Go Solar Energy For Life

Renewable Energy – Who is the Largest Producer in the US?

Dan — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:15:09 +0000

Answer: FPL.

Yup, our local utility, FPL, is the largest US producer of renewable energy. Not many people know that. One important item to keep in mind as you read the article below: NextEra Energy = FPL.

Ready to send a “Dear John” letter to your utility? Fafco Solar can help you fall in love with the sun!

(You can also read my Oct 2, 2009 blog for more about loving the sun.)

-Dan

Gasoline Consumption in United States Continues to Drop!

Dan — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:00:33 +0000

On March 28, Earth Policy Institute released interesting Data Highlights confirming US gasoline consumption has been on the decline since 2007.

Some of the current trends supporting this:

A car fleet that is shrinking.
A general reduction in driving.
An improvement in fuel efficiency.

Times are changing. The younger generation is welcoming mass transit and car-sharing, and their time is spent cruising the Internet not the streets. The baby boomers are starting to retire and some are hanging up their keys.

Technology for vehicles is changing too! Fuel efficiency is improving. The day is already here where you can drive your car powered by the sun!

Let Fafco Solar show you how to use solar energy!

-Dan

Can We Get All Our Energy from Renewables?

Dan — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 18:00:35 +0000

An interesting question, indeed – all of our energy from renewables.

Everyone has opinions. Few have enough facts. Time will tell.

Can you think of any other time when groups of people said something was impossible… and then it happened?

Enlightening Facts:

1. Many studies confirm how the combination of renewable sources can truly meet our energy needs.

2. It makes it easier if we rethink what we employ renewable energy for and how it actually improves lives.

3. There are reports showing renewables, like the wind and solar, outpacing ordinary energy sources – in both investment money and capacity growth.

To find out more, read the entire post on: Focusing on Facts: Can We Get All of Our Energy From Renewables? Comment below to share your thoughts.

Let’s Make It Happen!

If you have questions on how my company, Fafco Solar, can assist you with your solar needs feel free to call (239) 574-1500.

-Dan

Exciting News – Patriot Stor-All Gets Ready to “Flip the Switch” to Green Energy

Dan — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:30:45 +0000

I always enjoy sharing the story of how a company that switches to green energy reduces energy consumption while improving energy efficiency.

So how does a warehouse complex, like Patriot Stor-All, improve its energy efficiency?

It undergoes a number of changes. The most recent change is our installation of 313 solar panels to help meet their goal of providing 100% of the energy for each of their buildings.

There are also financial incentive programs available right now for “going solar” which provides an attractive return on investment.

Read more about the solar photovoltaic systems we installed for this green energy powered company.

If you’d like to learn how my company, Fafco Solar, can help you use green energy, the power the sun provides, be sure to visit our website at: www.FafcoSolar.com!

Dan

Wow – For the first time, Sierra Club engages in Civil Disobedience…

Dan — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:21:17 +0000

Posted on EcoWatch last month, the Sierra Club has said they’re going to engage in peaceful civil disobedience for the first time in their 120 year history to stop the tar sands…

Learn how the Sierra Club, for the first time in its 120 year history, is ready to take it a step further!

The tide continues to turn, I’d love to hear your feedback below.

Dan

What’s the solution to climate change?

Dan — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:06:29 +0000

The quote of the week is:

“The solution to climate change is energy policy.” ~ Sen. John Kerry

A week ago yesterday (January 24, 2012), Senator John Kerry secretary of state confirmation hearing, and started with the quote I posted above…

You can learn more by reviewing this EcoWatch post - I’d love to hear what you think about it – please comment below.

The tide is turning!

Dan

Happy New Year from Fafco Solar Energy!

Dan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:09:47 +0000

I hope you enjoyed my blog posts through 2012!

I just wanted to send you Happy New Year wishes for 2013, and thank everyone who made 2012 such a great year for us, too.

If there’s any way we can help you use the power of the sun to:

Be sure to let us know.

Have a wonderful 2013, and I’ve got some great posts in mind – stay tuned!

-Dan

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy? Part 3

Dan — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:33:12 +0000

In my readings, recently I discovered this good and very important information regarding the question:

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy?

I thought it’d be great to share some of the opinions expressed in regard to this question — I’m going to share one per blog post, over the next few posts, here’s the first one!

Enjoy!

-Dan

Carrie Cullen Hitt
VICE PRESIDENT, SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION

In Florida, solar energy meets a number of criteria that would be attractive to consumers and investors who would want a solar industry to develop there. The criteria include the state’s utility rates, its hours and intensity of sunshine and the growing energy demand. In fact, our association looks closely at Florida every year in search of industry progress. But Florida has a number of challenges.

Many states have used corporate, property, sales and other tax incentives as well as additional mechanisms to help attract investors who operate in this industry. What we’ve seen is that Florida does not daw those investors. Not only does the state not provide the tax incentives and other business support many other states have embraced, but it has other institutional barriers.

A person who wants to develop or install solar energy devices on homes or factories or shopping malls needs to have a contract with customers, a power-purchase agreement that allows that person to design and build and put that system in place. While many states allow those kinds of agreements, Florida does not. So, contractually, a developer is unable to deal directly with the customer, the power user. Florida says the utility has to be the one to sell the power, so another party gets to tap into any profits, diminishing the value of the investment.

Typically, a state has to have at least some incentives, legal and statutory features and methods of business support in place to permit solar energy companies to get the kind of market penetration they need for success. A state can pull some investors in if it doesn’t have everything companies want, but it must provide some of those needs and at attractive levels. Often states or utilities have a fund supported by energy rate payers or tax payers. These funds pay back companies and users — whether home owners or business sites — a certain percentage of their investment in order to lower the cost of manufacture and installation.

Florida has a fund, but there’s only a $25 million cap statewide. It’s pretty small. New York State’s is $120 million a year. That helps. Some people refer to these funds as sources of subsidy, but we think of them in terms of developing long-term industries and the great value of solar power.

So, developing appropriate tax incentives and establishing investment funds are two ways the state could encourage more solar power in Florida. A third way is by streamlining regulatory barriers, making it easier to connect solar power systems to the grid, for instance. Are there rules in place? Or does a developer have to sit around for a couple of years hoping the state legislature will come up with accommodations?

Our association has more than 1,000 members, from the folks who make solar panels to the installers who put them on your roof. Florida looks like a great market, and we monitor it closely. In fact, we’re having our national conference, expecting to bring 25,000 to 30,000 people to Orlando in early September this year. We’re hoping that draws more attention to how attractive Florida could be for a solar energy industry.

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy? Part 2

Dan — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:31:28 +0000

In my readings, recently I discovered this good and very important information regarding the question:

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy?

I thought it’d be great to share some of the opinions expressed in regard to this question — I’m going to share one per blog post, over the next few posts, here’s the first one!

Enjoy!

-Dan

Robert Stonerock

PHYSICIAN AND PRESIDENT, FLORIDA RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION

A noticeable disparity between public interest in renewable energy development and Florida’s current legislative policy was evident from a recent poll of registered voters conducted for the Florida Renewable Energy Association. Strong support was shown for policies that have become commonplace in many parts of the country yet have largely been ignored by Florida lawmakers.

Of those surveyed, 69 percent support legislation requiring utilities to produce a greater percentage of electricity from renewable sources. This policy known as a renewable portfolio standard has been adopted in 37 states. In January 2009, a draft rule developed by the Florida Public Service Commission was submitted to the state legislature but was never enacted, and the legislature eventually abandoned the proposal.

We conducted this survey because it’s important that our elected officials understand where the public interest is on this critical issue. Clearly, the legislature is not on the same page with Florida voters or the rest of the country.

Despite difficult economic times, 57 percent of survey respondents were willing to pay at least 50 cents more per month on their electric bill to help fund renewable energy development. Such a plan would generate more than $50 million annually to fund incentives to manufacture and install renewable energy systems. This type of public benefit fund is used in 19 other states but has been rejected by Florida state legislators.

The issue receiving the strongest voter support — 80 percent — was allowing private renewable energy companies to sell electricity directly to consumers and businesses. Two bills, SB1106 and HB 779, designed to achieve this important feature were presented in the 2012 legislative session but died in committees.

The survey showed that 67 percent rated the Florida Legislature as doing either a fair, poor, or very poor job in encouraging the development of renewable energy. The people of Florida understand how developing renewables can help to create jobs, control future energy costs and maintain a clean environment. It’s an issue beyond ideology. It’s a basic responsibility that, up to now, our legislature has ignored. Those interested may learn more from FREA, a nonprofit organization that promotes development of clean energy through public education, political advocacy and industry networking opportunities, at www.cleanenergyflorida.org

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy? Part 1

Dan — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:24:00 +0000

In my readings, recently I discovered this good and very important information regarding the question:

Should the Sunshine State Do More to Support The Development of Solar Energy?

I thought it’d be great to share some of the opinions expressed in regard to this question — I’m going to share one per blog post, over the next few posts, here’s the first one!

Enjoy!

-Dan

Colleen Kettles
WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, FLORIDA SOLAR ENERGY CENTER
Florida’s standing in the area of solar energy development has gone from a position of strength to one of near abandonment. Once a leader in the field of solar energy, Florida is now an also ran to places like New Jersey, Tennessee, and Oregon. Florida is 18th out of 23 ranked states in photovoltaic installations for the first quarter of 2012, sliding from 14th in the previous quarter. Given the current lack of activity, Florida will probably not make the list next time around.

Support for solar energy makes sense for a host of reasons, not the least of which is the positive environmental attributes that come with renewable, clean energy generation. However, the most important reason to support solar energy is the economic development potential that comes with a robust solar energy infrastructure. Consider that for every one MegaWatt of solar energy capacity that is constructed, 50 jobs are created. That holds true for utility-scale solar plants as well as aggregated residential and small commercial facilities. It holds true for solar-electric (photovoltaic) systems as well as solar-thermal (water and swimming pool heating) systems. This is domestic energy production.

Support for solar energy is paramount for the market transformation that will be necessary if solar energy is to realize its full potential in the Sunshine State. This support can take many forms. It is not just financial support. But if it does come in the form of financial support, it needs to be sustainable and predictable. The last five years of government and utility rebates for solar energy have too often left consumers with broken promises and the solar industry with broken dreams.

The reform of energy policies that pre-date the era of solar energy will position Florida as a state that welcomes solar expansion. Prohibitions against third-party power purchase agreements and conjunctive billing have prevented private investment in solar. Need determination policies for new power generation have hampered utility investment in solar. Community associations and building departments can be formidable obstacles to a streamlined solar installation process.
There need be no losers in the creation of a sound solar energy policy for Florida.

The Secretary of the US Department of Energy announced the SunShot Imitative in 2011. Deliberately modeled after the Moon Shot program of the Kennedy administration, SunShot purports to make solar energy cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. It is a multi pronged approach to reducing the installed cost of solar energy systems, including the adoption of exemplary policies and best practices. It may be a long shot in Florida, but we need to give it a shot.