Using green power at Google

We are committed to powering 100% of our operations with clean energy and have signed contracts to purchase over 2GW of renewable energy -- equivalent to taking nearly one million cars off the road -- making us the largest corporate renewable energy purchaser in the world.

https://www.google.com/green/energy/

Sun Position Calculator and other PV Education

The position of the sun in the sky can be determined from the observer's location and the time of day.

Longitude, latitude and time zone of locations throughout the world are available at www.timeanddate.com. 

http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/sun-position-calculator

South Carolina Utility Approves First Community Solar Project, Sets new Solar Rooftop Rebates

South Carolina’s Santee Cooper utility celebrated the start of spring with its approval of what will be South Carolina’s first community solar project at the same time as it renewed rebates for rooftop solar projects. "On April 1, our rooftop and community solar programs and related incentives will bring the benefits of solar power to all of our customers, whether they own a roof or not."

http://www.solarreviews.com/news/south_carolina_utility_community_solar_rooftop_solar_032316/

A RENEWABLE ENERGY PRIMER

Solar Power is considered renewable because the nuclear (fusion) reactions that power the Sun are expected to keep generating sunlight for many billions of years to come. The energy from sunlight that falls on White Sands Missile Range (see small white square below) is roughly equivalent to that used by the entire United States!

http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/from_oil_wells_to_solar_cells.htm

Solar Energy in Agriculture - Resources

Table of Contents

• Websites - Solar Energy in Agriculture
• Understanding Solar Technology
• Agricultural Applications of Solar
  • Photovoltaics (PV), Solar Electricity; Passive Solar; Solar Water Heating; Solar Greenhouses;  Solar Crop and Grain Drying; Solar Water Pumping
• Solar Installation Considerations
• Planning, Site and Solar Resource Potential; Find a Solar System Installer; Financing Your Solar Installation; Solar Collectors and Equipment

http://articles.extension.org/pages/54905/solar-energy-in-agriculture-resources

Solar Explained: Photovoltaics and Electricity

Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity

A photovoltaic (PV) cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a non-mechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity.

Photons carry solar energy

Sunlight is composed of photons, or particles of solar energy. These photons contain varying amounts of energy that correspond to the different wavelengths of the solar spectrum.

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=solar_photovoltaics

Should You Buy or Lease Your Solar Panels?

The main practical distinction between buying and leasing a solar PV system is in ownership. If you buy a solar panel system, you own the system, either outright (if purchasing with cash) or after repaying your solar loan. If you lease the system or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), a third party owns the solar panel system.

https://www.energysage.com/solar/financing/should-you-buy-or-lease-your-solar-panel-system

RESIDENTIAL RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDIT

A taxpayer may claim a credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for a system that serves a dwelling unit located in the United States that is owned and used as a residence by the taxpayer.  
If the federal tax credit exceeds tax liability, the excess amount may be carried forward to the succeeding taxable year.
Solar-electric property:   30% for systems placed in service by 12/31/2019

http://energy.gov/savings/residential-renewable-energy-tax-credit

Constructing the first Solar Powered Town in the U.S.

"A city that is powered by the sun? It had never been done before, anywhere in the world," said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of the state utility company Florida Power and Light (FPL).

http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Construction_is_bustling_at_Floridas_first_sustainable_town_999.html

Solar cells as light as a soap bubble

Imagine solar cells so thin, flexible, and lightweight that they could be placed on almost any material or surface, including your hat, shirt, or smartphone, or even on a sheet of paper or a helium balloon. Researchers have now demonstrated just such a technology: the thinnest, lightest solar cells ever produced.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/solar_energy/

Land area needed by Solar Energy to Power the Entire World!

The entire population of the world uses 18 terawatts (18 trillion watts) of energy per year.  The image below shows the total amount of land area that would be required for the whole earth to rely exclusively on Solar Energy.  (The black dots represent the total land area needed).

http://physics.ucsd.edu/do-the-math/2011/09/dont-be-a-pv-efficiency-snob/

This Shipping Container Turns Into a Massive Mobile Solar Power Station

This mobile solar power station can instantly be installed anywhere in the world, providing electricity at the push of a button. Designed to travel quickly and easily, the self-contained generator is the size of three standard shipping containers.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobile-solar-power-station

Roadside Noise Barriers that are also Solar Panels!

Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNB), as they are commonly referred to, enable effective noise abatement to be combined with the simultaneous production of renewable energy. 

http://www.worldhighways.com/sections/irf/features/photovoltaic-noise-barriers/

Make better use of Sloped Land next to the street

Ground Mount Commercial Install in Brea, CA

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/applied-solar-energy-solutions-fullerton?select=UgFnx16R_DYYa5kVQIGP6A

All-Around Solar References

News and good all-around references on renewable and alternate energy subjects. Reference information for Do-It-Yourself renewable energy projects. http://www.builditsolar.com/References/BestRefsRS.htm#SolarSites

Free Online Solar Training

SEI’s Free Online Course!
Welcome to the world of renewable energy!  RE100 is a free course that covers the basics of renewable energy, and is a great introduction for those new to the field, those who are looking to make a career change, or those who just want to learn more about energy from the sun, wind, and water, energy efficiency, and the basics of electricity.

http://www.solarenergy.org/courses/introduction-to-renewable-energy/

Walmart has more solar capacity than 38 states

In terms of companies with solar capacity, Costco and Kohl's are next in line. The rapidly dropping price of solar power is spurring many big companies to put panels on their buildings.  With 89 megawatts,Walmart now has more capacity than the bottom 38 states in the U.S.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/energy/stories/walmart-has-more-solar-capacity-than-38-states

ComEd launches new solar rebate proposal in Illinois

As part of its commitment to driving the clean energy future Illinois’ consumers want, ComEd announced a new rebate proposal designed to jumpstart solar in Illinois. The proposal, which is part of a series of solar initiatives ComEd supports, will help reduce the up-front costs of installing solar panels for both residential and business customers. APRIL 26, 2016 BY CHRIS CROWELL

http://solarbuildermag.com/news/comed-launches-new-solar-rebate-proposal-in-illinois/

Do The Math: How Rooftop Solar Will Save Us Billions

The obvious cost savings of the tremendous rise in solar, particularly the proliferation of rooftop solar panels, is that it puts system owners in control of their energy needs and wrangles in their energy bills

http://www.seia.org/blog/dothemath-how-rooftop-solar-will-save-us-billions

Community Solar Gardens

Community Solar Gardens are centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers.  Could it work for you? http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens

SOLAR ENERGY RESOURCES FOR HOMEBUILDERS

Model ordinances for solar homes are designed to ensure that homeowners have the ability to easily install solar after construction is completed.  These ordinances vary widely in both their content and implementation design.

http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/homebuilders

Top 10 Solar Myths

Solar Myth 1: Solar will get more efficient, so I should wait.
Solar Myth 2: Solar doesn't work in cool, cloudy, or foggy climates.
Solar Myths 3 through 10, click on link:

http://pureenergies.com/us/home-solar/solar-basics/solar-myths/

100% Solar and Wind Powered Billboard

The eco billboard is powered by efficient wind and solar power generation systems and is equipped with an indicator showing how much electricity is remaining in the battery. The lighting method is changed depending upon the amount of the electricity remaining in the battery.

https://www.ricoh.com/about/company/promotions/eco-billboards/london/

A Simple Guide to Building Photovoltaic Projects on Landfills and Other Waste Heaps

There are great benefits from building renewable energy generation on closed capped landfills and other waste containment sites. They don’t have the same Environmental Impact Risks as PV projects planned on pristine undeveloped land.

http://solarflexrack.com/a-simple-guide-to-building-photovoltaic-projects-on-landfills-and-other-waste-heaps/

5 Myths (and Facts) About Solar Energy

The U.S solar industry continues to break records, posting 70 percent growth year-over-year in the residential sector, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.  We separate fact from fiction below…

http://thegreendivas.com/2015/11/24/5-myths-and-facts-about-solar-energy/

How Do Solar Power Panels Work?

Solar panels use a special process of converting photons to electrons to generate a current by making use of a special type of cell known as a photovoltaic cell. These cells are commonly found on the front of calculators and small gadgets. When a bank of them are connected together, they are collectively known as a solar panel.

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/HowSolarPowerPanelsWork.php

Neighbors Got Solar Panels? Buy Power from Them

The New York startup TransActive Grid, TAG for short, created the microgrid proof-of-concept as a way to transform how energy is bought and sold. TAG’s grid includes homes with solar panels as well as neighbors set to purchase the energy generated — in some cases from right across the street.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/neighbors-got-solar-panels-buy-power-from-them-160310.htm

Rooftop Solar Increases a Home's Selling Price

The U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report showing that homes with solar panels typically sell for $15,000 greater than those without solar panels installed.   Even if an unexpected career change or other major life event forces a family to move out of their home earlier than anticipated, their rooftop solar panels can still pay for themselves in the premium they will command in the housing market.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/rooftop-solar-increases-a-home-s-selling-price/

The Solar Foundation

The Solar Foundation® (TSF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase understanding of solar energy through strategic research and education that transforms markets.  TSF informs solar policy decisions by delivering analysis and actionable information via high-quality reports to a diverse community of stakeholders. Further, TSF tools and services promote clean energy adoption and solar-focused education opportunities.

http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/

Love solar power but got no rooftop?

Shared solar refers to small-scale solar installations that multiple individuals co-own, or that divide their power output among multiple "subscribed" individuals. It's a way for all those non-rooftop folks to directly support clean energy, while also supporting local jobs and economic development.

http://www.vox.com/2016/3/24/11297054/shared-solar

Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications

New Learning Technologies – Textbook / eBook Bundle!

In partnership with Pearson Education, SEI (Solar Energy International)  has created an innovative learning resource that takes the concept of the common textbook to the next level by offering a companion interactive eBook bundled with the purchase of every textbook.

http://www.solarenergy.org/shop/publication/solar-electric-handbook-photovoltaic-fundamentals-and-applications-media-bundle-textbook-ebook/

Solar Lemons turned into Lemonade!

Sanyo has built an ark for the solar century – an impressive 630 kW solar-collecting building that boasts over 5,000 solar panels and kicks off over 500,000 kWh of energy per year.

Even more outstanding is the fact that most of the monocrystalline modules used on the Solar Ark were factory rejects headed to the scrap pile.

http://inhabitat.com/solar-ark-worlds-most-stunning-solar-building/

The Middle Class is Driving the Solar Revolution

The share of solar installations within middle class neighborhoods – those in the $40,000 to $90,000 income range – continues to increase, meaning that solar installers are relying less on wealthier customers to drive growth and more on middle income customers. (Case in point, the most solar growth in New Jersey took place in areas where median income was between $30,000 and $40,000.)

Yes, the wealthy were early adopters of solar panels, but clearly all income levels are now joining in, and a combination of solar policies and rapidly decreasing costs of solar technology are allowing the middle class, not just the wealthy, to push the renewable energy revolution forward. 

http://www.gracelinks.org/blog/3390/the-middle-class-is-driving-the-solar-revolution

Solar Panel Manufacturer uses Solar Power to make the Solar Panels!

Bluechip Energy has taken solar power to heart, installing the largest privately-owned rooftop plant in the state of Florida to provide power to its solar PV panel manufacturing plant and corporate offices.  The U.S. has literally millions of square feet of rooftops just begging to be used for something other than dust collection.

http://www.altenerg.com/back_issues/sepoct2012-story1.htm

San Francisco Rooftop Solar Panels On New Buildings Required As Part Of New Law

San Francisco passed legislation this week that will require all new buildings under 10 stories tall to be outfitted with solar panels, effective next January. The California city will become the largest municipality in the U.S. with such a mandate.

http://www.ibtimes.com/san-francisco-rooftop-solar-panels-new-buildings-required-part-new-law-2357290 

New Law Passed In France: ALL New Rooftops Must Be Covered With Plants Or Solar Panels

A new law recently passed in France mandates that all new buildings that are built in commercial zones in France must be partially covered in either plants or solar panels.  

"Green roofs" have an isolating effect which helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a building during the winter or cool it in the summer. They are capable of retaining rainwater and reducing problems with runoff, and also offer birds a place to call home in the urban jungle.

 

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/1335/New-Law-Passed-In-France-ALL-New-Rooftops-Must-Be-Covered-With-Plants-Or-Solar-Panels 

 

 

 

Pyramid Solar Panels mounted East, South, West, and North on same roof!

This pyramidal rooftop array in Japan makes use of all the available roof space by pointing panels east, south, west and north. According to PVwatts the north-facing panels will generate only about 60% as much power as the south-facing ones, all other things being equal.

http://euanmearns.com/rooftop-pv-panels-point-where-the-roof-points/

Solar Pavilion

The Town installed solar panels on the roof of a pavilion.  The energy generated by the solar panels is sold back to the grid, providing the Town with a credit on its electric bill.

 http://www.townoffarragut.org/413/Farragut-Sustainability

Agriculture on the Ground Floor, Energy on the First Floor

Thanks to the technical skills of a group of engineers, architects, agronomists, theoretical physicists and experts on agricultural mechanization, the “agrovoltaic” technology is a highly innovative solution which allows to go beyond the limits of traditional ground-mounted photovoltaic systems in terms of compatibility with agriculture, environmental sustainability and landscape preservation.

http://www.revolutionenergymaker.com/en/

Solar Panels can be put on the garage, too.

If you just need extra power, or your house does not face the best direction for the sun, use the roof space on the garage!

http://greenyflat.com.au/?p=348

World’s First Solar-Hydrogen Residential Development Is 100% Self-Sustaining

Thailand-based development company CNX Construction is set to debut the world’s first 24-hour, solar-powered hydrogen storage multi-house complex.  So how does it work? According to Cityife Chiang Mai, “during the day, solar panels on five of the structures capture energy from the sun and send it to the energy building. The energy building then distributes power to the buildings on the compound while also converting water into hydrogen gas.”

http://ecowatch.com/2015/12/23/solar-hydrogen-homes/

General Motors Electric Vehicle Solar Charging Station

Ever seen a solar panel that followed the sun’s movement? Neither have we. But that’s not stopping General Motors from installing a Tracking Solar Tree — pretty much a giant solar panel on an axis — at its Milford Proving Grounds.

What makes the Tracking Solar Tree even more intriguing is the fact that it contains a SunCharge electric vehicle charging station at its trunk, permitting the entire structure to produce up to 30,000 kilowatt hours a year and provide enough solar energy to charge six electric vehicles per day.


http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/09/gm-to-add-rotating-solar-panel-ev-charging-station-at-milford/

In 42 of the 50 biggest U.S. cities, rooftop solar is now cheaper than the grid!

Pennies falling from the sky, you just have to pick them up

The price of electricity from the grid is going up over time and the price of electricity from solar panels has been going down rapidly for decades.
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/42-of-50-biggest-us-cities-rooftop-solar-now-cheaper-grid.html