Go Solar Energy For Life - Just another WordPress weblog

Go Solar Energy For Life

Just another WordPress weblog

Archive for the ‘Solar Energy’ Category

Recently, I was playing around with creating an acronym for the Energy and Food Independence for Florida…

Florida LIFE Thought for the day   Florida LIFE   Energy & Food Independence

Some of my ideas were:

eFiF, EFIF, iEFF, eFFi, FLefi, FEFI, FeFi, FLORife…

but here’s the one I like the best:

LIFE: a Love for Independent Food and Energy.

I continued massaging the idea:

Florida LIFE, A Peaceful Florida LIFE.

What do you think? icon wink Thought for the day   Florida LIFE   Energy & Food Independence

- Dan

Back in November of last year…

Florida Can Be Energy Independent 493x350 Gulf Stream Power Concept becoming a reality!

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

US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon and more!

Posted by Dan On June 16th

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

US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon 500x155 US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon and more!

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

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!

fafco logo 2010 web 500x250 FPL Solar Rebate   Save Money, Limited Time!

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

WOW!  17 dollars and 74 cents…

My Electric Bill 500x186 Solar Energy Savings   How I Saved Over 70% in 1 Year!

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

The amazing thing?

Read the rest of this entry »

Are you using solar energy in Fort Myers?

Posted by Dan On April 21st

The thought came to me…

Solar Fort Myers 466x350 Are you using solar energy in Fort Myers?

(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! icon wink Are you using solar energy in Fort Myers?    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:

Thank you,

Dan

Mesa Verde – Solar Energy Friends

Posted by Dan On December 13th

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

Mesa Verde Solar Energy Friends 474x350 Mesa Verde   Solar Energy Friends

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 »

Florida Can Be Energy and Food Independent

Posted by Dan On November 24th

Here’s my thought for the Thanksgiving weekend…

Florida can be energy independent 500x231 Florida Can Be Energy and Food Independent

A very special thank you to Charly Caldwell for introducing me to Alan Maltz’sFree Spirit” (above) — environmental consciousness through fine art, way to go!

Florida Can Be Energy and Food Independent
Florida has an abundance of natural resources.
Plenty of sunshine.
Plenty of (moving) water.
Plenty of land.
There’s enough energy landing on our roofs and
flowing in the Gulf Stream to provide all the power we need.
There’s enough land and water to provide all the food we need.
There’s enough intelligence to make it happen.

How do you feel about this?  Please comment below, and I’d love to hear from you…

-Dan

Fossil Fuels – 300 Years of Growth in 5 Minutes

Posted by Dan On November 15th

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…

Solar Power in Florida Solar Power in Florida: Energy Officials Visit Suncoast

…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