Georgia Power has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for a new tariff that will nearly double the amount of solar energy the company purchases to supply its Green Energy Program. read more
In by far the most exhaustive and detailed study to date, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that solar homes sold 20% faster, for 17% more than the equivalent non-solar homes, across several subdivisions built by different California builders.
When Shea Homes put solar PV and solar thermal systems on half the homes in a development, all 257 of them sold within a year, two years faster than expected. And while these new houses were priced at $380,000 to $500,000, they sold for as much as $600,000. more
Recently-introduced legislation in Congress has the potential to make solar energy and other clean technologies more widespread than ever.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman, has proposed implementing a national renewable electricity standard that would bring about a significant increase in the amount of clean energy generated nationwide.
Under the legislation, electric utilities would be required to derive at least 11 percent of their energy from renewable sources like wind, biomass and solar energy. Another 4 percent could be reached under the bill through energy efficiency initiatives.
“Shifting our country toward home-grown renewable energy will create jobs and help reduce carbon pollution. I believe there is strong support for this bipartisan bill and I hope we can pass it through Congress in the coming weeks,” said Senator Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat.
The bill would keep in place any state renewable energy standards requiring more than 15 percent of electricity generated to come from clean technologies, while also exempting utilities that sell fewer than 4 million megawatt hours of electricity per year. The requirement would also be phased in over several years.
Original article posted here >>
Here are some wonderful articles that we would like to share with you, our website visitor:
Solar Power as a Marketing Tool
Federal Cash Grant Program For Renewables Is Due To Expire
Study Shows Coal Ash Water Contamination Worse Than Previous Estimates
Australia Can Have 100% Renewable Power by 2020 – Report
Re-hashing the 2010 Solar Incentive Report Card: Blue States and Red States
The Uneven Energy Playing Field and the Spindoctors who Ignore it
Biden: US renewables policy is working; Vice president insists stimulus dollars will lead to a doubling of US renewable energy capacity by 2012
There was a wonderful article recently written by June Fletcher, posted on the Wall Street Journal’s website, that addresses a common question regarding residential solar installation. See the question below:
Q: I’m thinking of putting solar panels on my home. But I’m not sure whether I should buy or lease. What advice do you have, and also, what effect might this have on my home’s resale value?
Read more about June’s answer in the article >>
How To Tell If Solar Is Right for You
From Good Morning America on July 29th, 2010
Powering homes with solar electricity can lower the homeowner’s utility costs with minimal environmental impact.
Solar power can help reduce greenhouse gases, lower the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase a home’s resale value.
Read the rest of the article here >>
Check us out on the Access North Georgia website!
More homes in Georgia will be powered by solar energy in the coming years, thanks to changes in a state utility’s green energy plan. An announcement from Georgia Power said that its plan has already been approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, setting the stage for more residents to adopt solar energy.
Continue reading Georgia utility expands commitment to solar power…
The following article details a serious problem in the solar industry. Justin Green, President of Southern View Energy: “This is a major issue within our industry and one that people need to be made aware of”.
Low quality solar panels from inexperienced manufacturers are stored in U.S. ports and warehouses, poised to hit the market whenever possible. With the steady increase in module brands and types – almost 3,000 at the beginning of 2009 – contractors should be aware that not all solar panels are created equal.
Continue reading US SOLAR INDUSTRY AT RISK WITH LOW QUALITY PRODUCTS FLOODING THE MARKET…
Jefferson, GA— Who says you can’t celebrate Earth Day anytime? Certainly not the 12 local middle schools students who participated in the April 30th, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) competition. Using one of the Earth’s brightest resources, the sun, students put their hand-built solar sprinters to the test in a fast paced race competition held at Lanier National Speedway in Braselton, GA.
Continue reading Twelve local middle schools having fun in the sun…
