So-Cal Solar Blog

Because solar energy is worth blogging about…

Archive for March, 2010

Green Contest Winner…The Komar’s Impact

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

So-Cal Solar Inc. ran a contest last month on how green are you. After many entries we are happy to announce Nick and Brooke Komar as our winners. This couple really has made saving our planet a priority in their household and together their contributions make a positive impact on our environment. Below is their story on how they work together to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Reduce: For the past 6 years I’ve been reducing the amount of plastic bags in our landfills by shopping with fabric grocery bags. If I forget them in the car, I ask the grocer to put my cart aside and I run and grab them (they’re only 50 feet away! no biggie!); at malls I reduce shopping bags by asking subsequent stores to place their merchandise in my initial bag; I do all my shopping on one day to reduce emissions; we keep our A/C and heat as low as possible and just put on or take off layers to regulate our temperature; recently I’ve learned my hubby limits himself to just a few squares of toilet paper per bathroom pit stop!

Reuse: I’ve always been a fan of reconstituting items. As an artist, I will repurpose objects and make them into new things (clothing into a purse, curtains into a canvas, wine corks into a trivet); our wedding day was even green! Our e-vites/RSVP were virtual & I went to antique stores to purchase the centerpieces (candelabra’s) and have used them to decorate our home since then. My wedding dress will be re-worn by a friend and then I’m having it turned into a quilt!

Recycle: I began recycling in 4th grade after I completed a school project on ozone layer depletion and greenhouse gases. It impacted me greatly. I thought I wouldn’t live to see my 18th birthday because of pollution! Thankfully I am still here, and our earth is here too! But that made a big impact on how I live my life. My husband and I thankfully now live in a town/city that encourages living green! Plano, TX accepts all plastics, papers, glass, and metal and they collect them at our doorstep biweekly! However, before that, I lived in Germany (where they enforced recycling) and in Indiana where I would have to take separate recyclables myself and then transport them in my car to the local recycling plant. “

We are so thankful for all the submissions we received and loved hearing how so many of you out there are making your own environmental impact. We would also like to thank Homeology for their generous product donation to our lucky winner. To learn more about the product the Komar’s won please visit www.mygc.com/Lamonica.
Each of us can do a little something to extend the life of our planet! Something simple can help in a huge way so start reducing, reusing and recycling in your life.

Lights Out…For Earth Hour

Thursday, March 11th, 2010



3 years ago, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) created Earth Hour to bring climate change awareness on a global level. Their message sent strong waves to everyone as many iconic landmarks, government buildings, offices and homes have become strong participants in Earth Hour.

Earth Hour was created to accomplish one very simple and easy task, have participants turn off their electricity for one hour to show their support for making the future or our planet a brighter one. This year Earth Hour falls on March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. local time and already has received support from 656 cities, towns and municipalities in 80 countries across every continent.

“Earth Hour is inspiring millions of people all around the world to join together and show their concern for the future of our planet,” said Leslie Aun, WWF’s vice president for public relations and the managing director for Earth Hour U.S. 2010. “Here in the U.S., Earth Hour sends a message that Americans are ready to turn out the lights on pollution and climate change and make the switch to energy independence and efficiency.”

If huge iconic landmarks such as the Las Vegas strip, Mount Rushmore, Grand Palace in Bangkok, London Eye and Table Mountain in Cape Town can go into total darkness for one complete hour than so can we. I encourage every single So-Cal Solar Inc. reader to spread the message about Earth Hour and start turning the lights out by the neighborhoods.

Detroit Switches Sides

Friday, March 5th, 2010

aet-mount

The 8 mile is quickly becoming solar mile. Detroit, once a booming town, developed and supported by the auto industry is now switching sides into the photovoltaic (PV) solar industry. This new change will make Detroit a clean energy source and also help create new jobs. The impact will directly help decrease their unemployment rate and boost their economy.

Applied Energy Technologies (AET), a Detroit based company with over 25 years experience in the auto manufacturing industry has made the switch completely by developing a full line of versatile solar PV mounting structures and components. AET took notice of the declining market for auto related products and crafted a new line of solar mounting components while utilizing Detroit’s dedicated work force and huge network of suppliers.

Applied Energy Technologies, a huge contributor in the solar PV manufacturing industry is steadily focused on creating new jobs in the solar industry, strengthening the United States economy and keeping the environment clean.

To learn more about Applied Energy Technologies (AET) please visit http://ati-energy.com/

Catch Us on Twitter and Facebook

Monday, March 1st, 2010

We want to hear from our readers, connect with our readers and most importantly bring green awareness to our readers. To keep track of So-Cal Solar Inc. on a daily basis please follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/SoCalSolar and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Huntington-Beach-CA/So-Cal-Solar-Inc/178180888471?ref=ts. Help us by growing in solar awareness and join us. We look forward to tweeting and connecting with you.