Well, guess what?  It’s here!

Earlier this year, Ford, and Sunpower agreed to a partnership that will allow purchasers of Ford plug-in vehicles the ability to charge their cars.

Sunpower’s president and CEO, Tom Werner, says “This is taking solar power mainsteam” – and I think he’s right!

The Ford-Sunpower “Drive Green for Life” program will install enough panels on a customers roof to satisfy the energy demands for an electric vehicle that drives about 1,000 miles per month.

Learn more about this wonderful advancement in this PC Magazine article.

Good times ahead, that’s for sure!

- Dan

Now, the big question is “How does Florida rank in Solar PV?” as compared to the rest of the US…

Earlier this year, Solar Today released a chart showing by state, the:

• PV watts per resident,
• PV installed to date, and
• on-the-year market growth.

Florida ranks 6th in the country for megawatts of PV capacity.

California, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada lead the way.

The same study ranks Florida 13th in PV watts-per-resident,which is perhaps the best way to measure the progress of solar energy.

If you’re interested in seeing how the other 50 states stack up, be sure to visit this page in the July/August 2011 issue of Solar Today online.

Enjoy!

- Dan

…they seem to be on target all of the time.

Recently, they published the 10 Facts About Our Energy Landscape, which are:

1. The US burns 13 millions barrels of oil a day (half imported) at a cost of $2 billion!
2. The US’s 120 million buildings consume 42% of the nation’s energy.
3. We spend more than $400 billion a year to heat and power buildings.
4. US industry employs about 131 million people and generates over 40% of the US GDP, using roughly one-fourth of the nation’s total energy per year.
5. 86% of US electricity is generated in large, centralized power plants.
6. By 2050, if we make efficiency a goal, and switch from oil, coal and one-third less natural gas to renewable energy, we’d save a net $5 trillion!
7. By 2050, a $2 trillion investment to make cars, trucks and planes more efficient, and more effectively used would save $5.8 trillion.
8. Building’s energy use can be 40 to 60% more efficient in 2050 than today – despite 70% more floorspace.
9. US industry can produce about 84% more output with 9 to 13% less energy.
10. We can capture and integrate the renewable energy needed to meet 80% or more of our electricity needs by 2050.

Interesting, isn’t it?  Be sure to read the entire post, and comment below if you’d like to share your thoughts on this.

Thank you,

- Dan

(Photo used with permission from Paul Shahriari – www.FLGreenHouse.com)

…I’d found the most beautiful kitchen in the world!

It was absolutely break taking – aside from its very functional design – the fact that it was flooded with natural daylight really took it over the top!

Some light entered the room through windows on the north and south sides of the house, too.

But most of the light was provided by two tubular skylights centered in the ceiling.  The combination created a very enjoyable feeling…  I just wanted to stand there and breathe in the natural light.

Paul’s Florida High Performance Green House is located right here in Cape Coral, Florida, and he shares ALL of the details of this unique learning opportunity, including:

• the cost/benefit of green building,
• exactly what green elements are used in this project,
• real-life data of energy consumption (this is amazing!), and so much more!

Be sure to learn more about Paul’s project at: www.FLGreenHouse.com.

How inspiring!

Enjoy,

- Dan

PS – Did you know we have 21 tubular solar skylights that light up our office’s at FafcoSolar?  Come in sometime, and see for yourself, it’s really cool!

It’s taken some time but we’re beginning to look at renewable sources of energy such as solar owner as the norm in new construction.

“Solar power as the norm rather than the exception.” –Philip J Reed, Westwood College

It’s taken some time but we’re beginning to look at renewable sources of energy such as solar power as the norm in new  construction. Take a look around at new builds and renovations and there are clear indications that we are taking the condition of our environment much more seriously then we have in past years.

Government incentives, buy back programs, and rebates have played a large part in this change in attitude as they have lowered the price of these technologies therefore making them far more widely accessible. There is no point in championing a technology if no one can afford to implement it. This is important not only in commercial or industrial applications, but in residential ones as well.

If a homeowner has the option of an inefficient heating or cooling system that literally hemorrhages money or an efficient solar or other renewable system that actually saves them their hard earned cash and has been made affordable by incentive programs, which do you think they’ll choose?

A perfect example of this new way of thinking is to look at the education sector. Seem like a strange jump from environmentally friendly building practices to education? It’s not.

At some schools- the ones that are forward thinking and have an eye on industry- a construction management degree will include curriculum in utilizing renewable resources. This is a very important change in our thinking as it ensures that our future builders will consider these options the norm rather than the exception. This inevitably means that we will see a greater increase in green builds and a more stable cost to do so. The better training in renewable options given at the university level will mean more implementation at the building level.

There are certainly further steps to be taken and more environmentally sensitive options and technologies to explore but adding a solar power component to something like a construction management degree is defiantly a step in the right direction. If we can make environmentally damaging construction something that is socially frowned upon by teaching its alternatives to those who will eventually be in charge of building, we will all win.

- Philip Reed

PS – Here’s a related quote from a builder we know, too:

“The truth of the matter is this, if building an energy efficient or energy independent house is the goal from the start, it’s really pretty simple.  By bringing together the client with a designer, architect, and building scientist that understand the process, a High Performance or Net Zero home can be built at a competitive price to similarly equipped ‘energy hog’ homes.” 

Reed Schweizer
Ravenwood Homes

Our Showroom with Solar Lighting

The photo above shows the power of Solar Skylights redirecting sunlight directly into our showroom!

Did you know we have 21 tubular solar skylights that light up our entire office area?

The best part?  We hardly ever use the florescent lights.

Some of the benefits of tubular Solar Skylights are:

• Energy savings – there’s no cost for directing natural light into your room!
• Far less expensive than conventional skylights.
• Emit more light per given area.

Be sure to learn more about Solar Skylights, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500!

Enjoy!

- Dan

PS – Also, feel free to stop by our office sometime and see our solar skylights in action!

If you have been waiting for a new rebate program to invest in solar, your time has come. Florida Power and Light, our state’s largest utility has just announced a NEW and Improved solar rebate program!

Beginning June 21, Florida Power & Light (FPL) will begin offering a rebate for solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar domestic hot water systems.

The rebates will require an application and pre-approval, and are available on a first come-first served basis.

Your early planning is critical because rebate funding is limited. Contact us, and we’ll help you through the application process to give you the best chance of qualifying for this exciting solar incentive.

The FPL photovoltaic rebate is $2 per installed watt of solar power with a limit of $20,000 for residences and $50,000 for businesses.

A typical 5 kilowatt residential grid-tied solar electric (photovoltaic) system would qualify for a $10,000 rebate, drastically increasing your return on investment!

Solar water heating systems qualify for a $1,000 rebate!

Coupled with a currently available 30% Federal Tax Credit and the lowest prices ever for solar energy systems, there has never been a better time to GO SOLAR!

If you have any questions about the FPL Solar Rebate, or would like to learn more about how we can help you – please contact us, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.

Thank you,

Dan

That’s how much my Florida Power & Light (FPL) electrical bill was in March of this year…

The amazing thing?

Quite a while ago, I set a goal to save 10% per year on my electrical bill — working my way toward personal energy independence over 10 years (with today’s technology advancements, I really believe it’s possible!)

Comparing this March (2011) with last March (2010) – I saved over 70%!.

In March 2010 I paid $67.98.

You might ask what I’ve done exactly, and that’s a great question.

As you probably know, I’m really passionate about using solar & renewable energy to create personal energy independence.

Over the last few years, I’ve made some pretty substantial changes, one was adding a Solar Electric Photovoltaic (PV) System to my house.  I’ve also added a Solar Water Heater, which uses the sun’s power to keep my water hot (I have an electric water heater as a backup!) along with a Solar Pool Pump.  Finally, I installed Solar Air Conditioning which is making a huge difference as well!

Notice a theme?

It’s all about harnessing the power of the sun, and today, it’s very efficient and cost-effective.

You can learn more, or read about each of our solar products — feel free to contact me, or comment below if you have a solar energy savings story!

I’d love to hear it!

Thank you, and here’s to personal energy independence in the next few years.

-Dan

(Special Thanks to Charly from Internet Services Group for this beautiful photo of McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers!)

“I wonder how many people are using solar energy, in any way, here in Fort Myers?”

I’m really interested to hear how you’re tapping into our one of best natural resources here in Fort Myers – the sun!    Please let me know by commenting below.

As you may know, my company, Fafco Solar, offers many ways to use solar & renewable energy such as:

• Solar Pool Heating,
• Solar Water Heating,
• Solar Electric (Photovoltaic, or PV) Systems,
• Solar Lights,
• Solar Attic Fans,
• Solar Pool Pumps,
• Solar Water Pumps, and
• now, in select Southwest Florida areas, Hybrid Solar Air Conditioning!

Thank you,

Dan

…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