Many people want to go solar to hedge against volatile energy prices and reduce their carbon footprint. However, not everybody wants to take the high initial costs and lower their monthly electricity bill – but they are reluctant or just can’t afford to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a pv solar system. For those people the solar industry has come up with some interesting financial vehicles to meet the growing demand for solar: solar lease. continue
Posted 16.10.2013 by Jill General, Solar Leasing
IKEA: for the most of us this name stands for cheap furniture. Now the world’s biggest furniture retailer is about to enter the solar market by selling solar panel packages in its British markets. After a pilot project the sale starts within the next 10 months. The move is a further step by IKEA towards a greener image. continue
Posted 30.09.2013 by Jill Alternative Energy Programs
Most people assume that solar panels offer the greatest benefit in places with a significant amount of sunshine. However, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University say that solar energy actually provides the most benefit, in the means of improving human health and minimizing pollution by reducing the number of coal plants, in cloudier locations like the East and Midwest. The researchers found that by replacing coal with solar in a state like New Jersey or Ohio, the solar system “would be 15 times more valuable than that same solar system in Arizona.” In other words, phasing out coal plants and transitioning to solar energy provides greater benefit than bringing solar energy to a sunny Southwest state where solar would mostly replace clean-burning natural gas. continue
Posted 27.08.2013 by Jill Alternative Energy Programs, Environmental Awareness, General, Investing in Solar, Solar by State/Region, Solar Energy Education, Solar Policy
As we get into the hottest part of summer, more and more people are turning to the sun, not only to warm up but also to cool down. Solar panels can be used to capture the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity for central air conditioning units, or solar a/c devices can be installed for those still deciding on a solar array. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners not using solar energy spend roughly $11 billion to run their air conditioners each year and release 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air. Solar air conditioning solutions are a great alternative that can not only help people save money but also be more beneficial for the environment. continue
Posted 12.08.2013 by Jill Energy-Saving Technology, Environmental Awareness, General, Green Building, Investing in Solar, Solar Air Conditioner, Solar Technology
Wysips, the abbreviation for “What you see is photovoltaic surface,” is a transparent layer that can be used to generate power and charge the battery of the device in which it lies. One idea French solar energy experts at SunPartner have is to use Wysips as a battery charger for mobile phones. The see-through material, composed of micro-lenses and photovoltaic materials, can be installed beneath the screen of mobiles, built into add-on chargers, used in building windows, and in the future may even power watches, tablets, and laptops. continue
Posted 29.07.2013 by Jill Energy-Saving Technology, General, Green Building, Investing in Solar, Solar Cells, Solar Technology
A recent survey by New England Clean Energy showed that for Massachusetts homeowners using solar power, seven out of ten stated that solar energy is a better investment that home renovation or purchasing a car. They were also given the opportunity write their own comments, where many elaborated on their rationale for believing a solar investment offered the greatest rewards. Some said that pros to solar are the immediate benefits such as raising the value of the home, it reduces monthly expenses unlike home renovation or car purchase, and it is more of a guaranteed successful investment. continue
Posted 08.07.2013 by Jill Environmental Awareness, General, Investing in Solar, Solar Energy Education, Solar Policy
The San Francisco 49ers may have been 2013’s Super Bowl Runner-ups, but they could be #1 in LEED (“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design”) standards by the start of next year’s football season. The new 49ers stadium is hoping to become the first pro football venue to get LEED certification with all of its green features, such as its on-site solar power, three “solar bridges” connecting the main parking lot to the stadium, and a 27,000 square foot green roof installation. continue
Posted 10.06.2013 by Jill Energy-Saving Technology, Environmental Awareness, General, Green Building, LEED certification, Solar Energy Education, Solar Technology
Rusinga Island, located in the eastern part of Lake Victoria in Kenya, is having solar panels installedon homes to not only provide electricity but to aid in the fight against malaria. Malaria kills an estimated 1.2 million people per year and is a big problem for the 30,000 inhabitants of Rusinga Island. If fitting homes with solar panels that power insecticide-free mosquito traps proves successful in combating malaria, this project could be replicated in other remote areas of the world plagued by this disease. continue
Posted 06.05.2013 by Jill Alternative Energy Programs, Energy-Saving Technology, General, Green Building, Solar Technology
