Solar States Blog

When the eggheads at Princeton University set out to put solar panels on the roof of the building that houses the Research Collections and Preservation Consortium, the project looked doomed to fail. After all, Tom Nyquist, Princeton’s director of facilities engineering says that the array will not produce enough to power the building and that the costs will be considerable. But the project looks like a smarter long-term investment as it launches Princeton into the world of SREC’s.

SREC’s, or Solar Renewable Energy Credits, are units of produced power. Each time a solar electric system generates 1,000 kwh of electricity, the project’s investor–in this case, Pennsylvania Power & Light–can then sell or trade the SREC’s. As power is being pumped back into the electricity grid, Princeton is effectively renting their roof space to Pennsylvania Power and Light in exchange for reduced energy bills. The result is a fully functional and sustainable power system with no upfront costs to Princeton.

Solar Ivy

The best part about this system is that solar is the fastest progressing energy technology, increasing in productivity by over 10% per year. So, over the useful life of the array, Princeton will continue to get more bang for their buck until the solar array takes over for their power needs alltogether. And as this technology takes off, the value of SREC’s improves so everybody wins.

You don’t get into the Ivy League without having a few good ideas up your sleeve. And you don’t get to be a permanent fixture at the Princeton library without pulling your weight. If you do your homework, this is a good deal for all involved.

The Amish way of life has learned to live side by side with secular residents in Lancaster County for years, despite differences in the way the two cultures choose to live. But while Lancaster’s newest proposed addition will involve electricity, it shouldn’t ruffle too many Mennonite beards as this improvement is both respectful to the environment and completely silent.

Suburban Philadelphia’s Community Energy unveiled plans this week to build a $20 million solar array on 40 acres of farmland in East Drumore Township, Lancaster County. The solar farm would generate enough electricity to power 900 homes using nothing but the sun.

Amish ingenuity to use natural resources to create energy is at the heart of this simple innovation. And with the productivity of solar panels increasing everyday, it is likely 900 homes is a conservative estimate over the 25-year lifespan of the array.

The success of this plant will create construction jobs and help diversify the state’s coal-heavy energy portfolio. Keep it here for updates on this and other projects around the state.

Policy wonks, journalists and concerned citizens alike have expressed concern about the state of Philadelphia at the midpoint of Mayor Michael Nutter’s term. Their sentiments, expressed in this exhaustive Daily News piece from November, culminate to form a collective sigh at both the terrible timing and lack of crisis management that have made up this administration thus far. And while a SEPTA strike and closing libraries and pools have punctuated concerns, Mayor Mike can hang his hat on two important milestones: a declining murder rate and measurable advancements in the green economy. In short, he has painted this town from red to green.

This week, Nutter improves on his promise to create William Penn’s “Green Country Town.” On December 3rd, Philadelphia City Council approved Bill No. 090119, a tax credit/incentive program for certified sustainable businesses. Philadelphia’s green community are hoping Mayor Mike will give his stamp of approval later this month, as it is suspected he will. Nutter has been a friend to the environmental community, supporting the expansion of bike lanes, contributing funding for green jobs initiative and, most recently bringing single-stream recycling and approving incentive programs to increase participation. Tax incentives for sustainable businesses will encourage already strong development potential for Philadelphia and will battle rising unemployment.

But if Michael Nutter needs a legacy, as the Daily News seems to suggest, he could do worse than plugging the brain drain. Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania has been hemorrhaging technology and science jobs for the past 15 years. Increased funding for technology transfer and university programs across the state have turned the numbers a bit. But adding fuel to the green energy fire could keep those sustainable technology jobs in Philadelphia. Put the incentives where they belong so we can keep building from red to green.

This month, the Pennsylvania House is scheduled to vote on House Bill 80, a controversial alternative energy measure that would expand Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Performance Standards. When the House first produced a bill bringing AEP standards to Pennsylvania in 2004, our state became a leader in alternative energy measures and reversing the effects of climate change. By enforcing diversification of the energy portfolio, Pennsylvania saw the small business sector emboldened, new jobs created and new solar facilities coming on line on both sides of the state.

But now, as Pennsylvania’s unemployment rates hit a 17-year high in October, the House is dragging their feet on bringing this pivotal expansion to a vote. Just like in 2004, alternative energy standards ensure that our state not only keeps pace with the nation in terms of phasing out our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, it ensures that we remain a leader in this field. But more importantly, these expansions would create thousands of green jobs and would continue the competitive rise of alternative energy startups in Pennsylvania. These entrepreneurs are the future of Pennsylvania energy and the key to reversing the tide of record unemployment.

Not only can you get steaming mad about our state government’s lackadaisical attitude toward this bill, you can do something about it. Visit PennFuture and let your representative know how you feel. It’s time to bring Pennsylvania back to a leadership position on climate change, new green jobs and alternative energy entrepreneurship.

As Solar States founder Micah Gold-Markel continues the fight to bring solar energy to Philadelphia, Solar States is bringing some new voices to the conversation. This month, Solar States is hosting monthly investor salons to talk to alternative energy investors and venture capitalists about the state of the alternative energy marketplace and what it will take to make the solar dream a reality in Philadelphia.

Solar States would also like to bring you in on the conversation. That’s why we will be video taping these meetings and taking your comments on the Solar States blog. These videos will start to appear on the blog in early December, after the first Salon takes place. Keep all eyes glued here for more information on these exciting investment meetings.

I have a riddle: what place in Florida collects more sun than George Hamilton’s face? Its the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Facility in Arcadia, FL. The facility, which became the largest in the nation, came online last week but President Obama was on hand yesterday for the official unveiling. The president spoke about the country’s solar future before touring over 90,000 solar panels equipped on this massive state-of-the-art facility. There was a lot to see.

The Arcadia facility adds to a push by Florida Power and Light to diversify their energy portfolio. Many say its about time, as the Sunshine State has been anything but. In 2007, 0% of the state’s total energy came from solar power. Now, just under 2 years later, Florida adds the largest facility in the nation with an even larger facility scheduled for completion in the next year.

As for the Arcadia facility itself, it will be the largest in the country, with 25 megawatts of capacity. That’s enough to power over 3,000 homes without any carbon emissions. For more information on the Arcadia facility and the Obama speech, visit DeSoto Solar.

When I say Par, you say Tay! Par! Tay! Par! Tay!

Two green energy festivals hit Pennsylvania this week, displaying cutting edge innovation and pathways toward Pennsylvania’s solar potential.

First up is the PA Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival. Popular exhibits like the Green Builders Forum and the Transportation Tent join new events like the Sustainable Fashion Show and the eARTh Art Show out in Central PA this weekend. Starting today, the festival hits the Kempton Community Center to the north of Kutztown. Check out more info at PAenergyfest.com

Next week starts the World Green Energy Symposium in Philadelphia. Mayor Michael Nutter will serve as the Keynote Speaker. This event is more of a policy-development event. Where the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Festival is more of a summer fair vibe, the Green Energy Symposium will serve as a discussion venue for new ideas and processes. At least for the first day.

The second day is when EnergyFest takes over the Comcast Center. Where the first day of this event was all about business and private events for solar innovators, day 2 is where the general public can come and participate in hands-on exhibits, book signings, workshops and activities. For more information, check out www.worldgreenenergysymposium.us.

Day 1 September 25

Sheraton Philadelphia Center City Hotel
17th & Race Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Day 2 September 26

Comcast Center
1701 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

We at Solar States have made no bones about our massive policy crush on Green For All founder-turned-White House Green Jobs czar Van Jones. We even wrote him a note to find out if he liked us, asking him to check yes or no. Sadly, he never responded, instead deciding to date that hunky basketball player with the motorcade and the white mansion. Some guys have all the luck.

But like any high school romance, this partnership would end with the same he-said, she-said drama. On Saturday, September 5th, the White House released a statement announcing Jones’ resignation amidst reports that his name had appeared on a 2004 petition calling for an investigation into government ties to the 9-11 terrorist attacks. This discovery only emboldened right-wing voices already in search of blood after video was released of Jones calling republicans ‘a**holes.’

The petition was a misstep in judgement that occurred well before Jones was a national figure. It is no secret that Jones’ political path began in radical causes, founding police oversight groups and civil rights defense movements in Oakland, CA. Glenn Beck made a big production of “discovering” this despite the fact that Jones talks about it in his book, the Green Collar Economy. And considering the source of all accusation here comes from Fox News host Glenn Beck–whose vitriolic slams of Jones are tantamount to McCarthy-era propaganda–Jones can be forgiven the expletive by simply looking up the word ‘a**hole’ in the dictionary. But unfortunately, the truly troubling stuff was still to come.

The next day–Sunday, September 6th–Obama spokesperson David Axelrod appeared on Meet The Press to state “we didn’t break up with him, he broke up with us!” (in so many words) and summarily wash his hands of the whole situation. This left the floor wide open for Indiana Rep. Mark Pence to call for full senate confirmation of all White House advisors.

Given the language of Jones’ resignation letter, in which he called the attacks against him a “vicious smear campaign,” it seems unlikely that Jones quitting was entirely his decision. But even if it was, Axelrod’s complete unwillingness to go to bat for his people in the face of ridiculous accusations of communist radicalism is telling of the Obama administration’s lack of fight. And it hurts all of us.

The health care debate has so far been marred by falsehoods and talking points from Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh, causing Obama to react and retract certain parts of his adgenda based on certain squeaky wheels that don’t necessarily speak for everyone. And up to this point, it was easy to rationalize these moves as diplomatic, as trying to take all voices into account. But before last week, no one was talking about Van Jones. And until the White House allowed Glenn Beck to characterize who Jones was, no one was worried about him. But instead of countering or ignoring the accusations and encouraging Jones to stay on, Axelrod applauded the “committment” of Jones for quitting.

These associations represent a miniscule part of a storied and prolific career of social activism. And whether Jones’ associations are troubling or not has no bearing on any policy. His actions have all been positive. His message of creating a partnership between minority joblessness and the energy crisis is right on. It is something the Obama administration and this country desperately need. But all the great policy in the world doesn’t translate to action without protection. And by not standing up for Jones, the White House has lost a brilliant voice for equality and common-sense sustainability.

When Jones called the republicans ‘a**holes,’ the spirit of what he was saying was complimentary. In an intimate crowd of supporters, a young woman stood to ask why republicans seemed to get more done even when democrats controlled both houses of congress and the White House. And Jones replied ‘because they are a**holes and Barack Obama is not an a**hole.’ He touched on something important.

Right now, we need people in the White House who are going to battle slander with facts and reason. We need voices who are both loud and right. Right now, we don’t need a mediator. We need an a**hole.

Who Loves The Sun?–The Velvet Underground

The recent uproar caused by proposed House Bill 80 is enough to make you lose faith in the political process. The bill, which calls for the State to increase Alternative Energy standards to match those of neighboring states like New Jersey and Delaware, has allowed 30 amendments so far, creating a crowded field of detractors set to debate the entire energy crisis en masse. Frustrated lawmakers and policy wonks alike are left to wave their arms and cry ‘People, can we please stick to the script?’ This bill calls for diversification of the state energy portfolio, so that all power entities would be required to increase their offerings by 8% in the next 11 years. So why do we have to hear from every energy interest all at once?

Rep. Bill Keller

Among the opportunists seeking to ride the coattails of this legislation into the next decade is Representative Bill Keller, whose proposed amendment would require that all solar-photovoltaic systems and components be installed by licensed electrical contractors. Supported by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (who just happen to be 6-figure Keller campaign supporters), the amendment would seek to stymie the already vibrant solar industry in favor of unionizing solar installation.

To understand why this amendment is detrimental, it is important to note the history and the economics of solar energy. When solar panels were first introduced, they were sold with commercial licenses to power small devices like money-sorting machines and computer punch-card readers. It was around this time that NASA was looking for a simplified electrical system without the complex wiring associated with electric power systems of the time. In 1958, the Vanguard 1 satellite left the Earth as the first PV-powered satellite, with panels designed to reduce the need for complex maintenance and wire connectivity.

To this day, solar panel manufacturing remains a relatively simple technology with a 25-year lifespan and limited maintenance requirements. Perhaps this is why many roofers left their trade to start solar install companies.

Bill Keller and the IBEW argue that their opposition comes from concerns regarding safety but one wonders how so many solar companies have stayed in business if safety was a legitimate concern. More likely, electricians see a flood of new jobs coming on the heels of this alternative energy expansion. We at Solar States believe these electricians should get in line behind everyone else.

Solar energy advocates and professionals are working daily to lower the preventative costs and other roadblocks to increasing this technology in Pennsylvania. If we reduce the number of possible installers, making it harder for people to get jobs or to procure an installation, are we really going in the right direction?

But more importantly than this amendment is the flood of challenges to House Bill 80 that could end up stalling these important energy measures. Pennsylvania is already one of the biggest carbon polluters in the country. If we want to increase alternative energy options–measures that will increase public health and decrease cost of living–lets get this legislation passed. There will be plenty of time to sort out how we get there.

On today’s This Week In Duh, we ring our own bell a little bit; toot our own horn; scratch our own back, if you will. This partnership we have created is so brilliant, we just have to shout about it. I mean, who would have thought that an environmental education center would partner with a solar environmental education and install company? Please, hold your applause until the end.

Ok, so maybe our networking isn’t totally brilliant, but this partnership may be. For our part, we are just happy these guys would work with us. The Schuylkill Center has been around nearly 25 years, educating the educators, the nature buffs and the regular city dwellers here in Philadelphia on the wonders of nature, and how to keep it as wondrous as possible. As one of the oldest environmental education centers in the country, we feel their experience and dedication is the best foothold for our solar education programs.

This month, Solar States helps lead a two-day teacher workshop on solar energy. Participants will work with industry experts, learning about the grant and incentive programs that will bring solar technology to the forefront of Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio. Teachers attending the program will receive lesson plans that use solar energy in science, math, social studies and civics classes. Participants also receive a $50 stipend, 11 ACT 48 credit hours, a free pyranometer or multimeter, and small PV cells to use in the classroom.

Some things were just made to be together: peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, a 130-watt solar panel and a 250-watt, grid-tied inverter. If you don’t get that joke and you would like to, check out more information here. If you have some duh-inducing technology news of your own, e-mail me at john@solar-states.com.