So-Cal Solar Blog

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Posts Tagged ‘solar energy’

Green Up Father’s Day

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Father’s day is around the corner and the hunt to find the perfect gift is becoming harder and harder each year. If you have a father like mine that does everything and has everything the perfect gift is nearly impossible to find. As I embarked on my treasure hunt I came across some great green gift ideas for every father out there. Below you will find my top 5 picks for the perfect father’s day gift.


1. Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger


Many cell phone accessory companies are going green with their phones and accessories. As you Google solar powered phone chargers many different options are available to you. One of the latest solar powered cell phone chargers on the market is by Energizer called Energi To Go. This solar charger gives your iPhone that additional battery life that is well needed throughout the day.


2. Solar Hybrid Flashlight


For the dad that likes to spend his summer days in the wilderness a solar hybrid flashlight is the perfect gift. This solar hybrid flashlight is equipped with LED lights that are fueled by solar energy so buying batteries will be a thing of the past.


3. Electricity Usage Monitor


We all know growing up dad was always on us to turn off the lights or TV when not in use. An electricity usage monitor will allow dad to plug in and see how much electricity is being used, for how long and on what appliances. Great for dad’s that are looking to cut energy cost during summer time.


4. Eco Golf Tees


These eco-friendly golf tees are made from recycled wood and are biodegradable for those dad’s that are just learning and losing golf tees on the course. To really spice things add a free round of golf at his favorite location and this will surely bring a smile to his face.


5. Solar Electric System


If you really want to go all out and impress your dad you should consider either paying for a solar electric system or putting some money towards one for him. This will bring your dad to his knees especially since he can use that extra money saved every month towards all his other hobbies. This will be a sure way to repay dad for those 18 years of extra energy used that we all wasted by leaving lights, TVs and other electronic devices on.


Whatever it is you decide to do for your father on his special day make a change and start going green with those gift ideas. Lastly, remember not to go and buy him a card but instead send him an e-card. To all those father’s out there Happy Father’s Day.

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Posted in Green Gadgets, Solar Energy 101 | 20 Comments »

Solar Electric its Great for Your Home

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

solar-panels
A lot of people love to wait for last minute deals. Early bird specials seem nonexistent today but they certainly still exist. A few homeowners are putting off purchasing a solar electric system because they think it will be cheaper if they wait. For those who think they’re going to save a lot by purchasing later should consider the current rebates. For those who are unaware of the assistance from the government here are the deals; California residents may receive a state rebate of anywhere from 22% to 44% on the total solar home system cost, federal government will provide a tax credit of 30% on the total cost. In total California resident could be saving 55-74% on their entire solar electric system.

Solar panels can power everything that runs on electricity in your home. When considering the cost of a solar electric system don’t forget to account for what can be saved NOW with a solar electric system. These numbers may eventually add up to the discount you’re seeking in the future.

There are a few concerns facing a solar electric system. An example of a concern is new technology for solar electricity. The only things that could or will change with solar panels are the shapes and sizes. Aside from that energy is energy and if you buy it today it’ll still be energy tomorrow. Unlike computers and cell phones solar panels do not need new purchases every few years to meet newer technology needs. These are labeled concerns but in all reality these concerns have no comparison to the amount of money you can save with installing a system now. Protect your future, protect yourself from rate increase, protect your family and install a solar electric system.

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Posted in Residential Solar, Solar Electricity | 10 Comments »

Solar Electric and Electric Vehicle Are a Must

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Rising gas prices and global warming has awakened the world’s needs to alternative methods of getting around and living. If you’ve had the chance to visit a recent car expo you’ll notice a quite a few vendors are advertising and displaying clean air vehicles or electric vehicles (EV for short). There is a new demand for electric vehicles because they are becoming more efficient than they once were and because of rising gas prices. Electric vehicles were once thought of for only local commutes because the battery charges wouldn’t last longer than 30-40 miles, but now we see EVs going as far as 100 miles on a single charge.

Electric vehicles are not only good for financial reasons but they have zero emissions. Regular gas powered cars emit toxins into the air and are harmful to the environment. Electric cars only require electricity to run and thus do not emit anything into the environment. They also improve our noise pollution because electric cars are practically silent.

Homeowner’s who have invested in a solar home system and own an EV are benefiting even more. There will be no more gas bills, you simply plug in at home and use the electricity from your solar home system to charge your EV and house. Solar energy helps decrease our need for alternative energy that is bad for our environment. Pairing solar with an EV will make an impact on the environment that everyone will appreciate. For those who have not converted to a solar home system the government is offering rebates that make converting very tempting.

Electric vehicles will no longer be hard to find as major car companies will be producing electric vehicles. With greener technology in demand we can only expect a brighter future.

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Posted in Electric Alternatives | 21 Comments »

Going Green Can Save Your Money (and Your Health)

Monday, April 13th, 2009

“Going green” has become a frequently used expression in the last couple years. Everyone is doing what they can to be more earth-friendly these days. But, “going green” isn’t just good for the earth; it can be good for your finances too. For example, changing over to a solar system for electricity frees you from the ever-increasing electricity rates that utility companies charge. The federal government has also placed a 30% federal income tax credit on residential solar systems.

In addition to tax credits for going solar, there are some available for a variety “green” house modifications. Tax credits can be claimed for energy improvements to homes, such as windows, insulation, and envelope and duct sealing. Below is a list of the other modifications homeowners can make to receive these credits:

• Adding insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.
• Replacing windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30.
• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.
• Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a “qualifying insulation system.”
• Pigmented metal roofs, or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.

In some cases, taking these measures will not only help you save money, but your health may benefit as well. For example, most homes built before 1980
contain asbestos. Asbestos was used widely throughout the 20th century for a number of things, but it was mainly used for insulation due to its fire-resistant qualities. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of a rare and aggressive type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This type of cancer typically forms in the lining of the lungs and is very difficult to treat effectively. This is because mesothelioma symptoms don’t usually show up until about 15 to 25 years after exposure.

There are a number of other alternative types of insulation that can be used that are more eco-friendly than asbestos and don’t pose any danger to your health. The United States Department of Energy has a list of insulation “Energy Savers” you can use when making plans to remodel your home.

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Posted in Green Benefits, Solar Electricity, Solar Energy 101 | 18 Comments »

Calling all Artist…Time to Turn Green

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” We’ve all heard it before and by now we’ve found some truth to it. All the non-believers will soon see the truth to that quote. Great things have been constructed from trash and even greater things are to come with the SMART Art Trash into Treasure competition. SMART is allowing submissions for the following forms of art: music, sculpture, photography, video, and functional items.

Art has inspired the world for centuries and now it’ll inspire a greener future. Art is one of the best ways to display innovative ideas. One great form of art is story telling and many stories talked about impossible technology that has become possible today. Harnessing the power of the sun was something ancient cultures only thought their gods could do. We’ve even been able to harness the power of the sun with solar technology. There are movies with sun powered and garbage powered cars which now exist because someone thought it and another person created it. We can do just about anything if we work together. This contest can only bring better things into our world by reusing waste.

Some people can’t imagine creating a masterpiece from waste and old junk. The results from SMART Art competition will show them otherwise. Tons of masterpieces have been created and inspired by waste. For example one of the most popular functional items seen today is the Spiral Island. Spiral Island is constructed of 100,000 plastic bottles, some nets, bamboo, and lots of sand. Rishi Sowa, a British eco pioneer and founder of Spiral Island, even incorporated solar technology to power an oven, waterfall, and pond. Solar goes with you anywhere and Rishi was able to harness the portability that you can only obtain from solar technology.

The ideas are limitless. Solar powering your entire project may even give you an extra edge in the competition. We hope to see a few entries for solar powered instruments, furniture, cameras, and other functional designs in this competition. Solar energy will reduce the need for other means of energy that are toxic for our environment. Imagine the fun that you could create with solar technology and recyclable products. There are designer lamps constructed of PET bottles and led lights. Maybe you could be the next Rishi Sowa and construct an artistic island or large habitable structure?

The winner of this competition will be able to participate in the Plastiki Expedition. The Plastiki is a boat composed entirely of recycled bottles. Its main mission is to inspire the world to rethink their waste. Waste has been recycled into wondrous things such as the Plastiki. The Plastiki has also incorporated solar energy to power their expedition. Most of the onboard electricity will depend entirely on solar power. The solar power used on the expedition will reduce the waste sent back into the environment because it decreases the need for oil and environmentally harmful batteries. This competition will have a positive impact on the environment as people go out pick up trash and turn it into a masterpiece or functional design.

Don’t limit yourself because these days everyone turns everything into junk. Show them it’s not junk. Show them a greener future.

—Additional Info For Those That Want to Enter—

Learn more here.

Deadline for submission is May 1, 2009. Guidelines are here.

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Posted in Green Art, Green Living | 5 Comments »

Gadget of the Month

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Have you given up on watches completely? If so was it caused by the hassle of having to change the dead battery over and over? Remember how annoying it was to pop open the back of a watch and replace the tiny battery? Do not give up on watches quite yet! Thanks to solar power and the company FreeStyle there is a new watch, the Boiler. That’s right it is solar powered for your convenience. The power of the sun will revive your lifeless watch when every bit of juice has been drained. Never mess with changing dead batteries again. One charge for this watch will keep you on time for 12 months according to FreeStyle. If you use direct sunlight to charge the watch it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. 10 minutes of charging is 12 months of power! Even if you don’t get out that often this watch will charge under fluorescent lights, or you can just leave it by your window.
The Boiler also benefits our environment with its solar technology. With old watches you’d be tossing away the dead batteries and more than likely you’ll dispose of it the wrong way. If not disposed properly, dead batteries can and will break down and emit toxins. The toxins affect wildlife, water, and the soil. Eventually all of that affects us, so end the problem before it starts by converting our lives towards cleaner sources of energy like solar energy.
We give Freestyle a thumbs up on creating a fashionable but yet convenient solar watch.

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Posted in Green Gadgets, Green Living | 13 Comments »

OBAMA’S STIMULUS PLAN- WHAT IT MEANS FOR SOLAR

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Solar power is moving at a rapid pace with the help of Obama’s 787 billion dollar stimulus plan. 42 billion will be used to develop clean energy sources. The president aims to double the United State’s production of renewable energy in three years. In terms of the nations, RPS (renewable portfolio standard), 10 % of our energy will come from renewable sources by 2012. This output will increase to 25% by the year 2025. Additionally this money is intended to upgrade more than three fourths of all federal buildings to more eco-friendly energy systems. 5.5 billion will go towards this particular initiative.

Funding for various projects will be available through loan guarantees. Examples include renewable energy and electricity transmission projects at 6 billion dollars. Also the infrastructure for a smart grid (network based on digital technology to deliver electricity to consumers) will receive funding in the form of loan guarantees and spending.

Grants will be available to subsidize a percent of the cost for building or installing clean energy systems 30% of the cost of building a renewable energy facility will be covered through these grants. Homeowners will be entitled to a similar benefit, as they will also receive 30% for buying water heating systems that are solar powered.

Continued research on renewable energy will receive 2.5 billion dollars from the stimulus plan.

1.6 billion dollars is allocated for bonds that will support facilities which generate electricity from renewable sources like solar power. Also allowing tax credits for converting clean energy sources into electricity will be extended to 2013.

In addition to environmental benefits, these measures will address the unemployment crisis through growth of stable job opportunities in the green industry, as the demand for labor will increase for building new infrastructures. If there was ever a time to go solar now would be the best time. President Obama is deeply passionate about our current energy crisis and ensuring that a huge portion of our energy is generated through solar.

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Posted in Solar News | 3 Comments »

Cheap and Easy Energy Tips for your Home

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

Cheap and Easy Energy Tips for your Home

Growing up I remember my parents always saying “don’t forget to turn off the lights, nobody is watching the TV so turn it off and most often shut the back door”. Now years later I implement all of those “lessons learned” plus more. Here are a few easy tips that can cut a few dollars off your monthly electric bill and help conserve your energy:

  1. Turn off all computer equipment when it is not being used and put a screen saver on your computer when it is being used.
  2. Turn off all lights when you’re not in the room and change all your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents.
  3. Keep all air vents clean and clear.
  4. If possible start washing your clothes in cold or warm water.
  5. Clothes dryers use a fair amount of energy so do not over-dry your clothes. If you notice your clothes are drying within 45 minutes do not set the timer to 60 minutes. Make sure to clean the inside lint filter before each drying cycle.
  6. On a monthly basis check your flexible metal dryer vent hose to ensure it is properly connected.
  7. Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load of dishes.
  8. If possible replace your old refrigerator with an Energy Star approved model and if possible sell the old refrigerator. Placing the old refrigerator in the garage will only increase your energy so make sure your new refrigerator meets your demands for storage.
  9. Ensure your fireplace damper is closed when not in use so that neither heat nor A/C can escape.
  10. Make sure everyone in the home turns off all electrical devices that are not being used in all rooms in the home.
  11. Ensure all doors and windows are properly shut.

    Most importantly if you are looking at making a much bigger impact on your electric bill a solar home electric system is the best investment a homeowner can make. A solar home electric system can not only make you energy independent but also zero out your monthly electric bill.

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Posted in Green Benefits, Residential Solar, Solar Electricity, Solar Tax Benefits | 26 Comments »