Illinois Residents will “Be Solar Inspired” by attending the world’s largest solar energy event on Saturday, October 1
Be solar inspired! View renewable energy systems in action! The Illinois Solar Tour is a FREE self-guided, statewide event that demonstrates how Illinois homes and businesses are using solar, wind, geothermal, passive solar design, and energy efficiency to become energy independent.
Renewable energy system owners and installers will be providing tours TOMORROW Saturday, October 1st from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour guides will answer questions on how you can harness the power of the sun and wind to fuel your home and business. Learn how you too can reduce your monthly utility bills, increase property values, and be part of the energy solution.
In the Chicagoland area, tour participants will have the opportunity to meet with homeowners who not only power their homes with renewable energy but also Continue reading 'Illinois Solar Tour 2011'»
There is plenty of buzz about solar panels, but making sense of the facts can still be a challenge.
Here is a high-level overview that we hope will inspire you to investigate solar further (or at least rent a good Spaghetti Western) in the near future.
The Good:
Many people are recognizing that in this volatile financial market, a solar panel system can be a good investment. (My financial advisor even has them!) The ‘payback’ time of solar panel systems can vary based on the incentives, but 5-8 years is a common range.
After that, all of your costs are re-couped, and of course you continue to get free energy, and most panels these days come with a 25 year warranty! With conventional energy prices going nowhere but up, this becomes even more appealing.
In addition, I learned recently of a study* that looked at home sales from 2001- 2009. Homes with solar panels sold for an average of $17,000 more than their conventional counterparts. In many cases, after incentives, the premium Continue reading 'Solar Panels: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly'»
There’s an age-old idiom you’ve likely heard: “it takes a village to raise a child.” Today, the global village is tasked with taking on the unprecedented challenge of global warming—a problem whose consequences every child the world over faces. The spirit of Climate Cycle is founded upon the principal of local solutions to global pollution. Through this, we generate bite size solutions to a problem that can otherwise feel isolating and overwhelming, with students and schools at the heart of those efforts.
This past May 22nd we completed our 3rd annual Ride to Recharge. The first three rides combined have brought out over 1100 riders and raised a combined $250,000 through rider pledges. On top of this, a variety of wonderful sponsors, including Motorola, Whole Foods, ING Direct, Chevy, REI, Surf Sweets and others have contributed crucial monetary and community related support for our efforts. As a result, to date 10 schools have received solar installations and 15 additional green school Continue reading 'Climate Cyclelogy'»
A few weeks ago, some of the 2nd graders at the Academy for Global Citizenship had an “aha!” moment. We were talking about our solar panels and how the sun’s energy excites the electrons, allowing them to flow freely. I saw that familiar look of understanding on some faces and asked them to tell me what they were thinking.
“So, when the sun is out, it is sending energy to the solar panels, just like when I go out to recess and sit in the sun and have a lot of energy to run around?!” asked (proclaimed) Michael.
While scientists and engineers might challenge this epiphany, it struck me differently, “YES! Exactly like that!”
Continue reading 'Kids are Full of Energy. So is the Sun!'»
Please join PVPower and our partner, Bright Electric Supply Co. at tomorrow’s seminar: Breaking into the Illinois Solar Market: A PV Primer for Professionals
Bright Electrical Supply Co. and PVPower have teamed up to offer an in-depth solar seminar, taught by leading national solar training organization Infinite Solar. This 3-hour session will cover three crucial topics to getting started in solar in Illinois, including photovoltaic (PV) technology basics, customer tax incentives and how to capitalize on the growing PV industry.
WHAT: Breaking into the Illinois Solar Power Market: A PV Primer for Professionals
WHEN: June 8, 2011, 2:00-5:00PM CST
WHERE: Bright Electrical Supply Co. – 217 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
REGISTRATION: $50.00 to Attend [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER]
The 3-hour session will help answer the following questions: Continue reading 'Join PVPower Tomorrow Afternoon to Learn More About Solar!'»
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