|
|
on December 3rd, 2011% ![]()
@ Aldo – Tax breaks are indeed a subsidy. they alter the economics of a project to the benefit of the recipient and to the theoretical cost of the public. of course, you can argue the public doesn’t lose anything versus nothing being built, but in reality if a need exists, something will be built to fill it, and using public dollars to alter the economics of the options often influences one option over another.
That said, Mark’s statement is misleading because the subsidies that coal and oil receive, on a per-unit of energy basis are far, far smaller than what solar, wind, and some other technologies receive. It’s just that we so much coal and oil (on the order of 100 times as much) that small per-unit subsidies add up to an equal amount to the large per-unit subsidies that solar power companies get.
He also includes subsidies that go for R&D of improvements of coal and petroleum technologies, not simply handouts for fossil fuel producers and users for conducting operations at the status quo.
Technologies like integrated gassification combined cycle coal (IGCC) plants, which substantially increase efficiency and reduce emissions when used to replace older plants do more per dollar spent to reduce emissions than solar installations, even though long term the benefit is limited, because it simply is neither economically nor technologically feasible to replace all coal plants with solar at this time. actually, the IGCC technology meshes well with wind and solar because aside from improved efficiency compared to coal steam plants, it also allows them to respond more quickly to make up for variation in the output of wind and solar.
Arguably, if you’re going to subsidize technology improvements in the power industry with the aim of encouraging emissions reductions the industry might not otherwise make, then reducing coal plant emissions should be part of that.
on December 3rd, 2011% ![]()
TAYLORVILLE – Officials from the city of Taylorville are hopingthe installation of a solar-powered system at its municipal airportwill help reduce its long-term energy costs.
The city has received a $52,851 grant from the Illinois CleanEnergy Community Foundation for the project, Mayor Greg Brothertonsaid. it is working on securing the rest of the funding for theproject before the city council decides by the end of the yearwhether to proceed, Brotherton said.
It is waiting for notification regarding a rebate from the IllinoisDepartment of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Solarand Wind Renewable Energy Trust Fund that would provide additionalfunding.
System installation is on track to be completed in thespring.
“Now it’s starting to come together,” Brotherton said. “It’slooking promising. We’d be able to buy energy at a set cost. Asrates continue to rise, it just makes more and more sense.”
The energy that the city doesn’t use will go back into the overallpower grid, Brotherton said. The system is predicted to provide thecity between $140,000 and $160,000 in energy savings, Brothertonsaid.
If additional funding is found, the return could come in nineyears, he said. With the funding already in place, Brotherton saidthe return would come in 15 years for a system that is expected tohave a life expectancy of up to 30 years.
The city worked with Michelle Marley, owner of WindSolarUSA Inc. inOwaneco, to write the grant. Marley also is coordinating thenecessary permitting to enable the project to be completed.
The Taylorville project could be a model for other municipalitieslooking to save energy costs, Marley said.
“We’re hopeful this will spark other communities thinking along thesame lines as to how they can help secure energy at a fixed costover time, which is what renewables allow you to do,” Marley said.”More people would like to take advantage of it. They’re uncertainof it because we can’t control Mother Nature.”
If the project goes forward, Marley said an education componentwould be included with the possibility of field trips andpresentations at schools.
“We want to start educating the next generation early so obstaclesbecause of the learning curve can be counteracted through educationat an earlier age,” Marley said. “It will set Taylorville apart forbeing creative and progressive enough to go after something likethis and be willing to invest in something that will secure thefuture of energy for their constituents.”
Brotherton thinks the project would send the right message abouttrying to protect the environment.
“I would like to step forward and say we’re trying,” Brothertonsaid. “These grants make us able to do that right now. As morecommunities do this, it’s like anything else. More people startbuying it, then the costs go down and it becomes possible.”
on November 29th, 2011% ![]()
Here’s an opportunity to save some money while switching to a solar power system.
Progress Energy Florida’s solar photovoltaic rebate program kicked off this week and it expects great demand from its customers to apply for subsidies for the cost of solar panels. the utility has allocated $1 million for residential customers and another $1 million for commercial customers. Successful applicants will be notified within two months, wrote Ocala.
The rebates are offered through the utility’s SunSense energy program. Rebates for 2011 were first made available in March and were fully allocated on the first two days of the program. the company says it expects a similar level interest in the 2012 rebates which were made available yesterday. Last year, applicants benefitted from an average of US$12,500 and $48,330 in residential and commercial rebates, respectively.
“The SunSense program is a key component of our strategy to assist those customers interested in investing in solar technology,” said Vincent Dolan, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida.
Article by APASOLINI, appearing courtesy energyrefuge.com.
on November 29th, 2011% ![]() Wychavon District Council switch on the sunlight
7:00am Tuesday 29th November 2011 in
- Skip social links
- Print
- Email
- Comments(0)
SOLAR Panels installed on the roof of Wychavon District Council’s Civic Centre offices have begun generating electricity for use in the building.
the 41 photovoltaic panels, which cost £22,500, will produce up to 9.9 Kilo Watt Peak and provide a net annual income of around £3,450 as well as an estimated 85 tonnes in carbon monoxide emissions over 25 years.
Councillor Tom McDonald, a member of Wychavon’s Executive Board, said: “This is an example of Wychavon being intelligently green. We’re generating some of our own electricity directly from nature, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and producing additional income.
“This kind of innovative action helps us maintain the high quality services we provide to our residents, despite the cuts in our funding from central government.”
the photovoltaic panels took only one week to fit and the work was carried out by Eco2Solar Limited from Kidderminster.
Read these News stories
on November 29th, 2011% ![]() Image, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, courtesy University of Colorado at Boulder
Xcel Energy inc. (NYSE:XEL) officials said Tuesday, October 18, that its Boulder, Colorado subscribers could lose access to the utility’s solar rebates and energy efficiency programs if certain ballot measures regarding forming a new city utility pass.
Grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system rebates, offered under Xcel’s Solar Rewards Program, provide step-down incentives over time as targets are met. The program was established in 2006, and currently provides $1.00 per watt plus $0.09 cents for each kilowatt-hour, or kWh, for customer-owned systems. Third-party installations receive $0.16 per kWh.
The program’s target for 2011 is 59 megawatts, at a dollar value of about $97 million. Solar Rewards was reinstated in March after Xcel Energy suspended the program altogether in late February subsequent to drawing the ire of ratepayers, regulators and solar industry advocates by prematurely altering the payout schedule. The program for systems larger than 10 kWh remains on hold.
Xcel Energy’s energy efficiency programs in Colorado include a rebate program for appliances (like refrigerators, central air conditioning units, insulation and weatherization initiatives), and energy audits ranging from $60 to $120. Typical costs for the same service from independent audit firms run at least $450, plus $50 for each additional 1000 square feet over 2000.
The warning of future cuts, if two measures – 2B, an increase in Xcel Energy taxes which the city would use for a feasibility study, and 2C, which would allow voters to actually endorse creating a municipal utility to replace Xcel – are passed, reportedly came from a news release, which no longer appears to be available on the utility’s website.
Of course, even if both measures pass, it will take years for the city of Boulder to transition from Xcel Energy as an electricity supplier to its own, homegrown municipal utility, with all the benefits and risks that entails.
Still, said Xcel VP Jerome Davis (in that inaccessible news release), during the five or more years such a transition would require, the utility might have no option but to discontinue access from Boulder ratepayers to its Solar Rewards, Savers Switch, and energy efficiency and conservation programs.
So sayeth Xcel. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may have a different take on the issue. particularly since Xcel’s Boulder customers – who live in one of the “greenest” of small cities (population 294, 567) – represent 20 percent of the utility’s rooftop solar PV installations and seven percent of energy-efficiency rebates. Boulder was one of the first cities in the U.S. to embrace smart grid technology.
While PUC staffers and city planners investigate the hoops that Xcel Energy would have to jump through to restrict Boulder ratepayers from its programs, and Xcel and the Boulder Smart Energy Coalition outgun their opponents, at least in terms of dollars (about $660,000 versus $66,000), Boulder continues to contribute to the level of solar engagement, which in Colorado represents a total of 103.6 megawatts of capacity, putting that state in the No. 5 position in 2010. In fact, even the state’s university ranks in the top 10 of “green” learning centers.
For more information on solar energy, energy efficiency, and the incentive programs surrounding them, please visit Energy Boom’s learning pages. then go check out our news archives.
on November 28th, 2011% ![]()
The solar panel technology and know-how developed more efficient and affordable systems can be installed for your home. even if the solar option is more expensive to install than conventional power sources, with the cost of fuel and utility increases, the demand for solar energy industry is poised to meet this demand. Many new homes are built with a solar roof panel large is less annoying than the huge panels of the past. Solar panels today are much more efficient and can convert an abundant amount of energy smaller than in the past. this makes them more discreet, but the solar panels on the roof can still be seen, mix in more with the building, now a very attractive and “modern.”
A major advantage of the solar interior lighting that is low maintenance and easy to install. The only requirement is a good place to mount the solar panel. To ensure that the panel receives the most sunlight possible placed on a hillside south of the northern hemisphere locations. If a southern exposure is not practical that can rotate up to thirty degrees south, since, without loss of productivity. The sign must be the place of direct sunlight for much of the day as possible, and leave the shade of trees or other buildings.
How much solar panels cost? If you do not go to a location “hybrid” is part of the network and integrate your energy with the sun, you can expect to pay more for installation. get completely off the grid, usually costs about $ 12 and $ 15 per watt. this is equivalent to $ 12K and $ 15K Fri kilowatt hours of energy to produce. Compared to more than $ 35K per mile power company would be responsible for implementing the power lines located, solar is far more cost effective. If your home is a lonely place, where commercial electricity is not available, the only way to get the electricity is to rely on solar energy. The cost for the installation of solar panels significantly higher interruptions important for your electricity bill as a result. even so, it takes some years to understand the investment, and less time, if you are able to sell excess energy to the electric company.
Solar energy, compared to the works of sunlight, our country already. huge amount of sunlight the Earth is sprayed on a daily basis is staggering. Hour, the planet will be enough energy to meet demand throughout the year. most of this energy is not used to us, less than ten percent of current global production of solar energy. Installing the inner solar light also saves a lot of money on the road. Tax base can be daunting for some. however, the money saved to pay the electricity bill for lighting time. this fact is also easy to install and easy to maintain, leaving little, if any, buyers regrets solar lighting inside.
Then we learned that solar energy can be converted into electricity by photovoltaic cells and thermal solar power plants. Photovoltaic cells are photons, electrons, pushing them aside. Electrons, seeking a new home journey to the land through a cable to your new land called the battery. Solar thermal power plants work by focusing sunlight to heat a fluid, and water vapor becomes liquid, which runs a turbine and the turbine drives a generator running.
Above all, we learned that no matter what you label something as being for children who do not. A 1 or 2 watts, you need to connect a group together to achieve real juices flowing. this is known as a matrix, and can include as many cells as you can afford. Certainly, a case of the more you spend, the more you save.
Looking to find the best deal on Solar, then visit powayelectrical.us to find the best advice on Poway Solar for you.
Incoming search terms:
on November 28th, 2011% ![]() KAYSVILLE, Davis County, Utah—
Relying on the sun for his electricity is paying off for a Kaysville man; a solar powered house and car has cut his electricity bill down to about $100 a year.
John Loveless has 26 240-watt solar panels on his roof, and he says the sun creates more electricity than he needs so it goes right back into the grid, saving him thousands on both powering his house and his car.
His interest in solar energy started when gas prices rocketed. after some Internet research, he discovered that just a few thousand dollars and some modifications could make his house and truck self-sufficient.
Loveless’ 1992 pickup took about 3 months to rebuild. He removed major components–the gas engine, the radiator and the gas tank–and replaced them with $2000 in batteries; a total of 20 golf cart batteries.
“It costs me about 84 cents in electricity to go 40 miles,” Loveless said. “This truck used to get 25 miles to the gallon now it gets 125 miles on an electric gallon of electricity.”
The truck needs 5 hours to fully charge, giving the batteries about 50 miles of life. Loveless says he keeps his speed at 55 mph on the freeway to conserve battery power. He has also made his vehicle more aerodynamic to reduce costs further.
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
If you have more than a passing interest in solar energy and are thinking of investing in a home solar panel array, then you probably have a vague idea of how solar panels generate electricity. When I first began looking into going solar, my concept of how these systems worked was basically this: sun shines on a solar panel, causes some sort of reaction within the materials of which the panel is made, and, voila, electricity results. exactly how sunshine goes in and electricity comes out is a bit more complicated, however. a little bit of research will give you a pretty good understanding of how a solar electric panel works, and it’s pretty interesting stuff.
Solar Panels and Electricity Generation
The alternative name for solar panels is photovoltaic, which literally means light electricity. The idea that sunshine could be converted into electrical power was first noted by a French scientist named Alexandre Edmond Becquerel in 1839. Becquerel’s research led to simple photovoltaics that used selenium to produce electricity; not until the 1950s did silicon take selenium’s place as a superior electrical conductor. this new semiconductor material needed a little help to become an exceptional conductor of electricity, though, so researchers added other elements, such as phosphorus or boron. this process, called doping, greatly increases the silicon’s ability to create an electric current.
Each solar panel is actually made of individual photovoltaic (PV) cells, each of which is a tiny power generating plant. Hundreds of these cells are then made into a module, groups of which are in turn attached to a panel. a panel’s wattage is derived as a function of each cell’s electricity production and its voltage. how do the cells make electricity? Typically, each cell has two layers, both of which contain silicon. The top layer is doped with phosphorus, whereas the bottom one is doped with boron. this essentially sets up a situation whereby the bonding of silicon with each of these materials creates an electrical charge. The top layer generates a positive charge, while the bottom layer is negatively charged. The no man’s land in between these layers is called the P-N junction, where electron movement creates an electric field which keeps electrons moving from the P layer to the N layer, even though they would much prefer to move in the opposite direction.
Sunlight is the ingredient that gets all these electrons jumping around in the first place. As electrons move and are channeled into the appropriate direction, electrical wiring within the cell supplies the circuitry necessary for the generation of electrical power.
Types of Solar Electric Panels
Most of us are familiar with the boxy type of solar panels that are commonly seen in arrays on rooftops. Thin-film solar panels are becoming more available these days, as well. these flexible panels are not as efficient as their rigid-style cousins, but are also cheaper. I see these products helping to speed the solar revolution not only with their lower cost but also because they can be used in applications where rigid panels are either inconvenient or unattractive. Solar roof shingles, anyone?
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
A Solar Panel Rebate is an initiative from a Government that helps to subsidize the cost of installing panels on your roof. This makes it more affordable for homes, business and community groups. The rebate means that installing solar power is more an affordable and viable investment. There are various rebates around the world and they are different in each country however, most countries now simply have a feed in tariff which subsidizes the cost of installing solar power.
There is a solar rebate in Australia, which is made up of Solar Credits, which are a part of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme that was created by the Australian government as mechanism to boost the production of renewable energy. The Solar Rebate offers financial support to households, businesses and community groups that install small-scale solar systems, wind and hydro electricity systems.
Solar Credits are provided in the form of Renewable Energy Certificates, or ‘RECs’, for people who have installed a new solar system from 9 June 2009. Solar Credits apply to the first 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of capacity of the system installed. The level of support provided by Solar Credits depends on the price of RECs (which may vary over time) and the location and size of the system.
The current solar panel rebate program means that installing solar power is a significantly more viable investment and a commitment from the government to help reduce the amount of coal fired electricity in the grid. Along with the rebate, in Australia there are feed in tariffs which subsidize electricity put back into the grid by solar power systems.
There is more information available on the solar panel rebate online. also see information on the solar rebate in Australia.
on November 27th, 2011% ![]()
As the year draws to a close, Google is shutting down several projects that haven’t panned out as the company hoped. perhaps most notably, the search giant is ending its foray into solar thermal energy.
“at this point, other institutions are better positioned than Google to take this research to the next level,” Urs Hölzle, Google’s senior vice president of operations said in a blog post.
Google’s “Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal” program started in 2007, aiming to reduce the costs associated with heliostats — mirrors used to reflect sunlight — as well as the efficiency of solar thermal power systems in general. Google had invested $168M in Brightsource’s Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating system (ISEGS), a project set to produce 392 MW of clean solar energy by the time it’s completed in 2013.
The centerpiece of the ISEGS is what the company calls a “solar power tower.” The tower stands at the center of a field of heliostats, which redirect the sun’s light onto a solar receiver at the tower’s apex. The receiver heats up, and the concentrated energy is converted to electricity that could power a town — or a data center.
This setup seems a lot like a Rube Goldberg machine when compared with a system based on photovoltaic (PV) cells — standard solar panels — which convert sunlight directly into electricity on the panels, avoiding the loss of energy that comes with heliostats. The price of PV cells has fallen dramatically in recent years, making it the winner — at least for the moment — in the race between the two ways of squeezing energy from the sun. IHS iSuppli, a technology research outfit, says that installation of photovoltaic cells will grow 200 percent from 2010 to 2011.
Data centers — massive consumers of power — underpin Google’s business. A study by Jonathan Koomey, a Stanford University professor, found that the consumption of data center electricity slowed to about 56 percent from 2005 to 2010, after doubling in usage from 2000 to 2005. Total electricity use by data centers in 2010 was about 1.3 percent of all electricity use for the world and two percent of all electricity use for the US. Google has long expressed interest in finding better sources of energy, striving to be completely dependent on renewable sources.
In September, the Google published some statistics on its data centers’ Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). While usage can vary, many studies assume a national average PUE for other data centers at 2.0, meaning that for every watt of power consumed by the system, an additional watt is consumed to dissipate the energy. as of Q3 of 2011, the company was running at 1.14 PUE, which means that for every watt of IT power, an additional 0.14 watt is consumed to cool and distribute power to the IT equipment.
Photo: Bilfinger Berger Group/Flickr
|
