Archive of posts tagged solar
Is This A Good Time To Buy A Rooftop Solar PV System
If you have thought about owning a solar PV system to cut your energy bill, this may be a great time to take action. Just after the real estate bust in 2008, residential rooftop solar PV systems purchases started to lose ground to leasing arrangements. It didn’t take long for solar leasing to account for […]
Solar Financing Workshop for Residential Properties
Green Remodel Forum was in partnership with SunShot (Department of Energy Sunshot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge), Contra Costa Economic Partnership, Diablo Innovation Alliance, Contra Costa Association of Realtors Sustainable San Ramon, and Sustainable Contra Costa to hold a Solar Financing Workshop for Residential Properties on January 10, at the Community Center in San Ramon, CA. […]
Right Sizing Your Solar PV Purchase
Because of technology advancement and industry maturity, solar PV system prices are at all time low. Installed costs are between $4 to $5 per watt. The 30% federal tax credit is still in effect through 2016. In addition, some states and local jurisdictions may offer additional financial incentives. With an expected 30-year life of a […]
Emerging Cleantech Products
I attended the Clean Tech Open Global Forum, November 8-9. The Cleantech Open runs the world’s largest cleantech accelerator. The mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. 144 startup companies completed the Cleantech Open United States competition in 2012, and many […]
Solar PV Module Shading Problem Getting A Clearance
You may have heard that shading can reduce the electric production of solar electric modules (panels). The major cause of the lower output is because traditional solar PV systems use string inverters which convert the module output into usable house electric current. A string inverter is a separate unit that generally serves between 8 to […]
Easy Steps to Reduce Energy Use before Renewables
Distributed renewable generation systems such as solar electric and solar hot water systems are great ways to get clean energy. The price of these systems, in particular solar electric systems, has come down in prices so much in recent years that homeowners may want to consider installing them. While the energy generated is clean, the […]
Solar PV: Costs and Financing Options
The Solar Event, sponsored by the City of San Ramon and Sustainable San Ramon had a very good turnout at the San Ramon Community Center on June 5, 2012. The presentation of the event, targeted for the homeowner audience, focused on current information about costs of solar electric (also called solar photovoltaic or solar PV […]
Weingarten House at San Benancio – Energy Conservation without Sacrifice
“Freezing in the dark”, is how Ronald Reagan characterized energy conservation. I’ve been thinking about energy matters for about thirty years now and don’t think conservation must mean sacrifice. One goal with this house was to demonstrate that it’s possible to meet the current challenge of sustainability and do better than we have done in […]