California Energy News – Big Energy is counting on the apathy of the average voter. Any constitutional historian will tell you that the founding fathers sought to frame a document that would protect Americans from power hungry anything. “For the people by the people” meant the “people” need to get into understanding what is likely to happen when they push the voting button. The carefully choreographed 2001 national election is a perfect example of that the conclusion of which was a 2008 meltdown that was beneficial to about 4% of the population but the rest of us will spend years paying for.
We just pushed back PG&E but they are coming at us again with proposition 23. Presented to us as “about more jobs bill”, proposition is not about jobs. Prop 23 was put on the ballot by big energy about lining their pockets and they are counting on the apathy of the average voter.
Don’t be fooled California, this is about clean energy and the future of our country. It is about rolling back pollution levels which only benefit big energy.
Forget the misleading title and read proposition 23 then consider your children and grandchildren and the future we are painting for them. Lets continue down the path of clean energy, high tech solar and wind jobs and send big spending politicians and big corporations a message, we want our country and future back. Do the right thing. Read More – [click to continue…]
By MWAURA KIMANI, The Citizen, BusinessWeek Correspondent, Nairobi
When Charles Rioba tried to light an electrical bulb by assembling a contraption of used radio batteries, the experiment failed to the delight of his eight-year old age mates.
They dismissed the gesture as yet another publicity stunt but little did they know that the episode had set in motion a career path for Rioba who is now Managing Director at Solar World, a leading alternative energy provider in Nairobi. [click to continue…]
Solar Commentary – These days, I am usually at the front of the outrage line over things like the gulf oil disaster and big corporations taking advantage of middle class America. Since principles only mean something when you stand by them when its inconvenient, I never miss a vote and I am not shy about voicing my opinions. Having said that, I tripped across one of the most thoughtful and insightful articles that is not just about solar in the California Mojave desert. You might normally find me on the other side of the fence on this issue, but the article about our public policies made me stop and consider… what happened to American common sense? In this case, I have to agree with the author.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put it eloquently when he said “if we cannot put solar in the Mojave Desert (… and I left out this part of the quote in the title,) I don’t know where the HELL we can we put it?”
I do not have a PHD in environmental science, but plain common sense tells me that solar panels in a desert, where there is never going to be any water, it doesn’t interfere with anyones aesthetic vistas, and is close to electrical needs is not going to hurt the desert tortoise? More than likely, it will provide some much needed shade. I don’t need a 5 year 2 million dollar federally funded study to tell me that! Read More – [click to continue…]
Solar News California – You are going to hear a lot about PACE solar financing in the months and years to come. Property Assessed Clean Energy is a vehicle that local cities and counties can help homeowners to get into solar without the large upfront costs. The city raises a bond, then offers the financing that stays with the property if you sell and is paid back over say 20 years incorporating the loan into your property tax bill. You get the benifit of solar which increases your monthly cash flow by lowering your utility payment. Only problem is… Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac don’t like taking a 2nd seat to your property after the city or county.
I really don’t understand why that is especially since the US tax payer now basically owns Fanny and Freddie becuase they were part of the wall street scam on the average American. Solar means local jobs. Solar means money put into our communities and there needs to be a grass roots movement in this country to get the big bank out of the way of the middle class economic recovery. Even if the home did go into foreclosure, do you think a home with solar energy might sell faster that the thousands of other homes that don’t have the advantage of -0- energy bills?
Jerry Brown and Governor Schwarzenegger, joined by many other responsible Americans, are trying to get this turned around. Read More – [click to continue…]
Portable Solar News – Leonardo DiCaprio is a talented actor who’s films I never miss. Now it turns out I have another reason to admire DiCaprio. The blockbuster movie Inception was made with the energy generated from portable mobile solar power panels thanks to Leonardo. Portable solar energy to make movies now? No noisy generators polluting the air and dripping oil and diesel on to the
ground to get washed into the streams. Portable solar panel generators providing complete off-grid systems which contain all necessary components and are both economical and environmentally responsible. Leonardo DiCaprio gets added to our list of American Solar Hero’s. Everyone should go out and see the movie Inception just for that reason alone! Read More [click to continue…]
San Francisco Examiner
Stacey Wittig
Although Grand Canyon hikers may believe that the Grand Canyon has been solar-powered for eons, the fact is the Grand Canyon National Park has “gone solar” just recently. Eighty-four photovoltaic solar panels are now operational on the Grand Canyon Visitor Center located at the Canyon View Information Plaza near the south rim.
Located both on the Visitor Center’s roof and on ground-mounted platforms adjacent to the building, the panels will be seen by the more than 4.5 million people who visit the Canyon each year. As the first stop for many visitors to the Canyon’s south rim, the Center offers hiking trail maps, informational panoramas to orient hikers and visitors to the area and hiking safety advice. [click to continue…]
Found this great little piece written by an outdoor guy like me that loves all things portable solar power panel products. Portable Solar Energy Systems is a great way to start learning more about the advantages of alternative energy sources and about how they can be applied to larger stand alone solar systems. Besides that, they are just fun. [click to continue…]
