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WalkerARCHITECTS
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 44
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 Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: The ENERGY FUTURE and CLIMATE CRISIS |
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There is a pressing need for energy solutions particularly energy storage systems. Worldwide energy consumption was projected to increase between 40% to 50% by the year 2010. I think that prediction is still very close. Italy consumes the least energy of all the industrialized countries. Canada consumes the most energy per person and the United States is currently a close second. Thirty percent of the energy consumed per year is used by developing countries.
The United States uses 15 times more energy per person than does the typical developing country. Americans consume 26% of the global oil supply but has only 5% of the worlds population. According to experts the total U.S. residential energy consumption is projected to increase 17% from 1995 to 2015 and globally there are 2 billion people currently without electricity.
The United States is the global leader of carbon dioxide emissions accounting for 23% of the energy related carbon emissions worldwide and an average of 23,000 pounds of carbon dioxide is emitted annually from each American home according to the US Dept. of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Our system of power generation depends upon on demand electrical power and this currently mandates that we use fuels for the bulk of our energy needs. To safe-gaurd the environment and reduce impacts that drive climate change we must stop the construction of conventional COAL PLANTS and break the addiction to fossil fuel.
Energy by sectors for US manufacturers costs about $100 billion on energy, but US consumers cost more at $200 billion. The cost of electricity is now 4 times what it was 30 years ago and the prices will continue to rise with the cost of oil. The State of California leads the nation in energy standards and is easily 30% more stringent than the National Energy Code.
Although sunlight is not available at night, solar energy is plentiful. Each square meter of the Earth’s surface can collect the equivalent of one barrel of oil per year, or 4,2 kilowatt hours of energy per day (when averaged over the entire planet surface at 24 hours per day for one year) There is more than enough solar energy for all projected needs forever.
Solar energy avoids depletion of other resources and yields clean energy with no pollution. Net metering is now common practice nationwide. Users with photo-voltaic rooftop power plants do not pay for the electricity generated and the local utility will credit the homeowner for the excess energy that the solar collection system produces. There is minimal maintenance and no moving parts. The technology we need most is energy storage so that the sunlight collected in summer can be used in winter.
Federal tax credits for new and existing homes of 30% up to a max of $2000 is available but there is no federal tax limit for commercial systems. Photo-voltaic systems compare favorably with other home improvements. Solar electric systems increase home values. Over time solar electric systems, particularly with current incentives are very cost effective.
All areas of the US have enough sun hours per day to produce enough power to make a solar system viable. There is less sunlight in winter than in summer and shading may be a source of solar harvest losses. Although we need large scale energy storage systems to give the power generation industry the necessary backbone to support alternative energy, solar energy can be economically deployed right now in many ways and many opportunities exist to put Americans profitably at work building a sustainable energy future.
I am inviting discussion and proposals regarding the feasibility of creating a sustainable energy future focused on photo-voltaic solar energy systems. What barriers do you think need to be overcome? |
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nanrehvasconez
Joined: 25 Feb 2008
Posts: 221
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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Financial Incentives for Solar Energy
Grants & Rebates
Program Technology Eligibility Incentive Contact Info
CEC Emerging Renewables Rebate Program PV, Small Wind PG&E, SCE, SDG&E
check site for status
Phone: 1-800-555-7794 (in Ca) or 916-654-4058 (outside Calif.)
Send E-mail
CEC website
'CPUC' Self-Generation Program*
PV (Wind, fuel cells, etc.) PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E and So Cal Gas customers
30 kW to 1 MW system size - onsite generation
check site for status
PG&E
415-973-6436
SCE
1-800-736-4777
San Diego
619-595-5634
So Cal Gas
1-800-GAS-2000
SMUD- PV Pioneer Program PV Sacramento Municipal Utility District customers varies SMUD PV
916.732.5501
email
SMUD -Solar Water Heating Program SDHW SMUD customers w/ electric water heaters
SMUD SDHW
888.742.SMUD
Green LA Solar Program PV Los Angeles Dept. Water & Power customers check site for status Green LA Solar
800- 473-3652
solar@greenla.com
Palo Alto PV Partners PV City of Palo Alto Utility Customer check site for status CPAU
(650) 329-2241
email
Silicon Valley Power PV Silicon Valley Power customers (Santa Clara) check site for status SVP
(408) 244-SAVE
email
Silicon Valley Power PV/Wind Silicon Valley Power business customers
(Santa Clara) check site for status SVP
(408) 244-SAVE
email
City of Santa Clara SDHW
Pool heating
Process City of Santa Clara Residents & Businesses City lease program. fees vary Municipal Solar
408-615-2000
Pasadena Water & Power PV PWP customers check site for status PWP
(626) 744-6970
Burbank Water & Power PV Burbank W&P customers check site for status BWPbiz
BWPres
818-238-3562
Anaheim Public Utilities
'Count on the Sun' Program PV Anaheim PU residential customers check site for status Anaheim Public Utility
714-765-4182
Redding ElectricUtility PV or
SDHW
City of Redding Customers [residential or commercial] check site for status Redding Electric Utility
245-7200
Glendale Water & Power PV Glendale WP customers check site for status Glendale Water & Power
818-548-2750
Turlock Irrigation District PV TID customers check site for status TID
(209) 883-8327
Imperial Irrigation District PV IID customers
check site for status
IID Energy
* Note that individual projects can apply to only one of the applicable programs. Example: the CPUC and CEC incentive programs can not be combined. In certain locations, a project may be eligible for either the CEC, SCE, or So Cal Gas incentives, but can only receive rebates from one program.
Please send details of new programs not listed here to webmaster@californiasolarcenter.org
Tax & Other Incentives
Program Description Eligibility more info
California Solar Tax Credit - established 9/2001 retroactive to 1/1/2001.
Note this tax credit has expired as of 12/31/05
PV and Wind systems - up to 200 kW - 15% on the net cost, sunsets in 2006. residential and commercial full text of SB17x and supporting analysis
FTB Form 3508 -yr2002 [22kb pdf]
FAQs [100 kb pdf]
10% Investment Tax Credit. Federal credit for businesses + Accelerated depreciation. Established by the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Update (2006) - Expanded to 30% through 2007. Commercial (Businesses).
2005 Federal Energy Bill now includes residential incentives and includes solar hot water.
FAQ -html
Net Metering - California Law providing retail value for excess electricity produced onsite via a PV or Wind systems or hybrid of the two. All California Electric utility customers - up to 1MW system size (PV or Wind or a Hybrid of the two) legislation reference
Financing Options - sources compiled by the California Energy Commission & REDI Varies - Residential, Commercial, Institutional Residential - 250 kB[pdf]
Commercial - 250 kB[pdf]
Institutional - 250 kB [pdf]
For Incentives available in other States, visit the DSIRE website
Home • Disclaimer • Email • Search •
Copyright © 2005The Rahus Institute |
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nanrehvasconez
Joined: 25 Feb 2008
Posts: 221
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| Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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Toyota and SunPower Complete Largest Single-Roof Solar Installation in North America
Distributed by Press Release EMAIL ARTICLEPRINT ARTICLE
ONTARIO, Calif. and SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Toyota and SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the completion of the largest single-roof solar power installation in North America. The 2.3-megawatt SunPower system will begin operation in early October at Toyota's North America Parts Center California (NAPCC) in Ontario, Calif.
Toyota expects the solar installation will provide nearly 60 percent of the total electricity needs for the 760,000-square foot NAPCC. The system covers more than 242,000 square feet of the NAPCC's roof and includes 10,417 solar modules, enough to cover more than four football fields. It is expected to avoid about 6.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which is the equivalent to the emissions from the energy use of approximately 255 homes in a year.
"Toyota's Earth Charter challenges the company to pursue all possible environmental technologies in the pursuit of sustainable mobility," said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "That extends the company's environmental responsibilities beyond products to include our manufacturing plants and other facilities where sustainable and renewable energy sources such as solar power are increasingly important." |
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arctushar
Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:21 am Post subject: |
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Nice topics
thank u from http://forum.arcvil.com
visit the architectureral and civil engineering forum |
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WalkerARCHITECTS
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:00 am Post subject: Solar Energy Solutions in Washington State |
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Thanks for the information input.
Let me report "The Current State of the Solar Energy solution here in Washington State".
The situation now is that our power is generated in large central plants and distributed over large interconnected networks of high voltage power lines. Sources of generation include coal, gas, nuclear, and hydro power.
The problem for all of us is that
• cost of fossil fuel goes up
• nuclear generation is expensive and dangerous
• hydro power development is limited
• power is lost in transmission over long distances
• the aging grid becomes increasingly vulnerable to breakdown
• all of these systems have negative environmental effects.
The implication is that your power costs are out of your control and your power comes from a grid that is vulnerable and unreliable. Further, your power consumption contributes to the kinds of environmental problems that are changing health and weather patterns, and the kinds of political problems that result from reliance on foreign and declining energy sources.
In Washington we have enjoyed cheap hydro power. But the government intends to raise our costs to match markets in the rest of the country, which will more than double them. Why would anyone do that? While our hydro-power is renewable, it does have environmental consequences, and there is no opportunity to expand it.
We advocate the commercial development of rooftop power plants. But even homeowner installed systems will pencil out as money makers.
Generating your own power at home using mature renewable energy technologies can provide relief from a host of problems. We advocate taking local control over the very probable sustained energy shortage problem, we anticipate that problem based upon the limited development of alternative energy systems, the existing state of the fossil fuel power on demand generation system and the global trend to have increasingly higher prices for fossil fuel generated energy in the future.
In Washington State we can lock in your electric rates now for the future.
Depending on the system you choose and where you live or work, you can reduce your utility costs by up to 90% or even eliminate your electric bill entirely, if you have the money to install a solar electric system. In fact, when your solar production exceeds your demand, your meter actually spins backwards - the utility company credits you for the power you produce! In Washington State there are significant incentives and rebates for businesses and individuals who have solar electric systems installed. Walker Architects has detailed this information in our reports.
Power Reliability
Solar is the number one choice where power reliability is a concern. The first systems built and designed in the 1950's are not only still functional but produce significant power even now! When NASA needed trouble free, durable power for the space race, satellites, and for the exploration of other planets they turned to solar. A solar electric system is completely automatic; it has no moving parts, and is virtually maintenance free, and with a supplemental inverter and battery storage your system can keep your lights on in the event of an emergency or a blackout.
Net Metering
You can actually look forward to opening your electricity bill, with a solar electric system. Your meter will spin forward when electricity is used from the grid, and spin backwards, generating a credit, when the solar system creates more electricity than is used. In the summer when you are using less electricity and generating more, you build up a credit each month, so that in the winter when you will experience greater need and demand, along with lesser production you use those credits. At the end of the year you pay the "NET" difference between production and use.
Rebates and Incentives
Currently, some utilities offer subsidies that cover some of the cost of a system. Also, there is a 30 % federal tax credit to help reduce the cost of the system even further. In addition, there are subsidies for your production, paying you beyond net metering for the power you generate. And, you are exempt from paying sales tax on your system and installation.
Increased Appraised value of Your Home
Based on a recent study by ICF consulting, (funded by HUD and the EPA and published in The Appraisal Journal (October 1998) energy saving measures such as solar can add up to $20 of home value for every $1 of yearly energy cost savings. What's better is that you are exempt from property tax on your increased value!
Environmentally Friendly
And finally, utilizing a solar system allows you to make a difference. Installing a solar electric system will preserve the earth's finite fossil-fuel resources and reduce air-pollution. A solar system does not release or produce any harmful by-products. It is 100% clean energy! A typical 2kw solar system produces up to 3,600 kW hours per year which, in turn, prevents the need to burn 3.7 tons of coal to produce the same amount of electricity. 3.7 tons of coal burned releases 10,000 pounds of green house gases into our atmosphere.
So, whether you're considering solar/photovoltaic because it can save you money, to ensure you have electricity during power outages, or because you want to have a less harmful impact on the environment, solar electric solutions are the intelligent, infinitely renewable choice for anyone.
Increasingly feasible in the United States
While the cost of solar power still has a ways to go, Washington State has made some strides in boosting its accessibility among residential users.
Ballot measure Initiative 937 that passed last fall requires utilities to get at least 15 percent of their energy from renewable resources by 2020. Plus, under state law, any public or private utility company can credit its customers for the energy they generate through "net metering."
It allows homeowners to get full retail value for most, or all of the electricity they produce by banking their excess electricity into the electric grid to withdraw it later, free of charge.
Also, homeowners who install Washington-made solar equipment are now entitled to subsidies.
This is all good news for bringing solar into the residential market. Walker Architects advocates solar electric power; “ the federal government and each state needs to "artificially intervene" and heavily subsidize solar so it can become cost effective in the residential market sooner rather than later”.
The cost will decrease as we implement the technology, Walker Architects is active in pursuing programs through state and local governments that aim to infiltrate the market with renewable energy technologies.
We marvel at the relative simplicity of the technology. The core of the solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is a thin layer of silicon, which is produced from silica, or sand, one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust. Sunlight causes photons and electrons to react, pressure builds and is converted to usable energy.
We encourage everyone to do the math and examine the cost of developing commercially available solar power on the top of the residential infrastructure. We advocate integrated passive and active solar technologies in all architectural works. This is as close to magic as we're going to get . This is good efficient technology. Anyone who is telling you it's not efficient just isn't doing the math.
But if solar technology saves money for homeowners and utility companies, why is it not leading the energy market? We have a simple explanation.
It's not the cheapest short term way to do something, The idea that is promoted is that homeowners and tax payers foot the bill for the cost. As Americans, we have to learn to get over that. We need to develop commercial roof top power plants. We need to create new utility companies and the existing ones won't do it unless they are forced into it by congressional pressure. No bureaucracy changes course voluntarily They are all captains of the Titanic.
While solar is still primarily an idea here, European countries that have taken an American born technology and made it a reality. The Dutch and the Germans are way ahead of us.
The Dutch have development policies that mandate solar technology on new buildings, including residential. Germany has entire cities that run on solar energy; 59 percent of all solar systems are in Germany. About 470 systems have been installed in Washington State where we practice architecture, with the bulk here on the Western side of the state.
Total energy usage is expected to grow significantly during the next century, and the stock of fossil fuels will continue to decline.
With China and India consuming coal-we're seeing peak coal in the same era. We are concerned about the impact of expanding uses of coal for power generation. We advocate aggressive use of solar energy and new technology. We can't rely on old methods of energy planning to get us through the very difficult problems we face in the next 15 years.
Still, billions more is spent federally on coal and oil than renewable energy technologies. From 1943 to 1999, only $4 billion was spent on solar research and development, compared to $400 billion on coal and $150 billion on oil. We are not embracing opportunities for positive global change aggressively.
It's widely known that coal and oil prices will only go up, but we believe prices for solar electricity will fall not rise.
Solar is the only thing I know of on a downward curve, we have lost muscle in terms of developing the technology that was born here in the United States and we need to embrace opportunities to rebuild our economy.
Contrary to an obvious assumption that overcast Seattle doesn't make for good solar breeding ground, this area is primed and ready to use solar energy. Net metering allows Seattle and Western Washington to store summer sun for the winter, those long rainy months and engage new technologies to store electrical energy. We need large scale energy storage technologies. We currently use hydroelectric dams, by generating energy in the summer and reverse metering, the summer surplus energy can be stored and conserved in the Northwest's hydroelectric dams as the water we do not have to spill for power in the summer.
How are you making solar power work where you live? |
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trilitica
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 122
Location: Bucharest, Romania
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: |
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Green Energy ISSUES
- Conventional Energy is still cost effective for developed and developing countries. They actually afford the costs of conventional energy.
- Conventional Energy is an occupational sector for many firms and many people. This way, they tend to fight against any green resources. Oil industry is one of the most profitable industries and they are trying to keep the status quo as long as possible to. The same hapends to Computers and IT industries. There are always going to be desktops/laptops marketed for the 1000 USS niche market. Any new technology first is marketed for hi-tech industries, then for 1000 market and only at the end to the low cost market.
GREEN ENERGY can't be effective unless it will give innovative cost efficienct solution. Right now is not cost effective to store the green electricity. Only systems that will permit 100% effective independence to a single unit house will break the conventional energy market.
Actually, this vision of GREEN ENERGY will produce a shift of power between the energy supplier and the end-user. It is not important if the GREEN ENERGY is solar, wind, or other kind of energy. It is important only to ensure a full independence to the end user.
You can see the automotive industry. The shift is going to be trough hybrid cars. Anyway, it will be necessary a very easy "refuel" system. I don't see a driver waiting for one hour to have a refuel, or walking around with a 10 kilos battery to change at the electricity station.
_________________
Octavian Ungureanu,
architect
TRILITICA FRAME
Architecture & Engineering
Bucharest, Romania
www.trilitica.ro - in Romanian
www.building-design.ro - in English |
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WalkerARCHITECTS
Joined: 25 Sep 2007
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject: Solutions |
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Build it and they will come. There are solutions to the problems in hand already; what is missing is the vision. The vision of the future is not the extension of the current state into the future until such time as miraculously alternative energy is suddenly profitable. If investors can make money the dollars will come.
They will come to Romania, Italy, France, the UK and the USA. The only good investments today are in our own futures and there is no future in fossil fuel.
How would you implement the migration from fossil fuel to solar or wind power? How do we attract investment in a sustainable energy future? What prerequisite must be embedded to initiate the transformation from the current state to the desired future state?
Build it and they will come. Can you imagine, conceive of the strategy, articulate the business process, design a vision of the desired future state and plan the journey from where we are today to where we must arrive in the next 50 years?
That is what we have to do to succeed. Following along is not good enough, we must lead. |
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