R.E.preneur

SolarCity makes electric cars an even smarter investment | Grist

2009-10-07T01:30:48-07:00

“It’s our feeling that if we really want to make a difference, we have to start changing our infrastructure,” says Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s chief executive. “Combine EV with PV, and we can really lead a clean lifestyle.”

via www.grist.org

I knew SolarCity was a great company that is growing very fast. And I knew that they had convinced smart people to invest in their company, such as Elon Musk and the executives at First Solar (and kudos to both companies for leading the charge of thin film glass on glass solar in residential applications).

But until I read this article, I had no idea just how visionary the Rive brothers, co-founders of SolarCity truly are.

Their vision of combining EVs and PV and growing their business through residential and commercial charging stations that are solar-powered, is a remarkable step forward in the progress of the EV industry.

EVs have historically been discredited for their limited range and fueling ability. But its not hard to see how adding a small fleet of well-placed electric charging stations (which isn't rocket-science unlike that hydrogen highway BS) could really open California up to be the market that launches EVs!

I look forward to the day I can drive my PV-powered EV!

Business Rules of Thumb . com: Peter Drucker Rule of Thumb

2009-10-07T00:48:59-07:00

Peter Drucker Rule of Thumb

Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.

via businessrulesofthumb.com

My good friend and mentor Jim Jindrick writes this fabulous blog with tons of great quotes for entrepreneurs and high-achievers.

This quote from Peter Drucker is one of my favorites and is closely related to one of my own Business Rules of Thumb: Stop wishing and wanting... Start Acting!

I find that no matter what idea I have or business I want to investigate, the fastest way to make progress, is to start RIGHT NOW. That's how I started this blog. That's how I started my career in renewable energy.

Whatever you want to do, without hard work, you've only got good intentions.

290-MW CSP Project for APS Terminated 290-MW CSP Project for APS Terminated - Renewable Energy World

2009-10-03T19:09:30-07:00

Phoenix, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]

Arizona utility, APS has received notice from Starwood Energy Group Global LLC that it is terminating the long-term purchase power agreement the two companies signed in May 2009.

Lockheed Martin, the project developer, cited the size and the final risk profile of the engineering, procurement and construction contract, among other factors as the reasons decided not to go forward.

This ends plans for Starwood Solar I, the 290-megawatt (MW) concentrating solar plant (CSP), which was to be located in the Harquahala Valley, 75 miles west of Phoenix.

via www.renewableenergyworld.com

The luster continues to fade from the CSP star. For most of the last decade Concentrating Solar Power (using the Sun's thermal energy to heat a fluid and create steam to drive a conventional power generating turbine) has been the lead horse in the rise of utility-scale solar power.

Those days are now behind us as thin film photovoltaics are proving to be the stronger technology due to the lack of large-scale water usage (in barren deserts), more sustainable land impacts, and a much more achievable downward sloping cost curve.

Utility-scale Photovoltaics are THE answer that will solve every utility's need for more predictable, bankable renewable energy.

First Solar to sell 20MW Ontario PV project to Enbridge; solar company also joins S&P 500 - Photovoltaics International

2009-10-03T18:54:13-07:00

First Solar and Enbridge have signed a deal for the Canadian energy company to buy a 20MW solar farm that the PV firm has developed and is building near Sarnia, Ontario. The project, which will be the largest PV installation in Canada when it's completed by the end of the year, is being built by First Solar under a fixed-price engineering, procurement, and construction contract and will use more than 370,000 of the company's CdTe thin-film modules.

via www.pv-tech.org

This marks the first utility-scale sized PV project built under the OPA's former RESOP program. Its great to see market leader First Solar being able to capitalize on the former program, something other developers with RESOP contracts (~560 MW worth) have as yet been unable to do.

The new OPA FiT rules are looking questionable at best. The province's local content rules are making the industry question whether any projects will be built with the current rules. In my opinion, if the government is serious about building renewable energy in the province, they need to lower the local content rules to allow more flexibility for developers to source product from the most economically-efficient suppliers.

But that's just my C0.02.

Arizona's Own Espresso Pundit: Brand Awareness

2009-10-03T18:38:45-07:00

So much of public policy is either right or left. It's hard to find someone who can make intelligent points that appeal to both sides of the spectrum. Take a few minutes this weekend and watch this video by Stewart Brand. Not only is it extremely interesting but it's also likely to change your perspective.

via www.espressopundit.com

Blogger Greg Patterson points us to a great video via Ted Talks from Stewart Brand. Brand, a pioneer of the environmental movement never stops evaluating the difficult choices our Planet faces going forward.

If you're interested in Arizona politics and assorted other topics, Greg writes a very entertaining blog which is always worth reading.

Ontario Feed-in Tariff Program is Open for business

2009-09-25T11:31:35-07:00

The Canadian Solar Industry has been waiting almost 2 years for this day.

Today, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) announced that the much-hailed, often delayed renewable Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program will begin accepting applications on October 1^st,2009.

The details of the stated rules of the project are still being clarified, but the OPA and the Provincial Government has put significant thought into the design of the program.

One area that I think all their efforts went astray is in limiting soil classification types available for development in order to "artificially" cap the program size.

There is no official hard cap on the program size. Instead of specifically capping the FIT program, the provincial government has chosen to limit the FITs growth potential by not allowing for development on Class 1 and 2 prime agriculture lands. Additionally, on Class 3 Ag land, there is a limit of 500 MWs of development.

I can understand the thinking, lets's not ruin all of our prime agriculture with development. I just think it is outdated and non-applicable for Solar PV.

The newest technologies for mounting structures for utility-scale solar PV are pole-driven in which no large cement foundations are buried in the ground.

Instead, a large machine goes along the surface and punches a steel pole straight down about 5 feet. As these are done in rows, the aluminum or steel racking is mounted to these poles, and the solar modules are placed on this racking. Then what happens?

The fixed-tilt solar arrays, sit there for 20 years and produce clean, waterless, emission-free solar energy. And then... ?

If the project is to be disassembled, all of the pieces are taken apart in reverse order and the driven poles are simply pulled out of the ground. The earth below is in exactly the same condition that it was before the development.

And even if these new mounting technologies did not exist or were not used, check out this quote from CanSIA (Solar Industries Association):

The government has limited solar development to barely more than 500 megawatts on class 1, 2 & 3 lands. However, based on earlier government decisions, the solar industry is already working on plans for 2000 megawatts which was to be built on only 0.11% of class 1, 2 and 3 agricultural lands over the next 15 to 20 years.

Even the farmers who protect the land vigilantly agree with CanSIA:

”The government and the farm organizations like the OFA should rethink their objections to solar farms on agricultural land, which will provide a stable income source for farmers over many years to come,” said David Rystenbil, a farmer from Russell, Ontario.

So while I think that the program will still be a success with renewable energy development only on Class 3, 4, 5 and brownfield properties, I believe this was not the most elegant design of a FIT.

No projects have actually been built to date, so we'll see what really comes of it.

You can read more about the OPA FIT program at http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/FIT/.

You can read more about the Canadian Solar Industries Association at http://www.cansia.ca/

Design an Eco-village with the C.L.E.A.R. Village Foundation

2009-03-07T14:34:29-08:00

I just applied to be one of 100 co-designers of a comprehensive plan for an eco-village that can be replicated around the world. When I was done, I could only think of the Staples commercials... That was easy.

Changing the world really can be this easy. Just keep taking that first step, you'll take more difficult steps later, but you have to take those first, incremental steps before you can create legitimate change in your community.

So what is the C.L.E.A.R. Foundation?

C.L.E.A.R. Village Foundation's five-year collaborative design project is working to construct a real-life C.L.E.A.R. Village. By bringing together leading figures from a variety of disciplines, powerful and complete solutions can be developed. The village will offer excellence in social, environmental and economic sustainability to both residents and guests. The village will let businesses test innovative solutions and technologies in a real world situation, showcasing their most innovative work on a world stage.

The world needs people who are ready to design a replicable, scalable eco-village. Will you answer the call? Go ahead, take the first step.

Treasure Island, San Francisco

25 Things About This R.E.preneur

2009-03-05T00:27:49-08:00

A few weeks back I gave into the recent fad of completing facebook's "25 Things About You" challenge.

It came out pretty well, so I thought it relevant to repost here, and since its the most up-to-date I'm also using it for my about me... just to be repetitive. Enjoy.

1. Quick bio: 20-something member of the Cleantech Revolution, devoted husband, forgiven disciple, new resident of the OC.

2. After graduating, and getting married, I joined a solar power project development start-up called Axio Power in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Everyday we work to accelerate the adoption of utility-scale solar power. www.axiopower.com

3. Life Verse: James 1: 2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be complete and mature, not lacking anything." I look forward to the day when I am complete and mature.

4. I blog about: One young entrepreneur's adventures in renewable energy, green building, and electric vehicles at www.repreneur.typepad.com (you guys already knew this one)

5. I micro-blog on twitter about the same topics and some God stuff: @kdcherrick. I'm a sporadic but active twitterer.

6. I (try to) workout three days a week at CrossFit South County, a gym that challenges you in all ten areas of physical fitness, using accountability and community to push you further than you thought you could ever go. www.crossfitsouthcounty.com

7. I yearn deep inside to buy an all-electric vehicle, despite the fact that I don't have a garage to plug it into and I know that keeping my 06 Civic for 10 more years would be a far better financial decision.

8. I've lived in every continental time zone: WA>TX>CT>FL>WA>AZ>CA.

9. I'm the luckiest man on the face of the planet because my wife said: Yes!. She's a beautiful, intelligent, passionate woman who loves Jesus. What more could I ask for?

10. I'm an iPhone-a-holic, but feel that using it makes me less of a work-a-holic.

11. On and off for the last three years, I experience sleepless nights 2x a month as my brain goes into super-process mode and connects the dots of all my information inputs. Out comes big ideas, new passions, and more things to keep me busy. Must fight the snowball effect... can't slow down time.

12. My brother is my biggest inspiration. Remember, "Through Thick & Thin"? He handles both like a freaking pro and never stops questioning the status quo. Plus he was the first real example of Christ to me.

13. I take quick photos of fun experiences with my iPhone, which I can quickly upload to twitter or facebook. Now when can I buy a digital SLR like my Nikon D40 that does the same because I love taking serious pictures. But I hate searching for the freaking cord, to upload to my computer, then upload to the web. Nikon...Canon...whoever does it first gets my money.

14. Mon-Fri I'm working my tail off at Axio Power Inc. in San Juan Capistrano. Monday nights I'm at bible study with my wife and the gang. Tuesday nights I usually run random errands and to dos. Wed-Fri nights I chill with my lady and catch up on tv shows online. I try to start the weekend off with a Saturday morning workout. We wrap up the weekend with a visit to the Refinery at Saddleback Church for the 8:30pm Fuse Service with Nebai. Sunday night, I'm usually restless thinking about the next week. Repeat.

15. I can tell the Lord is moving in my heart lately. When I ask people "how's it going?" I usually end the conversation in prayer with them. That's a new development for me, but it feels like a big blessing from Him that I can be used for the glory of His Kingdom.

16. I'm a Cleantech dork. I can spend hours reading about the intricacies of a specific cleantech technology, legislation, start-up, blog post, etc.

17. I also yearn to someday buy a green home, or condo, or pre-fab. Its part of my need to be an early adopter, to move the needle, to make a statement with my pocketbook, to do what's right before others realize its what's smart.

18. Also largely thanks to my brother, I've become a bit of a personal finance nut. Though I certainly don't have perfect finances, and I love eating out, I know I'm on the right path. With the help of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, I'm becoming Gazelle Intense. www.totalmoneymakeover.com

19. By completing the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Arizona, I genuinely believe that I got the best bang for my buck that one can get from an undergraduate education. Great people, great start-ups, great mentors, beautiful weather, and I just happened to meet my wife along the way. What a deal! www.entrepreneurship.eller.arizona.edu

20. I believe creativity is a muscle that comes on in waves. When it comes, USE IT! Otherwise, you waste precious opportunities and may not be able to act on future ideas as well.

21. A few short weeks ago, I became an Uncle for the very first time! My wife and I aren't planning to have kids for quite a few years, so I'm pretty excited for this.

22. Goals: Pilot's license, buy a small plane, own an auto-racing team, drive a race car, give away $1M in my lifetime, be inspirational, evangelize the cleantech and electric vehicle revolutions.

23. I love soft t-shirts with unique designs. Sad when the community-managed eco-clothing start-up Nvohk folded in December due to the down economy.

24. I plan on dabbling in politics at some point. Mostly, due to its ability to drive change. I haven't decided yet what this means. It could be as simple as advising local, state, or federal politicians on my areas of expertise. It could mean running for a position. Give it a decade.

25. I love my wife's: Mole (pronounced Moleh), stuffed bell peppers, chili, carne asada, salsa, guacamole and sweet personality.

Slideshares: Big Bet On PV & Easing The Transition Into LEED 2009

2009-02-11T10:46:56-08:00

Wanted to share two quick slideshows.

First up, my former colleague at the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program, Patricia Ewanski has prepared a great slideshow entitled, "Easing The Transition Into LEED 2009".

If you are working on or considering a green building project, Patricia would be a great asset to your project.

Next up, Jigar Shah, the founder of SunEdison who has left the company to pursue what I'm sure is a very exciting consulting practice has put together a very informative slideshow entitled, "Big Bet on Solar Power". Enjoy.

Big Bet on Solar Power

View more presentations from Indiantiger. (tags: solar energy)

How I use Twitter as an R.E.preneur

2009-02-10T17:03:51-08:00

About 6 weeks ago I jumped into twitter. Not so everyone would know the intimate details of my day, more as an experiment in business and networking. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness and how viral it can be.

I use it primarily to follow the movers and shakers of industries I’m passionate about, find interesting stories posted in the twittersphere as opposed to finding them myself, as well as to spread the word about what I’m researching, writing, and doing in business.

It has also been fun as I reach out and start conversations with interesting people such as the former CMO of Tesla Motors and the head engineer of the Chevy Volt program.

For entrepreneurs, this can be like a 140 character elevator pitch, get their attention with an interesting tweet and you could have a new partner or investor.

Obviously, social media overload happens which is why I have sought out tools such as Ping.fm to connect FB, twitter, and my blog on Typepad. This way I can pick and choose what networks to disseminate information to.

Using # to track topics and add tweets to a wider conversation, you can quickly delve into the nitty-gritty of how your industry is changing each day, and how you can spread the word about your big ideas.

You can follow me here on twitter: @kdcherrick. See you in the twittersphere.

My Predictions for a Tesla Killer: SSC Ultimate Aero EV

2009-01-30T04:08:42-08:00

I love Tesla. I think they are the most exciting cars on the road today. Plus the company culture and team members really impress me too. I want a Tesla.

But, Tesla will have its place in the market. It will replace your standard Porsche 911, BMW M6, and Mercedes CLK coupes. Its an awesome car, but its not a Supercar.

Supercars are a highly rare and elusive breed. Often, a single supercar model may only produce 350-400 units in its entire lifetime. There just aren't enough deca-millionaires and billionaires willing to pay $300k+ for a car that can never reach full potential on the streets of LA.

Still, these muscle-packed, head-snapping vehicles that consume gasoline like a sumo wrestler consumes calories have captured the attention of men around the world for decades.

But, its not very green. Its certainly not cleantech.

Until now. Meet the Shelby Super Cars (SSC) Ultimate Aero EV.

The press release is chock full of announcements that are game-changing to the electric vehicle industry.

These type of claims make R.E.preneur skeptical, because many companies make "press releases with impressive claims".

SSC claims these stats in the press release:

0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds
Range: 150-200 miles
Power: 1000 hp
Torque: 800 lb-ft
Top Speed: 208 mph
On Board Charging System: 10-minute full battery recharge
A scalable EV drivetrain that can be put in cars, trucks, and semi-trucks.

So here's why I think that our healthy skepticism will be defeated by the team at SSC.

SSC has already built serious StreetCred (for those of you over 50, that's credibility in the market) by building the world's Fastest Production Car, the Ultimate Aero. That car is DOT-compliant and Guinness Book of World Records certified. Jay Leno, who has driven more supercars than you've dreamed of driving, drove the Ultimate Aero non-EV for his website Jay's Garage, and he loved it. Check out the video below.

Plus, SSC is not claiming to build an EV supercar with technology they hope to build within 18 months. The SSC Ultimate Aero EV goes into production in the second quarter of 2009, that's three months from now!

And I'll make a prediction. Shortly after production of the Ultimate Aero EV begins and the concept is proven, SSC will announce a four-door high performance EV from their SSC Green division as well. It helps them scale by selling more cars at a lower price to a larger market.

With further execution of scalability, they will begin signing supply contracts with major auto and truck manufacturers to put their EV drivetrain in a host other cars much the way Tesla has done with Daimler's Smart EV.

Its going to be a very exciting 18 months in the world of electric vehicles. Plug-in and push start, because the masses will be shocked by how quickly the electric vehicle revolution happens.

As a young R.E.preneur, focused on building company's that can create great value through scalability, I like to set big goals of things I would do/get/give if I ever achieve great success.

Meet my newest goal:

Its going to be a very exciting 18 months in the world of electric vehicles. Plug-in and push start, because the masses will be shocked by how quickly the electric vehicle revolution happens.

Transparent Solar Windows? Don't Hold Your Breath

2009-01-26T00:03:36-08:00

Being in the solar industry, I'm always interested in new players who enter the market with new and innovative products. So my ears perked up when I read a press release last fall about a new company bringing a transparent solar window to the US market.

With much fanfare, Rainbow Solar Inc. announced on December 10th:

Rainbow Solar Inc. (RSi) announces the world's first, transparent, photovoltaic-glass window which generates 80 to 250 watts of electricity.

This is the next-generation of BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic), an enclosed super-tempered glass window system, with a patent pending, fully integrated, multi-tier PV and heat insulation technology. Up to 9' x 9' size with comprehensive options to meet design, weather, climate, and building code requirements.

So when I saw that the company would be exhibiting at the Go Green Expo in LA this weekend, I made sure to stop by to learn more.

I was actually excited about the possibilies of windows with photovoltaic capabilities and I hope that Building Integrated PV technology makes its way into the mainstream. Unfortunately, I was not impressed with RSi Solar.

As I approached the booth, one of their associates named Alicia had just finished speaking with another expo attendee. So I introduced myself and stated that I was eager to learn more about the product.

Unfortunately, Alicia made it clear from the start that she knew very little about the product, as she was only hired to help out with the expo on a temporary basis. Alright, I can accept that, an upstart company needs help spreading the word and brings in an industry outsider for the weekend.

After failing to answer some basic questions about the tech, she introduced me to another gentleman who apparently works for the company. He stated that the product is currently manufactured "outside the US". With much skepticism, I interpreted this to mean somewhere in southeast Asia, but I couldn't fathom why this type of information would be unavailable.

Next, he showed me a window/panel that consisted of two sheets of glass with pv material in between and electrical cords coming out the back. He stated that this PV module has characteristics that give it a "broad-shouldered production profile". By that he meant that the panel captures more light in the early morning and late afternoon than most panels because it can capture non-direct light well.

Because I am familiar with the general production shapes of most PV materials, and to my understanding this was a characteristic of the newer thin film materials such as CdTe and CIGS, I asked him what the PV material in the panel we were looking at was made of. He confirmed my suspicion, mono-crystalline silicon, aka 1st generation standard PV material, not very high tech.

So I asked him,

Q: "I know that this production characteristic is true of thin films, so what makes this silicon product perform that way?"

A: It is because this panel features RSi's "Enhancement technology".

Q: "Okay, what does that mean".

... Silence...

A: "it just means its an enhanced version of a normal solar panel, I don't really know the details of the technology."

Q: "So what is the current production capacity of this crystalline panel?"

A: "The panel is currently in production and 2009 manufacturing capacity is 20 MW."

Q: "So do you have 20 MW installed or is that by the end of the year."

A: "We expect to take delivery of manufacturing equipment towards the end of the year".

With one final question, I pointed to the panel in the back that was supposed to be RSi's transparent solar window, and I asked, "What is the PV material in that panel" Because I could see that it was clearly not crystalline silicon and was somewhat transparent.

Answer, "I don't know, only my boss knows what that is".

"The boss" was standing next to that panel speaking with other attendees, and I could have waited to speak with him, but at this point I had lost all hope that this was a viable, real company that would be making a tangible splash in the industry.

Now, I completely understand companies being in stealth mode, not talking much about their new product. But if that is what you are doing, why do you make a big press release and exhibit at a show that isn't even solar focused. They were the only solar technology company there, the rest were all installers.

If RSi's target market is builders, they could easily penetrate that market without the need to exhibit at a show.

Another point of skepticism: the idea behind photovoltaic materials is that they should catch as much of the light as possible, otherwise they are being inefficient and the cost will rise. So why would anyone want a solar panel that was made to be transparent, letting beams of light pass through the panel without being converted to electricity which determines the payback period of the panel. I just don't buy that the added functionality of being a window makes this worth it.

My guess is that they have an inefficient, expensive solar technology. Knowing that they could not compete with the cost leaders in rooftop and utility-scale solar, RSi chose to sell into the BIPV market where they could mask some of their added cost by the fact that the material is also a building material.

It takes serious capital to purchase and install manufacturing equipment. I will be surprised and proven wrong if these guys ever hit 100 MW of installed capacity of BIPV making "transparent solar windows".

I wish them the best of luck though. And if I made a list of how to improve RSi's business, I would start with educating my employees about the product.