New Questions and Products For Sustainable Living

It's been a few days since my last posting, I apologize to my daily readers. I have been consulting on several projects out of state.

In tomorrow's post,I will be sharing with you questions from a reader and concerned homeowner in Encino, California. Like many other Southern California communities, Encino is experiencing severe water restrictions, regulations, water penalties and surcharges.

I will be answering these questions and providing other information that will be important to all readers in a similar water crisis, as I continue my series of articles titled Water Woes (July 29, 2009).

I have also been asked to review several new products and technologies.

One of the products is a micro inverter for PV solar modules. An inverter is a device that changes DC electric voltage into AC voltage.

DC or direct current is the power most often associated with batteries. However, it is also the power that is produced by the solar module from sunlight.

AC or alternating current is power that is distributed through transmission lines to homes and businesses across the country. AC is the power that runs all of our appliances, lights, and air conditioners.

Inverters are often a very expensive component of a PV solar system. And when designing a system, is one component that can easily be undersized (requiring a future, expensive upgrade) or over-designed (spending extra money unnecessarily).

What is so special about the micro inverter?

For starters, cost. A micro inverter will allow someone interested in solar energy to start slowly and inexpensively.

There are many other interesting benefits to the consumer in regards to micro inverters, and I will be sharing that information in my upcoming article.

I am also going to be writing in more detail about several other products that I have touched upon in earlier articles.

With more and more people interested in rain water harvesting and contaminated water tables, it is time to take a real close look at water purification methods and technologies.

Several months ago I had contacted a northeast manufacturer about visiting their facility.

Like my visit and interview with OptiWind Corporation (July 12, 2009), I feel that by having an opportunity to visit and interview a product manufacturer, I can offer my readers a solid grasp not only of the company's product line or technology, but that I can also offer to my readers, the benefit of a reputable company, not afraid to let the consumer see "behind the curtain".

Brett

Solar Panel Glut & Project Cancellations

Everything isn't sunny in the solar market these days.

Cancellations attributed to lack of financing, have plagued several major solar projects already this year.

At the same time manufacturers of solar panels are getting nervous as a glut of solar panels have flooded the market.

Even with the Federal and State rebates associated with the purchase and installation of solar energy systems, reductions in new home construction and existing home renovations, together with dwindling credit and home equities, have dampened the residential market for alternative energy systems.

If you are planning on building a new home, this may be the best time for you to talk to your architect, electrician, or sustainable living consultant about adding a PV solar system to your building and electrical plan. Price reductions in solar panels, government rebates, and trades seeking new work and clients, offer an interested buyer an opportunity for savings.

Brett

Straw Bale Home Construction - No Fairy Tale Story

In a child's book of fairy tales, there is a story about three little pigs, each building a house out of different materials, one brick, one of sticks, and one built from straw. The hungry, big, bad, wolf seeking a tasty and easy meal, comes first to the straw house, and huffing and puffing, blows the house away.

The little pig, running to escape, is welcomed into the house of sticks built by his brother. The wolf, now anticipating the additional course to his soon to be meal, again and with great huffing and puffing, blows the house of sticks away too. Both little piggies now run to the last house built of brick, where the three little pigs sit comfortably as the wolf huffs and puffs to no avail. I won't have go into the details of the rest of the story but the message is, better to build your house with bricks then with straw.

Recently, I have been asked about the merits of straw bale home construction.

Straw bale construction offers tremendous benefits to any sustainable home renovation or new construction project.

Many of today's sustainable construction techniques are not new. People have been using earth, plant, other local natural resources (dung mixtures for example) or some combination of each, all through history and on every continent.

In fact there are homes in Europe constructed using straw, that are over 200 years old. Straw when covered by plaster or cement has an extremely high resistance to fire, being equal to requirements in hospitals, roughly two hours of (fire/burn) protection before possible ignition.

The threat of fire from electrical wires or sparks is extremely low within the wall of the bale construction. This is because the process of compressing the straw bales during construction literally squeezes the air out of the "compressed" bales eliminating the oxygen necessary for fire propagation.

That compression also aids in the natural insulation characteristics of straw bale construction.

By using straw bale construction, homeowners can receive the benefit of a natural, sustainable material that offers greater insulation ("R" values) then most fiber products.

In the southwest, adobe bricks (mud, straw/plants) have provided a natural way to cool homes during summer months and warm in cold winter nights, centuries before air-conditioning.

Straw construction, interestingly enough, also offers a natural, sustainable, earthquake proof stability not offered by current building materials. To really appreciate the sustainability of mud and straw construction just look to the Spanish Missions running along California's most active fault lines.

Cost should be comparable to standard construction costs, although you will definitely want to contract with someone experienced in using straw bales. Framing is still necessary, and although the straw can be cut for windows, doorways, electrical, and necessary piping, savings are achieved by the elimination of other construction materials such as insulation and sheet rock (dry-wall), brick, siding, and etc.

Using straw bale construction also offers the architect and homeowner the opportunity to integrate curves and waves into any home design. The ability to "shave" the bale expands the creativity and uniqueness of home design and functionality.

Brett

Solar Projects Delayed In California - Unions And The New "Green" Employment Opportunities

Several recent projects in California have been delayed because of union objection to non-union workers. (This article is neither pro- nor anti-union. In good faith I should say that I am a former member of a Motion Picture Industry Association trade union myself.)

A collaboration of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical/boiler workers unions have filed papers to halt projects, citing environmental concerns while trying to negotiate union demands for employment. Included in the negotiations, is the provision that new workers are to become union members also, complete with membership fees and dues.

It was inevitable that trade unions would seek involvement in the new alternative energy projects, and that the grand announcement of "new green employment opportunities" would spark direct conflict with dwindling union organizations.

Most of the larger equipment manufacturers, engaged in these new projects, for example GE, already have their own division and employees, and regardless of union representation, have their own employee agreements and hiring practices.

It is true that many of the small entrepreneurial companies entering into the renewable or alternative energy business, either as a manufacturer or parts supplier, may not be large enough today for the unions to be concerned about membership. But at what point will unions demand that equipment used on (union) projects be built by union factories?

Here are some of my predictions about future employment opportunities for the green economy.

My guess is that unions will demand that their members be trained for the new technologies first, at government expense.

Local business (trades) owners seeing a new opportunity will start attending dealer classes as the local manufacturers representative for installation of wind, solar, and Geo-thermal systems.

Although it's not rocket science, state and local governments will begin to regulate and require new certifications for installation work that is already being done by small businesses daily.

Everyone's favorite neighborhood electrician is already knowledgeable enough to learn the interconnections for any solar or wind system, motors and generators. "Joe the plumber" (forgive me) will be able to pipe the necessary components from the Geo-thermal pump, and the boiler man already is familiar with heat pumps, compressors, and associated equipment. Nothing within the sub-systems or components are new to the trades, and the need to go out and fill jobs will only happen when consumer demand for the technologies builds.

My experience talking to owners of small residential electric services (your local electrician), that are already starting to install solar systems, that they are not necessarily hiring "new workers" at this time, but view this new installation (product line) as a supplement for their current employees along with their current (service) to their residential and commercial customers.

Based on the current economic and employment condition across our country, that will not happen soon enough for the promised "explosion" of new "green" employment

So, the unions will have the large scale projects and local trades will learn the installation of the particular technology for their own trade, and will continue business as is, with just another product offering for their client base, while trying to maintain their current employees.

Small manufacturers and the American entrepreneurial spirit will add some new opportunities for employment. But millions of "green" job opportunities will not be there, I'm sorry, to say.

Brett

White House Visits, Reads Brett Talks Tech!

When I started my blog Brett Talks Tech I had hoped to enter into discussion with other people interested in sustainable living practices and alternative energy technologies.

It has been my intention from the very first post, to offer a practical discussion on the merits of sustainable living and alternative, renewable energy, and offering, in simple, layman's terms, an unbiaed, informative format, that welcomes all interested readers to participate and contribute.

The importance of these subjects should transcend our nation's political divide. These are not a politically left or right issues, nor opinions on global warming, or climate change, two current issues that tend to divide American public opinion.

Instead, I contend that sustainability and renewable, alternative energy is a benefit for the long term (economic) security of the individual, family, community, state, and the nation as a whole.

And so I have been, and continue to be, excited, and enthused by, and grateful for the growth of readers to Brett Talks Tech, and I have acknowledged and thanked new readers in my earlier posts, as Brett Talks Tech has attracted readers from across (almost) every US state, and on every continent (except Antarctica).

Imagine my surprise when I opened my site monitor and found that I had a visit from the White House!

Well, I am going to be more specific, the site registered a visit from the Executive Office in the White House of The President of the United States.

I want to express my gratitude to our White House visitor, and I thank you sincerely for reading my articles and posts. I am honored beyond words for this most simple gift of your time.

To all of my readers, I thank you for continuing to visit and read Brett Talks Tech. I value and welcome all your inputs, opinions, comments, and your own practical experience.

Brett

Share The Power - New Transmission Lines Will Benefit Americans, Rich And Poor Alike

Recently, I read an article in The Boston Globe about a local school district that received Federal and State grants for the installation of a wind turbine. The project was roughly $600,000.00 paid mostly from taxpayer monies.

The turbine would provide less then twenty percent (20%) of power for the school, and would amount to a less then $10,000.00 in energy cost savings per year.

Comments from local citizens were overwhelmingly critical of the projected cost and not impressed with the actual savings based on the investment. Questions also were asked about future expenses associated with the turbine, such as maintenance, and how that would be reflected in the overall figures for the short, medium, and long term costs.

Citizens are not objecting to alternative energy and the value to the community and nation. The objection seems to be in "common sense" economics and the apparently lack of it in this particular investment.

I mention this article because, recently I had the exact same discussion with a Connecticut activist and author concerning a school district here in Connecticut, that is also asking local citizens to support using Federal, State, and district taxpayer money for a similar project.

And, the exact same objections have been expressed by members of a different community, in a different state. The objection? Taxpayer dollars used for individual "green" projects that have little or no economic value as a whole.

That said it is important to note that new government energy mandates require Federal, State, and Municipal buildings to incorporate alternative and renewable systems to supplement traditional energy providers.

But tax rebates, both Federal and State, and grants will benefit only those that can afford to buy a system regardless of the technology.

Cash back for clunkers only help the individual that can afford to buy a new car, and the automobile manufacturers that have already received a tremendous amount of government funding.

Take that single school district funding of roughly $600,000.00 and now multiply it by the thousands of school districts across America. The payback is not there, nor is it a smart use of taxpayer dollars.

A more equal way for government taxpayer money to be invested would be to build new transmission lines across America, providing benefit to all Americans.

Energy from the new "energy regions", regardless of technology source, will need new transmission lines to deliver energy across all segments of society, all sharing the return from the nation's alternative energy investment.

Lack of funding has already delayed the Pampa Wind Farm project promoted by T, Boone Pickens. Delays in projects such as Mr. Pickens, only delays the inevitable and raises the overall cost of the (future) project, that is not good money management either.

Americans promoting alternative energy and sustainable living practices can raise their voice and pen and be pro-active by contacting their local and state representatives to support the layout and construction of new (power) transmission lines, from new energy generating resources.

Energy, especially "homegrown" energy, produced by renewable resources, should belong to all Americans, rich, poor, west coast, east coast , north and south. Just as the space program advanced both science and medicine technology, and enriched and continues to enrich the lives of all Americans, our energy policies should also be as far-reaching in thought and as generous in scope.

Brett