How you are sustainable or regenerative has a lot to do with the place you are in. Each local ecology has its own set of circumstances, variables and things that are unique to that place. As I think about my personal environmental footprint and my place, I think about it from near to far. In permaculture, they call it zones. So I define my zones in the following way:
- my family and my home (zone 1)
- my block and neighborhood (zone 2)
- my city and region (food shed and watershed) (zone 3)
- my country (zone 4)
- the planet (zone 5)
I have started focusing on zones 1 and 2 by asking myself, “How do I get it so that as much of the needs that my family and community have are sourced locally?” There are a number of benefits to becoming more local and focused on place. Continue reading 'Place'»
Composting, Conservation, Green Building, Lifestyle, Local Food, Primitive Skills, Recycling and Waste, Renewable Energy, Transportation, Urban Agriculture
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Local, Permaculture, Place
Since joining PVPower last January, I’ve paid close attention to the solar market. I’ve noticed that there are only a handful of business models that really make sense right now and that some of them can be extremely lucrative if executed. Are you interested in making a living in solar? Do you want to start a solar company and help accelerate the adoption of clean energy? Here is a summary of each of the major solar business models (or maybe you can invent a new one!):
Continue reading 'Solar Business Models: Solar Power for the Entrepreneur'»
Thanks to Heidi Massey for passing along this press release!!
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Clean Energy Trust is evaluating more than 70 business plans submitted for the inaugural Clean Energy Challenge business competition. The Challenge, which will award $130,000 in prize money plus business support services, seeks the best clean energy business ideas in Illinois with the potential to bring new clean energy technology to the marketplace.
… Submissions for the $100,000 early-stage business prize, and the $30,000 concept-stage prize, encompassed numerous areas of clean energy technology, including energy management systems, wind and solar energy innovations, automotive technologies, battery advancements, biomass and clean energy financing.
”The volume of high-quality business plans exceeded our highest expectations,” said Amy Francetic, Clean Energy Trust executive director. “This response shows the depth of talent working in Illinois and the number of great clean energy companies that are poised to emerge in the marketplace.”
Continue reading 'Clean Energy Challenge Receives More Than 70 Entries from Illinois Entrepreneurs'»
We have solar panels on the brain! And, as we just made the down payment, will soon have solar panels on our roof! Everyone has been talking about solar panels lately so I was shocked to find out just how few people, even those in the green movement, actually have them.
With a 30% federal tax incentive, a 30% DCEO state rebate, and manufacturers’ rebates to boot, the paybacks can hit in as little as 5-7 years. (note: you do have to track the state rebate, and wait for it to open. Mid 2011 will likely be the next window.)
Our neighbors, Pete and Lindsey Burgeson decided to move forward with the panels after realizing that after the payback period, every kilowatt produced will be free energy! Plus, they get to feel good about the fact that they will be using clean power instead of coal (cough, cough) or nuclear (toxic waste, anyone?).
We hope that other neighbors will join in as well!
Continue reading 'Solar Panels: Making the Leap'»
Solar panels come in all different sizes, shapes, colors and brands, making it confusing for homeowners and solar installers to select the right panels for the job. On top of that, investment in solar panel innovation results in frequent changes and adaptations to existing products. While technology innovation plays a huge role in the broad adoption of renewable energy, it can result in a tiring and complex decision-making process for homeowners. That’s where I come in. There are a few simple, easy and effective decision-making criteria that can help you choose the right solar panels for your home.
Here is a list of the major decision criteria:
Efficiency (performance)
Quality (warranty & manufacturer reputation)
Aesthetic
Cost (cost per watt)
Technical Specs (snow/wind/heat capacity, voltage, etc.)
Continue reading 'How to Choose Solar Panels for Your Home'»
The Illinois State Senate Energy Committee announced that it will hold a hearing on renewable energy and related topics tomorrow, Thursday, October 28, 10:00 AM at the James R Thompson Center, Room 16-503, 100 West Randolph Street, Chicago. A copy of the agenda is posted here. This hearing is a major opportunity for you to encourage the Senate members that a strong solar and wind policy will lead to growing businesses, more jobs and less pollution in Illinois.
We know we’re a bit behind the curve, but we wanted to let you all know about the Illinois Solar and Wind Rebate Program!
The Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program is now open and IL DCEO is accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2011.
The guidelines and application form are available online. All applications must be complete and follow these new guidelines. Furthermore, all applications must be submitted under this new form for Fiscal Year 2011.
There are a few changes to the program that they would like to make us aware of:
- The biggest change to the program is that there is now a limit on the rebate amount allowed on a per watt basis for solar PV and wind energy projects. Rebates will also be limited to no more than $2.70/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $2.40/watt for wind energy systems purchased by residential and business entities, and $4.50/watt for solar photovoltaic systems and $4.00/watt for wind energy systems purchased by public sector and non-profit entities. Otherwise, the rebate is still based on 30% of total cost for homeowners and businesses and 50% for governmental and non-profit entities, with a maximum rebate of $50,000.
- Estimated total labor hours by installer or subcontractors must be provided in application. They will also need the actual labor hours for this project provided in the completion letter.
- The spec sheet for the solar panels or wind turbine being purchased must be provided with application.
If you have any questions with regards to the new guidelines and application form, please contact Wayne Hartel at wayne.hartel@illinios.gov.
Chuck Templeton wrote about the Chicago Climate Action Plan – Renewable Energy Working Group in a previous post and explained the five main strategies outlined in the plan along with the working groups and steering committees of each strategy. The 2008 Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP) Proposed a Roadmap for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions to 25% Below 1990 Levels by 2020 and to 80% by 2050.
He specifically spoke about a meeting that the Renewable Energy Working Group had had regarding their recommendations and stated that once they were finalized, they would be published. Well guess what folks, recently, Howard Learner of ELPC and Suzanne Malec-McKenna released the Clean & Renewable Energy Policy and Program Recommendations which can be found by clicking on City REWG.FINAL REPORT.September 2010.
Continue reading 'Renewable Energy Working Group Recommendations'»
On Wednesday, Governor Quinn signed into law two pieces of major solar legislation. HB6202 and HB5429 create what’s commonly referred to as a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) in the state of Illinois. RPS legislation has to-date been the most effective form of solar legislation and has been the driving force behind solar adoption in the US. Here is the official press release and video.
Governor Quinn said, “Solar energy is the wave of the future, and it is important that our public utilities and homeowners are able to more easily increase their use of solar energy.” “We must do everything we can to increase our use of solar energy, which will help us protect natural resources and reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources, such as foreign oil.”
Continue reading 'Governor Quinn Signs Major Solar Legislation into Law'»
Through a combination of misplaced investment strategies and misdirected arguments we fail to understand the broader implications of our energy policies. Building owners regularly pass up dynamic returns often as high as 50% because the payback is too long. Complicating the problem is we spend far too much time debating climate change over more immediate issues like energy security and jobs both of which will have a materially positive impact on the climate. It’s time for a rethink about how we look at, debate and address the future of our energy infrastructure.
Continue reading 'Rethinking the Energy Debate'»
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