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
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 StonerockA 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.
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.
I really enjoy sharing intelligent visions of our energy future! Especially where individuals are empowered!
Here’s a great article along those lines:
Smarter Grid Linking Solar Panels May Bypass Utilities
Enjoy!
-Dan
Just recently, I discovered some very interesting points from Ron Permick, Managing Director of Clean Energy Source, and co-author of the brand new book – Clean Tech Nation – How the US Can Lead in the Global New Economy.
In the book, Ron and Clint, make the case for a U.S. energy future built on renewables, responsible natural gas, and efficiency.
Back in my May 24th blog, I recommended having a Personal 10-Year Energy Independence Plan.
In my post I stated -
“One important aspect of this 10-year plan would be to know that you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Well, here’s something that falls into that category: wind energy from kites.
Who would have guessed? (Not me!)
Check out what the Delft Technical University in the Netherlands is developing with a kite.
And here’s a video of their project:
This may not be something that you would want in your back yard, but my point remains the same: you don’t know what’s around the corner!
I’ll let you know if I see anything else interesting.
Enjoy!
-Dan
In my previous post, I talked about having a personal 10-year Energy Independence Plan, and promised I’d share how I’m doing with mine…
Personally, I am 5 years into my own 10-year energy independence plan.
In 2006, my average monthly electric bill at home was $157.
In 2011, after renovating our house with Energy Star appliances; replacing a hurricane damaged roof with a white metal roof; and after installing every solar product my company offers, my average monthly electric bill is down to $50.
Be sure to read my 5/10/11 blog post, “How I Saved Over 70% in 1 Year!“)
I’m happy with the results, but I’m not done. And honestly, I’m not sure what my next step is, but that’s my point: I don’t have to know…
I just have to keep my eyes and mind open and something will show up someday.
So, start now and declare your own energy independence!
If you wait for someone else to solve your energy problem, you might not be happy with their solution. Setting yourself free may be the only way it’s ever going to happen, and… it’s very gratifying!
- Dan
If personal energy independence is important to you, I think it is appropriate (being an election year) to hear this message, again. So I’ve reposted my February 4, 2010 post on the topic. Enjoy! -Dan
A question that I hear quite frequently regarding solar power energy, is…
What’s the delay?
Why is the transition to the ‘new energy economy’ taking so long?
Back in October of last year, I covered “The Most Common Question About Solar Energy” which is definitely related to this topic (be sure to check it out!)
Anyhow, I just read this article in the January/February 2010 issue of Solar Today, and I wanted to share it with you, you can read it online, or below.
If there’s anything I, or my team at Fafco Solar, can do to help you, please contact us, or give us a call at (239) 574-1500.
Have a great day,
Dan
I recommend having a personal 10-year energy independence plan.
One important aspect of this 10-year plan would be to know that you don’t know what’s around the corner.
There is a lot of research and development going on now around energy that we don’t know anything about, so, in 5 years, say, there could be a new piece of the energy puzzle that comes into play.
For example – I just learned about methane ice:
In Ode magazine (Mar/Apr 2012) Sam Rosenzweig writes,
“More energy is trapped in methane ice than all other fossil fuels combined… which produces 40% less CO2 than oil and coal.”
Wow!
That’s an interesting bit of information. He goes on to write,
“Japan plans to be the first nation to conduct an offshore methane production test and hopes to supply methane-derived energy commercially by 2018.”
There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of other energy ideas being worked on and developed right now that you and I don’t have a clue about.
Isn’t that great?
In the meantime, until these new ideas are developed and are available to us, there are many things you can do right now to get started with your own personal energy independence….
In my next post, I’ll review how I’m 5 years into my own 10 Year energy plan! Stay tuned!
- Dan
For years, I’ve worried that auto manufacturers have done nothing to make pickup trucks get better than 20 miles per gallon (MPG).
At Fafco Solar, our technicians use Ford F150 pick up trucks and Ford Rangers.
Outfitted with a cap and a rack they get only 12 to 15 mpg. When we’re busy, we have 10 trucks on the road, so that’s a lot of gas and money we’re burning. I didn’t know what I was going to do as gas prices went up, and I’m always looking for energy savings.
I worried that I would have no control over my future gas bills.
Inspired by the writings of Amory Lovins at the Rocky Mountain Institute, it dawned on me one day:
We’re using heavy pickup trucks with heavy caps and heavy racks to transport no more than 350 pounds of materials and tools all day, everyday!
This didn’t seem to make good sense to me.
So, I wondered:
What if I could get rid of all the heavy stuff… the truck, the cap and the rack, which don’t really add any value to the work we do, anyway… and find a much lighter and more efficient vehicle that could still handle a 350 pound load?
Personally, I’ve been driving a Prius and totally loving getting 50 mpg, since 2005.
According to the owner’s manual, the Prius has a total carrying capacity of 800 pounds.
I wondered if I could adapt a Prius to our work.
I knew I was going to need a trailer to carry the solar panels, pipe and a ladder. Even though the owner’s manual states a Prius is not designed to tow a trailer, I was willing to give it a try as long as I could keep it light enough.
I bought a small 150-pound trailer and rigged it to carry the large materials. The small materials and hand tools easily fit inside the Prius. (You’d be surprised how much room there is!)
The total weight of the trailer, the materials, the tools and the driver was around 650 pounds, well under the 800-pound maximum.
Troy, one of our service technicians, was selected to be our test driver because he drove more miles than anyone else. He’s been driving the Prius and trailer for over half a year now.
Where he once got 13 mpg, he’s now getting 36 mpg, saving $250 to $350 a month on gas… Depending, of course, on the miles driven and the price of gas. He enjoys his new ride and is constantly talking to curious homeowners about his Prius “truck”. 
Based on the results so far, I’m planning on having a fleet of Prius “trucks”!
If you’d like to learn more about this, feel free to contact me, I love helping people conserve energy while saving money & our environment!
-Dan
