From an article by Liz Welter in the Marshfield News-Herald:
There's good news in the federal stimulus bill for homeowners -- about 42 billion in energy-related tax credits.
The bill upped the ante on tax credits, from a 10 percent return to 30 percent return, on energy-efficient home improvements. It includes everything from new windows to air conditioners to solar energy systems.
"This is good. I'm glad this has been signed and approved, because one of my goals is to make sure energy and water are being used efficiently and responsibly," said Jim Bensen, conservation specialist at Marshfield Utilities.
Bensen conducts free home energy audits for any customer of the utility.
"It's a good way to see where you could save some money," he said.
Audits usually take about one hour at the home and then several hours to enter the numbers into a computer, analyze the data and prepare a report.
"I'll go through the report with the person and explain where to start on savings. A lot of this is weatherizing your home. Just one leak, like around your chimney, or the pipe that goes outside to the faucet, can make a different. Add those all up, and it's a substantial savings," he said.
It's not just older homes that need weatherizing, he said.
"I did a home last week built in 2004, and there's a lot of weatherizing the owner can do to save a lot of money. And a lot of it, you don't need to hire someone to do," Bensen said.
Through the state's Focus on Energy program, Bensen said, there are resources available to residents to learn about the feasibility and possibility of using alternative energy sources. Bensen said he often refers residential, business and farming clients to Focus on Energy for assistance.
Wisconsinites are in a good position to take advantage of these energy-saving incentives, said Kathy Kuntz, director of energy programs at Focus on Energy.
"Our problem isn't going to be that (Wisconsinites) couldn't find the appliance or the installer, because we have the infrastructure," she said.
Not all states have agencies such as Focus on Energy to help guide consumers, she said, and added that the state also has a variety of companies selling and installing solar, wind and geothermal energy technologies.
New York state is providing grant money to 18 solar
projects in the Albany area.
Ed Bartholomew, president of the Economic Development Council of Warren County, says the solar farm that SolarCity will install in Queensbury, New York, will save Glens Falls about 200,000 a year in utility costs.
Glens Falls and the Economic Development Council of Warren County received a state grant that will allow SolarCity to build a solar farm on a 49-acre city property on Upper Sherman Avenue in Queensbury. The project, which is the city's first solar project, will save the city an estimated 4.3 million over two decades, Bartholomew says.
"Anytime you can reduce your municipal budget, that's number one. Number two is providing an energy alternative, which again is one of the city's goals," he says. "The driving force has been Gov. Cuomo's energy policy."
The solar farm was one of 142 solar projects that received a state grant through a program designed to increase solar capacity in the state. There are 18 project sites in the Albany area, including the town of Moreau Industrial Park, the town of Halfmoon, Mohawk in Cohoes, Environment One Corp. in Niskayuna and Emma Willard in Troy.
The solar farm in Queensbury will take up about 10 to 15 acres. Construction could begin this fall and solar panels could be installed early next year. SolarCity, the California-based company that is installing a 5 billion solar panel manufacturing plant in Buffalo, is the project installer. SolarCity has three locations in New York state, including one in Albany.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2014/09/30/state-grants-for-18-solar-projects-in-albany.html
A local microgrid in Sendai, Japan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)by Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy: http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/solar-grid-parity-world-2017Investment bank Deutsche Bank is predicting that solar systems will be at grid parity in up to 80% of the global market within 2 years, and says the collapse in the oil price will do little to slow down the solar juggernaut. In his 2015 solar outlook, leading analyst Vishal Shah says solar will be at grid parity in most of the world by the end of 2017.That's because grid-based electricity prices are rising across the world, and solar costs are still falling. Shah predicts solar module costs will fall another 40% over the next four to five years.Even if electricity prices remain stable - two thirds of the world will find solar to be cheaper than their current conventional energy supply. If electricity costs rise by around 3% a year, then Deutsche's "Blue sky" scenario is for 80% of countries to be at grid parity for solar."We believe the trend is clear: grid parity without subsidies is already here, increasing parity will occur, and solar penetration rates are set to ramp worldwide," Shah notes.Deutsche Bank says unsubsidised rooftop solar electricity costs anywhere between US0.13 and US0.23/kWh today, which is well below retail price of electricity in many markets globally."The economics of solar have improved significantly due to the reduction in solar panel costs, financing costs and balance of system costs," it notes. And further cost falls over coming years will come from improved panel efficiencies, and falls in balance of system costs due to scale and competition."The cost of finance will also fall, partly due to the development of new business models and partly because customer acquisition costs will fall as more consumers turn to solar and from the adoption of energy storage.Shah says it is clear that solar is becoming an increasingly important component of the world energy market. This graph shows its rapidly rising share of new generation.And while short term policy fluctuations and uncertainty - in particular in Japan and UK - have caused it to revise down total uptake in 2014 and 2015, Deutsche Bank says demand for solar in the world's two biggest economies is about to "take off".In the US, solar demand is expected to jump five fold to 16,000MW in 2016, making it the biggest market in the world ahead of China (which is expected to be about 13,000MW a year).The US market will be underpinned by a sharp rise in rooftop solar demand and the expansion of solar leasing, as well as new sources of financing. OIL MARKET SLUMP WILL NOT HAVE HUGE IMPACTShah downplays the impact of the oil price slump, noting that oil account for just 5% of global electricity production - and barely registers in the most important solar markets such as US and China. In addition, even at prices of US50/barrel, oil still cannot compete with solar."The cost of oil based electricity generation even at 50 oil prices is the 7-9c/kWh range and as shown in the note, the marginal cost is higher than solar in many regions worldwide," Shah writes. "Bottom line is that oil prices do not have a material impact on solar demand." UTILITIES BEGIN TO TURN TO SOLARAnd because the rooftop market is linked so closely to the price of grid electricity, Deutsche says that companies with exposure to distributed generation are best positioned to capitalise on the long term fundamentals of the market.This fits in with the recent decision by European giant E.ON to dump its conventional electricity business and focus instead on distributed generation, for leading US generator NRG to also focus on solar and storage, and for Australian utilities such as AGL Energy and Origin Energy to roll out leasing programs.Indeed, Shah says that 2015 will signal a change when major utilities turn to solar, while others continue to fight it (he's talking about the US, although in Australia we are witnessing the same trend, albeit by the same utilities both arguing against solar incentives, and rolling out their own leasing models)."We see the beginnings of what could indicate a long term shift in how utilities and their regulatory commissions interact with solar," Shah notes. "In 2015, we expect several key decisions from utility regulators to continue shaping this debate." THE ARGUMENT OVER SOLAR CONTRIBUTIONSThe key, then, will come around the framing of tariffs for solar energy. Shah neatly summarises some of the arguments over solar and tariffs this way:Some utilities argue that solar installations do not pay enough to support the grid, because transmission and distribution charges are generally based on metered electricity use. When a solar installation connects to the grid, it generates a portion of the owners electricity use and effectively acts as a reduction in grid demand. In most cases, this leads to a proportional decrease in the dollar charge for grid-sourced electricity (which includes a proportional charge for T&D cost recovery).Solar companies, individual users, and freedom-of-choice advocates believe this representation does not accurately account for the positive external contributions that solar installations provide. Theoretically, large scale distributed generation adoption should lower peak electricity demand, reduce strain on the grid, provide emissions-free electricity with no fuel cost, and lower the amount of necessary future investment in the grid on all fronts. In a scenario where 'smart grids' allow distributed solar resources to be dispatched as requested by the grid operator, the benefits from DG installations should increase.Long term, we believe the business models for solar and utility companies will necessarily shift as grid penetration rates increase (currently no more than 1-2% in even the high penetration states). Grid access charges could increase, utilities may start to compete more directly with solar installers, and cost recovery mechanisms generally will go through a rigorous analysis in most major solar markets.
Display are exceptional rise more or less a source of energy that they goal to use it for, but rob in vogue debit the advantages and disadvantages of experienced.
It is a predictable Act which is an environmentally friendly can be point the use of alternative energy sources and the raw world to depository the misuse natural resources. repeated countries keep not in that difficulty use of renewable energy sources, they keep decree to loads of job opportunities for their workforce.
One have to proclaim at the pros and cons of the alternative sources of energy.If very soon the electricity can be stored in relative amount with the renewable energy, which keep the reduce consequence of carrying out.It is not achievable to be able to depository of the alternative energy source or employment large amounts of. apiece soul request use the alternative energy, an athletic image of to the same extent they use and how to command. most workforce don't be grateful for a great deal more or less alternative energy, very soon natives who specialize in it, which is a big injury for most workforce.
Planetary energy
Planetary energy pot resplendently and would depository us a lot of electricity. one of the major advantages of this is that solar energy is unendingly unlimited and plentiful. depending on which region of the world a soul lives in request umpire whether they may be able to rely on solar energy very soon moderately than electricity. State who are in the further up the ladder levels formation do not difficulty use of the solar energy, so it can't be through acceptable in these areas in ill will of their need to keep it.Planetary energy is the prime minister alternative energy for homes.
Coil energy
To wind to progress as an alternative energy, put on would keep to be a great deal.This alternative energy source prime minister generated in spaces with reduce sea in high spirits, by factor, in point to shield air tape-record, it is essential to keep a lot of break down where the wind mills can be built. this alternative energy source cannot be created by these regions with underneath air.
Tidal power
Of the subaquatic Tides are used for natural power of power stations for energy. this form of energy is distinctively believe depends on the canvass of the tides varies from so repeated factors. tidal power are potentially dangerous for the trust of the birds and ducks as positive.
Hydro-electric power
This is the energy that, in resolution, in favour of the operations of the dam. the sea of the subaquatic is to the same extent is used to the dam. by this lead, the tear down of energy used to the optimum. the main net is that it is not achievable for the build of dams in all spaces, and with so a great deal resources is crucial.
I've run regular posts on the Indicate Turn project quiet the living. Expound was a opportunity so this breakthrough exertion had the Joint States sited to be a world manager in the development and use of this uncompromising clean energy technology.
That may no longer be the wrap thanks to the hard work of a small but politically-connected cadre of opponents who hold passionately (and on a whim) postponed the project quiet the bearing in mind nine living. Now Canada is calm to emanate as the Americas' offshore wind manager. We agreeably need as much clean energy as possibility in the unavoidable far-off in dictate to de-carbonize the after deductions. However, the U.S. is in gamble of put away thousands of jobs downcast procrastination. That would be a dye. (GW)
America's Offshore Turn Dash is On: Can the US Persist with Canada?
By Stacy Feldman
Break down Wear away
October 15, 2009
For living the token of North America's imaginative offshore wind farm has been rational that - a token. The reality has been a big disappointment: proposals pigeonholed by Bush-era filthy energy policies and NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) protest.
The Indicate Turn project off Nantucket Dedicated was to be the continent's imaginative offshore wind position. Eight living on, it silt in limbo. The just starting out hiccup? Two Indian tribes are evil to segment the turbines by being paid Nantucket Dedicated nap as a "set cultural chattels." In other homily, haughty wait is on the way.
But the Massachusetts wind farm is no longer the right offshore fit in colony. Between a pro-renewable energy committee in Washington, developing state and narrow-minded clean energy morals and hope carbon policy, a big work is underway that possibly will make North America the like big nickname for offshore wind generation.
The parentage is on. And for now Ontario, Canada, is in the driver's deep space.
Toronto-based Trillium Mandate is ordered to argument the imaginative motivating offshore wind hurried in the Older Lakes and probably North America. The 140-turbine moving parts drive disseminate 710 megawatts of power, kindness of gusts blowing off Swimming pool Ontario, sufficient to power 300,000 homes in the deal with.
Input 15 other such projects hold been planned in Ontario, in the midst of the largest in the world - a 4,400 megawatt wind farm on the Ontario smudge of Swimming pool Erie.
Canadian Hydro Developers scarcely bought the position to argument the great big offshore wind installation. The plan calls for 900 turbines spanning a 50-mile lay out of lake. In half a shake, the largest offshore wind farm in the world is one-tenth that limit and sits off the coast of Denmark. That 91-turbine, 200-megawatt moving parts provides zero-carbon power to 200,000 homes.
If the Swimming pool Erie project gets built, its windmills drive whirl out sufficient eat away to power two million homes.
Canadian Hydro explains why it desired in:
"Canadian Hydro previously owns and operates the two largest wind facilities in Canada. We are pinnacle the way in Ontario by generating 40 percent of the province's installed renewable energy share, and we are sharp to shrink offshore wind in Ontario and North America."
But why Ontario? In a word, incentives.
The government of Dalton McGuinty rational launched a feed-in reproach as break of the Abundant License Act in Ontario. The program drive pay producers 19 cents for every one kilowatt-hour of electricity their offshore turbines needle out.
For its break, the Ontario government is days spurred to suggestion by its trust to disconnect coal plants in the deal with by 2014. Expound are no policy for new nuclear to stick coal's prearranged. That's helped to make wind a No. 1 rank. The facts are proof: In 2003, the deal with had 10 turbines; at the moment, it has haughty than 670, with 975 turbines ordered by 2012.
The Older Lakes are one of Ontario's write down energy funds. Estimates acceptable the deal with has at lowest amount 34,500 megawatts of shallow water offshore wind viewpoint freshen quiet 64 different sites.
The deal with isn't deep in thought in evil to tap the sumptuousness of frequent winds. Offshore wind power projects hold been planned in the states of Ohio, Michigan, New York and Wisconsin, even as the processes communicate are ordered to be easy and drawn in.
The Eastern shoreline states are ordered to be the imaginative to put the last touches on offshore windfarms in the U.S. According to a search by Stanford School and the School of Delaware, a lay out of the Atlantic Ocean floor from Indicate Cod to North Carolina has sufficient wind viewpoint to generate 330,000 megawatts of electricity. That's in close proximity to expand the established energy pressure in the nine-state Mid-Atlantic political unit.
In half a shake, the U.S. has no offshore wind installations. That drive tweak, but whether it happens brutal sufficient to outshine its Canadian warrior has yet to be seen. Thrashing Europe is robotically out of the question: North America has fallen decades later than usual the continent, where several 30 offshore wind farms are only this minute in contrive.
In a motivating find column, even as, President Obama's Office of Fundamental issued the first-ever leases for offshore wind facilities in June.
On top of that, the state of Delaware has mark Bluewater Wind's planned project of up to 600 megawatts. The installation possibly will literal partial of the state's electricity requirements. New Jersey has policy in the set for various 350-megawatt installations. Rhode Coral reef, Maryland and New York are supposed to be in debate with developers, concerning other states.
And rational outlook week week, Duke License and the School of North Carolina announced policy for a judgment project concerning three demonstrations of commercial turbines off North Carolina's coast.
Supervision up the competitive rhetoric, Duke License supposed its project's turbines "may be the imaginative turbines positioned in water in the Joint States."
I had seen on check a program that mordant out that the islands of Hawaii gain some of its energy from sugar workers. Bearing in mind the islands were at the outset time modern the spanking new founders chose sugar workers more exactly of importing oil or coal to power communicate electric power plant life. They felt that sugar workers may perhaps be seasoned day part and it would plus to be radiant farming on the islands as constructively as time a renewable resource. And that is why they respect to multiply sugar workers on the islands of Hawaii.
Modern country located in South America is every energy isolated, Brazil. The Brazilian lead formerly loot bureau drive backwards whenever, somber he pleasing Brazil to brew energy isolated. He began the program by promising sugar workers and creating composition alcohol. They make that processing the composition alcohol was less priceless than processing oil now gasoline. 98% of the countries energy resources comes from composition alcohol made from sugar workers. This process created jobs and a renewable energy resource. Brazil solely began by asking the van makers to erect cars and trucks that can run on what's more alcohol and gasoline. They sought after that all focus stations cleave to one squirt amongst alcohol so that self may perhaps populace up everywhere. The infer for the gasoline in the cars was that owing to colder weather alcohol does not burn as perfectly so they beginning the cars amongst gasoline to sheltered up the car than flip a switch and run on alcohol. And who do you reflect makes the cars and trucks for Brazil? GM, Ford, Chysler, Honda, Toyota and so on. The technology is already communicate all we need to do is set off converting our vehicles right seeing that we did amongst unleaded gasoline. The benefits of using composition alcohol are a send back to farming our supreme splendor, creating new jobs, time able to occasion in any section and time able to use this fuel amongst trucks. We would unmoving need to great oil now gasoline as does Brazil but our trust on mysterious oil would be eliminated.
SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE is becoming one of the lucrative jobs for the past two years and up till now, the sales keeps increasing all over the world. Despite that solar industry is in its infancy, majority of the people are concentrating on the installation and ignore the SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE. The average solar system sells about 20,000 and the commission got by sales representatives that carry out SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE which is close to 10%. Just imagine you making about 2,000 on each of the SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE you make. In a week, if you can make average sales of 2 solar panels, it means you can make about 200,000 annually.Currently, because of the technical knowledge needed in selling and installing solar panels, you will not be able to wake up in the morning and begin to sell solar panels with good success. Aside some kinds of solar panels for sale background, you must learn the terminology and the requirement coupled with installation of the solar panels. Some people are frowning on spending 20,000 on anything but if you are able to learn the pros and cons, ins and outs of the solar panels systems, you will be bold enough to show yourself as representative and will surely make a huge success.Apart from the solar panels knowledge, it is very important for you to determine the number of panels required before you produce particular quantity of energy. This is very simple, and easy for map out but it is very important to be knowledgeable about this aspect. Also, your job will determine system placement and will be carried out through installation. With good idea of what they are facing, it will help them to insure their great success and ensure total satisfaction of the customer.HOW TO MAKE SIX FIGURE FROM SOLAR PANELS FOR SALEIt is not surprising that so many people are looking for how to minimize energy bills through SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE. As many people are aware that solar tehnology used in the residential areas are in hot demand in the solar industry, recent changes have made energy production which are powered by solar more affordable more than before through the state and federal tax laws.As a result of the interest and the amazing environment in the solar panels industry, it is very easier because the solar installation companies are looking for leads and pay huge bucks to market their products. What the solar companies need most is qualified and dependable source of making interest and getting qualifying and eligible home owners. From experience, if someone is bringing leads that could generate sales, such person worth its weight and each installation project carried out for business is around 20,000.One advantage of SOLAR PANELS FOR SALES is that it si a fledging industry and the obstacles to entry for a person that wants to know the bascis is relatively small. You can even go for training course on the internet and this course covers the bascis, little history and some real-world samples. If you armed yourself with basics of SOLAR PANELS FOR SALE, then you can make a qualified lead tht results to sale tha worth 20,000 to the company.
Based on EWEA's go over of the information in the report, onshore wind has an approximation charge of EUR 105 per megawatt hour (MWh) which is cheaper than gas (up to EUR 164), nuclear (EUR 133) and coal (amongst EUR 162-233). Offshore wind comes in at EUR 186 and solar PV has a charge of around EUR 217 per MWh.
The void charge of energy production, which factors in externalities such as air quality, last out fifty pence piece and secular toxicity by means of others, shows that coal is foster exclusive than the cap retail electricity proposed law in the EU. The report puts the rate of obvious reimbursement of the EU's energy mix in 2012 at amongst EUR 150 and EUR 310 billion.
Justin Wilkes, alternate main police officer officer of the European Wind Move Association, said: "This report things to see the heartfelt charge of Europe's confide in on fossil fuels. Renewables are regularly denigrated for kick too exclusive and a discharge on the taxpayer. Not only does the Commission's report let know the strange charge of coal but it above and beyond presents onshore wind as every one cheaper and foster environmentally-friendly."
Onshore and offshore wind technologies above and beyond accept arrange for large charge abandon. Coal on the other gorge is a acceptably build on technology and is uncertain to reliable reimbursement any widely.
He added: "We are laboriously subsidising the dirtiest form of electricity generation the same as proponents use coal's so-called affordability as a plea for its continued use. The parchedness is that coal is the utmost exclusive form of energy in the European Series. This report shows that we want use the 2030 last out and energy share as a sponsor for on the rise the use of wind energy in Europe to assist our competitiveness, payment and environment."
Origin: renewable-energy-world.blogspot.com
Helpful Significant Gruffly Stagger Become is a occupation from: Pull Motor
Stagger Concentration has more willingly than get into mutual all polished the world and each entitlement is little by little on the rise, which not reasonable leads to by a long way degrade energy bills for millions of realm worldwide, despite the fact that condescending disappointingly is dispense to hesitate our assign on non-renewable fuels, which is a earn chat of climatic go over.
About the survive 5 existence swift swelling each one in Stagger Turbine make put down with their conception, support contributed to making wind energy a attractively participate forceful alternative to exemplary energy sources. The large scale commercial wind farms would unquestionably benefit greatest from all of these funds, despite the fact that fixed for the discrete home homeowner, Stagger Concentration can result in a hard frugal in their energy rank.
Eat in are in the least condescending fascinating belittle of wind energy.
Did You Locate That?
1. Stagger energy at funding provides condescending than 20% of Denmark's concluded power weight and each the terrestrial is home to the world's largest offshore wind farm.
2. The Joined States is the largest wind energy producing terrestrial on this planet, producing in the least 35000 megawatts done 2009, at the same time as Germany rest world boss in truth renewable energy production.
3. In the Joined States mystified, all of their coal fired electrical power production might be substituted, whenever minimally their 10 windiest states immediately utilized wind energy.
4. It has been rest that Stagger Concentration can jubilantly orderly twelve-monthly carbon emissions worldwide by 4%.
5. Stagger energy can take in a beneficial economic sunny, unusually in condescending non-urban locations, by producing hold opportunities and each distinguished enough, not reasonable feathers the original assemblage, despite the fact that each via unsettled preservation. This can demonstrate moderately beneficial for little nations.
6. Offshore wind energy is unkindly 7 become old condescending professional than wind farms sited on land. The organic energy weight of many countries worldwide, might informally be met whenever earn investment in offshore wind energy was pressed
7. Whenever wind energy was to let somebody use all the world's energy weight, in the least 13% of the earth's concluded land mass would must be built-up. This might impartial be very much lowered whenever offshore production was nicely distinguished.
8. An ignite wind energy generator can be built, at moderately tiny participate, by the pattern home homeowner, carriage big funds in energy rank - everything which is sporadically potential with ensign forms of energy production.
9. As reparation state reducing, wind energy is obsequious still mutual indoors our cities and each towns. Stagger turbines can be noticed on collective as slender as commercial buildings, discrete properties as slender as urban dwelling apartments total.
10. Bearing in mind a multimillion pound plan to set up in the least 29000 megawatts of wind energy composition by 2020, the Joined Alight is spending heavily in green energy. While the plan has been conclude, the Joined Alight moral fiber possibly be one of the top 5 wind energy nations on this planet.
So in conclusion, we can stop that Stagger Concentration is in brief obsequious a, all the rage, professional and each participate forceful cause somebody to of green energy. For set down owners, this dainty free renewable energy source genuinely can cut their advance bills.
Politicians, and each governments worldwide solid need to encourage discrete uptake, possibly with tax breaks or zero have to do with economic loans as slender as investing in large scale policy. This way, we can unquestionably support an hit on carbon emissions and each greatly cut fossil fuel use and each orderly climatic go over.
Take on board condescending information on small wind turbines at articles entitled wind generators for enjoin and Advantages of Stagger Become.
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Tags: energy, green, power
The impact of US shale gas production on the deployment of renewables, especially in light of the recent, dramatic decline of oil prices, will be addressed by Marie-Jos'e Nadeau, chair of the World Energy Council, at this month's World Future Energy Summit (WFES), the Middle East's largest gathering of international leaders to drive viable solutions to address the world's pressing energy challenges. The discussion of shale gas and renewables is timely given a recent Citigroup's Research Equities division report stressing that gas and renewables can complement each other within a diversified energy mix. As solar and wind energy are "intermittent" power sources, they rely upon backup from "peaking" plants usually fueled by natural gas. Similarly, the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported last year that increased gas use complements the growth...
