Now that the Arctic is becoming more accessible due to global warming, countries are racing to lay claim. The United States, Canada, Denmark, Russia and Norway have all attempted to claim jurisdiction over certain areas. In 2007, Russia sent mini-submarines to collect geological samples and also left behind a Russian flag.
What makes the race to [...]

continue reading.....

Renewable Energy-Related Legislation in New York

A renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was adopted by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) in September 2004 with a target of 19% to 25% increase in the proportion of electricity used by retail consumers in New York State derived from renewable resources by 2013 after scrutinizing public hearings from more than 150 parties. Two distinct approaches were taken to accomplish the goal. Among them a central procurement approach would cause an increase of 24% and a voluntary green market approach would provide the rest 1%. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) was given the task of monitoring this RPS program. Mainly two tiers of resources were considered eligible under RPS program - a Main Tier and a Customer-Sited Tier. NYSERDA has the authority to procure Main Tier resources by a many means e.g. standard offer contracts, requests of proposal or through auctions also. Under these two tiers RPS also supported incentives programs which were previously supported by System Benefit Charge (SBC). An amount of $45 million was funded for Customer-Sited Tier.

PSC also recommended an Implementation Plan to guide the program through 2013. But an extension was filed by Congress for Production Tax Credit (PTC) allowable for certain renewable facilities with a deadline of December 31, 2005. By the end 22 proposals were submitted and 7 projects were awarded. On April 14, 2005 the Implementation Plan was developed and approved by the Commission which would identify the procedures based on their eligibility and future procurements. On January 26, 2006 NYSERDA was authorized by the Commission to conduct solicitations of Main Tier Resources in 2006 and 2007. NYSERDA approved its Operating Plan for the Customer-Sited Tier on February 12, 2007. On October 28, 2008 PSC issued an order to reallocate funding to the Customer-Sited Tier and subsequently authorized $20.6 million for the solar photovoltaic (PV) category. This program will provide cash incentives for the installation of new Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems by eligible Installers. Incentives will be granted till September 2009 on a first-come, first-served basis or until funds are fully committed.

Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credit

This provision is applicable to taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2006. It acts mainly on expenditures on PV equipments for residential property and equal to 25% of the total cost of PV equipment and installation. Solar Energy equipment is identified as “an arrangement or combination of components utilizing solar radiation, which, when installed in a residence, produces energy designed to provide heating, cooling, hot water or electricity.” The PV system size is limited to 25 kW according to the net meeting law expanded by S.B. 7171 on August 2008. SunPower is one company targeting New York solar installations, they have sponsored the creation of these articles here on Solar Power Authority.

Local Option - Solar, Wind & Biomass Energy Systems Exemption

There is a provision for property tax exemption for solar and wind energy systems constructed in NY State under Section 487 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law. Local government is authorized to allow or deny it. Property owners can also enter into a contract for payments in lieu of taxes. Generally the exemption will be equal to the increase in assessed value attributable to the solar, wind or farm-waste energy system.

Solar Sales Tax Exemption

NY State issued this exemption program in July, 2005 on sale and installation of residential solar-energy systems from the state’s sales and compensating use taxes. Various systems utilizing solar radiation to produce energy can avail this exemption. No recreation systems are allowed for this exemption. Local Governments can also approve an exemption from local taxes under this law.

NYSERDA - Distributed Generation as Combined Heat and Power (DG-CHP)

This multi-faceted program implemented mainly three initiatives under different categories to achieve its goal which was the advancement of DG-CHP technology within NY State. These three initiatives are new demonstration, existing facility improvement, and technology transfer. A fund of $25 million was granted to invest in one or all of these three aspects of this program.

New York City - Property Tax Abatement for Photovoltaic (PV) Equipment Expenditures

Property tax abatement for photovoltaic (PV) system expenditures was allowed by the NY State in August 2008. Mainly cities with more than 1 million population were eligible. Systems placed in service by December, 2010 can get abatement up to 8.75% against eligible annual expenditures for four consecutive years. Then, systems which were placed in service in between January, 2011 and December, 2012 can apply and avail an abatement of 5.0%. Department of Finance administers this abatement program collaboratively with Department of Buildings.

Rebate Programs

Town of Southampton - Photovoltaic (PV) Rebate Program

Under this rebate program every individual and commercial organization is entitled to a flat rebate of $2,500 for PV systems of 5kW in the Town of Southampton, NY. The installation cost of the applicant must be paid by the applicant and smaller systems are not accepted under this program. Systems must abide by all the applicable state and local laws. Initially an amount of $50,000 was approved sufficient enough for 20 rebates. This program is due to expire on December 31, 2009.

Long Island Power Authority - Energy Efficient Commercial Construction Rebate Program

Long Island Power Authority has been providing full support to its non-residential customers through this Commercial Construction Program. It’s a utility rebate program availavle for various technologies like Air conditioners, Heat Pumps, Compressed air, Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Vending Machine Controls etc. In return LIPA will retain the ownership of all rights to existing and future emissions credits. And rebate over $10, 000 will require pre-approval.

Long Island Power Authority - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

This utility rebate program will provide an opportunity for residential customers to increase the efficiency of their homes. Air conditioning systems and air-source heat pumps can avail rebates under the Cool Homes Program. Efficiency rating is SEER 14 and EER 12. And the owner should get the units installed by Cool Homes Contractor. Moreover, rebates for new and replacement geothermal heat pumps are also available under the Geothermal Energy Wise Program.

Long Island Power Authority - Solar Rebate Program

To develop clean energy alternatives $32 million was funded under this Solar Pioneer Program in 2000 by LIPA. Later LIPA extended this initiative for another five years with an increase of $5 million in funding. Recently the budgets have been - $44 million in 2007, $48 million in 2008, and $53 million in 2009. In 2009 this program has been expanded again and renamed as Solar Entrepreneur program. Through LIPA rebates a downfall in the costs of PV has been observed. Under this rebate scheme customers can enjoy a rebate for residential systems up to 27.5kW. Till January 2008, rebates have been issued for 1,133 PV systems.

National Grid - Commercial (Electric) Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs

Large commercial and industrial customers can be benefited from this new construction program offering energy statistics, technical assistance and financial incentives. A financial incentive up to 75% of the cost of the energy system can also be availed. This program known as Design 2000plus can pay in between 40% to 50% of the total cost involved in a project.

National Grid - Solar Thermal Rebate Program (Long Island and metro New York)

National Grid customers from Long Island and metro New York using solar thermal technologies can get solar thermal rebate to support various applications like solar hot water heating, solar space heating or high temperature process applications. They can get a rebate of 15% off project costs up to a maximum of $1,500. And commercial users on the other hand can avail a rebate of 50% of the project costs or $100,000 per project.

continue reading.....

UFO (Unidentified Feeding Object) plates are picnic plates which can be disposed after usage by launching them into the bushes, exactly like a frisbee. The most interesting thing about these plates is the fact that they can provide food for birds, squirrels or rodents.

continue reading.....

Even if it may sound like science fiction, the vision of the European Union is to be able to power the entire Continent with Green Energy: from solar panels to wind and wave turbines, from geothermal to hydroelectric power stations.

continue reading.....

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan led a think-tank study which was just unveiled Friday. The think-tank used existing data related to weather disasters, population trends and forecasted economy information. The report found that climate change related deaths number around 300,000 a year.
Problems surrounding climate change in terms of this report are mainly [...]

continue reading.....

It’s official now. Taiwan will hold the World Games 2009 in July. This international sporting event will include games like korfball, billiards, dragon boat racing and women’s tug-of-war. But why are we discussing World Games 2009 in an alternative energy spectrum? Actually Taiwan can boast of Asia’s first fully solar-powered stadium. The stadium gives [...]
Posted in: Future Energy, Industry, Solar Power

continue reading.....

Reply to:job-tjfvf-1195487373@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-05-29, 4:27PM EDT

I’m looking for companies interested in speaking with qualified solar sales professionals.

I operate a national solar sales training company, www.PVSolarSalesTraining.com.

I would like to provide you with resumes of graduates that you can contact to schedule an interview if you’re interested. I’m not charging, it’s just a value add for my students.

For more info, visit my website Contact Us page and let me know you’re a ‘recruiter’. I’ll send you a flyer about the solar sales training program.

My students are true sales professionals and contractors that are repackaging for solar. Students learn what to do when they pull up at the prospects location, perform a needs analysis, prepare an estimate & cost justification, present to the prospect, handle objections and close.

Regards,

Rich Hessler
www.PVSolarSalesTraining.com
(949) 208-0221

Locations: Brooklyn

• Compensation: $0
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

continue reading.....

Reply to:info@solartechsouth.com
Date: 2009-05-28, 10:53AM EDT

Solar Tech South, LLC (http://www.solartechsouth.com) is a commercial and residential Solar Thermal and PV integrator/installer. We partner with Schüco to provide high quality German engineered fully integrated solar solutions. We are looking for a Solar Thermal Designer to work on Commercial Solar Thermal projects and to lead residential solar thermal efforts.

Required Qualifications:
• Familiarity with building design and construction
• Mechanical background
• Willingness to work in an office or in the field
• Works well in a team environment
• Desire to never stop learning

Highly Recommended Qualifications:
• Experience with solar thermal
• CAD experience
• Architecture or engineering background

Recommended Qualifications:
• Experience with photovoltaic
• Experience with energy efficiency, LEED, Energy Star

Send a cover letter and resume to info@solartechsouth.com

Location: Chapel Hill, NC

• Compensation: Compensation depends upon experience
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

continue reading.....

• At the München Hofbräuhaus. It’s hopping. Not much dancing on the tables - yet… #
• RT @TheLocalGermany: Rosa Luxemburg’s body likely found 90 years after murder http://tinyurl.com/mqbuvs #
• Resting - beat after made rush to visit a large number of stands the last day of Intersolar 2009. 60000+ attendees #
• GUNTHER Portfolio: SolarMagic, Solar Magic: [Munich, Germany]
  SolarMagic Power Optimizer repos.. http://twurl.nl/ze4vz6 #
• DIGITIMES: Spot quotes for poly-Si fall to US$75/kg http://bit.ly/Tjsl2 #
• $NSM SolarMagic not just about shade anymore. Repositioned as a solution for mismatch, shade being one cause. #
• $NSM SolarMagic is claiming MTBF of >455 years along with their 20 year warranty. #
• RT @Earth2Tech: Intersolar News: Tigo Raises $10M for Solar Module Efficiency http://tinyurl.com/qms2tp Ed:Thanks for the mention. #
• Jungweinprobe at the Ratskeller München. It’s raining cats and dogs outside but the humidity is gone. #
• Phoenix Solar continuing to staff for upturn per COO Dr. Murray Cameron. #
• Solon CTO Dr. Lars Podliwski joins the Skyline Solar Board of Directors. #
• First IEC62108 CPV product to be certified this week per Nancy Hartsoch CPV Consortium. #
• Not pleased about the Messe München monopoly on wifi access! No gratis wifi at the PV Industry Forum. I want my Internet. #
• AE Polysilicon and MOTECH are supposed to have a joint stand at PV America in Philadelphia. #
• DIGITIMES: Solar cell maker Motech hikes stake in US-based AE Polysilicon http://bit.ly/4pKMo Also heard at the PV Industry Forum. #
• GUNTHER Portfolio: Enphase Energy and Tigo Energy at Silicon Valley Photovoltaics Society: [Pa.. http://twurl.nl/5lobd8 #
• Q-Cells Milner predict PV system prices will hit €2 per Watt peak by 2014-2015. #
• India PM targetting 1500 MW of PV by 2015 as part of the Climate Action Plan. There is now a $0.23 kWh Feed-in Tariff. #
• Japan is developing plans to expand installed PV capacity to 28GW by 2020. 20x the 2005 solar electric base. #
• Rhone Resch said the Gainesville Feed-in Tariff was poorly designed. Application review process not rigorous. Heavy tilt to large projects. #
• Waiting for the PV Industry Forum to start. Messe München thinks they can extort a wifi tax after I paid t-mobile. #
• Reuters: First Solar shares may be poised for fall: Barron’s http://bit.ly/llETh $FSLR mfg capacity only limit; c-Si can squeeze margins. #
• RT @AEnews: Are we entering an age of reverse-globalization?: The IEA is getting.. http://tinyurl.com/o2v7aq The Savinar Peak Oil scenario? #
• At the Weißes Braeuhaus having a Weiß Bier of course! #
• GUNTHER Portfolio: GUNTHER Portfolio twitter Weekly Updates - 2009-05-23:
  @roycef Phantom PV .. http://twurl.nl/pav0oh #
• My twitter plugin for WordPress worked this week and autogenerated a post! Not sure now why it did not last week. Strange. #
• Waiting for a room in Munich - exhausted. Sunny 19 C. Hot Sunday. Rain forecast for Intersolar. Is this a metaphor? #

Powered by Twitter Tools.

continue reading.....

If you were to guess which city in California had the largest number of solar homes, you’d think that Los Angeles - California’s largest city and one of its sunniest - would take the cake, right?  Wrong.  According to the latest data from the California Solar Initiative (which administers the majority of solar rebates in the state) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, only about 3000 solar rebate applications have been filed by homeowners in LA County since 2007 (more applications have been filed in the greater LA area, however).

So what gives?  Why aren’t Angelinos adopting a larger share of home solar power?  One possible answer is that there hasn’t been as much consumer education on the subject in LA as there has been in other parts of the state, such as the San Francisco Bay Area (where most of the state’s largest solar installers are based).   Or, you could argue that solar companies haven’t been promoting home solar power in LA as much as in other parts of the state.  The sprawling nature of the city makes it more challenging to get the word out and connect with potential customers face to face, which is an important part of the solar sales process.  Maybe LA County homeowners aren’t going solar because LADWP electricity rates are lower than in other parts of the state.

Whatever the reason, now Los Angeles homeowners have no excuse not to go solar.  The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which supplies electricity to most everyone in LA County and which is the largest municipal utility in the country, recently approved SunRun to be the first company to be able to offer residential solar service in LADWP territory.  That is to say, if you live in LADWP, before now, your only option was to purchase solar panels on your own – you weren’t able to get solar as a service through SunRun.  Now you can go solar at home regardless of whether you live in the suburbs or the City of Angels proper.  Previously, SunRun was only available to LA-area homeowners who get their power from Southern California Edison.

Check out this recent news segment from KABC-TV in LA about SunRun to learn more about one of our happy customers and his decision to lower his energy costs by getting solar service at home from SunRun.

Oh, and did I mention that a homeowner in LADWP territory with an average monthly power bill of $150 can get SunRun solar service for just $400 to get started?   You’d have to pay twenty times that to get a close-up look at Kobe at a Laker game.

continue reading.....