Solar States Blog

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. 

There was a time–before ozone depletion, before someone reset the thermostat–that the idea of alternative energy appearing anywhere close to a stock analyst’s desk was laughable. In the days of Gordon Gecko, the solar panels had been taken off the White House roof. The fad was dead.  And while the conversation is not entirely positive, its a breath of fresh air to see the big guys (you know, the guys who wear suits to work) talking about our little energy revolution and the serious money potential it has. You will hear talk of solar energy as an unstable “roller coaster” stock, a front currently propped up by government subsidy and cow-towing to the whims of Washington. But you will also hear from Kevin Landis, CIO of Firsthand Capital Management. Landis recommends forgetting about First Solar, the most expensive of all solar stocks and invest in smaller companies like SunTech and SunPower.  

The reason Landis differs from the rest of the group on this issue is he has been following the rate that the technology is catching on (30-50% growth per year) and is impressed by innovations that will make solar more efficient in the future, bringing costs down and making solar energy more profitable. “We are closer than you think,” Landis exclaims. While solar cannot currently take the place of other forms of energy exclusively, investing in technologies and alternative energy providers will help investors prepare for a boom in this market and will ensure that technologies are in place to battle ever-rising electricity rates.  Wanna get in on the action yourself? Solar States is looking for investors interested in being a part of a growing Philadelphia industry dedicated to creating jobs, educating our citizens on energy independence and selling clean, renewable power to Philadelphia’s commercial sector without the big upfront investment. Contact john@solar-states.com or the contact form on our website to receive a lender prospectus.

You may have noticed the Green trend running amuck lately–that is, unless you have spent the last 3 years in a cave…on Mars…and your spaceship’s Twitter account was disabled. Surely even Al Gore couldn’t have predicted how wide a net the environmental movement was going to cast in the new millennium.

So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the retail technology industry would get in on the action. The innovations featured below may seem like such no-brainers, you will be surprised they were not here sooner. But it turns out there is a reason why a solar cell phone hasn’t hit the market before: it doesn’t really work.

Samsung Crest: The phone Gizmodo hails as perfect “for eco-friendly, budget conscious types that don’t seem to be concerned with practicality,” the Crest is the first solar-powered cell phone released by a major manufacturer. And while charging your phone by leaving it on the dashboard may seem like the perfect way to save the world without doing anything, the solar panel backing provides next to nothing in terms of efficiency. According to the specs, the Crest gets 5-10 minutes of talk time from a 1-hour charge in direct sunlight. The other features are quite minimal as well, with an FM radio, mp3 ringtone capability, flashlight and a fake call feature (for getting rid of that stalker you met at the bar last night). Still, even with solar charging, the most impressive feature about the Crest is the price. Coming in at $59, you can charge your phone at a snails pace for cheap. Currently available in Europe, India and Southeast and Southwest Asia, Samsung says they have no plans to release the phone in the U.S. just yet.

iUnika GYY: The Spaniards have been leaders in the solar field as the first country to make a commitment to concentrated solar power, creating different types of solar facilities using mirrors to form sunlight into a concentrated beam, creating energy. Now, a Spanish company has created a mini-computer that runs on solar energy. But while the GYY does offer a full battery charge using only the sun, the laptop has less computing power than most cell phones, next to nothing in terms of memory and an 8-inch screen. There are several positives to this baby computer. Its outer shell is made entirely from bioplastics like cellulose and corn products. And the battery can be completely charged by the sun. There are 3 USB ports and, in case you are a vampire or a fan of World of Warcraft, you can charge the computer from any wall outlet as well. But the lack of computing power makes this a step in the right direction but still well short of the finish line.

Solar Powered Hat Fan: Now we know as well as anyone that air conditioners are wasteful and inefficient. But really, is this the best way to go? While the new Prius has taken the idea of a solar powered ventilation system in a different direction, these low-tech, low-fashion devices don’t seem like the best. But we at Solar States are not fashionistas. Just do us a favor: imagine the fan not on some cute little kid but on a fat, shirtless man at the Jersey Shore. Still want one?

You would be wrong to read into our criticism of these devices as a condemnation of solar power’s role in gadgetry. As the technology progresses, solar power will become more and more mainstream. But as is the case with PV and Solar Hot Water systems for home and business, solar power in gadgets has not yet progressed to the point that it can fully replace more traditional models. But without these early adopters, there would be no innovation and we would not have progressed to the point we are now. So keep your eye out as these technologies progress.

Solar States has decided to postpone GREEN BY EXAMPLE until October 3rd. While we are still committed to bringing solar education to Philadelphia, we wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to participate.

As many of you asked about our low income options, we were not interested in turning anyone away so we decided to give you extra time to prepare admission fees in the event that you don’t receive one of our spots for assistance. June is often a month for vacation time and busy weekends. Many of our potential attendees complained that they couldn’t make every Saturday in June or that they received 

word of the course on too short notice. This postponement will allow people to plan their schedules in advance of the course. And last but not least, we have received a letter of intent to build an 83 kW solar array for the Crane Arts Building. We have also applied for state funding that will help us produce this array. If we receive this funding, our target completion date for the array is in August. Being able to give students a tour of a working array and being able to offer hands-on access to solar power is something we are very excited about.

For more information about our fall GREEN BY EXAMPLE course, please contact john@solar-states.com.

What could make the Crane Arts Building–that shimmering artistic beacon of the American Street Corridor–complete? They already boast some of the top artists and designers in Philadelphia, from InLiquid to Nexus. Owner David Gleeson already looks like a modern-day Robin Hood, offering the cheapest by-square-foot space in Philadelphia in support of the artistic and entrepreneurial communities. His building already boasts green spaces, party rooms, gallery-like rooms, post-industrial minimalism and studios for every form of expression from sculpture to screen printing, from writing to web design. So what is this Northeast Neverland missing? 

With large warehouse spaces like the Crane, top expenditures come  from maintenance and energy. And in order to protect himself from rate hikes coming to a home near you in late 2010, Gleeson has signed a letter of intent with Solar States for the creation of a power purchase agreement. The 83 kW system will cover the roof of the Crane with a useful life of 25 years. Aztec Solar Power, a start-up out of King of Prussia will be doing the installation. 

In preparation for our first PPA install, Solar States has applied for available state funding and are currently searching for investment capital to get started on the next solar array to bring solar energy to your neighborhood. 

There is an old saying that goes “the footprints in history are not made sitting down.” We see this as our first step toward something great; an energy revolution where your power provider is partnering with you to improve production, instead of just grabbing your money. Keep eyes here on the Solar States blog for updates on the Crane Project as they become available. 

And, as always, if you want to become a solar installer or are interested in learning more about your home’s energy needs, its not too late to sign up for GREEN BY EXAMPLE, our first LEED For Homes prep course and a great first step toward learning green job skills. For more information, visit www.solar-states.com and check out our online sign-up form here. 

This week, we determined a few of our guest speakers for GREEN BY EXAMPLE and we are proud to say that some of the most visionary minds in green building are going to be joining us.

Nic Darling will be speaking. Nic is the co-founder of PostGreen, and co-creator of the 100k House, a LEED-Platinum home that utilizes modern technology along with smart building practices to create the incredably affordable homes of the future.

Pat and Tim McDonald are the principals of Onion Flats, creators of some of the most modern and beautiful homes in the Norhtern Liberties/Fishtown area. Their company began as an architecture firm and has evolved from an artistic vision to a very real and profitable business model. And the best part is all their designs are completely sustainable from top to bottom, utilizing innovations like green roofs and solar panels.

The knowledge these experts bring to our classroom will give students a view of what it takes to build a truely unique entrepernueral venture in green building and alternative energy here in Philadelphia. If they can do it, so can you. And here is where to get started. Sign up with us today!

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported this week on an influx of stimulus funding that is going to create hundreds of new jobs in Pennsylvania. The funding is for Weatherization, a green-building buzz word but a very real technique for plugging energy leaks in homes around Philadelphia.

Caulking windows, replacing insulation, resealing HVAC systems; all once thought to be standard repairs are now seen as ways to conserve energy and are as vital to creating a more energy-efficient America as solar panels and wind turbines.

Wanna learn more about Weatherization? Join us every Saturday in June for GREEN BY EXAMPLE, learn professional weatherization techniques and get in on the ground floor of this Pennsylvania growth industry. When we hear about this, we think its about time Pennsylvania got around to expanding this 33-year-old program. We say “Less Talk, More Caulk!”

Join us for GREEN BY EXAMPLE Saturdays in June to learn more about this exciting new home-improvement industry.

Solar States is at it again! With students at the Science Leadership Academy finishing up another great semester of solar design and photovoltaic research, we thought long and hard about what our next step should be in bringing solar education and industry to the Philadelphia area. But in the end, it came down to one simple question: what comes after high school?

College. And in college, the first classes you take are the intro classes, the 101 classes, with names like “Intro to Psychology” and “History of Early America.” This is Green Energy 101.

GREEN BY EXAMPLE is our newest course, teaching you the basics of LEED certification, weatherization, solar and other groundbreaking innovations. Taught by LEED expert Sam Klein (LEED For Homes Quality Assurance Designee), GREEN BY EXAMPLE can show you the investments you should consider and the ones you need to make in order to become LEED certified or just save your family a few bucks. And with guest speakers from the Philly solar and green building communities, we are making sure you are getting the most up-to-date information.

Before Philadelphia students and prospective installers can get on a roof and install solar panels, they have to understand the basics of home and commercial energy. There are natural, creative ways to plug the energy leaks that are harming your environment and draining your wallet. Come learn about them.

And even if you are afraid of heights; even if you can’t tell an inverter from a ballast mount; even if you have no interest in solar at all, wouldn’t you like to know how to stop your house from hemorrhaging energy and costing you a fortune? Get your prerequisite energy knowledge out of the way with Green By Example.

Ok Sales Pitch over. Thanks for your interest in our mission and if you are interested in signing up, we will see you in class!

GREEN BY EXAMPLE: An introduction to Alternative Energy, Weatherization and LEED For Homes

When: Saturday, June 6th, 2009 / Saturday, June 13th, 2009 / Saturday, June 20th, 2009 / Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Where: Northern Liberties Community Center, 700 N. 3rd Street (at the corner of 3rd and Fairmount Sts.)

Time: 9:30am-12:30pm

Cost: $350 for the entire 4-week program. There are 5 spots available to low-income participants.

Let’s start this new segment where it belongs: with a discussion on the word Duh! Popularized in the mid-nineties, the word originally comes from variations on utterances of confusion like ‘umm’ or ‘uh.’ But in its popular form, duh takes on a sarcastic tone of voice, in order to imply that something is obvious. Naturally, people who use the word Duh! now sound totally played out, and we get that. But in your head, you know you still say it, when you hear an idea and you know it should have been yours. An idea that is head-slappingly, eyebrow-raisingly, gotta-tell-your-friends-about-it simple, makes you believe you could go all Billy Mays on everyone.

Like many in the science and technology industry, we are always on the hunt for great inventions and ideas. With the solar industry, the biggest barrier is always cost so many of the most inventive ideas are targeted at reducing cost.

That’s where 1BOG comes in. 1BOG stands for 1 Block Off the Grid, which sounds like the company is about proximity, bringing solar to your door. In actuality, 1BOG does the opposite.

By recalling the same collective bargaining as utilized by health insurance companies, solar energy can be made less affordable. In short, there’s safety (and money) in numbers.

1BOG organizes community residents, creates a buzz around solar and negotiates deals with solar installers to lower the high initial costs associated with going solar.

The best thing about the idea is that, by not taking people off the grid, 1BOG’s communities are still eligible for all the tax breaks and incentive funds that any other early solar adopter would get. But with 1BOG’s collective bargaining agreements, and grassroots community organizing, prices drop, panels go up and you pay less for energy.

Such a simple idea, I bet you wish you thought of it. Solar energy sold like health insurance. Not that it needs to be said but…DUH!

I know it sounds like a cheesy sixties travel song or the latest tourism campaign but Pennsylvania Sunshine may brighten our state in another way.

As an add-on to Gov. Ed Rendell’s Alternative Energy Investment Act, Pennsylvania Sunshine provides $100 million in grant funding for commercial and residential solar projects. This bill, which was passed after the Commonwealth Financing Authority board voted unanimously last week, knocks down the largest barrier to solar energy in Pennsylvania. High upfront costs for solar arrays, combined with Pennsylvania’s already high labor and building costs have prevented solar development from taking off.

Funding will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, with applications available through the Department of Environmental Protection as early as next week.

This legislation comes as a huge sigh of relief for companies like Solar States, interested in furthering solar development. The fact is that solar energy is not yet cost effective for up-and-coming businesses to afford in the short term. The Pennsylvania Sunshine law allows for investment into energy independence; an investment that is going to become more and more important as rate caps disappear at the end of 2010.

The Pennsylvania solar community came out in force in support of the bill last week, as installers, potential developers and displaced solar company employees gathered in Harrisburg. Nine months ago, when Rendell’s energy policy was passed through the state house, install and development companies sprung up across PA, hoping to take advantage of promised rebates. But by the first of the year, no rebates had been issued and many installers had to lay off employees.

With the economy being in the shape it is in, cities and municipalities have been scrambling to keep development dollars flowing in. Philadelphia, for example, has had bills flowing through City Council since December to scale back generous tax abatement programs. But fears about negative impacts on development prevented support from the Mayor’s office. Pennsylvania Sunshine was propped up alongside federal stimulus funds as better incentives for green development.

Lastly, this law is great news for the city’s engineering students and solar technicians-in-training counting on early investment into solar energy to create a bedrock of the Philadelphia solar industry. Because, hey, someone has to be first.

Check out the full literature of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law, as well as applications for inclusion here.