Energy Department Announces $25 Million to Accelerate Integration of Solar Energy into Nation’s Electrical Grid

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of the Energy Department’s ongoing efforts to modernize the nation’s grid through the Grid Modernization Initiative, the Energy Department today announced $25 million in available funding through an effort called Enabling Extreme Real-Time Grid Integration of Solar Energy (ENERGISE) to help software developers, solar companies, and utilities accelerate the integration of solar energy into the grid.

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-25-million-accelerate-integration-solar-energy-nation-s

Energy Department Launches National Solar Training Programs for Vets

The SunShot Initiative's Solar Ready Vets program trains our nation’s skilled military service members to succeed in the solar energy industry by training them to size and install solar energy systems, safely connect them to the grid, and understand and comply with local building codes.

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://energy.gov/articles/energy-department-launches-five-new-solar-ready-vets-training-locations-announces-10

How to choose a solar installer

Choosing a solar installer can be the most challenging part of your solar buying process. EnergySage has done the work of reviewing installers for you. All of the installers in the EnergySage Solar Marketplace are pre-screened for technical expertise, licenses and insurance, industry experience, market reputation, and commitment to the solar industry.

More info? Click here or click the link below

https://www.energysage.com/solar/buyers-guide/how-to-choose-a-solar-installer

Julia Roberts uses Solar Panels on her roof

Julia Roberts is a fan of solar energy. She has outfitted her home in Malibu with enough solar panels to cover three rooftops. But, of course, that’s easy to do when your house spans 6,000 square-feet.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://www.oneroofenergy.com/celebrities-using-star-power-solar-power/

Brad Pitt’s Foundation Embraces Solar Energy

Make It Right, Pitt’s six-year-old green building organization, cut the ribbon on Bancroft School Apartments, a former school building that now contains 50 LEED Platinum certified rental units under a solar roof with 400 panels.  “As a fellow Missourian, it brings me great pride that Make It Right can be of service in my home state,” Pitt said.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://ecowatch.com/2013/11/12/brad-pitt-foundation-embraces-green-building-solar-energy/

World Largest Laundromat uses Solar Power

"It's such a good idea business-wise and conservation-wise that they should make it the law."

More Info? Click here or click link below

http://solarserviceinc.com/commercial.cfm

HarvesTime Grocery Store has 20,000 Watt Solar System

Solar Service worked with the store’s awning designer, Antonio Fanizza Associates, to devise the method for mounting 96 SolarWorld 240-watt modules to the awning’s steel frame.  The array has the ability to generate approximately 20,000 kilowatt hours per year for the store’s electrical use.

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://solarserviceinc.com/commercial.cfm

Sunny Future for HarvesTime Foods

Grocery stores, with all their coolers and freezers and air conditioners, consume massive amounts of energy. They’re like the Hummer of retailers.  Chris Dallas, one of four brothers who co-owns HarvesTime Foods at 2632 W. Lawrence Ave., is aiming to transform his business into a Prius.

“Having my name on an array of solar panels says I care about the environment, I care about where my energy comes from,” says Dallas. “With the sun, you’re harvesting something that’s already there. You don’t have to pollute anything.”

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://www.centersquarejournal.com/news/sunny-future-for-harvestime-foods

Why Backup Generators Are Necessary For Your Solar Panels

In a normal off-grid solar system or grid-tied solar system, if the grid fails, the whole solar system fails.  There are several factors that can cause the grid to fail before its expected time.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, heavy wind, rainfall, flood and earthquake.  No sooner the power goes out than the transfer switch disconnects the utility line.  The transfer switch will then connect a new power line from the generator.

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://goldensolar.net/2015/04/

Community Solar Technical Assistance Opportunity

Through funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sunshot Initiative, SEPA is able to provide technical assistance to parties currently pursuing or interested in pursuing a community solar program. The structure of the assistance will depend on the needs of the recipient and on SEPA’s capabilities.

SEPA (Smart Electric Power Alliance) is an educational non-profit.  We are a trusted platform for education, research and collaboration to help utilities deploy and integrate solar, storage, demand response, and other distributed energy resources.

More info? Click here or click the link below

https://www.solarelectricpower.org/discover-resources/community-solar-technical-assistance-opportunity.aspx

Solar Energy Electric Power System Simulation

For the most part, a Solar Energy System that is properly installed and adequately sized will not really require much in the way of management. However, for those times of marginal sun or very large power requirements, it is important to understand the relationship between your battery charge level, the amount of charge (if any) that they are receiving, and the power being withdrawn (appliances, etc.) from the system.

More info? Click here or click the link below

http://www.freesunpower.com/solar_simulator.php

Solar Educational Videos

Solar Energy Basics, Installation of a Solar System, and other videos.

To see the videos, click here or click link below

http://www.illinoissolar.org/educvideos

Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing

The Clean Energy States Alliance and the Department of Energy's Sunshot Initiative have developed a Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing that includes insight on leases, loans and PPAs. The links below from SEIA (Solar Enegy Industries Assocation) will direct you to the place to download a PDF with the above information.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://www.seia.org/research-resources/homeowners-guide-solar-financing

France’s Road of the Future Is Paved With Solar Panels

Known for its historic cobblestone paths and traffic-jammed streets, France forgoes traditional bricks and pavement for shiny solar panels with its new roadway project.

French officials announced plans to construct a 1,000-kilometer-long (621-mile-long) solar roadway, with each kilometer capable of providing enough clean energy to power 5,000 homes.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://www.takepart.com/article/2016/02/08/france-solar-road

Solar Park or Biodiversity Preserve?

When it comes to improving the environment solar can offer a lot more than clean energy. Solar farms have also been shown to offer protection to rare species of birds, animals, plants and to foster biodiversity.

Solar farms also offer enormous potential for honeybees, as the wildflowers that grow between the arrays are a great source of nectar.  “Bee populations around the world are under pressure and, since humanity is dependent on them to pollinate a wide variety of crops, any measure that increases their numbers can only be a good thing,” said Dr. Qu.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://www.canadiansolar.com/making-the-difference/solar-park-or-biodiversity-preserve.html

Germany Just Generated 90 Percent Of The Power It Needs From Renewables

On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand.  That’s a big deal. On May 8th, at 11 a.m. local time, the total output of German solar, wind, hydro-power, and biomass reached 55 gigawatts (GW), just short of the 58 GW consumed by every light bulb, washing machine, water heater and personal computer humming away on Sunday morning.

More info? Click here or click link below

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/09/3776629/germany-renewable-generation/

What is the process for going solar?

Whether you decide to go with a full-service provider that takes care of everything, or do more of the work yourself by subcontracting with a local installer, going solar typically takes 3–6 months.

Want more info? Click here or click the link below

https://www.google.com/get/sunroof/process/

Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC)

Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) will establish a national recognition and technical assistance program for local governments—driving greater solar deployment and making it possible for even more American homes and businesses to access affordable and renewable solar energy to meet their electricity needs. On April 27, 2016 the SPARC announced the SolSmart designation and technical assistance program.  No-cost technical assistance is also available for communities striving to achieve SolSmart designation.

More Info? Click here or click link below

http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-powering-america-recognizing-communities-sparc

Simplifying Solar Cells with a New Mix of Materials

An international research team has simplified the steps to create highly efficient silicon solar cells by applying a new mix of materials to a standard design. Arrays of solar cells are used in solar panels to convert sunlight to electricity.

To read more, click here

http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/01/27/simplifying-solar/

Solar power is contagious

People are more likely to install a solar panel on their home if their neighbors have one, according to a Yale and New York University study in the journal Marketing Science.  The study also shows that the visibility of the panels and word-of-mouth led to larger installations.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121018162213.htm

A comparison of leading residential solar batteries

Welcome to your simplified guide to home batteries. We’ve taken several current and up-and-coming models that we are excited to provide, and laid out the essential stats. We’ve collected the information you need on price, availability and compatibility in a chart that lets you easily compare solar batteries side to side.

http://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/05/comparison-residential-solar-batteries/

U.S. throws more money at solar power

The U.S. Energy Department said it has $25 million in funding to help software developers and utility provides better integrate solar power to the grid. A main challenge faced by the solar power industry, the department said, is how to incorporate small-scale projects like rooftop solar panels into the grid.

http://www.solardaily.com/reports/US_throws_more_money_at_solar_power_999.html

At last: Non-toxic and cheap thin-film solar cells for 'zero-energy' buildings

'Zero-energy' buildings -- which generate as much power as they consume -- are now much closer after engineers have achieved the world's highest efficiency using flexible solar cells that are non-toxic and cheap to make.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160428103023.htm

Solar Power in Illinois: All You Need to Know

If you live in the state of Illinois, the switch to solar can give you considerable cash savings over its service life. Installing a solar PV system in Illinois with a HELOC (home equity line of credit) is a great option, because you will see positive cash flow right away after year one! Or get a Solar Lease in Illinois. Or get a  PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) Option in Illinois.

http://www.solar-nation.org/illinois

Evaluating solar panel efficiency

There are many criteria to consider when deciding which solar panels to purchase for your solar energy system. As you explore solar panel reviews, it is important to include solar panel efficiency, solar panel ratings, durability, and manufacturer assurances in your decision.

https://www.energysage.com/solar/buyers-guide/solar-panel-efficiency

How to HIRE a Solar Panel Installer

Choosing the right installer for your 25- to 30-year solar investment is an important decision. The financial savings, energy independence and return on investment, combined with the added benefit of actually helping the environment, have made the decision to go solar a no-brainer for many Americans. But how do you choose the right contractor for an investment that will last 25-30 years?

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-hire-solar-panel-installer.htm

How to BECOME a Solar Panel Installer

“How do I become a solar PV Installer?”The simple answer is, “it depends.” It mostly depends on where an individual wants to install residential solar systems. Becoming a solar energy professional sometimes requires a state license specific to solar, sometimes just requires an electricians license, and often can be done with a nationally recognized credential (such as a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Certification), assuming that plugging into the grid is completed by a licensed electrician.

https://www.kaplancleantech.com/resources/solar/how-to-become-a-solar-installer

Might these be enough reasons to Go Green with Solar?

Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Solar energy presents a few clear advantages such as being green and renewable, in abundant supply as well as cost absolutely nothing to produce. Oil and gas supplies are thinning globally and it is a matter of years when the supplies will run dry. Rather than face a global standstill then, it is wise to turn to alternatives, such as the wind and sun for our power demands.

http://www.solarenergysolutions.co.in/go-green.htm

China Unveils Proposal for $50 Trillion Global Electricity Network

The State Grid Corporation of China envisions a future "global village" of efficient transmission lines to tap and distribute electricity from giant solar farms around the equator and wind stations in the Arctic, according to its website. Energy transmission technology "has matured and clean energy is becoming more economical, so the conditions for building global power interconnection already exist," Liu said in a statement on the company's website.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/energy/china-unveils-proposal-50-trillion-global-electricity-network-n548376