On the island of Tenerife (the largest of the Canary Islands), a utility scale solar facility draws on the sunshine from this area known as “Eternal Spring,” off the western coast of Africa.  Even though its a territory of Spain, the 7-island Canary Islands archipelago is located about 100 km from Morocco and Western Sahara.

Sunshine is abundant in this area of the world, which makes installing solar panels a smart idea for clean energy generation.

As shown to the left, this image of the southeastern part of the island illustrates a diamond-shaped artificial structure at the foot of Mt. Pelada, about 5 kilometers east from the airport, which includes is solar panels to generate electricity.   At this site, there are several groups of solar panels and wind turbines which together produce renewable energy.

You might wonder why Tenerife for solar power generation?

Actually, Spain and Germany are the European leaders for solar energy in this area of the world.

The solar power generation plant in Tenerife was constructed in 2008 by a Japanese company.   Its a utility scale solar plant with the ability to generate 12.6 megawatts (MW) of electricity each year for the next 25 years.  Every 12 months this solar power plant will produce 7,200 tons less CO₂ than a thermal power plant.

Bottom line – go Spain, and go Tenerife when it comes to solar power!  What a great example of how sunny tourist destinations can host more than hotels….

Residential solar panel installation

The housing market is still trying to come out of its slump here in the U.S.  In order to lure potential home buyer, developers are adding unique features you might not otherwise expect — like solar panels!  Solar energy efficiency with new Portland, Oregon homes will be showcased this week in the city’s Alberta Arts community.

The project, which will be part of five new Earth Advantage Gold developments, will be open to the public on July 29, 2010 at 5110 N.E. 17th Avenue in Portland, Oregon.  Contemporary design and luxurious touches are part of the reason its is a winner of the Street of Dreams Award, the Most Innovative New Home Product Award, and the Realtors Choice Award for best curb appeal and best kitchen.  But perhaps more noteworthy is the fact that a 2.4 kilowatt (kW) solar system is included with the home, which means that you could get a Federal Tax Credit to defray a portion of the $419,000 purchase price.  In addition, homeowners will be able to use a wireless monitoring device to gauge solar energy efficiency of the panels, and determine if they will be able to receive net metering credits on next month’s utility bill.

Beaverton-based solar installer LiveLight Energy, and its partner Solar World of Hillsboro, offer warranties on the solar panel system: Solar World panels have a 25-year performance warranty, while solar inverters have a 10-year warranty.  LiveLight also provides a 2 year installation warranty.

A green home with energy efficient features?  Now, that’s one way to bring out the new home buyers!

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The Universe of Energy at Walt Disney World is covered with solar panels

Can a vacation be fun as well as educational?  Absolutely!  Even at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The Universe of Energy at the Epcot theme park at the Magic Kingdom is more than just a fun ride.  Guests to the attraction get to learn about fossil fuel sources and alternative energy resources – even research and development – through an entertaining and humorous presentation, starring Ellen De Generes and Bill Nye the Science Guy.

The entire roof of the pavilion building is covered in solar panels that generate energy to power the ride indoors.  (as an aside, considering the location of the park in sunny Florida, one may wonder why other theme parks in Orlando do not rely more on solar energy)!

Sunny Florida skies are perfect for generating solar energy

The solar-powered amusement ride at the Universe of Energy includes “moving theatre” cars that can hold 100 visitors at a time.  You’ll go on a 35-minute journey through time – the history of energy, if you will.  “Ellen’s Energy Adventure” starts with the star dreaming of winning Jeopardy.  But Ellen’s dream soon finds her playing against Albert Einstein and Dr. Judy Peterson (played by Jamie Lee Curtis)… and all the questions are about energy! Bill Nye the Science guy comes to the rescue, teaching Ellen (and you!) all about energy, from the beginning of the Universe.

The ride is hilarious, educational and most of all, solar-powered!  What a great adventure for family fun… with a little learning on the side!

Solar panels now fill a vacant lot in Chicago's South Side

Chicago’s South Side is home to the largest urban solar plant in the nation! The former industrial site has been improved with over 32,000 solar panels with tracking technology to help maximize efficiency by following the sun across the sky.  Operated by Exelon Corporation, the project has resulted in a number of green jobs, while spurring future solar development in Illinois.

The 40-acre site, previously vacant, now generates 10 megawatts (MW) of solar electricity – enough to completely power 1,500 homes and take the equivalent of 2,500 cars off the road annually.

Some commentators give credit to the recent reduction in overhead costs for solar power.  Since 2008, the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically by 40% or more.  At the same time, government incentives have ballooned.  States across the nation are adopting green jobs incentive legislation, as well as renewable energy targets.

I hear you – you might be wondering why the largest urban solar plant is located in Chicago, rather than a city in California or Arizona.  Truth be told, Illinois enjoys more intense sunlight than either Japan or Germany – the world’s largest solar markets.

The Exelon solar plant will sell both solar electricity and solar renewable energy credits.

Kevin Lynch, who trains electricians to install solar panels notes the positive impact the new uptick in solar development could have for the economy, including the specific Chicago South Side site:

These were actual construction jobs, with decent wages, health insurance and pensions.  And there’s going to be clean energy coming from that site for years and years to come.

Fortunately for contractors looking for jobs and consumers looking to lower their utility bills, there are more than 22,000 MW of utility scale solar developments underway this year!  Those projects could generate enough power for 4.4 million homes.  And perhaps be the tipping point for the rest of us that are considering solar power as a viable, green option.

Expensive, luxury homes often are subject to restrictive HOA rules

As a long-time land use attorney, I know first hand that homeowners associations (also known as HOAs) can be very restrictive when it comes to any installations on the exterior of your house.  From basketball hoops to clotheslines, many associations prohibit items that they say will diminish property values in the neighborhood.

Perhaps not surprisingly solar panels may be restricted in a homeowners association.  Like satellite dishes and antennas, the aesthetic impact is the primary reason for HOAs’ prohibition of solar installations.  But trust me – you can find a way to have your solar and your neighborly relations too.

Know that, generally speaking, the CCRs (covenants conditions and restrictions) governing your neighborhood are like another layer of laws.  When you purchase a home in the neighborhood, you enter a contract agreeing to abide by the rules and regulations (tip: don’t buy a house in an area that has overly restrictive CCRs).  Still, the HOA rules must be fair and fairly enforced.  Not only that, but they must abide by state and federal laws.

In California, for example, you can support your request for solar panels to an HOA board of directors with citations to the following laws:

• The Solar Rights Act of 1978: No one is allowed to prohibit or restrict the installation or use of a solar energy system. In addition, no one, other than a public entity, is allowed to “willfully avoid or [delay]” the installation of a solar energy system.  If you run afoul of these requirements, you may face a fine.
• Section 714 of California Civil Code: Municipalities and HOAs only may restrict a solar energy system if the restrictions don’t result in a cost increase of more than $2,000 or decrease its efficiency/performance by more than 20%.

Don't let your neighborhood prevent you from saving money and CO2 with solar panels

Knowing that asking for HOA approval of your solar panels is a delicate, political issue, consider these tips.

1.  Be upfront with your adjoining neighbors before you even start your application.  Invite them over to review the plans and make them your allies… or at least diffuse potential issues before they start.

2.  Remember that you are the applicant – not your solar contractor.  The people in your community will be living next to you, and will want to hear your side of why you are proposing to install solar panels.

3.  Carefully prepare your application with photographs of similar installations done by your contractor and include assurances regarding potential aesthetic impact.

4.  Demonstrate why you want to go solar with detailed information about cost savings and positive impacts to the environment.

5.  Rally support among other neighbors in your community and ask them to either sign a petition, write a letter or attend a public hearing on your behalf.  There is strength in numbers!

6.  If all else fails, consider hiring an attorney to review your CCRs, your proposal and help you prepare an appeal.  Best bet, to get legal representation on your side as you prepare the original application!

Prepare for a better result from your HOA when it comes to solar panels

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Solar hot water systems to reduce energy usage

More and more commercial operations are turning to renewable energy to green their practices to both save money and the environment.  In fact, green hotels use solar hot water to significantly defray operating costs and energy usage.

We’ve written about solar hot water systems incorporated into breweries and dairies – both of which have high hot water demands.  It shouldn’t be surprising that hotels and resorts that turn to solar hot water can really cut down on energy demands.

Consider that one of the largest components of hotel operating costs is hot water.  Not only is it used by guests to take showers and shave, but significant amounts are demanded each and every day to wash towels and other linens, clean guest rooms and more.

Instead of relying on electricity, natural gas or oil, green hotels can now use solar hot water to maintain profit margins and avoid passing on energy cost increases to their guests.  In fact, many properties can expect to save thousands of dollars each year as a result of installing solar hot water.

One company, SunMaxx, has a super solar hot water system for both residential and commercial use.  In fact, they can help you develop a solar system to meet the needs of a hotel or resort, including pool and spa heating.

According to its website, a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System can be used for:

• Domestic Hot Water (laundry, cleaning, showers)
• Solar Radiant Space Heating
  • In floor radiant heating
  • Baseboard radiant heating
  • Forced hot air heating
• Solar Central Cooling / AC Systems
• Solar Pool & Spa Heating
• Snow / Ice Melting Applications
  • Sidewalks
  • Driveways
  • Parking Lots
  • Common Public Location

Solar powered boat lift on a dock in Washington State

If you enjoy boating as much as I do, you know what a pain it can be to hoist and lower your boat into the water.  Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about wiring your dock with electricity for an automatic boat lift.  Solar powered boat lifts use (and store) energy from the sun.  The solar energy can be used not only to move your boat into and out of the water, but also for dock lighting and security.

So where can you buy solar powered boat lifts?

As noted on my related blog post last year:

Many marine speciality stores and websites offer a range of solar powered items for boat enthusiasts.  A smaller battery is positioned on the dock or canopy where it will be exposed to as much sunlight as possible (avoid shady areas and those covered by vegetation).  Solar panels cover the battery component and recharge it by converting the direct current of solar energy.

We found a number of websites that offer solar powered accessories for your boating experience, whether you own a jet-ski, a speedboat, or a yacht:

• Boat Lift and Dock
• Sunstream Boat Lift
• MarineCo Suppliers
• Hewitt Boat Lifts
• Premier Materials

Local marine specialty stores will also carry a variety of boat lifts, including those with solar chargers.

Before ordering a solar powered boat lift, its advisable discuss your particular needs and circumstances (amount of sunlight exposure, location of the dock, size of your boat(s) and estimated power usage) with a sales representative.  Don’t forget to ask about solar incentives and tax rebates to defray costs!  Many professionals will assist you with necessary paperwork to maximize your savings.

Have a fun and safe boating season, and enjoy the sun!

Vista Del Verde in Yoba Linda California includes solar roofs

What if, when you bought a new home, solar energy was part of the overall package?  That is, along with a garage, windows and roof, can you imagine if solar panels were part of the deal?

Well, its happening in California.  At “The Preserve at Vista Del Verde,” in Yorba Linda, a community of 90 homes will start sales in September 2010.  You will be able to move into a new, solar-powered home.  Instead of investing in the cost of installing solar panels yourself, the rooftop panels will already be there.  All you’ll pay for is clean solar electricity.

Solar panels on rooftops is a smart way to save energy

The Preserve will be designed and constructed by Toll Brothers, while the solar rooftop installations will be handled by PetersenDean.  SunRun will handle the solar service for the community.

According to the official website:

The Preserve at Vista Del Verde is located in the final village of Vista Del Verde in Yorba Linda. This unique single-family community neighbors Lakeview Elementary School and enjoys breathtaking city light views. The Preserve will offer 7 new home designs ranging from 2,267 to 2,703 square feet. Convenient to Orange County’s entertainment, recreation, and fine dining, The Preserve homeowners will also benefit from wonderful amenities including the beautiful 18-hole championship Black Gold Golf Club, extensive trail systems connecting to Chino Hills State Park and Carbon Canyon Regional Park, picturesque vista points, and two neighborhood parks all within walking distance.

The solar rooftop option will allow new home buyers to pay a fixed rate of only $42 a month for electricity, guaranteed for the next 20 years.  Considering the average monthly utility bills of homes of this size, savings will be anywhere from $50-100 each month.  Just think how fast $1200 a year will add up in savings over 20 years (how does $24,000 sound?)

No need to worry about maintenance or insurance for your home solar power system.  SunRun has that covered.  All you need to do is select the solar energy feature on your new California home and then move in and watch the savings start accumulating!

For more information, be sure to check out these websites:

• SunRun
• Toll Brothers
• PetersenDean