solarenergyadvantage.com

I love this article describing the coldest winter the UK has had in several decades:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34706351/ns/world_news-europe/

Of course, warming alarmists like to scream that “the weather isn’t the climate” – indicating that this is just a fluky thing and not to be considered when talking about temperature increases.

But since this is now at least the THIRD winter in a row where unusually cold weather has hit the US (we are getting hit much harder than usual right now, too) or other areas of the world (record cold and snow in China last year, snow in Baghdad for first time in century, etc.), when does the weather become the climate?   Of course, for the warming religionists, the answer is “only when the weather is extra hot or produces a natural disaster may we consider it ‘climate’”. 

The problem, as I’ve observed before, is not the inanity of the claim.  The Earth HAS been warming for about 500 years, but the cast iron relationship between human fumes and the temperature is clearly fabricated by anyone who can look out a window. 

We have two problems here: first – there will be an eventual backlash against the ‘scientists’ and politicians who are promulgating this foolishness, and any truly valuable initiatives which are seen to be part of it will suffer.  Big problem for non-petrol based energy development; second – the weather/climate itself can hamper some of the renewable resources.  There’s going to be a ton of cold showers if everyone’s solar water heaters are covered in snow!  And inclement weather can do bad things to wind turbines, too.  That leaves solutions like heat pumps as the major fallback at times like these. 

None of which will shut down the development of alternative energy development, but might make for a rougher ride if we aren’t prepared.  So we need to keep our eyes open and moving strategically. 

Sully

http://www.solarenergyadvantage.com

Seriously: just about every year over the past decade these idiots have arranged for protests, conferences or presentations of one kind or another to scare the planet into submission over anthropogenic global warming.  And almost every time they look like fools.  Either you have the coldest, snowiest winter in China; the first snow in Baghdad in living memory; marching protesters walking around in a blizzard; or (most recently) the first white Christmas in 14 years in Copenhagen delaying the arrival of some leaders. 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601130&sid=a5wStc0K6jhY

Would it not make more sense to simply schedule these things in July???  How tough can that be?  Just that small change would eliminate the possibility of being automatically labeled morons by everyone looking out a window.  Someone, somewhere must like these guys.  If one of you is reading this, could you give them the tip? 

Here’s the thing.  The folks who like working all this “we only have 10 years before total catastrophe” and “the science is in, the debate is over” stuff are clearly fear mongering.  They have been exposed as either careless with data or obviously manipulating it often over the past decade.  There is rampant lying to cover a broad political agenda.

BUT – even though there are lies and manipulation galore being foist on us by these charlatans, some of what they are trying to accomplish has merit.  Closest to my heart is the promotion of solar energy production, including active, passive and wind.  Over time, increases in efficiency and reduction of political, economic and ecological fallout from fossil fuels will be a huge benefit to everyone across the globe.  So, if the charlatans can at least continue to encourage that, things won’t be a total loss. 

So guys – how about the 4th of July next year?  You can call it “Freedom from Fossil Tyranny”, or something fun like that.  Keep hitting the solar – and try not to look too stupid while you’re doing it.  We need to keep that moving.

Happy New Year!

Sully

http://www.solarenergyadvantage.com

This is one of the most exciting pieces of news I have read in some weeks:

http://solar.coolerplanet.com/News/19462404-new-solar-energy-technology-wins-accolades.aspx

Especially if, like my family, you are looking at the possibility of building a new home in the next few years – on top of all the passive building strategies you could use, directly incorporating active solar in the structure?  That’s a dream come true. 

Of course, the part that makes that most palatable is this line in the article:

“The Powerhouse design includes thin-film cells of copper indium gallium diselenide. Dow notes the cells’ low cost relative to other solar technologies.

And, on top of low cost, Dow’s new shingle has other advantages. The company reports that the installation process is no different than that of traditional shingles, making Powerhouse shingles attractive to contractors.”

What have I been telling you!?!?    Look at this story:

http://solar.coolerplanet.com/News/19423034-home-solar-energy-systems-have-gotten-cheaper,-study-says.aspx

The cost of solar installation has been steadily dropping for the past 10 years.  More importantly for my readers – thanks to the drop in cost of photovoltaics, the price drop has been sharpest in small installations.  Basically, people like you and I have been the biggest beneficiaries of this drop. 

That’s not to say things can’t get better.  And, occasional speed bumps not withstanding, I expect they will.  But the important thing for folks like us to keep an eye out for: 1) continuing education on the options that are available to us, 2) be watchful for government incentives to continue lowering the cost of installation, and 3) stay alert for bureaucratic land mines which can either make it more difficult to install, or make us sorry we did after the fact. 

Stay focused on the goal – minimize your grid-print!

Sully

www.solarenergyadvantage.com

I love stories like this one:

http://www.tonic.com/article/solar-decathlon-zero-energy-homes/

20 Prototype homes – each constructed by different teams of college students – demonstrating that complete energy self sufficiency IS possible. 

The best part of this article?  They give you the shopping list for the renewable energy sources and efficiency enhancing elements!  Here is the link to that:  http://www.solardecathlon.org/products/

Have fun with it!

Sully

www.solarenergyadvantage.com

I loved seeing this article today:

http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/News_News/Poll-Shows-Most-Americans-Want-Solar-Energy-1265.html

It demonstrates what I think most of us hope for: that Americans really do like the idea of solar energy playing a significant role in our energy portfolio. 

Hopefully, with that kind of appreciation for the many benefits of solar energy we’ll have both governmental and commercial enterprises committing resources to two things:

1. Continued work toward increasing the efficiency of our active solar materials (efficiency meaning both better harvesting of sunlight AND reduced cost of implementation).
2. Creating or demonstrating incentives for individual and community deployment of solar technologies. 

If both of these remain at the forefront of solar development, the next generation of US citizens can count on plentiful and RESPONSIBLE energy. 

Keep thinking sunny thoughts!

Sully

www.solarenergyadvantage.com

This news article caught my attention today:

Solar energy advocates say yes to offshore drilling

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/09/28/daily50.html

The article tells readers that the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association SUPPORTS offshore exploration and drilling in Florida waters. 

This will shock many, since it will be regularly assumed that solar energy providers are more anxious than anyone for the demise of fossil fuel production.  But quotes in the article make it clear the association sees this production in terms of a bridge solution: as the state of Florida, like most other states right now, is struggling to pay for it’s many obligations, oil production could provide revenues to keep things on an even keel while continuing to ramp up solar initiatives.

It’s nice to see people using their heads and thinking strategically.  This kind of longer term outlook is going to be critical to getting to the tipping point in large scale deployment of renewable energy.  Three cheers to FSEI!

Until next time – I’ll take mine sunny side up!

Sully

http://solarenergyadvantage.com/

Just a few days ago, I wrote about the failure of an energy company to build a solar plant in the Mojave Desert. 

Now today I read the following article about yet another setback:

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/rooftop-solar-setback-in-california/

Those of you who’ve gone through my solar energy mini-course (sign up here if you haven’t subscribed!) know that one of the financial benefits of installing solar panels is the ability of the home owner to sell energy back to the utility company.  It’s a win all the way around: the homeowner reduces their energy costs, the utility company reduces stress on the grid, and our entire economy benefits because we are sending less money overseas for oil. 

But a bill in the California legislature to allow the utility companies to purchase MORE energy back from customers has ‘timed out’ because of labor disagreements.  So people like you and me, who would like nothing better than to immediately employ solar energy in their homes, will miss out on one of the benefits which makes it economically feasible. 

Brilliant!

Hopefully, CA will get their act together soon, and take advantage of the fact that the state has one of the best solar profiles of any in the nation.  They should use that!

Still staying sunny,

Sully

www.solarenergyadvantage.com

Efforts to make renewable energy something that is economically viable took a bit of a hit recently.  A solar energy plant had been planned in the Mojave desert, but a special interest group and at least one high-profile politician seem to have successfully spiked it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/science/earth/19mojave.html?_r=1

Hopefully, the company trying to take advantage of this country’s most solar-friendly part of the country can find a spot that won’t get people so worked up.  We need some successes in this arena to encourage other companies to move in the same direction.

Sully

P.S.  If you’d like to find out how you can take advantage of solar energy WITHOUT waiting for someone to build a plant in your area, check out these guys: Earth4Energy.  They can show you how to affordably add solar to your own home right now!

I read a number of trading magazines (stock, futures, options, etc.) and this article from SFO Magazine has a lot of good information. 

For those of you interested in trading a solar ETF (Exchange Traded Fund), you can focus on TAN.  But, as this article shows, don’t jump in without being ready for some rough times:

http://www.sfomag.com/article.aspx?ID=1399&issueID=c

I’d like to draw your attention to point, in particular – while companies that focus on providing the benefits of solar energy are likely to be struggling for a while, the price of silicon chips should continue to drop.  For end user consumers (folks like you and me!), that is great news. 

Enjoy! 

Sully