Monday, March 26, 2007

Global fight for climate change

The key to fighting climate change is for the U.S. to take a leadership role in promoting a “new world wide web of electricity,” according to Michael Powers, board member and spokesman for Global Energy Network Institute, a non-profit research and education group based in San Diego.

Powers made the comments at Stanford University’s recent conference, “Energy in the Developing World: Working toward a Sustainable Future,” held on March 3, 2007. The conference was organized by the Stanford Association for International Development (SAID) and the Graduate School of Business.

“By connecting regional electricity grids around the world into a global network, it will be possible to tap new renewable resources and phase out our worst polluting coal-fired power plants,” Powers said....

Closer to home, the California Solar Initiative (CSI) plans to bring thousands of new solar energy systems online during the next 10 years and each of these systems represents a “new node on the global network,” Powers said. “We are creating a new market segment of ‘pro-sumers’ – energy producers during the daytime and consumers at night,” he said, He argues that this will launch a whole new industry of to supply equipment and software for managing this energy and tracking renewable energy transactions.

“Imagine an energy version of ‘Napster,’” Powers said. “We’re talking about peer-to-peer energy trading... where a solar homeowner in San Jose can capture kilowatts from the sun – and sell them to a homeowner in Shanghai – instantaneously. That’s the future.”

Global Energy Network Institute

Linking Renewable Energy Resources Around the World
The GENI Initiative focuses on linking renewable energy resources around the world using international electricity transmission.Three decades ago, visionary engineer Dr. R. Buckminster Fuller developed the World Game simulation, posing the question:

How do we make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological damage or disadvantage to anyone?

The results of this research show that the premier global strategy is the interconnection of electric power networks between regions and continents into a global energy grid, with an emphasis on tapping abundant renewable energy resources - a world wide web of electricity.

The benefits of this sustainable development world power solution ae proven:

Decreased pollution from fossil and nuclear fuels
Reduced hunger and poverty in developing nations
Increased trade, cooperation and world peace.
Stabilized population growth

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Clean Power Estimator

What is the Clean Power Estimator?

Clean Power EstimatorTM is an economic evaluation software program Licensing for use from Clean Power Research. The program provides residential and commercial electric customers a personalized estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar or small wind electric generation system.

The program takes into consideration customer-specific information in order to provide the best estimate of a given system's costs and benefits. This information includes the estimated cost of the particular system under consideration, the customer's location, electric rate schedules, and other customer information.

Please note: The California Commission is providing this program as a tool to aid potential PV and small wind customers in evaluating the economics of these generating systems. The program only provides estimates based on generalized system data and limited customer-specific data you supply. The Commission cannot guarantee that the estimates developed by the program will actually be realized in practice.

PV in the home

March 13, 2007
Current Use: PV in the Home
Q: How about some information on current uses of photovoltaics for the home? -- J.S., Lewes, DE

A: The availability of federal tax credits for PV systems, additional credits in more than half the states and growing use of net metering, renewable portfolio standards and other financial incentive programs have stimulated tremendous interest in using photovoltaics (PV) in homes in the U.S.

It's hard not to find a reference to zero-energy homes in newspapers and magazines, with PV forming the heart of any system that has truly near- or completely zero energy use. Costs for a 4-kilowatt (kW) or 5-kW system that could power your whole home are still high, but even at current residential PV costs of $7 to $10 per watt, you can cut PV energy costs with the incentives to very close to today's conventional utility rates for smaller systems (caps on the credits generally keep them from full use on the larger systems).

But don't be discouraged if you can't afford a whole-house system. A smaller system of 2-kW, for example, could provide enough power to run about half the electric-powered appliances and lights in the typical home, including the refrigerator. That sized system has the capability of producing 7 to 8 kWh a day, so if you're a typical electric user of around 1,000 kWh month, the system could produce about 25 percent of your electric needs.

Even if you're not looking for a rooftop system for your home, there are other PV products available today that'll help save energy. The technological advances in garden and walkway lights now give you the choice of products that will provide the light you need for several hours or even all-night long. PV-powered roof ventilators will help lower attic temperatures and keep your house more comfortable while you use less air conditioning.

Issues often become of interest to citizens when there is a real or perceived crisis.

Human habit has a nice way of want the ideal but not pay the price. At least until it is "me"...If it's only "you", you fend for yourself.
When green power is the same cost(or less) we'll all have it.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Clean Power Estimator

The program developed by Dr. Thomas Hoff (Ph.D., Stanford University and 15 years of experience) takes your selections, combines them with pre-collected data (including electric rate schedules; federal and state income tax rates; federal, state, and utility economic incentives; local weather data; electric load profiles; and clean energy system performance) and analyzes the information using published research methods.
It evaluates the economics and pollution reduction associated with installing solar power. The program includes potential economic incentives and tax benefits of purchasing a renewable energy system. You should confirm the availability of the economic incentives and you should consult your tax advisor about the tax deductibility of any interest payments before you purchase a system. The estimator data is kept up-to-date.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Save Power-Power Controller

Thursday, January 18, 2007 I wrote How to save and monitor your electric use, and highlighted the Power-Save's KVAR PU_1200 and how it works.The Power Controller is an advanced computerized technology that is specially designed and do the same, though I do not know if it works by the same mechanism.

Free Electricity with New Technology

The International Tesla Electric Company (ITEC) and Better World Technologies is developing a technology that they believe will produce clean, non-polluting, electricity at no operating cost using a permanent magnet motor to drive the world’s most efficient generator. ITEC hopes to set up an alternative to the existing power plants in America by placing 16,000,000 units on residences in America. Their plan is for families to have a 30 kwh free electric generator to not only provide their energy consumption but also to facilitate cash flow to ITEC by selling the excess power produced to the electric companies back over the grid. They are willing to give people an allotment of 26,000 kwh of electricity annually at absolutely no charge for the power, possibly for life, just for attending public demonstrations of the technology. [The average ALL electric home (for heat, lights, appliances, water, and everything) uses 2 kwh average every hour.]To participate become a club member of Better and Better Technologies at the link above. The site is cluttered but has amazing stuff!

Pre-Ignition Catalytic Converter (PICC)

To use gasoline with the most efficiency a new technology has been produced patent pending and about to be marketed. They have three video's: the CHALLENGES that must be overcome to improve fuel efficiency; their SOLUTION; and a Gas and Water Demo to increase fuel economy even further by running an engine on a gas and water mixture. Well, someone learned to fly, and rocket-ship to the moon and everyone said it could not be done. We do it daily now.

Until the car manufacturers install their device, you can be getting significantly increased gas mileage now with their Hydro-Assist Fuel Cell(HAFC)! In tests conducted on a Toyota Corolla and a Hyundai Accent, the vehicles got 60 miles and 75 miles per gallon respectively. In order to get one,they are merchandising by first mandating a quote for the PICC. If it works: better gas mileage, clean the internal engine, and stop emissions, it may be a great step.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Free Electricity?

Better World Technologies (BWT) believes they have the ability to produce an electric generator that will produce more electricity than it will consume, thus Free Electricity. BWT conducted a nationwide tour in 1999 to demonstrate one half of this technology the Hummingbird Motor (the driver) proven to be 100% efficient. In 2001 BWT conducted another nationwide tour to demonstrate the second half of this technology, the Sundance Generator, proven to produce five units of mechanical energy for each unit consumed (1 in 5 out). Both tours were heavily advertised and invited anyone to bring their own test equipment to disprove the above technologies. Many experts came and NOT ONE disproved either technology (all demonstrations were video taped).

Better World Technologies further believes they can combine the Hummingbird Motor with the Sundance Generator to produce "Free Electricity". BWT does not claim to have a Free Electricity generator and have not, to date, combined the Hummingbird to the Sundance. Due to the suppression of technology by Corporate America, BWT will not come forward until a critical mass of public awareness is achieved. Once 1.6 million people of North America has been registered for this program and agreed to be a witness at our demonstrations, BWT will produce 100 units to be demonstrated nationwide. These demonstrations will be held at the same time across America in sports stadiums and large public meeting places.


In appreciation to these first 1.6 million witnesses, the International Tesla Electric Company (BWT's utility company) will provide up to 26,000 kWh of free electricity per year for as long as ITEC is able to sell the excess electricity on the open market. This is our way of rewarding these witnesses for their faith in God, His technology and us. After the technology has been publicly demonstrated and proven to the world the remaining 14.4 million units planned for distribution to North America will be made available to the public at a projected cost of $2,000.00 per registrant.
The unit is not now for sale and will never be made available for sale but will remain the property of BWT and ITEC. Those fortunate enough to be registered with ITEC will receive the 26,000 kWh per year absolutely free for as long as ITEC is able to sell the excess electricity on the open market.
There are four options to register now as a witness, this offer will be withdrawn without prior notice once BWT announces it has achieved the initial 1.6 million witness goal and the initial demonstrations will be scheduled. All registrants will be notified by mail of the time and date of the demonstration closest to their location. We thank you for your patience, your faith and your support, there is a periodic update you may subscribe to here authored by this UCSA dealer. There is also a periodic updated phone recording by Dennis Lee you may listen to at 212-461-8738.
Either ITEC will be successful in recruiting the 1.6 million witnesses by May 1, 2007 and proceed with Plan A and the public demonstrations on July 10th of 2007, or initiate Plan B beginning May 31, 2007.

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Credits for Homeowners

Washington — The Treasury Department and the IRS today have issued guidance (Notice 2006-26) on the certification that homeowners may rely on when they claim credits for purchases that make their homes more efficient.
During 2006, individuals can make energy-conscious purchases that will provide tax benefits when filling out their tax returns next year. The credit will also be available for purchases in 2007. Manufacturers offering energy efficient items such as insulation or storm windows can assure their customers that their energy efficient items will qualify for the tax credit if certain energy efficiency requirements are met.
A recent tax law change provides a tax credit to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. The law provides a 10 percent credit for buying qualified energy efficiency improvements. To qualify, a component must meet or exceed the criteria established by the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements) and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.
The following items are eligible:
Insulation systems that reduce heat loss/gain
Exterior windows (including skylights)
Exterior doors
Metal roofs (meeting applicable Energy Star requirements).
In addition, the law provides a credit for costs relating to residential energy property expenses. To qualify as residential energy property, the property must meet certification requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and must be installed in the taxpayer’s main home in the United States.
The following items are eligible:
$50 for each advanced main air circulating fan
$150 for each qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler
$300 for each item of qualified energy efficient property.
The maximum credit for all taxable years is $500 – no more than $200 of the credit can be attributable to expenses for windows.
Additionally, the new law makes a credit available to those who add qualified solar panels, solar water heating equipment, or a fuel cell power plant to their homes in the United States. In general, a qualified fuel cell power plant converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means, has an electricity–only generation efficiency of more than 30 percent and generates at least 0.5 kilowatts of electricity.
Taxpayers are allowed one credit equal to 30 percent of the qualified investment in a solar panel up to a maximum credit of $2,000, and another equivalent credit for investing in a solar water heating system. No part of either system can be used to heat a pool or hot tub.
Additionally, taxpayers are also allowed a 30 percent tax credit for the purchase of qualified fuel cell power plants. The credit may not exceed $500 for each .5 kilowatt of capacity.
These items must be placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005 and before Jan. 1, 2008.
IR-2006-34, Feb. 21, 2006

Friday, February 23, 2007

Selling Homeowners a Solar Dream

Selling Homeowners a Solar Dream
Instead of making you spring for $25,000 or more in gear, Citizenrē says it will loan you a complete rooftop solar power system, install it for free and sell you back the power it generates at a fixed rate below what your utility charges. The company hopes to make back its investment with those monthly payments, augmented by federal tax credits and rebates.

Founded by a solar power veteran and a former tech company executive just 18 months ago, and still officially in a pre-launch phase, Citizenrē says it has $650 million in bank funding behind it. Enviro-actorvist Ed Begley Jr. has cut an eight-minute video for the company website, and more than 7,000 people from Maine to San Diego have already signed up for systems. And why wouldn't they? With no upfront costs -- aside from a modest security deposit -- consumers can save on their electric bill and help roll back global warming at the same time.

If you own a home and saw An Inconvenient Truth, you're already sold.

This Blog Is 100 Percent Solar

This Blog Is 100 Percent Solar

Friday, February 9, 2007

Personal eco-actions

Ms. Big Stuff
On the most effective personal eco-actions
By Umbra Fisk 05 Aug 2004

"an excellent book from the Union of Concerned Scientists, The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices. Being scientists, the authors studied the answer to your question with alarming thoroughness, developed elaborate ways to calculate the effects an individual has on the environment, picked out the most fruitful possibilities for effective change, and presented opinionated answers in this informative book....
The specifics here are not going to surprise you. Cut down on driving, live close to work, take mass transit when possible, walk or bike when you can, buy the smallest car for your needs, and advocate for transit alternatives in your area. Personal cars and trucks really do spew pollutants, from birth through death."

As I said in an earlier post, be practical and pragmatic.
ALAN

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Reality is Catching Up to US...

The Desperation of George W. Bush
2007-02-08 by Chris Nelder

"... after a career spent casting doubt on global warming science and favoring Big Oil at all times and at all costs, President Bush changed his tune in his recent State of the Union speech, claiming that new energy technologies "will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change.""

"The reality is that Bush & Co. are in a state of quiet desperation, slowly and deliberately making partially misleading, partially true statements to show that they know the truth about oil and global warming without it actually costing them too much politically, and without having to actually do anything differently....

"They're just trying to get out ahead of the issues so they don't get crushed by them..."

The first reason is simply that the world's number-one oil field, Saudi Arabia's Ghawar, is in decline....

"And we now know that our second largest oilfield, Mexico's Cantarell, is in a catastrophic 28% annual decline. The U.S.'s number-two source of imports could be finished in less than four years.

"Last month the Bush administration sent a team from the Department of Energy to meet with Canada's natural resources agency, to ask them to bypass environmental rules in order to ramp up production from oil sands by a factor of five . . . even though, as has been well recognized already, they have neither the natural gas nor the fresh water to do it.

"...The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its much-anticipated report. Three years in the making, the report is the most comprehensive, global and peer-reviewed study on climate change ever written, bringing together the work of more than 800 scientists, more than 450 lead authors from more than 130 countries and more than 2,500 expert reviewers.

In short, it's humanity's best try at getting the story right.

And the report said greenhouse gas emissions will continue to change the climate over the next 100 years, causing sea levels to rise by a half-meter. Millions will be displaced from their coastal and low-lying communities, causing waves of environmental refugees. Snow in the mountains will disappear, desertification will intensify, oceans will die-and so will people, due to deadly heat waves, as world temps rise by some 3 to 5.8 degrees Celsius....

In the GMO Quarterly Letter 2007, Jeremy Grantham had a sharply worded essay titled "While America Slept, 1982-2006-A Rant on Oil Dependency, Global Warming, and a Love of Feel-Good Data." He wrote:

Successive U.S. administrations have taken little interest in either oil substitution or climate change, and the current one has even seemed to have a vested interest in the idea that the science of climate change is uncertain. In fact, we have spent the last large chunk of time in this country with a strong bias to feel-good data at the expense of accurate, hard data in this field. This attitude seems to be reflected in the spin on U.S. economic success, which we've commented on several times, exaggerating, sometimes substantially, the absolute and relative performance of the U.S. economy. It has certainly been reflected in the general desire for environmental issues to be benign and optimistic or to simply go away. [ . . . ]

The U.S. policy approach to climate change (and other environmental issues) has been similarly casual in its unwillingness to plan for the long term. There is now nearly universal scientific agreement that fossil fuel use is causing a rise in global temperatures [ . . . ] Yet the U.S. is the only country in which environmental data is steadily attacked in a well funded campaign of disinformation (funded mainly by one large oil company). This campaign has used and reused the solitary plausible academic they can dig up, out of hundreds working in the field, plus one famous novelist-without qualifications in the field, but, still, for heaven's sake, widely quoted by the administration-and one Danish economist who really doesn't get Pascal's Paradox, but does seem to have shares in The Wall Street Journal.

Clearly, Team Bush is desperate to get on the right side of the climate change issue.

This is only the first half of our case. We'll explore the second half next week.

Until then . . .

-Chris Nelder

Scary, is it not. Now is the time to begin to use every means to use solar energy.
ALAN

Wind Power?

The Skystream, Next-Generation Backyard Wind Generator, Awarded a 2006 Best of What's New Award from Popular Science in the Home Category.
How does the practical side appear? In the last blog entry, (Tuesday, February 6, 2007)the rationale for solar far and away beat wind, in Massachusetts any way.

I think that the use of solar hot water generation and the new nanosolar and technical advances (see Tuesday, February 6, 2007 blog about the DBK panels) for solar PV panels will probably take the nod from me, but I still have an open mind.
ALAN

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

What the PV Industry Can Learn from Google

So why is Google relevant here? Google is a prime illustration of what Topline Strategy considers a "Short Fuse" technology, that is a technology that has a shorter early adopter period and achieves widespread mainstream adoption far faster than traditionally thought possible. When mainstream buyers consider the cost-benefit of a new technology, they consider far more than just its price -- they see hidden costs and potential risks and build them into their purchase decision. Short Fuse technology solutions are ones whose developers anticipate these costs and risks and design them out right from the start. By doing so, they attract mainstream buyers far sooner than solutions created and deployed under the Long Fuse paradigm of slowly building credibility with the earliest adopters before bridging product and marketing efforts to the mainstream. Google's AdSense solution did exactly that for online advertising and rapidly brought millions of new customers into the market -- customers for whom the favorable economics of Internet advertising alone was not enough.


The full report on the Solar Industry is available in a .pdf, as is the report with some nice thinking/rationale as to why PV is better than wind generation on Massachusetts.
ALAN

Animated Guide to the GREENHOUSE EFFECT by the BBC

BBC Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect is the natural process by which the atmosphere traps some of the Sun's energy, warming the Earth enough to support life.

Most mainstream scientists believe a human-driven increase in "greenhouse gases" is increasing the effect artificially.

These gases include carbon dioxide, emitted by fossil fuel burning and deforestation, and methane, released from rice paddies and landfill sites.

1500 and 3000 watts per solar panel!

DBK's Multiple Energy Level (MEL) Patent Pending Solar Panels, the JIL-1500 and 3000 solar panels (IEC 61215 certified)use 70 percent of the sun wavelengths instead of 17 percent. This is linked to a DC to AC conversion process that gets the 1500 or the 3000 watts needed to supply your home or business. One or two JIL panels are all that is needed for most homes!; 5-6 panels for most small businesses.

Even more,DBK will be donating over 10,000 of its solar panels to remote areas around the world to build new hospitals, schools and to power new wells for clean, pure water for families and children. Approximately one out every ten panels will be donated to improve the life of a child somewhere in the world.

Wow! What a great and noble aspiration! Kudos to them!
ALAN

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Follow up on AP post

The Sun Finally Rises on Solar Power
Q. How can the company afford to install this complete solar system with no upfront cost to the consumer?
A. Because we handle everything ourselves from the solar grade silicon to the final installation, we create savings at each stage of the production. Plus we are building the largest plant for solar power in the world. When you combine our vertical integration with our economies of scale, we are able to produce the final product at half the cost of our competitors.
Q. This sounds like the company required a large amount of money to make all this happen?
A. Yep, $650 million.
Q. Now I know why no one did this before you guys. So the customer does not have to give any money to have this complete solar system installed on their house?
A. Actually we do require a security deposit of $500, at the time of installation. The customer gets this deposit back with interest at the end of the contract. If they don’t pay their bill and walk away from the contract, they lose their deposit and we come take the system off their roof. They are also required to pay a monthly rental for the solar energy system.
Q. And how is that rent calculated?
A. By the amount of energy that the system produces.
Q. But they are paying the same rate they were paying before, right?
A. Often it is actually less. The company bases their rates on a customer's average bill with their electric utility for an entire year, using the most recent full year's data. Since rates tend to go up each year, many customers will save money on their first bill, and this will only increase as the years pass. We provide a calculator on our website that will tell specifically what they will save with their particular utility and their monthly usage. Many customers save over $10,000 just by switching to the sun. Our whole mission is to help people join the solution and stop being part of the problem.
Q. I like that. How long a contract do they have to sign?
A. One year, five years, or 25 years. Over 80% of our customers sign the 25-year contract because that locks in their rate for the entire term of the contract. If they sign a shorter contract, their rate is recalculated according to current energy rates at the end of their term.
Q. What happens if I sign a 25-year contract and I want to sell my house in 10 years?A. You have three options. First, you can ask us to move the system to your new house. We do that one time for free. Second, you can transfer the contract to the new owner. This can potentially add value to your house because if energy rates keep going up like they are and they are 60% higher in 10 years, then your buyer would get a 60% decrease on their energy bill because of your foresight. The final option is that you can contact us, tell us that you just want to end the contract and we will remove the unit. With this third option you do lose your security deposit.
Q. Sum up the advantage to me.
A. There are three advantages to the customer:1) They are part of the "solution", and,2) they lock in their current electric rates for a contract period of their choice, 1 year, 5 years, or 25 years, and3) they can knock dollars off their monthly bill by referring other customers, or, they can become more involved and make a living showing other people how to become "part of the solution", and save money on their electric rates.
Q. What's my worst case scenario?
A. Worst case scenario is if a person wanted out of their contract, did not want to move it to their new home, and the next owner of their current house did not want it, they loose their $500 security deposit as the cost for the company to take down the system.
Q. Is there any money due now?
A. There is no money due before the system is actually installed under a design plan that the home owner agrees to...(all systems will go on the roof, not out in yards and such...I think...I might be wrong)...if the home owner agrees to the plan (where the panels will be placed, etc), then the only money due is the $500 security deposit, which the homeowner will get back at the end of the contract with interest.
Q. When will system installations start?
A. System installations will start sometime after September 2007, but if the customer signs up now, they get to lock in current electric rates even though the system won't be installed for several months, plus, they get to be one of the first folks to get a system.
Q. How long will installation take?
A. The company says installation will take less than one day.
Q. What are my total costs?
A. The company takes care of all building permits and everything else involved in the installation, the ONLY "cost" to the customer is the $500 security deposit, which, again, the homeowner gets back at the end of the contract with interest.
Q. Can this system be used as backup power for my house?
A. The system will have the ability to supply electricity to your home if the grid goes down and the sun is shining.There are some challenges to this. The reason for this is that current laws require our systems to have anti-islanding software that keeps our units from delivering electricity to the customer's main panel. The reasoning is that if a lineman is working on the network somewhere near by, and there is no anti-islanding precaution, the lineman runs the risk of being electrocuted. We certainly do not wish for this situation to ever occur.We have two current solutions:(1) supply a utility grade switch that will completely sever the connection to the utility during a black-out and will allow the system to continue delivering power to the Customer (the switch is very large and is typically displeasing to the Customer aesthetically), or(2) we can install a secondary panel that is designed to continue running critical and preferred loads during a power outage.Our engineering wizards will continue to design innovative solutions that provide customers the best possible experience.

Solar energy gets affordable

Solar energy gets affordable
OTIS HART Thursday, 18 January, 2007

There's a company that wants to throw solar panels on your house and reduce your electricity bill -- for free.

Yeah, we didn't believe it at first, either. But Citizenre, a renewable energy corporation based in Delaware, looks like the real deal. Its REnU program (for Renewable Energy Unit) complements your current utility setup to take advantage of the sun's resources and reduce the juice you get from "the grid."

It also lets those of us spooked by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" to do our small part in limiting the country's dependence on coal and natural energy sources.

Life as usual, really, only greener.


REnU rents you solar panels on a kilowatt-hour basis. You pay Citizenre whatever rate your local electricity provider charges at that time. The bonus is you're locked into that rate for the entire length of the contract, whether it be one year, five or 25. (That's how you'd actually save money.) They install the panels on your house free of charge and take care of all upkeep.

The REnU program won't be fully operational until September. It needs a state that has instituted net-metering which essentially allows you to store up energy credit. (All but nine states have passed some sort of net-metering policy...check them on the service territory at the bottom to the right from the calculator).

Citizenre CEO David Gregg is a man with a mission. The "secret" to the company is vertical integration. They plan to open a factory in the U.S. in the next few months and set up a nationwide transportation system to eliminate middlemen and dependence on state subsidies.

As of Thursday morning, 3,467 homeowners have signed up for the September launch, and over 80 percent have opted for the 25-year contract, according to Gregg.


The average retail price of electricity rose almost 12 percent between 2002 and 2005. [In southern Fl last year FP&L raised the rate %20, but the hue and cry made the PUC cut it back--4%!] Citizenre's fee doesn't change from the moment you sign up. So, if the electricity rate continues to rise over the next 25 years, you won't feel the pinch.

But aside from the potential cost savings, users will reduce the amount of fossil fuel required to power their houses.

"Conceptually, the idea of making an energy service available is done on a commercial basis," said Cecile Warner, principal engineer of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. "Residential customers have had options to buy renewable energy, but this is among the first companies that I have seen where it's available as a service rather than buying the system."


While buying a system is a great investment, the savings you might receive via leasing matches up over the life of the contract.

"I think that overcoming this (expensive) hurdle for most households will be very attractive," she said. "A lot of people just can't scrape together the money to pay for the system up front."
(Otis Hart, asap reporter )Want to comment? Sound off at soundoffasap@ap.org on a deal that seems too good to be true.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

REnU

Here is more information about REnU's general program [(620) 294-1402] and a recorded Question & Answer session with the Company's CEO. They have dealt with and solved most of the problems using solar at a residential level. It is becoming into a grass-root phenomenon! If this catches on it can really help with the energy crisis and the environmental crisis with global warming greenhouse gases.
Aware of the energy landscape’s imminent change, and its remarkable opportunity, CitizenrÄ“ is positioning itself to be the world’s leader in the development of renewable energy infrastructure. Through project development and strategic alliances, CitizenrÄ“ is on its way to becoming a Top-5 global photovoltaic (“PV”) manufacturer, the largest global photovoltaic system installer, and the No.1 owner/operator of PV generating assets.

...The CitizenrÄ“ Corporation’s purpose is to modernize the global energy infrastructure and to increase global energy supplies. In fulfilling such a purpose, CitizenrÄ“ expects to use its technologies and know-how to capitalize on the projected 59% increase in world energy demand over the next 25 years – and, of course, the correlative $17 trillion in needed investment. In return, CitizenrÄ“ believes that its efforts to modernize the energy infrastructure and increase energy supplies will lead to sustained growth and socioeconomic stability.
.

What a vision!It has already been reported on TV. See what Ed Bagley,Jr. the actor and environmental activistist has to say!
Alan

Thursday, January 25, 2007

New Technology, from nanosolar to a huge Solar Collector

Thanks to aggressive government subsidies, Germany and Japan are currently the global leaders in solar production, with Japan's Sharp Electronics the world's biggest manufacturer of solar cells. But in September, Silicon Valley took a big step toward the industrialization of solar when Applied Materials launched an ambitious drive to repurpose some of the technologies it now uses to build machines that make silicon wafers and flat-panel video displays.

Nanosolar is big in Silicon Valley as "Lighting up the $1 trillion power market."

"Silicon Valley has changed the world once. Now, thanks to a wave of investment and innovation in solar power, it's on to the next revolution: a massive disruption of the U.S. electricity market."..."driving a sizzling $11 billion worldwide market in solar energy, part of a rapidly expanding alternative-energy economy that promises to shake up the way power is produced and consumed as profoundly as the region's computer and Internet companies upended global communications and commerce in the late 20th century." wrote Tom McNichol and Michael V. Copeland, Business 2.0 Magazine (October 30 2006)
Picture a 260-foot-diameter cylinder 1,600-foot tall (taller than the Sears Tower) encircled by a two-mile-diameter transparent canopy at ground level. About 8 feet tall at the perimeter, the solar collector will gradually slope up to a height of 50 to 60 feet at the tower's base.

Acting as a giant greenhouse, the solar collector will superheat the air with radiation from the sun. Hot air rises, naturally, and the tower will operate as a giant vacuum. As the air is sucked into the tower, it will produce wind to power an array of turbine generators clustered around the structure.

The result: enough clean, green electricity to power some 100,000 homes without producing a particle of pollution or a wisp of planet-warming gases.
wrote Todd Woody, Business 2.0 Magazine assistant managing editor (October 26 2006)

What is coming up next!?
ALAN

Monday, January 22, 2007

Slashdot has a link to a story on Yahoo News about a man who uses solar power to eliminate his home utility bills. He had to get all kind of support from the state of New Jersey, corporate sponsers, etc. The New Jersey project, which opened in October 2006 after four years of planning and building, cost around $500,000, some $225,000 of which was provided by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The state, a leading supporter of renewable energy, aims to have 20 percent of its energy coming from renewables by 2020, and currently has the largest number of solar-power installations of any U.S. state except California. Today REnU will do it for only a $500 security deposit and guarantees today's electric rate for 25 years!
ALAN

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Links for FPL for ALternative Energy

FPL has many programs, but how to find them?
Some residential customers who want alternatives to traditional electricity sources as a lifestyle choice are purchasing photovoltaic systems of their own from independent suppliers for home use. These systems are presently expensive to install and the payback is decades long.*.[my bold] However, many of these systems also are capable of connecting to FPL’s power grid and can return excess generation to the company.
For residential users FPL offers a Central A/C Buying Guide, Duct System Test and Repair program,an Insulation Guide, a BuildSmart program and the On CAll program which yours truely has been an ongoing user.
And today * the REnU Program has overcome the cost factor for the residential consumer. A new day has dawned! And I have already signed on to have my system installed as fast as possible.
ALAN

Friday, January 19, 2007

Found the best Florida State solar energy Contact

I found the best Florida State solar energy contact person, Jim Tatum ((850) 245-8002, x 5245). I just got off the telephone with him. He gave me all the time and patience I needed, and his expertise was obvious. Kudos to Jim!
Alan

Is the Sun finally rising on Solar Power?

Thomas Edison had a conversation(1931) with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone.
I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.
For houses, it's hip to be green.
As the cost-effectiveness of geothermal, wind and solar power goes up, so does the cachet.
The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 give incentives for solar electric for residential consumers of 30% of the cost capped at $2000, but commercial users 30% is uncapped ! Fourtyone(41) states have established "net-meter laws" that require the utility companies to allow renewable energy to flow into the grid and then allow the consumer to pull that same amount of energy off of the grid at no cost to the consumer. To check your state find the little map on the bottom next to the solar calculator. Homeowners have the right to generate power and receive the full retail value credit for the excess power generated. Basically the grid becomes a huge battery. The meter spins backwards during the day when the sun is shining and forwards at night when the consumer pulls that power back off the grid. And if the "condo commandos" don't want you to have it your way send them packing with the law on your side at the Federal level: Empowering America Act of 2006, Section 9 deals with the covenants homeowner association frequently make.
Alan
I am passionate and serious about preserving the environment and want to contribute to a cleaner, green energy independence. I think that we must help our world’s environment as we are depleting fossil fuel supplies and polluting the air and waters. The U.S. DOE projected the U.S. demand and additional global energy pressures have forecasted 347 gigawatts of new capacity is needed and will likely come from coal-fired and natural gas-fired plants. In addition our country continues to be blackmailed by continued dependence on foreign sources. Nuclear electric generation has a 10-20 year lead-in time to build a single new power plant here, but many other countries have embarked on large-scaled building programs even despite it's own environmental problems (emissions, storage, etc.)

I came upon the REnU Program ( which stands for Residential Energy Unit ) and found one of the most forward-thinking initiative toward energy independence and preservation of the environment today. I am especially impressed by the principles they espouse, even in their own words. What of a mission statement!
More tomorrow.
Alan

Thursday, January 18, 2007

How to save and monitor your electric use

The January/February 2007 AARP magazine (p30-11) have a good article on how to Slash Your Energy Bill.
EnergyHog.org have a site for us adults and a site just for your children!
I have just installed the Power-Save's KVAR PU_1200. I had saw it on TV and the company's documented up to 25% on home energy costs is great. I'll be happy with 10% savings. It works on the inductive load.

...anything in the home that runs by motor (including refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, washers, dryers, fans, blower motors, pool pumps, dish washers, vacuum cleaners and hair dryers,etc.) require a certain amount of reactive power (non-working power) from the utility to create the Electro-Magnetic-Field (EMF) around the motor to make it work... [Your]motors uses what it needs and sends the rest back to your electric panel where it is "lost" - dispersed in heat never to be seen again. This loss is called I2R loss or "line loss". The problem with this equation is that you’ve paid for the lost electricity, because it's traveled thru your meter and been measured.

The Solution: The Power-Save 1200 unit stores the reactive power (non-working power) that would be otherwise lost. This allows your inductive motor load to push in and pull from the Power Save 1200 using the stored power, instead of asking for more from the utility. This process decreases your demand from the utility thereby decreasing your Kwh usage and lowering your bill each month!

I'll let you know how it works. They also have a nice description of the Tax Incentives.

The greenTECHZONE Products for the week of October 16, 2006 highlights Blue Line Innovation's PowerCost monitor. Domestic energy use studies have demonstrated that real-time feedback yields energy savings anywhere between 10-20% when a tabletop energy display device is available.
A detection unit...is affixed to an existing household electromechanical utility meter with a simple ring clamp. This transmitter tracks the energy consumed by counting turns of the meter disk. This is the only component of the PowerCost Monitor that will be in direct physical contact with the utility's electromechanical meter and the clamp mechanism allows it to be attached to the outside of the meter glass. It can also be quickly attached and detached without making any changes to the existing meter.
The display unit located inside the home receives a wireless signal from the transmitter and displays the consumption information in real time in dollars and cents for the end user. Now, after having run it in my house for a bit over a week, I've become addicted to knowing how much electricity my house is chewing up on a minute-by minute basis. I know not everyone will find the same fascination in watching their appliances cycle, but most people will appreciate how well this simple little meter lets you identify the energy hogs and quiet electricity leaks in your home or office.
Once the display is programmed, you can see how many kW-hr you're using, how much per hour it's costing you, a running total of the power you've consumed and the outside temperature. Since the display is also battery-powered, it was easy to hang it up over the house's smart thermostat so I now have a single place where I can observe my home's operation....
The experience of watching how the house power consumption varies over the day has been quite educational for me. For example, I learned that when I'm here in my home office with most of the rest of the house dark and quiet, I still see around 0.7 kW-hr (around 10.5 cents/hr at our normal billing rate) worth of juice being used, with short spikes of 1.0 - 1.2 kW-hr up as the refrigerator, freezer, and dehumidifier kick on and off. When the rest of the family descends on me around 5:30 more lights, computers, TVs, and other stuff goes on and our baseline hovers at around 0.9 - 1.1 kW-hr (14 - 18 cents/hr) until bed time....PowerCost meter is one of those why-didn't-I-think-of-that products which should appeal to the ecology-minded and the budget-conscious consumer alike. After only a few days, it's changed the way I look at my home's energy consumption. While all the meter does is let me know how much power I'm using, it's a really useful conservation tool because it helps me pinpoint where all the juice is going. Now that I'm aware of the fact that my house draws nearly 700 W-hr in its idle mode, I've got the motivation to start hunting down all the unnecessary loads that are adding dollars to my bill, tons of CO2 to the atmosphere.
The PowerCost energy monitor is available now, priced at $149 retail.


ALAN

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

In 1931, Thomas Edison had a conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. He said, "I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that."

We have waited 76 years, but an innovative company may have finally found a solution. The sun supplies enough energy to earth in one hour to supply all of our energy needs for an entire year. But currently solar power produces less than ½ of 1% of our residential energy needs. Why?

In the past, solar power has been too expensive and too complicated. To switch to solar, people had to invest their children's college fund or sell their second car. The average consumer pays $40,000 to convert their home to solar­ plus you are responsible for the installation, maintaining the equipment, getting permits­ ...who has the time (or the money)?

A company called Citizenre has a bold plan to remove all of the traditional barriers to solar power. They offer: No system purchase. No installation cost. No maintenance. No permit hassles. No performance worries. No rate increases. No way!?

Like most innovations, their model is so simple it makes you wonder why no one thought of it before.

You simply pay Citizenre the same rate per kilowatt for power that you used to pay your utility company. But it gets even better: Citizenre will guarantee that your rate per kilowatt will not go up for 25 years. With ever increasing electricity rates, this gives consumers peace of mind and can add up to significant savings. They even have a solar calculator on their website that shows exactly how much you will save over 1, 5, and 25 years. Their results showed I would save over $13,000 and by using clean energy, it was the equivalent of taking 24 cars off the road or planting 400 trees. Nice.

In the past, "going green" usually implied sacrifice. You get to feel good about saving the planet but most "green" products are more expensive than their "dirty" counterparts. With Citizenre, going green can actually save you money.

This is all made possible by net metering laws that require the utility companies to allow renewable energy to flow into the grid and then allow the consumer to pull that same amount of energy off of the grid at no cost to the consumer. Basically the grid becomes a huge battery. The meter spins backwards during the day when the sun is shining and forwards at night when the consumer pulls that power back off the grid. Nine states do not have net metering yet. You check your area on their website.They have a little map on the bottom next to the solar calculator.
Now you can upgrade to solar with no investment.