Go Solar Energy For Life

Back in November of last year…

I made the bold statement that Florida could be energy independent, in part, by using the Gulf Stream to power the east coast of Florida.

Well, today, you can learn more about how that will become a reality!

SmartPlanet.com’s blog post is titled:

“University moves toward powering Florida with the Gulf Stream”.

Think about how much energy we’d be able to harness from the ever powerful Gulf Stream!

If you’re excited as I am, be sure to read their post, and let me know what you think (simply add a comment below).

If you would like to learn more about creating a sustainable future, and the solar energy options that help create it, be sure to contact us online, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

Thank you!

- Dan

Where are you going to be September 23 through October 2 of this year?

Every two years, the U.S. Dept. of Energy holds a week-long event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. called the Solar Decathlon.

This year, twenty university teams from around the country (and a few international) will compete to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are:

• cost-effective,
• energy-efficient, and
• attractive.

Four universities in Florida are collaborating on one entry called: FleX House.

I’ve wanted to go for years… and so this is the year I’m going, and I’m extremely excited!

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in this event, be sure to share this blog post with them.

I plan on taking photos while I’m there, and I’ll share them after my return, too.

As you may know, I own & operate Fafco Solar in Southwest Florida, and our passion is helping people use the power of Solar & Renewable Energy.   Be sure to see our list of solar & renewable every services, or give a call at (239) 574-1500 if you’d like to learn more.

Complete information on the Solar Decathlon is available at:

www.SolarDecathlon.gov

and on the FlexHouse is available at:

www.FlexHouse.org

Here’s to creating amazing solar & renewable energy solutions!

Enjoy!

- Dan

Are you tired of waiting for someone to solve the energy problem?

If you’re like me, you might be ready to take matters into your own hands.

But even though you feel ready, you might still be holding back a little.

Well, if that’s the case, I suggest you take a look at “The Cost of Doing Nothing”… an interesting 5 minute video produced by the Florida Solar Energy Center:

Continuing on… You can learn what really happened because we chose to do nothing by reading this article from Renewable Energy World.

Read the rest of this entry »

I have a new love: backyard organic gardening…

Since I’ve never done gardening before, I have everything to learn.

My first goal has been to learn how to make good, healthy, sustainable dirt, which lead me to BIOCHAR.

I first heard about Biochar in Ode Magazine (July 2010), in this article.  Then I found another article, of all places, in Solar Today (Jan 2011), in this article.

(It’s funny… in two completely different magazines to which I subscribe, I found articles about the same, unique subject!)

BIOCHAR may be an important step in Florida becoming energy and food independent.

My first lesson in gardening – good, healthy, sustainable food requires good, healthy, sustainable dirt.

If you’re thinking Solar Energy, or Renewable Energy, and you’re in Southwest Florida, be sure to visit our web site at www.FafcoSolar.com, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

Happy Gardening!

- Dan

Imagine learning in an environment that’s…

…giving its students a relevant, holistic, green education in one of the most amazing environments on the planet (along with being completely off of the power grid!)

That’s exactly what John Hardy, and his wife, Cynthia envisioned a few short years ago as they made this dream a reality in Bali, Indonesia…

Read the rest of this entry »

Whether its random kindness or hoping to discover something in common, it always feels good when a stranger asks, “Where ya from?”

It happened, again, when Nancy and I were on vacation in Southwest Colorado.

We were about half way into a tour of a cliff dwelling in Mesa Verde (see below to learn about Mesa Verde), when a couple, who heard we were from Florida, started the following conversation…

“What part of Florida are you from?”
“Fort Myers.”
“Oh?! We’re from Cape Coral.”
“Oh?! That’s where my business, Fafco Solar, is.”
“Fafco Solar?! We were just there three weeks ago!!”

Read the rest of this entry »

Wow! I stumbled upon this video today…

…and it really sums up how fossil fuels have powered human growth and ingenuity for centuries — all in 5 short minutes!

Now that we’re reaching the end of cheap and abundant oil and coal supplies, we’re in for an exciting ride. While there’s a real risk that we’ll fall off a cliff, there’s still time to control our transition to a post-carbon future.

This amazing animated short movie is written and narrated by Richard Heinberg, author of many related books.

Be sure to watch it and let me know what you think by commenting below!

If you’d like to learn more about renewable energy, and solar energy options, be sure to visit our web site, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

- Dan

Recently, Dominic Zito, our Sales Manager, was interviewed…

…by ABC-7 about high-level energy officials from the Department of Energy coming to the Suncoast to meet with local officials talking about energy programs.

Including those that may bring green jobs to the area!

In the interview, Dominick said “We should absolutely be the front runners in solar energy.  The more installations I have, the more of my employees I have on the road working.  Hopefully down the line hiring more sales staff and technicians.”

To learn more about solar power, be sure to visit the “Go Solar” section of our web site!

If you’d like to read the article, click here.

Enjoy!

-Dan

“There is more to the cost of oil than the ticking numbers at the fuel pump” was the editor…

Image courtesy of National Geographic – Gulf Oil Spill Segment.

…of National Geographic’s October 2010 Gulf Oil Spill segment’s parting comment on Page 4 (Editor’s Note).

After the initial assessment of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill – he speaks the truth…

That cost is becoming increasing visible and painful.

National Geographic has done an excellent job of providing great in-depth coverage of the recent Gulf Oil Spill, and it’s all available online, as well as in print.

Be sure to check out their online photo gallery as well.

If you have a moment, let me know how you feel about National Geographic’s coverage by commenting below.

Thank you,

-Dan