The Solar Drop - DIY Solar and Solar Energy News

Small Scale Solar Electric Power Systems

2013-05-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

In the natural world, solar energy has two primary effects: heating and photochemical. The primary photochemical effect is photosynthesis, which is the foundation upon which all carbon fuels are built. Coal, oil, natural gas, wood, alcohol and any other fuel built by life are all forms of stored solar energy.

The heating effects of solar energy can be used for both heating and cooling by proper design of buildings, a practice that goes back many thousand of years. Wind power and ocean current power systems are basically means of capturing solar power for human use. A sail boat is a solar powered boat, even though most people don't usually think of it as such.

In the modern technological world we have learned to use focused sunlight to generate heat and, perversely, power refrigeration systems utilizing absorption type refrigeration. Focused sunlight can be used to power steam operated electrical generation plants and very high temperature ovens for scientific research. The ancient Greek scientist Archimedes was said to have used focused sunlight to set Roman ships on fire during the siege of Syracuse in 214-212 B.C.

Modern technology has a much simpler system for producing electrical power from sunlight. The photovoltaic effect ( a very distant relative of photosynthesis) produces electricity directly from sunlight. Devices called solar cells capture sunlight and produce electricity. Solar cells are usually small, perhaps a few square inches at most. They are not very thick and are usually supported and protected by glass or plastic and can be arranged in panels with up to several hundred cells connected and supported by some sort of framework.

GoGreenSolar.com offers a considerable selection of panels providing power up to 250 watts or as small as 7 watts. Portable power systems are usually designed to charge batteries and provide constant regulated power.

Goal Zero Yeti 1250

In many parts of the world, even in remote parts of the United States, electrical power is hard to come by. If you live 50 miles from the nearest power line, the connection fee for electrical service can be quite prohibitive. Many businesses and ngo's have designed solar power systems to provide electricity for remote sites. GoGreenSolar.com offers portable systems suitable for remote sites. They also offer components to create permanent off-grid power systems.

An off-grid system can be as simple as garden lighting or a charger to allow you to sit in the park or on a mountain trail with your portable electronics, whether a cell phone or lap-top computer. Perhaps it can be a back-pack system to provide power for a back-woods camping trip. Off-grid systems can be an emergency power system or a complete power system including efficient l.e.d. lighting for a remote house or even village, or perhaps it can be a power system for an r.v.

On-grid systems are designed to be part of the power grid, selling power to the "grid" when the solar panels are producing excess power and purchasing power when there is not enough sunlight or if the power demand exceeds production. Currently the cost of an on-grid system has become low enough for a practical home system to pay for itself within about 5 years in California or other states with similar amounts of sunlight. California has a program called SASH (Single-family Affordable Solar Home Program)to assist lower income families to purchase an on-grid solar power system. This program is scheduled to run out in 2015 unless extended.

Most power companies favor on-grid solar power systems because they provide additional power generation without having to build new power plants. Opposition comes from many people in the fossil-fuel industry.

This is a guest post by Liz Nelson from WhiteFence.com. She is a freelance writer and blogger from Houston. Questions and comments can be sent to: liznelson17 @ gmail.com.

5 Cheap DIY Energy Fixes

2013-04-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

The hot months of summer come upon us like an uncomfortable rash, sending us scurrying around looking for a solution. However, turning up the AC isn't always the best option. Here are a few energy fixes and tips that could save you money and keep you cool all year long.

Get Comfortable at Home

Image via Flickr by RLHyde

Dressing down at home is just common sense. Change into the lightest clothing you can wear, and get cozy. It's your house, after all. When you wear lighter clothing you might even think your warm house is a bit chilly. However, even if it's too warm for you, you won't have to drop the temperature nearly as much in short shorts and a tank as you would need to in thick jeans and a cardigan.

Common Sense With Windows

In the evenings you should keep your windows open and enjoy the draft, that is, as long as you have a screen. The screen will keep the bugs out, making the fragrant breeze a nice change from electrical drafts that don't smell like fresh flowers.

As important as it is to keep your windows open from evening to morning, it is just as important to keep them tightly shut from morning to night. Day time heat can be overwhelming. It fills a house with humidity and a dense sensation of oppressive heat.

Just a Few Degrees of Comfort

By turning your thermostat up just two degrees you can save a lot of money every month of summer. Just two degrees makes a world of difference for your energy bill. However, two degrees isn't much for your body. So, if you think you like your house at 68, kick it up to 70 and see if you even feel the difference: most likely the only change you'll notice is the drastic drop in your electrical bill.

Choke Your Chimney Today

Make sure the seal on your chimney is good and tight, even if it means asking a tough young neighbor over to choke it for you. This overlooked seal often causes a large hole in your pocket every month by leaking cold air.

When the winter months are over and you're sure there won't be another indoor fire all year, then it's time to seal the chimney. Make sure you have it done every year and you could save hundreds in runaway cooler air.

Check Your Seals

Along with your chimney you need to have every seal checked annually. Leaking window seals can cost you more than two degrees a month! By having someone scan your house for these temperature leaks you can save money all year long: in the summer it will keep the cold air in, and in the winter it'll keep your house nice and hot.

For more information on how to save money on energy bills, check out your local energy provider’s website or popular energy blogs. Informative sites can give you tips and practical money-saving advice that will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

By making a few smart choices a day you can save yourself hundreds in energy bills. These cheap (and free) energy fixes also help the environment, so you can feel great about your contribution to a greener planet.

--
Guest Post by Jake Fisher

Jake Fisher is a freelance writer who specializes in Tech and Culture. When he isn't writing you can find him in his urban garden, driving around in a Prius or riding his bike. For more information on how to save energy, grow your own food, or make anything follow Jake on Twitter @JakeMFisher

Sources
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/10-fixes-for-the-new-energy-crisis#slide-1

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20169070,00.html_

Basics of Wiring Parallel and Series

2013-04-23T13:07:00.005-07:00

An introduction to series and parallel circuits

Series connections: When a positive (+) end from one solar panel is connected to the negative (-) end of another module it is called a series circuit or a "string." When wired in series, the voltage increases but your current will remain the same. For every connection made in series, multiply the voltage by the number of solar panels.

For example, let's say you have four solar panels that are 12VDC, 10A. When you wire all four of them in series, just multiply the voltage of one solar panel for the number of solar panels in the string. In this case, this will be a total of 48VDC.

Keep in mind that connections in series do not change the amperage. The amps of one solar panel = the amps of all four solar panels connected in series.

Parallel connections: When positives(+) are connected with positives(+) and negatives(-) with negatives(-), this is called a parallel circuit. When wired in parallel, the current (amperage) will increase with each panel.

In this case, if you were to wire the same four 10A, 12 VDC solar panels in parallel, they'd have a current of 40 amps. The voltage wouldn't have increased, so it would still be 12VDC.

One last note- always talk with an electrician before attempting any sort DIY solar project and stay in compliance with any laws, fire codes, etc. that are specific to your area. Any questions?

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Electricity for Beginners

2013-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is a introduction to some of the fundamental concepts of electricity.

Think of electricity like water flowing through a pipe that's pitched on a hill. Gravity is the force that pushes the water down the pipe- this would be your voltage. The amount of water that moves through the pipe would be your current, or amperage.

A volt is a unit that measures the force of electrical pressure that moves electrons. An amp is measurement of the current flowing through a wire.

One amp of current moving with the force of one volt is equal to one Watt. Naturally, multiplying the volts by the amps will give you your total power in Watts.

Volts (V) x Amps (A) = Watts (W)

We're all familiar with Watts, as they're used to rate household appliances. One thousand Watts is equal to one kilowatt.

1000 Watts (W) = 1 kilowatt (kW)

When electricity is being used, we typically refer to it as "energy," which is expressed is watt-hours (or kilowatt-hours). A watt-hour is when an appliances draws electricity at a rate of one Watt for one hour. Your electric bill will show you how many kWh your home uses.

Watt-hours (Wh) = Watts x Hours

1000 Watt-hours (Wh) = 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Back to the actual flow of electrons- current. There are a couple kinds of electrical current: Direct Current (DC) and Alternative Current (AC).

Direct Current (DC) only moves in one direction, just like in that pipe metaphor we used earlier. DC current is the kind of electricity that solar panels produce or the kind of electricity that's stored in batteries.

Alternative Current (AC) is the kind of current that's constantly moving back and forth. This kind of electrical current is the same kind you use on a daily basis because it's what the utility company provides. Virtually all electronics you use are going to run on AC. This is why a solar system usually requires a a solar inverter: the DC electricity that comes out of your solar panels has to be turned into AC before you can use it to power all your lights, appliances, etc.

An electrical circuit is a "circular" path of electrons from a voltage source through a conductor (i.e. wire) to the load and then back again.

When this pathway is opened and continuity is broken, the electrons can't flow through and in this example, the light will turn off. When you flip the light switch, you're opening an electrical circuit. Kind of cool, huh?

More on circuits next time.

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Stop "Go Green California" Telemarketing

2013-04-18T11:19:00.005-07:00

Let me guess. A rude telemarketer claiming to be from "Go Green California something something" called your home multiple times attempting to set an appointment with you for a solar consultation, right?

I'll make this clear right off the bat- it's not GoGreenSolar.com and it's not GoGreenCalifornia.com.

You're sick of being harassed- you've tried calling back only to find that their caller ID sends you to some generic voicemail box. You searched "go green solar" and now you're talking to us.

We are familiar with this story, but it's not us.

Over the past several months, we've had countless individuals call in to complain about a company operating a shady call center, falsely identifying themselves as Go Green Solar or using a name that's similar at the very least. This company will apparently make multiple unsolicited phone calls - even to numbers on the National Do Not Call list.

Solar telemarketers like this often imply that they're with a government organization or claim to be the utility company. Businesses that depend on these tactics give renewable energy a bad name.

So far, we believe we've identified one of these companies with a call center located in Van Nuys, California. There could be more.

Please understand: GoGreenSolar.com does not do any telemarketing or door-to-door canvassing.

That being said, if you have any information about this company that is supposedly misusing our name, please help us put an end to their unethical business practices.

File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by following the link below:

File Complaint | FCC.gov

Thanks for your help.

*On a side note, please remember that telemarketers are just employees- they're often young people trying to make ends meet. The person making the phone call usually takes the heat for the sleazy company that employs them. Of course, this is never an excuse for rude or offensive behavior from that individual. *

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

2013-04-12T12:20:00.002-07:00

How to calculate a quick, easy GUESStimate for sizing a PV system.

"How much will it cost to power my XX,XXX square foot house?"

"How many solar panels do I need to eliminate my electric bill?"

We get questions like this every day from homeowners in the beginning stages of going solar.

For all intensive purposes, it's pretty much impossible to give you a number based on the size of your house or the dollar amount of your electric bill - it's all going to depend on the load. Though I hesitate to give a rough number like this, sometimes you do need a ballpark figure to start things off.

Alright, here we go:

To begin, calculate your average energy usage in kWh. Collect your electric bills for the past 12 months or more.

Get an average of kWh used on a monthly basis. Let's say that this number is 1100 kWh per month.

Now divide your average monthly usage by 30 to get your average daily kWh usage. In this case, it would be about 37kWh per day.

To keep things simple for this rough estimate, we'll assume that a 250W solar panel will produce about 1kWh a day. **Keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, based on a site location getting 4 hours of sunlight per day**

Assuming that you use about 37 kWh per day, you would need about 37 solar panels to meet 100% of your average energy needs.

Based on your current usage, how much of this do you want to offset with a solar power system?

100% ...75%.... 50% ? Multiply accordingly.

Let's say you wanted your solar system to account for 80% of your energy consumption.

37 kWh per day x 0.80 = 29.6 kWh

Since one solar panel produces about 1 kWh per day, you would use 30 solar panels to account for 80% of your average consumption.

The purpose of this is to give a rough idea of how many solar panels you will need. This sizing tool provides a quick number to go off of as you're shopping around- it's not a replacement for having an electrical contractor design a system for you.

Once you've calculated your average kWh use and determined the percentage that you plan to offset with solar, get a free solar quote from GoGreenSolar.com ;) We'll help you design a complete system that's specific to your roof and geographical location.

Any questions?

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Conserve Energy & Reduce Your Heating Bill (Infographic)

2013-04-02T14:09:00.002-07:00

Cook with the Sun!

Another way to conserve energy is to cook with the Sun. Solar cookers can cook, bake, dehydrate, or boil without using any traditional form of energy.

Cooking your food with solar energy locks in moisture and prevents burning and scorching that you often experience with conventional ovens.

All American SUN OVEN®

Sample Cooking Times

    Beef Roast, 2.5 lbs = 1 hour, 20 minutes
      Baked Chicken, 3 lbs = 1 hour, 15 minutes
      Bread = 45 minutes
      Rice = 40 minutes
      Chocolate Cake = 35 minutes
      Granola = 20 minutes

Suntech Bankrupt and Bosch Dropping Out of Solar

2013-03-29T17:01:00.001-07:00

Suntech Bankrupt, Bosch cools it on solar.

Another solar manufacturer bites the dust. This time, it's one of the world's leading solar manufacturers, Suntech. Suntech the first solar firm to go public back in 2005. The Chinese solar manufacturer was compelled to file for bankruptcy after it was unable to make a payment for $541 million.

Just days after the news of Suntech's bankruptcy, Bosch, a German auto parts manufacturer, pulled the plug on their solar manufacturing for 2014. Though Bosch Solar CISTech GmbH will continue to produce solar thin-film technology, Bosch's ingots, wafers, solar cells, and solar panels will no longer be in production.

Last year, Bosch lost one billion euros ($1,282,200,000 US Dollars).

"The drastic changes in the market, particularly the rapid increase in capacity in China, simply couldn't be foreseen... We are still convinced that photovoltaics will play an important role in the energy mix of the future. However, even we are not capable of sustaining such heavy losses forever," says Bosch's director, Dr Volkmar Denner.

Denner explains how the dramatic increase in Chinese manufacturing has created oversupply of solar panels in the market. Chinese manufacturing companies have captured about 80% of the global market for solar manufacturing- due in part to heavy subsidies from the Chinese government.

Some have argued that the recent bankruptcy of Suntech could mean that days of price reductions in the solar industry may be coming to a close.

Low prices have meant that more solar panels have been installed on rooftops in the U.S. - which is good in itself. It's awesome that solar is cheaper and more accessible than ever, but it's complicated. I'm not an economist, but even I can see that this seems to be a problematic situation.

U.S. manufacturers have also blamed the Chinese for illegally subsidizing these solar exports and essentially "dumping" solar products in the U.S. below fair market value.

While this hurt U.S. manufacturing, it meant cheaper prices for consumers. Business models with leases and power purchase agreements used these low-cost solar panels on top on U.S. roofs. If those Chinese companies go out of business, who will be left to honor those MegaWatts' worth of warranties?

Could the failure of the solar companies like Suntech and Bosch be a symptom of a larger problem?

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Support Equitable Access to Solar Energy!

2013-03-13T14:37:00.002-07:00

Should solar energy only be accessible to those who can afford to invest in a solar system?

The California Solar Initiative (CSI) has created financial incentives to encourage California citizens to adopt solar, helping homeowners across California reduce their electric bills.

A residential solar system in California will typically pay for itself in about 5 years, making the upfront cost a practical investment. The homeowner can watch as her electric meter spins backwards, reducing her electricity bill and giving her the satisfaction of knowing she's doing her part to reduce her family's carbon footprint.

But what about the homeowners who don't have the money to invest in a solar electric system?

Unfortunately, solar energy is not always an option for people without the means to finance a solar system, even through a lease or power purchase agreement. When you have mouths to feed and bills to pay, clean energy doesn't seem to be either an option or a priority.

To address this issue, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) offers solar rebate programs specifically designed for low-income homes in California. The Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program (SASH), along with the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing Program (MASH), was put in place with California Assembly Bill 2723.

This law allocates a minimum of 10% of the funds from the California Solar Initiative (CSI) to help qualified low-income households access solar energy through these programs. The Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program (SASH) gives low-income homeowners up-front rebates for the installation of solar electric systems in the service territories of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

Unless new legislation is made into law, the SASH program will come to close on December 31st 2015 - or sooner if funds run out before this date.

Assembly Bill (AB) 217, or the "Equitable Access to Solar Energy Bill," was introduced in January 2013. This bill proposes a new program that provides financial incentives for solar installations on low-income homeowners through 2021. It would provide 50 megawatts worth of monetary incentives for low-income residents to install solar systems to promote more equitable access to clean energy.

If AB 217 becomes law, it will require the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt this program, which would be funded by ratepayers within the territories of the San Diego Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas and Electric.

GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization that sponsors AB 217, is currently the statewide Program Manager for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program (SASH). Through SASH, GRID Alternatives has already helped more than 2,000 homeowners access the benefits of clean energy.

GRID Alternatives takes pride in offering their volunteers hands-on installation experience and networking opportunities that often lead to employment in the solar industry. Before Dave Donaldson became our lead design engineer, he was an passionate team leader for solar installations for Grid Alternatives. Most of the team at GoGreenSolar.com has volunteered with Grid Alternatives throughout the years.

What can you do to help?

Help Grid Alternatives continue to power communities in need by writing a letter of support for the AB 217.

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

The prospect of renewable energy –where will it stand in 40 years?

2013-02-27T09:09:00.003-08:00

The prospect of renewable energy –where will it stand in 40 years?

In the early years of the new millennium, few people thought that the use of renewable energy would spread wide. Nobody imagined that eventually nearly a third of the global wind power capacity would come from developing countries, or that by 2011 70% of new power capacity across Europe would be renewable. Indeed, projections made for the use of renewable energy by 2020 were already met by 2010.

But would this trend go on for the foreseeable future? Let’s take a look at a recent report of potential renewable energy situations in the next few decades.

A global partnership

In January of this year, a global partnership of stakeholders led by REN21 released the result of its months-long research regarding the future of renewable energy use. REN21 is comprised of key players from governments, international organizations, industry associations, science and academia, and individual members of civil society whose aim is to promote the global use of renewable energy through facilitating exchange of information, policy development, and initiating joint actions.

The report was released after a two-year collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP) and covers the following areas:

Current trends in renewable energy use
The challenges and possibilities of future renewable energy use
Economic issues covering investments and business models
Possibilities at the local/city level such as in urban planning and built-infrastructure, urban mobility, and 100% renewable communities
The evolution of technologies involved in renewable energy such as wind, solar PV, Solar Thermal Power (CSP), biomass, hydro, geothermal, ocean, and biofuels

From moderate to high outlooks

The report tackled 3 different levels of projection namely conservative, moderate, and high renewables. These projections were sourced from energy companies, scenarios, and experts in various fields.

The conservative outlook was based on projections by current energy companies who believe that the future will still be dominated by fossil fuels. Stating cost hurdles and variability challenges, the conservative outlook puts the share of renewable energy use at 20%, not much higher than it is today.

The moderate outlook on the other hand puts the share at between 30-45% by 2050. This projection, which includes shares in electricity, heating/cooling, and transport, was based on estimates of current trends and policies from experts. As well, various scenarios that factor in economic and political trends contributed to the overall projection. Much of the projection relies on the assumption that higher shares of renewable energy are integrated into power grids using various ways such as “demand-response, balancing with natural gas, new market structures for balancing services, and some energy storage.”

The high renewables outlook had a projection of 50-95% share for renewable energy use by 2050. This was based on scenarios projected not only by public advocacy organisations but also, surprisingly, of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA has previously published much lower projections, but the current need for renewable energy as well as changes in policy may have caused it to change their projections. Normally, high projections involve aggressive long-term policies as well as economic considerations such as the reduction of renewable energy costs.

The future of renewables

There is no doubt in the minds of the researchers that renewables will have a major share in energy use in the future, and this time it is no longer borne out of wishful thinking. The threat of climate change grows every day and the more we use fossil fuels the faster our planet deteriorates. Soon enough, there will be more devastating calamities that would force not just governments but fossil fuel companies as well to act. We could either wait for that to happen, or we could act now and create a better tomorrow for us all.

For more information about their report and to download a PDF copy of it, please visit REN21.

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Guest Post by Cassandra Allen, Marketing Director of www.IllustraLighting.com

Cassandra is a marketing professional with over 15 years of extensive experience leading corporate marketing and internal communications for multi-national companies in diverse industries

Take Action to Protect Renewable Energy!

2013-02-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

The war on renewable energy, brought to your state by big oil interests.

It is a time of growth and innovation for renewable energy across the U.S. This is scares big oil companies.

There are special interest groups that are making it a priority to repeal the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) that have put renewable energy targets into action, promoting domestic energy production, national security, and U.S. job growth.

There are currently 29 states that have made the decision to require their utilities get a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, including wind and solar energy.

The two of the groups behind these efforts are the Heartland Institute, a think tank dedicated to climate change skepticism, and the American Legislative Exchange (ALEC), a group funded by the big oil Koch brothers that drafts model legislation for state legislatures. ALEC's "task force" is a counsel that includes BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell.

Under the clever guise of "Electricity Freedom Act," ALEC drafts model legislation for state legislatures that will repeal state-required renewable energy.

According to a report by the Washington Post, the economic analyses ALEC cites to push this model legislation were published by Koch-funded research.

"You push the legislation to state legislators and then you fund reports to support the argument and convince state lawmakers," says Gabe Elsner of the watchdog group called the Checks and Balances Project.

The Koch-funded think tanks have a strong history of peddling the false dichotomy that if it's green, it can't ever be economically feasible.


The installation of new wind energy capacity outpaced coal and natural gas last year, which was partially made possible by these state standards. Last year, the U.S. solar employment grew at a rate of 13.2%.

Clean energy is getting cheaper with every year and now is not the time to strip away the renewable energy policies that we chose to implement in our states.

Stop these special interest groups from imposing their fossil fuel agenda on our states.

What can you do?

Take action today!

Tell lawmakers in your state we should not repeal Renewable Portfolio Standards.

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

What's the Future of Solar?

2013-02-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

Top 7 Myths About Solar Energy

2013-02-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

1. Solar energy is too expensive.

According to SunRun, 97% of Americans overestimate the upfront cost of going solar. Since the price of PV has been declining, solar energy is more affordable than ever.

There are federal and state incentives in place today that give the technology the chance to grow, while making solar energy more affordable for homeowners. State and regional incentives vary along with the "soft costs" associated with permitting- much of this is going to be specific to the location where you're installing your system.

To learn more about incentives that are specific to your area, visit dsireusa.org.

Solar systems in the U.S. qualify for a 30% federal tax credit. If you have tax liability, you can use your solar system to claim a credit of 30% of qualified expenditures for your solar system that's located in the United States.

See the Solar Energy Savings Calculator to figure out how much you can save by switching to solar.

2. Solar panels only work on hot, sunny days.

Solar panels actually work best on clear, cool days. Contrary to the common misconception that solar only works on sunny days, solar panels will continue to generate at about 30% of their normal output when it's cloudy or foggy.

Germany, which doesn't have a reputation for being the sunniest place, had about 21.6 times more solar power installations per capita than the United States by the end of 2011.

Another interesting fact is that solar panels can handle climates that experience intense weather conditions like hail. Solar panels often tested by shooting them with projectiles the size of golf balls to ensure that they can handle environmental pressure from snow and hail. Quality solar panels are protected with tempered glass and rated for hail impact.

3. I can size a solar system based on the square footage of my home.

Unfortunately, it's pretty much impossible to get an accurate idea of how many kW of solar you should install without doing some homework first. This number is going to depend a several factors, and the first step for you is determining your load.

The amount of kWh used by your home is the most important factor in determining a solar system for your home. Dig out your electric bills for the past year to get an idea of how much you use on a monthly and yearly basis. You can also use this Load Calculator to figure out how much electricity you use.

From here, you can use Solar Power Calculator to get a rough idea of the size of system you're looking at.

4. Solar requires constant maintenance.

Solar has no moving parts, so consequently, there is almost zero maintenance required to care for a solar system.

The main thing to consider is cleaning your solar array every now and then to maximize the output. Use Powerboost Solar Panel Cleaner to prevent build-up, also known as "soiling" of your solar panels.

The only time a solar system would require more regular maintenance is if you're using batteries. This bleeds into the next myth about solar energy.

5. Solar energy requires batteries.

The majority of solar electric systems out there are grid-tied, so instead of storing the electricity, they send it back into the utility grid. Basically, installing a grid-tie solar system means you'll be drawing less energy from the grid than if you relied solely on your utility company for electricity.

Off-grid solar systems, commonly called stand-alone or autonomous solar systems, are ideal for homes that don't have access to a grid electricity.

6. When the grid goes down, my solar panels will power my home.

Most solar systems are tied to the grid, so if the power goes out in your neighborhood, your home will lose power as well.

This feature prevents your system from sending electricity into the grid while workers might be working on the utility power lines. Sending electricity into the grid during a power outage is a safety hazard.

7. You can only install a solar system if you have a South-facing roof.

Though it's ideal to install your solar array on a South-facing roof that's clear of shading, solar systems can be put on West and East-facing roofs and still effectively produce energy.

Solar systems can also be mounted on flat stretch of land with a ground mount or pole mounting solution.

Have you heard any other claims about solar energy and want some clarification? Leave a question in the comments or send an email to info@gogreensolar.com.

_______________

Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

How Does Solar Energy Work?

2013-02-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

NFL "Green Energy" Infographic

2013-02-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Solar-Powered Aircraft to Fly Around the World?

2013-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

The world's first solar-powered flight around the world is not too far into the future.

The Solar Impulse HB-SIA, a lightweight airplane powered entirely by solar, is planning its first cross-country voyage for this year with no fuel- that's only if you don't count photons from the sun.

The Solar Impulse was an idea that became a working prototype through ambition, years of planning, and hard work. An airplane that can fly during both day and night exclusively from solar energy was the kind of aspiration most would disregarded as unfeasible, simply because it hadn't been done yet.

"If an aircraft is able to fly day and night without fuel, propelled only by solar energy, let no one claim that it is impossible to do the same thing for motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning systems and computers. This project voices our conviction that a pioneering spirit with political vision can together change society and bring about an end to fossil fuel dependency." - Bertrand Piccard, Solar Impulse.

Solar Impulse HB-SIA is the prototype that's proving to the world that can be accomplished with renewable energy.

With a wingspan exceeding 200 feet, the Solar Impulse HB-SIA has a width comparable to that of an Airbus A340. The plane has a skeleton of carbon fiber-honeycomb composites and only weighs about 1.8 tons- about that of an average vehicle. The entire plane is designed to conserve energy.

In June of 2012, this pilot project successfully completed a 19-hour trip from Spain to Morocco.

In 2013, Solar Impulse HB-SIA plans to fly the plane from California to Virginia, so keep your eyes peeled for more news on this plane.

The Solar Impulse HB-SIB, the next generation model that's been under construction since 2011, has a wing-span loaded with 15000 monocrystalline solar cells to keep the plane powered for its trip around the world in the next couple of years.

The Solar Impulse HB-SIB will attempt to circumnavigate planet Earth, flying both day and night. It's even equipted with a cockpick that's large enough for the pilots to recline and take a snooze. There will be 5 stops along the way to switch pilots every few days.

Testing of the Solar Impulse HB-SIB is scheduled for 2014 and the plane's round-the-world flight is planned to take place between April and July of 2015. Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, the project's leaders, feel confident that they will fly a solar-powered airplane across the globe in 2015.

According to www.SolarImpulse.com, the aim of the Solar Impulse project is "to use the power of this airborne symbol to help change people’s minds about renewable energies. In the present context, people are put off by the sheer scale of the problems. Instead, they should be encouraged, because technological solutions exist that can create jobs and open new markets whilst also protecting the environment."

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

How do Modern Building Designs Promote Energy Efficiency?

2013-01-28T09:32:00.001-08:00

While architecture for many years was solely related to the appearance of a building, there have been many changes in recent years. Given the level of environmental awareness that we are all now expected to have, modern architecture is reflective of this. Today’s new buildings are greener and more energy efficient than ever before. We looked at how modern designs promote this new outlook, and what the long-term impacts and results will be.

Location Location

No, there isn’t a glut of buildings under construction in a particular part of the world because it has more exposure to sunlight or wind. However, the location of buildings in terms of how they are constructed plays a central role in determining energy efficiency, especially when it comes to relying on solar power.

A building that faces the south, for example, can expect to enjoy more natural light than it otherwise would. These buildings can therefore benefit more from solar harnessing, should they engage in it, or a massively reduced energy bill as they wouldn’t rely on artificial light during the day.

Material Gains

The range of materials used in the construction industry is perhaps the biggest factor when it comes to promoting energy efficiency in new builds. In recent years, products such as ETFE, texlon, and other tensiles have become widely used as designers look to create the most environmentally friendly constructions possible.

The benefits that can be enjoyed from such materials is enormous. As well as the environmental positives that lead to a huge reduction in energy usage and costs, they are also great for bringing down the actual construction costs, too. The low weight of most of these also means that the use of metals such as steel and iron has been reduced dramatically, which is another positive step.

The Bigger Picture

Modern building trends are moving towards completely sustainable constructions, rather than those that may have a solar roof that can heat 50% of a buildings’ water, for example.

Today, initiatives such as carbon capture are high on the agenda of designers and scientists, so that any emissions buildings do create can be re-used positively. The growing use of on-site waste and water recycling practices are also combining to make buildings more efficient than ever before, with owners happy to become accountable for their carbon footprint and act accordingly to reduce this.

In today’s environmentally conscious world, energy efficiency is regarded as a minimum expectation, and any aesthetic or other benefits that extend from this are seen as a welcome addition. How something looks isn’t the beginning and the end of the debate anymore, which can only be a positive for the environment in the end.

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This article is written by Vector Foiltec, inventors of the use of Texlon which consists of ETFE that is used during the construction of some of the worlds most modern and impressive buildings.

PV Magazine Quotes Deep Patel, GoGreenSolar.com CEO

2013-01-25T14:46:00.001-08:00

Deep Patel, CEO of GoGreenSolar.com, was quoted in PV Magazine's year-end article along with several top industry executives.

PV Magazine is an independent trade publication that focuses on trends in technology, market developments across the globe, and news related to photovoltaics.

PV Magazine's article, The 2012 Solar Year in Review and What Lies Ahead in 2013, identified many of the challenges facing the industry, including U.S. photovoltaic manufacturers' ongoing conflict with China and the resulting plunge of prices for solar panels.

In the article, GoGreenSolar.com CEO, Deep Patel, comments on how some of these challenges could be opening doors:

'It's accurate to say that 2012 was rough for solar manufacturers, but business wasn't as dismal for everyone else," commented Deep Patel, founder and CEO of GoGreenSolar.com, a West Covina, California-based manufacturer and installer green power systems for both ratepayers and public utilities.

He told pv magazine, "The falling price of PV enabled more consumers to go solar, which meant more business for [installers and balance of system producers]. This year also saw both Enphase and SolarCity go public [in the United States]. Needless to say, it's an exciting time to be in solar and we're looking forward to another great year!'

See the original article here.

Warren Buffett Invests in Solar?

2013-01-09T15:50:00.003-08:00

Last week, Warren Buffett purchased the largest photovoltaic project to date. Buffet's MidAmerican Energy Holding Co. acquired the Antelope Valley Solar Projects from SunPower Corporation for $2 billion- $2.5 billion.

Warren Buffett is one of the wealthiest people on the planet.

Located in Los Angeles County and Kern County, the two plants of the Antelope Valley Solar Projects amount to the largest photovoltaic project worldwide:

579 Megawatts.

To give you an idea of how massive this project is, a solar panel used in residential applications might be around 230 Watts. That would mean more than 2,500,000 230 Watt solar panels.

SunPower Corporation, which has been planning the Antelope Valley Solar Projects for the last four years, will develop and operate the plants with MidAmerican. Construction for the project begins this quarter and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. During construction, the Antelope Valley Solar Projects are expected to create more than 650 jobs.

The low-cost renewable energy will be supplied to Southern California Edison through power purchase agreements, which will help California work towards its energy goals.

"The Antelope Valley Solar Projects mark a historic milestone for the energy industry," says Howard Wenger of SunPower Corporation. “We are delivering highly reliable low-cost renewable energy at a very large scale. SunPower is proud to partner with MidAmerican Solar and SCE, recognized leaders in clean energy development, bringing critically needed jobs and economic opportunity to California and helping the state achieve its renewable portfolio requirement.”

The subsidiary of Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, MidAmerican Renewables, now holds over 1,830 megawatts of solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro assets.

The Antelope Valley Solar Projects is not only the largest photovoltaic project to date, but it underscores the viability of solar as a practical investment.

Having Warren Buffett behind a project like this is definitely a step forward for solar.

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

How Much Will Solar Cost You?

2013-01-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

Infographic by Visual News

Looking Back on Solar in 2012

2012-12-28T14:55:00.000-08:00

Looking back on the solar in 2012, U.S. manufacturers have struggled to stay afloat amidst the solar trade issues with China, but it wasn't as bad for the rest of the industry.

Despite the attempt to promote U.S. manufacturing of PV by cracking down on Chinese dumping of solar products below fair market value, Chinese manufacturers found loopholes in the legislation to circumnavigate the tariffs imposed on US imports. It's tariffs were put on the cells manufactured in China. Solar cells are manufactured outside of the country, and then assembled into solar panels in China before shipping to the U.S. This has created all sorts of turmoil for U.S. manufactures and we're seeing some players start to slip away.

Yet the ongoing drop of prices meant that more people were able to go solar. Overall, 2012 has been a record year for photovoltaic installations.

The third quarter of 2012 saw the installation of 684 megawatts of solar- a 44% growth over last year's Q3, making it the third largest on record for the United States PV industry. For more information from SEIA, check this out: U.S. Solar Market Insight: Third Quarter 2012.

From the beginning of 2010 to now, the cost of residential solar installations fell 21.8% to around $5.46 per watt, according to GTM Research.

The same plummeting prices that have hurt U.S. manufacturers have meant more work for U.S. retailers, third-party financing, inverter manufacturers, and installers.
This year, we also witnessed two solar companies go public. In late March of this year, Enphase Energy went public. This past month, Elon Musk's SolarCity also announced the pricing for their initial public offering.

Moving forward into 2013, GoGreenSolar.com is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for customers and the industry at large. Solar panel prices are low, competition is high, customers are buying, and the technology continues to improve. Needless to say, it's an exciting time to be in the solar business. Thanks for being a part of our story!

What do you think 2013 has in store for solar?

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Introduction to RECs

2012-12-21T16:37:00.000-08:00

Clean Energy: Electrons Sold Separately?

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), commonly referred to as "Green Tags," can help states meet their Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and other renewable energy mandates. As state RPS requirements call for utilities to procure specific percentages of the energy they provide from renewable sources, Renewable Energy Certificates gain traction as a convenient opportunity. This post will provide a brief introduction to RECs are and how they can be used.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

A Renewable Energy Certificate, also known as an REC, is the legal ownership of the "clean" qualities of 1 MWh of electricity that's generated from renewable energy sources.

When electricity is generated by a qualified renewable source like solar, something really cool happens. Two commodities are generated: the electricity itself and the clean qualities of that electricity.

Electrons are the same whether they're produced by photovoltaics or fossil fuels, so the electrons from the renewable source can be sold just like any other electricity. The rights to the properties associated with this generation, however, can sometimes be traded independently. This is where Renewable Energy Certificates come into play.

One REC is equal to 1 MWh, or 1000kWh of the clean characteristics of electricity that's produced by the renewable source. In the case of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, or SRECs, this would be the "solar" attribute of the electricity generated by the solar panels. A clean energy provider receives one REC for each MWh that their facility produces, which they can then sell.

After purchasing an REC, these clean characteristics can be legally claimed by the purchasing party. RECs basically allow the customer to acquire the environmental benefits of renewable energy in measurable quantities.

Though the ownership of these certificates is tracked by renewable energy tracking systems such as M-RETS (Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System) and/or WREGIS (Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System), the qualities associated with RECs are intangible so they don't have to be restricted by geographical location in the same way as the actual electricity. The clean qualities of the REC will sometimes have to be bundled with the actual electricity, but in theory they don't necessarily need to be. The extent to which RECs transcend these physical limits does depend on legislation, but we'll see how REC markets play out with legislation in the coming years.

In renewable energy certificate markets, facilities are used to keep track of the certificates. Every MWh that is generated is given an identification number so it cannot be used twice or by more than one party. After a certificate is claimed by its rightful owner, is considered to be "retired" and cannot be used again.

Markets for RECs

There are two kinds of markets for trading RECs: compliance and voluntary. Compliance markets exist so that utilities can meet their renewable portfolio standard (RPS) minimums that are set forth by state legislation.

A state's Renewable Portfolio Standards require that a certain percentage of electricity supplied by utility companies and electricity providers should come from renewable sources.

To meet the legally required amount of renewable energy at the state level, utilities and energy suppliers will purchase RECs via spot markets, auctions, and contracts. These energy providers may then claim the rights to the environmental attributes of the clean electricity with RECs. There are currently a little more than a half dozen viable compliance markets.

In a voluntary market, individuals and companies choose, on their own accord, to purchase clean electricity to offset their consumption of fossil fuel-based electricity. In this sense, businesses could potentially have the opportunity to "offset" this consumption while showing their commitment to the progress of green energy in our society. Voluntary markets don't really exist right now because their value is miniscule.

"The voluntary REC market for rooftop solar generators (both in California and nationwide) really does not exist," says Adam Gerza of The Leaf Exchange "Voluntary market REC values are so low, it just is not worth the time and effort of doing the REC registration and reporting."

Why RECs?

The United States, which accounts for about 5% of the world's population, uses around 25% of the fossil fuel-based energy consumed on this planet.

RECs support the generation of electricity from clean energy sources, thus reducing the need for fossil fuel-based generation to meet consumer demand. Though participants may not necessarily be using the generated electricity directly, they indirectly to minimize the need for fossil-fuel generation.

RECs promotes renewable energy as a viable, competitive alternative to fossil fuel-based energy.

http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/resources/pdfs/37388.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/documents/gpp_basics-recs.pdf

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Tom Jackson

www.gogreensolar.com

Solar Brings Down Electricity Costs

2012-12-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Image Credit: PV Magazine

See Who Really Goes Solar

2012-12-07T10:30:00.001-08:00

Think that every homeowner who installs a solar system is an affluent liberal?

It would surprise some people to discover that most solar customers are politically moderate folks who wouldn't have installed a system if it wasn't for the financial benefit of solar energy.

A good number of solar customers are technology lovers and budget-conscious consumers who expect a solid return on their investment.

Infographic by Visual News

How to Use a "Kill A Watt" Energy Meter

2012-12-05T17:03:00.003-08:00

Want to test your household appliances to see how efficient they really are?

A Kill A Watt Energy Meter allows you to safely and accurately measure the power consumption of household appliances. You can check the amps, volts, and even see the cumulative consumption of your appliances by kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is the measurement your utility company uses on your bill.

This tool exposes those dreaded vampire loads around your house. A vampire load is an appliance that uses energy even when they're "turned off." Some of the main energy-sucking culprits in your home could be the microwave, PC, coffee maker, or television. You could have a number of these vampire loads running 24/7, costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Anything with a digital clock is a suspect, so let's learn how to test an appliance!

This little gadget will make it easy to determine what's costing you the most. You can set the Kill A Watt Energy Meter to measure the cost of running an appliance by adjusting this energy meter to a rate(s) that's comparable to what your utility company charges per kWh.

The Kill A Watt Energy Meter is particularly helpful for estimating the amount of energy used by appliances that cycle. I decided to plug our refrigerator into the Kill A Watt to see just how much energy it draws.

Step 1. Plug it in

To get started, plug your appliance directly into the Kill A Watt and then plug your Kill A Watt into the AC wall outlet.

Currently drawing 118.8 Volts

Now you can reference the Kill A Watt's LCD display to see the voltage (Volts) and current (Amps). In addition to volts and amps, it'll show you Watts (which is volts x amps), and frequency in Hz.

Over time, the Kill A Watt will rack up kilowatt-hours. To get an idea of how much it costs to run my fridge, I have the rate set at $0.25 per kWh. I'm presupposing that that I pay my utility company a quarter for every kilowatt-hour I use.

Step 2. Check the Clock

You might want to take a note of the time you plugged it in, even though it will tally the hours that it's connected.

Come back in a day, a week, or whenever.

Step 3. Write it Down

Once the Kill A Watt has been plugged in for a while, you can read the sum of the energy your appliance consumed in kilowatt-hours. After reading the LCD display for the cumulative kWh, you can use this information to calculate the average amount of energy used by the appliance per day, week, month, or year.

Be sure to write down all the information or snap some pictures with your phone before unplugging the Kill A Watt Energy Meter because it doesn't have a battery!

In my case, I left the refrigerator plugged into the Kill A Watt for 145 hours. I also noted that the total energy used by the appliance in that time was 12.41 kWh.

145 hours connected

Since I had the rate set at $0.25 per kWh, the Kill A Watt Energy Meter shows that, hypothetically, cost of running this refrigerator for 145 hours was $3.10... But I want more information than that!

Step 4. Do Some Math

With this information from the Kill A Watt, I'll determine the monthly kWh used by the refrigerator. I'll round the numbers off for simplicity.

12.41 kWh over 145 hours

To get the average amount of kWh used per hour, I divide the total kWh by the amount of time that's passed since plugging it in.

12.41 kWh / 145 hours = 0.085 kWh used per hour

To get the average kWh used in a day, I multiply that hourly amount by 24 because there are 24 hours in a day.

0.085 kWh per hour x 24 hours in a day= 2.04 kWh per day

Now that I have the average amount of kWh used in a day, I can multiply that number by 30 to get the average monthly kWh (given that a month has about 30 days).

2.04 kWh per day x 30 days in a month= 61.2 kWh per month

I now have a rough estimate of the kWh used by the appliance in one month: 61.2 kWh.

Remember how I set the cost at $0.25 per kWh? Multiply that 0.25 by 61.2 kWh and you get $15.30.

Now I know that it costs about fifteen bucks a month to keep this refrigerator running because it uses roughly sixty kilowatt-hours every month.

I'll probably be running around our office checking all our appliances now. What should I test next?

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Tom Jackson