solar

It's sunshine, it's free, it's simple enough—right? With all the things to consider, from interpreting the power bill and reviewing solar proposals to comparing paying cash with lower-cost offerings, the process of switching to solar can leave a homeowner buried in paperwork and as confused as ever.

In recent years, a number of innovate companies and business models have emerged to help lower the initial costs and barriers to entry for consumers. Examples include New Resource Bank's solar financing initiative, CitizenRe's solar rental plan (still in pilot phase), and Solar City's group buying program, which also makes it easier to sell power back into the grid in states where this is possible. People can find lots of great information on financial and other aspects of solar at The Solar Guide website.

Another company who provides an innovative financing and service solution for consumers is Sun Run , who’s borrowed a model from commercial markets. We’ve written about them before , and we recently caught up with President and COO Nat Kreamer to get his thoughts on what people should be thinking about as they evaluate solar and solar service providers.

"Californians know that solar power saves money and cuts global warming. Now homeowners are asking us how to go solar in the most financially responsible way, so they can avoid hidden costs or hassles down the road," said Nat. "We're all concerned about the same things: making smart spending decisions that also help protect our environment."

Here's a list of the top seven questions homeowners should answer before they can triumphantly watch the meter spin backwards.

Q: I know solar is great for the environment, but I want to know the economic benefits--How do I compare the long-term cost of solar to what I currently pay my utility?

Hi everyone!!!

I am thrilled to announce our prefab Green Cottage Kit design is here!

Although a modern enthusiast, I grew up (and my parents still reside) in a home built in 1801. A Virginia native, I appreciate old farmhouses, Victorian brownstones, colonial and happy, yes, exuberantly happy cottage architecture.

So, when people came to me on GreenModernKits.com asking for a cottage, I understood.

So I kidnapped Eric Drivdahl, an award winning architect with a heart of gold, and he designed a gorgeous, passive solar, SIPs, cottage kit with so many thoughtful details:

- 2,000 sq. ft. (and less: this house has 3 configurations)

- 3 bedrooms (or less)

- Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) for energy efficiency

- Passive Solar

- Trombe Wall

- Nooks and Crannies where you can curl up and read your books!

We haven't even named it yet, but we're so happy.

If you have any names you'd like to suggest, we'd love to hear them!

Sincerely yours,

Copeland

aka Green Modern Kits! : )

Ok, don't tell anyone, but I flat-out admit it:
As a sailor, I loathe powerboats.

I watch them speeding by with inept skiiers, waves crashing into my (no wake zone) dock, jarring and jostling my beloved boat... The high whine of the sea-doos as they zip about oncoming boats with no inkling of right-of-way much less port or starboard... UGH. The oily film they leave about the piers where they congregate... Ew, I'm making myself queasy when I think of it (or maybe it was last night's Green Drinks cocktails?)...

Any-hoo, to that segment of our seafaring population, I humbly submit:
The Solar-Powered Power Boat

Go check it all out (there's even a video) here:
http://ecoble.com/2008/04/15/awesome-solar-powered-bicycle-boat-design/

and make *sure* you visit the designer's site:
http://www.mj-design.fr/

Call me a geek (oh, yes I heard you!) but I have a green building group on myspace.

Normally I would never bring it up, it's more of a diversion from work when my eyes start to criss-cross-- I then head over and drop a silly post on passive solar gardening (get it, a cold frame?) or take pictures of my latest solar cooking endeavor just to annoy the architects and engineers...

But two posts I would like to share for several reasons...
One, regarding a solar powered plant being built by Arizona Power, perked the interest of a thermotechnic engineer reader in Serbia. Next thang ya know, I'm dialoging back and forth with a charming Renewable Energy dude from Arizona Power and the Serbian engineer as they ask each other questions...

It really makes you think about the power we have to effect change in our world... and as I pondered those intricacies, I realized that the engineer’s questions regarding Arizona Public building a solar power plant reminded me that such technology and innovation is not national, not global, but that we need to apply and educate people within our own local back yards.

Here, in Virginia, there is a proposed "Clean Coal Power Station" in Wise County, Virginia.
Read Dominion Energy’s take on it here:
http://www.dom.com/about/stations/fossil/swva.jsp

...and opposition here:
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/149689
http://www.southernenvironment.org/cases/wise_county/index.htm
http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/news/news_detail.cfm?id=403
http://thegreenmiles.blogspot.com/2007/12/action-needed-help-stop-wise-c...
(and more...)

With technology such as Arizona Power is implementing... why are we even discussing coal?

Still dreaming of a solar powered house but think you can't afford it? Even with State and Federal assistance, installing a full solar system on your house can run you upwards of $10,000, depending on your location.

A new collection of companies are taking a lesson from the auto industry and are renting solar panels to consumers. Based out of San Francisco, Sun Run is one of the key companies in this new solar trend.

But just how does it work? Sun Run's solution is the first all-inclusive residential solar electricity package, offered for less than your current electric bill. You will lock in a below-market rate for the electricity the panels generate on your roof, and you can relax knowing that Sun Run will optimize, monitor, and maintain the system they install at no extra cost.

Such a sustainable and affordable option was one we couldn't resist investigating. Sun Run President Nat Kreamer was nice enough to take some time to chat with Building Green TV about his unique company and everything they offer for customers. Keep reading for details about Sun Run's beginnings, actual customer savings, expansion plans, and solar misconceptions. This is one interview you won't want to miss!

Building Green is one of the most important things we can do. When it is done on a neighborhood scale the advantages are multiplied exponentially. One inspiring example of building green on a neighborhood scale is the New Urbanist sustainable community of Oshara Village now under construction in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This unique New Urbanist environmental village, the first to combine New Urbanism and Sustainable Neighborhood Design, is the first example of its kind in the United States. Oshara will allow residents to drastically reduce their use of non-renewable resources and overall energy consumption. Studies by New Village Institute in Santa Fe estimate that energy used for driving will be cut by 60% and home energy use by over 50%. Through wise land planning, mixed-use zoning, green built homes and commercial buildings, and water recycling, Oshara Village will become one of the most green communities in the Unites States.

2008 is fast approaching, and the team at GetWithGreen.com is stopping now to recognize a few of our favorite eco-friendly home improvement products for 2007. These products are assembled together under one roof: GetWithGreen.com’s 10 Best Green Home Remodeling Products for 2007.

GetWithGreen.com’s 10 Best Green Home Remodeling Products for 2007 consists of manufacturers (or categories) who deliver eco-friendly products, which make our planet a greener place. These products help us conserve, help us reuse, help us recycle, or help us become less reliant on existing harmful resources. We also looked heavily at the popularity of these products with you, our readers.

Let’s give a GetWithGreen.com Thumbs up to our 10 Best Green Home Remodeling Products for 2007:

1) Cyber-Rain – “The smartest, greenest, and easiest irrigation system on the planet.”

sprinkler cyberrainThe Cyber-Rain XCI System caused quite a bit of stir at GetWithGreen.com in 2007. It was one of the most widely read stories, and for good reason. Resetting the sprinkler timer at every change of season, or for un-seasonal weather changes, just isn’t practical – and we don’t do it! Instead we just let our sprinklers turn on when it is not necessary, and we waste our most precious resource. The Cyber-Rain XCI System made it to our list because it automatically adjusts our sprinklers depending on the weather forecast, thus greatly reducing water usage, and...

Read the other winners at www.GetWithGreen.com

Preparing to install your first set of solar panels? Wondering if you are harnessing all the sun's energy that you possibly can? A new device from California-based Solmetric stands to help both residential and commercial solar power users get the most from their investment.

Also useful when designing the layout of new construction or remodeling projects, the Solmetric SunEye is a "hand held electronic device that allows users to instantly assess total potential solar energy given the shading of a particular site. Identifying the shading pattern early in the process reduces the expense of system and home design and improves the efficiency of the final system or house," according to the Solmetric website.

Release just last year, the SunEye was recently chosen as one of BuildingGreen's Top 10 Products for 2007. Chosen from over 200 products being reviewed by the website, the SunEye joins fellow BGTV favorite LED light from LLF Inc.

An easy-to-use interface and USB connection for data transfer to your computer makes the SunEye simple for all users. What else does this swank little device do? Here are a few more of its efficient features:

+ Integrated electronics plot solar exposure at that location.

+ Users can edit images, simulating the removal of obstructions such as trees or structures.

+ Shading percentages in monthly, seasonal, annual, and multi-skyline averages can be determined in the field or uploaded to a personal computer via USB data cable for further analysis, reporting, and printing.

+ The Solmetric SunEye automatically generates reports for sales quotes and solar rebate applications.

This is simple to make. Made from two cardboard boxes (or even timber), some clear plastic wrap, and a little tape and you can build an inexpensive solar dehydrator. A functional food preservation machine that can be created for little work and little money. For full details on this great concept, go to http://ecostudio.com.au/self-reliance-diy/diy-solar-food-dehydrator.html

===========================================================
GreenerBuildings News: November 2, 2007
===========================================================

Welcome to the latest edition of GreenerBuildings News. We are committed
to bringing you the latest information and resources on the full
spectrum of environmental issues related to buildings and facilities.
Log on to http://www.GreenerBuildings.com for more up-to-date news,
tools, case studies, and other resources related to greener building
practices.

A full-color, graphic version of this newsletter is available online at:
http://www.greenerbuildings.com/enewsletter

=-=-=-=-=-=-= THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES =-=-=-=-=-=-=

What GreenBuild Will Bring to Chicago
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36192
World-class speakers, a multitude of sessions on every topic imaginable, awards
ceremonies and product announcements: here's what to expect at next week's
GreenBuild 2007, the country's biggest gathering of green buildings
professionals in a city that's striving to be the greenest of them all.

The Living Building Challenge: How Limits Can Liberate
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?Page=1&NewsID=36124
By Christine Ervin
It's time to embrace the abundance that can flow from nature's limits --
starting with caps on greenhouse gas emissions and moving toward a
carbon-neutral built environment.

Landscape Architects' Report Offers Hundreds of Tips for Sustainable Sites
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36194
The American Society of Landscape Architects yesterday released a comprehensive
report from its Sustainable Sites Initiative, giving a snapshot of the many ways
that architects, designers and facility managers can enhance how well their
sites fit into surrounding ecosystems, provide cleaner air and water, and reduce
the impact of climate change.

Berkeley to Vote on Making Home Solar Projects Easier
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36191
The city of Berkeley could be the first in the U.S. to subsidize solar panels
for homeowners and businesses in exchange for an add-on tax hike paid over 20
years.

Motel 6 Retrofitting Thousands of Rooms for Energy Savings
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36127
Motel 6 will team with Honeywell and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to install
sensors that shut off heating and air conditioning when units are empty.

Corporations Are Embracing Green Real Estate, Survey Finds
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36175
Nearly 80 percent of industry leaders say sustainability is a major issue for
today's businesses, and are willing to pay a premium to achieve it, according to
a survey from CoreNet Global and Jones Lang LaSalle.

GE Develops 'Eco-Dashboard' for Homeowners
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36183
General Electric Co. will introduce residential control panels in December to
help homeowners control water and power usage.

New Resource Bank Lands $10M Investment from State of Calif. for Green Projects
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36134
The state's treasurer announced the creation of a $10 million investment account
to finance green building and energy-efficiency projects around the state.

JCPenney Earns First Energy Star Rating for Four Retail Stores
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36184
The company's stores in Washington state are the first to receive the U.S. EPA's
retail Energy Star rating for their energy efficiency and other environmental
improvements.

New Online Resource Targets Green Contractors
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36164
A project launched by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America this
week aims to ma ke it easy for building professionals to learn about green
practices, and for green experts to deepen their knowledge and contacts.

German Team Wins Solar Decathlon; Maryland, Santa Clara Also in Top Three
http://greenerbuildings.com/news_detail.cfm?NewsID=36141
Germany's Technische Universität Darmstadt won the overall top score in the U.S.
Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon competition on the National Mall in
Washington, followed by the University of Maryland in second place and Santa
Clara University in third.

MORE OF THE LATEST NEWS... http://greenerbuildings.com/news.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TOOLS & RESOURCES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Sustainable Procurement of Wood and Paper-based Products
http://greenerbuildings.com/tool_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=94521
This report, a joint project between WRI and the WBCSD, helps organizations of
all sizes find their place in ensuring the sustainability of the earth's forest
resources by studying the long-term impacts of forestry goods.

MORE TOOLS & RESOURCES... http://www.greenerbuildings.com/tools.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURED EVENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ecobuild Fall and AEC-ST Fall
http://greenerbuildings.com/event_detail.cfm?LinkAdvID=77366

Host: Ecobuild America
Date: Dec 10-13, 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.

Ecobuild Fall and AEC-ST Fall covers green building, sustainable design,
renewable energy, environmental planning processes and information collaboration
strategies for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential
construction.

MORE EVENTS . . . http://www.greenerbuildings.com/search_events.cfm

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= GREENERBUILDINGS AND YOU =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

We'd like your feedback, questions, and ideas. Got a resource, tip, or
tool you'd like to share with others? Please write to
GreenerBuildings@GreenerWorldMedia.com, or click on the "Contact" link
on the home page.

We'll look forward to hearing from you.

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