Recently, I was playing around with creating an acronym for the Energy and Food Independence for Florida…
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?
- Dan
Renewable Energy: Polyface Farms is inspiring!
Imagine a farming lifestyle that’s ‘beyond organic’, and completely…

…transparent.
Transparent in the sense that you can visit the farm, producing the food you eat, anytime. No secrets, no locked doors, and every corner being camera accessible.
It’s here, and I’m inspired!
The farm is called Polyface Farms, and they’re located in Swoope, Virginia.
They have some very powerful Guiding Principles:
- Transparency – Come, visit, and see everything for yourself!
- Grass-based – All animals are moved frequently to new “salad bars”!
- Individuality – Respecting and honoring the pigness of a pig is a foundation for societal health.
- and more!
Be sure to learn more about their story, and how inspiring they are, if you have a chance!
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
Gulf Stream Power Concept becoming a reality!
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
US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon and more!
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:
and on the FlexHouse is available at:
Here’s to creating amazing solar & renewable energy solutions!
Enjoy!
- Dan
FPL Solar Rebate – Save Money, Limited Time!
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
WOW! 17 dollars and 74 cents…

That’s how much my Florida Power & Light (FPL) electrical bill was in March of this year…
The amazing thing?
Are you using solar energy in Fort Myers?
The thought came to me…
(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
Preventing an Environmental & Economic Collapse – Part 3
As I mentioned, in my previous blog posts, I’m sharing the latest release from the Energy Policy Institute.
It’s part of Lester Brown’s latest book, World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse.
Here’s the final part of this release.
Enjoy,
-Dan
———————————-
Part 3 of 3
Stabilizing climate will mean rapidly cutting carbon emissions by dramatically scaling up renewable energy, harnessing energy efficiency, restructuring transportation systems, curbing deforestation, and planting trees. That the fastest growth in the global energy industry over the last decade is in solar and wind is an early sign of hope.

Politicians talk about cutting carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050, but more ambitious cuts are likely needed to prevent climate catastrophe. Together the climate stabilization measures described in World on the Edge would drop net carbon emissions 80 percent by 2020.

Additional figures and tables are posted by chapter and by topic, along with full downloads of the text of
World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse,
on the Earth Policy Institute website, www.earth-policy.org.
Preventing an Environmental & Economic Collapse – Part 2
As I mentioned, in my previous blog post, I’m sharing the latest release from the Energy Policy Institute.
It’s part of Lester Brown’s latest book, World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse.
Enjoy,
-Dan
———————————-
Part 2 of 3
Governments that are unable to ensure adequate and affordable food risk political instability and social unrest. If they cannot provide basic security, they may descend into state failure. Many of the world’s failing states are hampered by high population growth rates and a deteriorating resource base, and depend heavily on international food aid.

A NEW DIRECTION:
Time is running short, but we can pull back from the edge. While security is a major concern for the world’s governments, we have inherited a definition of security from the last century, one dominated by two world wars and the Cold War. Rather than armed aggression, today we are at risk from the fallout of climate change, population growth, water shortages, poverty, rising food prices, and failing states. Military spending worldwide exceeds $1.5 trillion annually; yet traditional defense outlays do little to address these true threats to our future. Diverting just 12 percent of global military spending can meet the goals of eradicating poverty, ensuring basic health care, stabilizing population, and restoring the earth’s natural systems.

More data is available in Lester’s book [on Amazon].
Continued in my next blog post…


















