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
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
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
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
Monday, August 10, 2009
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
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
Friday, August 7, 2009
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
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
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