts the back-up element or burner off at 120°, it does not stop the solar from continuing to heat the water unless you have a differential control and set the high limit switch to cut out at a specified temperature. Therefore, here is the dilemma, let the water get hot enough in the tank to kill bacteria or set it down to protect the vulnerable.

I chose both! Installing a thermostatic mixing valve as a standard procedure gives you the best of both worlds. A tank that can rise above 140°F to kill bacteria and a mixed hot water output to the house that protects your clients. Oh... did I mention we carry them in stock at all UMA Solar warehouses. (Sorry for the shameless plug.)

--Bob Z.

Variables Attributable to Third Degree Burn*

Water Temp. F°      Exposure Time

120                         9.5 minutes

125                         2.0 minutes

130                         30 seconds

140                         15 seconds

150                         1.8 seconds

158                         1.0 second

*From studies conducted by Lewis & Love

(1926); Wu. Yung-Chi, N.B.S. (1972);

Dr.M.A. Stoll, for U.S. Navy (1979)

2010 Employees of the Year

 Join UMA Solar in recognizing 2010’s employees of the year: Loren Zuconni, sales; Dave Colon, warehouse supervisor; and Thomas Colon, warehouse employee. UMA Solar CEO Victor Eyal recognized the employees at a recent luncheon, commending them for their service and dedication throughout the year.

Letter From Victor Eyal--February, 2011

Dear Colleagues, 

Surviving 2010 while maintaining a level of activity that is consistent with the last two years is an outstanding accomplishment and I thank you, our dear colleagues, for making that happen. Considering the economical environment on the negative side, and the solar and renewable environment on the positive, I have no doubt that 2011 is going to be a year of growth.

Our sales and marketing departments have been busy making your communication lines with us smooth and open. In addition to providing the best service possible, we have insisted on supplying every one of our colleagues, customers and clients with the lowest prices for the best products available in the solar industry.

Additionally, we will be issuing a printed price list for your convenience. You will now have the pricing and availability of our products at your fingertips at all times.

 The internet is a time burglar and I know that many of us spend a long time in front of the computer screen. Our IT and computer staff has been at work to make your use of www.umasolar.com easy by having one password for all functions and by making everything available electronically. Take your time to explore our websites. Not only www.umasolar.com, but also the specific products sites of Heliocol, Solene, MyGen and SunStar. There is a wealth of information in the dealer section behind the password and you will benefit greatly from digging into all corners of our websites.  

Lastly, our slogan of “one-stop solar shop” has become our mission statement in 2011 and I pledge to carry every item that will make your solar business activities more streamlined and efficient. Challenge us and share all your solar needs so that you can rely upon UMA Solar as your one-stop solar shop.

Thank you for your continued support, loyalty and cooperation. I wish you a successful year of growth.

Victor Eyal

Engineering Expansions

Recent expansions within UMA Solar’s engineering department include new licensure and new personnel.

UMA Solar Senior Engineer Michael Studney, PE, has expanded his professional engineer licensure to include the state of North Carolina. Studney already holds professional engineer licenses in Texas, Arizona and Florida. The additional licensing is part of UMA Solar’s ongoing effort to provide solar engineering services to its family of partners throughout the nation.

In addition, Chris Meyers, CAD specialist, has joined the UMA Solar engineering team.

“Our multi-licensed and multi-disciplined engineering department continues to grow in scope and experience,” said UMA Solar COO Bob Zrallack. “This will help us continue to provide advanced technical support and training to our new and existing partners.”

 

Heliocol Retreat 2010

 In early August 2010, Heliocol partners and sales teams throughout the United States gathered for a four-day, fun-filled retreat in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The Heliocol retreat was designed as a reward for top performing Heliocol partners and their sales personnel. The main purpose of the trip was for fun and relaxation, with a bit of time set aside for business. Heliocol partners had the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with UMA Solar’s executive staff to offer feedback, suggestions and constructive criticism.

But the bulk of the four-day retreat was spent swimming, scuba diving, parasailing, fishing, drinking and eating—a great time for all involved!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show

UMA Solar will be stationed at booth #:2457 throughout the duration of the Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Be sure to visit and meet with our staff for information on our innovative pool heating products.

The Atlantic City Pool & Spa Show Jan. 25-27 will feature more than 550 exhibitors and more than 10,000 pool and spa professionals are expected to be in attendance.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

UMA Solar's Solene Solar Hot Water System Featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Emmy®-award winning, hit reality show on ABC Television, will feature UMA Solar’s Solene brand solar hot water system in their newest monumental effort—a new, fully custom, net-zero energy home in Melbourne, Fla.

UMA Solar donated a Solene Solar Hot Water System featuring two Aurora panels with a 120 gallon water tank. The system will save the family an estimated $750 per year. Solar Energy Systems of Brevard, an exclusive partner with UMA Solar, will install the system. A live view of the ongoing construction can be viewed at http://solene.com.

“When we were approached about this project, we jumped at the chance to help,” said UMA Solar’s Director of Marketing Tod Ellington.  “Assisting this special family and sharing the value of solar technology with the Extreme Makeover audience is a win-win opportunity for everyone”. 

The Hurston family of Cocoa, Fla. will live in the home. Their previous home and belongings were destroyed by a burst water pipe while the family was away on a charitable relief effort.

The 3,400-square-foot home, currently under construction by LifeStyle Homes of Melbourne, will include a wide array of green innovations including solar hot water, solar electric, energy saving insulation and building materials, LED lights and a high-efficiency heat and air conditioning unit. As a net-zero home, the house will produce all the energy it requires, saving the homeowners hundreds of dollars each month.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Massachusetts Green Grants

As reported in Solar Thermal Magazine.

Eighteen cities and towns in Massachusetts have been designated Green Communities, making them eligible for over $3.6 million in grants for local renewable power and energy-efficiency projects that will advance both municipal and state clean energy goals.

Boston, Dedham, Easton, Gardner, Gloucester, Harvard, Hatfield, Marlborough, Medway, Milton, Newburyport, New Salem, Scituate, Swampscott, Watertown, Wayland, Williamstown and Winchester join 35 other cities and towns named in the inaugural round of Green Communities designations last May – bringing the total number of official Green Communities to 53.

The Department of Energy Resources’ (DOER) Green Communities Grant Program uses funding from auctions of carbon-emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reward communities that win Green Communities designation by meeting the following five clean energy benchmarks:

- Adopting local zoning by law or ordinance that allows “as-of-right” siting for renewable and/or alternative energy research and development facilities, manufacturing facilities or generation units;

- Adopting an expedited permitting process related to the as-of-right facilities;

- Establishing a municipal energy use baseline and a program to reduce use by 20% within five years;

- Purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use, whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable; and

- Requiring all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction to reduce lifecycle energy costs.

Newly designated communities have until Jan. 21 to submit applications for grants that will be awarded later this winter. DOER will take additional applications for Green Community designations and grants later in 2011.