Solar Energy News
Deadlines for Florida's SunSmart Program Approaching
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) was created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 to serve as the state’s energy research institute. The FSEC strives to bring energy independence to the state of Florida by conducting research, testing and certifying solar systems and developing educational programs. One of the latest initiatives to be implemented by the FSEC is the SunSmart Schools and E-Shelters Program.
Florida's Governor Charlie Crist recently announced the award of $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) grants to the FSEC in Cocoa Beach for the SunSmart project. This award will provide opportunities for state agencies, local governments and businesses to deploy renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, resulting in economic development and job growth in Florida’s clean technology sector. The deadline for applications is March 29, 2010.
The SunSmart program award, is a portion of the $126 million the state received in State Energy Program funding for energy-related initiatives under the ARRA.
Through the SunSmart program, the FSEC has worked to increase the deployment of solar energy systems to schools and other public buildings in particular. There are two main parts to this new initiative, the E-Shelters (Emergency Shelters) and the SunSmart Schools program.
As part of the E-Shelters program administered by the FSEC, at least 90 schools will be selected to ser ... read more »
Solar Energy News
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USVI NREL Clean Energy Agreement
Mar 08, 2010
U.S Virgin Island's Governor de Jongh visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he signed an agreement with Joe Garcia, Director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Minority Economic Impact and Anthony M. Babauta, Assistant Secretary for Insular affairs at the U.S. Department of Interior. “The U.S. Virgin Islands can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by 60% within the next 15 years by developing its abundant renewable energy resources” announced Governor John P. de Jongh, at a workshop at the NREL. According to a NREL press release, “ This agreement...
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Minnesota Solar Panel Rewards Program
Mar 05, 2010
Xcel Energy announced yesterday that it is offering incentives to Minnesota electricity customers to install solar panels on top of their homes and businesses. This new Solar*Rewards program will encourage growth of solar energy in the state by making a one time payment of $2.25 per installed watt of generating capacity to help off-set the cost to customers who install rooftop photovoltaic systems. The Xcel Energy website states that, “for an average size residential installation of 3.5 kilowatts or 3,500 watts, the incentive payment would be $7,875, or about 30% pf the installation costs...
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Toshiba SunPower Solar Panel Agreement
Mar 04, 2010
According to a SunPower Corporation press release, the Toshiba Corporation will order 32 megawatts of high efficiency solar panels from SunPower in 2010. The SunPower panels will form the cornerstone of Toshiba’s new residential solar offering in Japan, to be launched April 1. “Toshiba’s residential solar power business will offer homeowners the most efficient solar power systems available, with a focus on quality and reliability,” said Shoji Takenaka, chief technology executive of Transmission Distribution a & Industrial Systems company, Toshiba corporation. “We...
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Solar Panels for Florida Schools
Mar 04, 2010
$10 million in stimulus money was awarded to fund solar panels projects on up to 90 Florida schools, colleges and vocational and private schools that serve as emergency shelters. According to the Orlando Business Journal $8.5 million of the $10 million stimulus award will go to installing solar panels on schools statewide with the remaining $1.5 million to be used for education, training and administration. The funds are from the $126 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award the state got last year. “The premise behind the program is to keep Florida solar energy business working...
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USDE Loan Guarantees for Solar Power Plants
Mar 02, 2010
According to the U.S. department of Energy website, “Steven Chu announced Monday conditional commitments for more that $1.37 billion in loan guarantees under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to BrightSource Energy, Inc to support the construction of three utility-scale concentrated solar power plants. The new plants will generate approximately 400 megawatts of electricity using the company’s innovative technology. This would nearly double the existing generation capacity of this type of renewable energy in the U.S.” The loan guarantee is conditioned on financial and...
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Affordable Solar Power in Texas
Mar 02, 2010
According to a press release from TXU energy in Texas, for less than the monthly cost of most cell phone plans, North Texans can now use affordable solar energy to help power their homes. TXU Energy’s new solar program, in cooperation with the SolarCity Company will offer a solar lease option that includes installation, monitoring, repairs and insurance for a low monthly fee. “ As an example of our lease program,” the TXU press release states,” a 4-kilowatt residential solar system , appropriate for a typical 3-4 bedroom home, would initially cost approximately $35 dollars...
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New Jersey Proposes Net Metering Changes
Feb 26, 2010
In January of this year, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) proposed amendments to the state's net metering rules to remove the two megawatts (MW) cap on eligible generators. All systems that generate electricity using solar, wind, geothermal, wave, tidal, landfill gas or sustainable biomass resources, including fuel cells and all "Class I" technologies as classified under the state Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), would be affected by these proposed amendments. Additionally, these changes would affect all residential, commercial and industrial customers of the state's...
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New Solar Prospecting Tools from 3TIER
Feb 26, 2010
“Seattle company, 3TEIR, has delivered the next generation of solar prospecting tools”, said Kenneth Westrick, CEO of 3TEIR as stated in Solar Thermal magazine. 3TEIR provides custom reports of a site, enabling assessment for commercial and utility scale solar projects. As stated on the 3TEIR website, “The Full View Solar site Climate variability Analysis (CVA) gives you a complete picture of the solar resources at your site. Based on a 10-13 time series, this product includes the intensity and variability of irradiance values and additional data on wind speed and temperature...
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Colorado Renewable Energy Bill
Feb 24, 2010
Colorado lawmakers introduce bill to increase Colorado’s renewable energy standards . Solar industry business owners in Colorado are lobbying for legislation to increase the incentives for installation of solar panels on residential and business roofs. According to Environment Colorado, legislation to expand and strengthen Colorado’s renewable Energy Standard (RES) passed in the House on a party line vote on February 11, 2010. The bill, HB-1001, increases Colorado’s renewable energy standard from 20% to 30%. According to Rep Joe Miklosi’s, D-Denver, website, the bill would...
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Mar 10, 2010
ComEd, a utility company based in Chicago is attempting to increase the use of Solar Energy in their area. The utility company launched a twelve month solar energy initiative to equip 100 Chicago homes with solar panels. According to The Green Optimistic, Val Jensen of ComEd states, “each of these homes will be tuned into a mini utility. The pilot program will teach people how to plan electrical usage to avoid peak loading making them better energy consumers. ComEd and its technology vendors will provide $3 million for the project and The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide...
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