By: Jon Seibert, CEO of Vision Solar A solar photovoltaic (PV) system, also known as a solar power system, supplies solar power through photovoltaics – the conversion of sunlight into electricity using semiconducting materials. Solar photovoltaic installers, also known as PV installers, assemble, install, and maintain solar photovoltaic systems on rooftops or other structures. PV installers use drills, wrenches, saws, …
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Where Are We, When It Comes to Residential Solar?
In an effort to do their part to help mitigate climate change with clean energy and lower their electric bills, more and more Americans are opting to add solar panels to their roofs. The number of installations, both residential and commercial, of solar panels doubled from 1 million to 2 million between 2015 and 2019, according to the Solar Energy …
Read More »Annual Clean Energy States Honor Roll Released by IREC
At the start of the new year, IREC reflects on the various clean energy policy and regulatory efforts happening across the country, and recognizes those states that have demonstrated notable achievements and/or movement toward clean energy goals. This year’s Clean Energy States Honor Roll notes states to keep an eye on in the year to come for more promising …
Read More »Bizarre Sources of Renewable Energy
In both the real world and in popular culture, renewable energy gets a lot of press. From solar energy to hydropower and beyond, so-called “alternative” energy sources are increasingly seen as a viable solution towards combating the negative effects of climate change. A prime cultural example of renewable energy in the spotlight was seen on 1998’s “That ‘70s Show.” During …
Read More »Geothermal Energy: Current U.S. Trends
When most of us think about geothermal energy, we probably conjure images of Old Faithful and bubbling geysers, creating the heat necessary to create energy. But geothermal energy is now a reliable and growing source of renewable energy as the U.S. weans itself off fossil fuels. According to the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), “In 2016, there were 3,567 Megawatts (MW) …
Read More »Power of the Wind Grows Exponentially in the U.S.
Wind turbines near White Deer in Texas. Photograph: Shutterstock By Michael Tobias Wind power in the U.S. has more than tripled over the past 10 years making it the largest source of renewable power-generation capacity. Furthermore, it has effectively reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 151M metric tons since 2009, and in 2018 this reduction was equivalent to the emissions of …
Read More »The Best Time to Go Solar is Now
With time ticking on the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is now the best time to install solar? Determining the best time to install a solar system can be a challenge for many homeowners. In fact, the cost of solar has dropped substantially over the last several years; prompting homeowners to consider waiting for the cost of solar to decrease …
Read More »How Tiny Houses Help You Live More Sustainably
As the world inches closer to an overall population of 8 billion, the issue of sustainability is becoming even more relevant. CNN reports that overpopulation contributes to numerous environmental and social problems, including resource depletion, pollution, and malnutrition. Creative solutions are needed to help combat the effects of overpopulation before it’s too late. For instance, where will we house …
Read More »Porsche Impact program turns CO2 footprint into support for environmental projects
Porsche customers can now combine their driving thrills with a neutral carbon footprint. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) has launched Porsche Impact, an online tool that links individual CO2 emissions to specific climate projects. The program is available to U.S. customers after PCNA earlier this year enrolled its own Porsche Experience Center cars and its Porsche Passport subscription fleet. …
Read More »How to Ensure New Technologies Are Sustainable
As our natural resources continue to dwindle and the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, individuals and businesses alike are beginning to focus on sustainability in greater numbers. By reducing emissions, diverting waste from landfills, and harnessing new, sustainable forms of technology, we may be able to better ensure humanity’s survival into the future. But the concept of sustainability …
Read More »Exploring Eco-Conscious Home & Office Upgrades
Today, a lot of homeowners and management companies are prioritizing eco-consciousness. In addition to helping the environment, it can also mean big savings on energy bills. Most importantly, eco-conscious building materials and upgrades are healthier for anyone who is going to spend a lot of time indoors. Green building practices also benefit the community by reducing pollution and preserving precious …
Read More »How to Be More Energy Efficient in Your Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning has numerous health benefits. Along with removing dust, dirt, and bacteria that has accumulated over the winter months, a clean interior can help improve your mental health, while offering the chance to make your home or business more energy efficient, saving you money while improving the health of the planet. According to a recent Shelton Group Utility …
Read More »BUSINESS, CIVIC LEADERS URGE LADWP TO STEP UP LOCAL SOLAR GOALS TO FILL GAP FROM PHASED OUT POWER PLANTS
Clean Energy Champions Call for Immediate, Permanent Expansion of Nation’s Largest Urban Rooftop Solar Project LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2019) – A broad coalition of business, environmental and civic leaders today called on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to increase and accelerate its goals for generating local renewable energy, urging the utility to immediately expand a successful …
Read More »Solar and wind energy projects expected to offset 100 percent of Brown’s on-campus electricity use
A new Brown initiative with Constellation and Energy Development Partners will transform a former gravel pit in North Kingstown into Rhode Island’s highest-capacity contiguous solar generation project. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — As a major part of a campus-wide effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Brown University has finalized agreements for two renewable energy projects that are expected to produce …
Read More »Take Climate Action With Geothermal Heating & Cooling
“The evidence of human-caused climate change is overwhelming and continues to strengthen, that the impacts of climate change are intensifying across the country, and that climate-related threats to Americans’ physical, social, and economic well-being are rising.”- 4th National Climate Assessment, 2018 Current Climate Change Assessment & Trends Two important Federal government announcements have energy enthusiasts moving quickly toward a global …
Read More »5 of the Most Exciting Renewable Energy Technologies
Green energy grows more sophisticated each year, as the renewable s industry finds new and exciting ways to reduce carbon emissions. From wave power to air source heating, there are really no limits to what technology and science can achieve. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the most exciting feats of renewable energy for you to marvel at. …
Read More »Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities Unveils First-of-its-Kind HouseZero Lab & Prototype
HouseZero’s advanced data-driven infrastructure will enable cutting edge research, aims to shift the design and operation of buildings The Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities (CGBC) at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) announced today the completion of HouseZero, the retrofitting of its headquarters in a pre-1940s building in Cambridge into an ambitious living-laboratory and an energy-positive prototype …
Read More »Solar Financing in Texas
Freedom Solar Financial Services LLC, the first solar financial vehicle of its kind in Texas, has raised an initial round of $7.5 million in funding to finance commercial solar projects. Financing through Freedom allows companies to finance up to 70 percent of the cost of an entire solar installation and ensures that an investment in solar is cash-flow positive from …
Read More »Recycling 201: Things You Didn’t Know Could Be Recycled
Image Credit: Pixabay Have you ever heard the myth that all your recyclables just end up in the landfill anyways? Or that if you don’t properly wash out your spaghetti sauce jar, it ruins the entire batch of recyclables it is commingled with? Those, among others, are not true and are just the tip of the iceberg of things …
Read More »Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant
Gov. Brown Signs Historic Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Bill SACRAMENTO, CA – Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill to protect the environment, workers, and local communities during the closure of California’s last nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon near San Luis Obispo. Senate Bill 1090, which had wide bipartisan support, will help to ensure that the electricity generated by the …
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