By Jessica Jones •
July 22, 2009
Editor’s Note: This is the first post by Jessica Jones, Solar Consultant with Vista Solar Inc.
Three Key Questions for Your Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer
In the world of solar, there is a perfect storm developing. The current levels of government incentives, ever-rising electricity rates and declining equipment costs, have made purchasing a solar electric system more affordable than ever. Consequently it comes as no surprise that consumer demand for solar is on the rise. No one questions that a growing market during a slow economy is a good thing, however, with the growing market comes opportunists attempting to enter the field without the expertise necessary to properly analyze their clients’ needs and provide quality solar solutions. Fortunately, you can identify and avoid most of the common blunders these folks are making by asking your installer a few key questions.
By Lisa Wojnovich •
April 30, 2009
When we start talking about fossil fuels, most of us immediately think of coal, oil, and natural gas. But in the developing world where many people have little to no access to electricity — or even in places that do but have regular issues with outages — these are all secondary to kerosene.
By Timothy B. Hurst •
March 23, 2009
Roof-mounted solar array in Atlantic City has peak capacity of 2.4 megawatts.
When I think of Atlantic City I think of blackjack tables, roulette wheels and boardwalks. Now I’ll have to add solar panels to that list.
The Atlantic City Convention Center can now lay claim to North America’s largest single roof-mounted solar array. The 13,400 modules on the roof of the convention center were manufactured by the Chinese company, Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL). The project, which provides approximately 2.4 MW at peak capacity, or, the equivalent energy needs of 280 American homes.
By Sarah Lozanova •
June 17, 2008
Solar energy currently generates .1% of the electricity used in the U.S. According to a study released today, this will change rapidly as the cost of electricity increases and the cost of solar energy drops.
The Utility Solar Assessment Study produced by Clean Edge and Co-op America finds that solar energy is already reaching cost parity with conventional sources in some areas of the U.S. where electric rates are highest. By 2015, this will be achieved in many more areas, including Boston, San Diego, and New York. By 2025, cost parity will be achieved throughout the U.S.
The implications of this are huge. The U.S. solar photovoltaic market now relies heavily on state incentives to lower the cost of solar energy. Many people utilize solar energy because it is “the right thing to do” or businesses like the positive publicity solar brings.
By Philip Proefrock •
January 25, 2008
Safety concerns are going to start being an issue with alternative energy installations. With any new technology come unanticipated concerns, as that system leaves the ideal world of the drawing board (or the computer simulation) and enters the real world. We are already well acquainted with the concerns about wind turbines and birds (for the most part, the issue of bird strikes is not that great compared to other man-made hazards for birds, and is more than offset by the benefits to birds (and all other living creatures) from using a renewable power generation. But there will also be life-safety issues around any electricity generating system, particularly as they become more distributed and widespread.
What kinds of safety issues will be faced as part of other alternative energy systems?
