Grand Island invests in renewable energy with first solar project

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Workers install panels for Grand Island’s first solar power project (NTV News)

The sun’s rays will soon power homes and businesses in Grand Island, as the city installs its first solar project.

The panels started to go up on an overcast day, for a pilot project.

Utilities Director Tim Luchsinger said, “It’s about 10 acres that we’ve got here, and it’s first solar project we’ve had in Grand Island. What we’re trying to do is get an idea of the cost and operation of solar power.”

The one megawatt it will generate won’t go far.

“It’s a very small fraction of the energy Grand Island would use,” Luchsinger said. The city’s primary source of electricity is a coal-fired power plant.

Luchsinger said the solar project is the first step. Just as the city has invested in wind farms, Nebraska utilities are moving towards solar.

“They’re moving away from coal, which there’s a lot of coal generation in Nebraska. They’re moving to natural gas and renewable energies and I think Grand Island needs to be positioned in the future to do that too,” he said.

A growing number of consumers are concerned about their carbon footprint.

“If all things are equal, they would rather see renewable or natural gas and I think we want to have that opportunity for people,” Luchsinger said.

A private developer is fronting all the cost.

“Because the developer’s eligible for tax credits from the federal government. Being city government, we don’t pay taxes, so we don’t get any tax credits,” he said.

The utilities director said buying electricity from the developer may lessen risk to the ratepayers.

If all goes well, it may be just the start, as the city continues to move towards renewable energy.

Luchsinger said, “I don’t know if we’ll go to a larger scale in 5 years or 15 years or 20 years, but what we want to do is get a good handle on solar power now so when we decide to do something later on, we’ll be more comfortable doing that.”

It should be up and running in a few months. It’s being built next to a utility substation, near the JBS plant on Swift Road. With the addition of another wind farm, renewable energy will be about half of Grand Island’s portfolio in the near future.

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Georgia Power seeks more than 100 MW of solar RFPs

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Georgia Power is continuing to grow renewable energy in Georgia through the Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI), originally approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2016. The company is now accepting bids for new solar distributed generation (DG) projects through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for more than 100 MW as part of the REDI.

“We are committed to developing cost-effective renewable resources through a competitive bidding process that continues to evolve and improve based on our experience,” said Wilson Mallard, director of Renewable Development for Georgia Power. “Renewable energy is thriving in Georgia and we are excited to begin receiving, reviewing and selecting new projects that provide the most value to our customers.”

Georgia Power is soliciting eligible projects that will range from 1-kW installations up to 3-MW solar farms. Interested parties are invited to review terms of the RFP and submit projects here by noon on August 15.

The company also encourages customers who do not participate in the REDI program to consider optional programs such as Georgia Power Community Solar and Simple Solar. Community Solar gives residential customers who subscribe the opportunity to earn a bill credit based on actual solar energy production at Georgia Power’s Community Solar facilities. The Simple Solar program is a solar renewable energy credit (REC) purchase program available to all customers that allows participants to claim solar benefits for either 50{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} or 100{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} of their energy usage.

Through programs and projects developed in coordination with the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power is committed to maintaining a diverse generation portfolio while providing all customers with renewable energy options. With 970 MW* of solar capacity currently online, the company continues to have the largest voluntary renewable portfolio in the nation. Through continued development of REDI, as well as other solar projects and programs, Georgia Power expects to add up to 1,600 MW* of additional renewable capacity by the end of 2021.

*REC Disclaimer: Georgia Power purchases only the null energy output from some renewable generating facilities that have contracted to sell that energy to Georgia Power. Ownership of the associated RECs is specified in each respective power purchase agreement. The party that owns the RECs retains the right to use them.

News item from Georgia Power

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Meyer Burger Seals Tech Deal With Solar Module Maker

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Meyer Burger Technology Ltd., a global technology company focused on solar photovoltaics, has inked a strategic agreement for its SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT) with an undisclosed international solar module manufacturer in Southeast Asia.

Meyer Burger will deliver and install the 200 MW SWCT manufacturing platform toward the end of this year. Commissioning and ramp-up of the SmartWire solar module production line for the customer – using heterojunction solar cells supplied by an external party – is planned for the first half of 2019.

Meyer Burger’s SWCT uses a foil-wire electrode with up to 24 aligned wires to connect solar cells. The company claims this reduces silver consumption per heterojunction solar module by over 50{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} – which, in turn, reduces production costs for solar module manufacturers. The resulting dense wire contact matrix enables SWCT modules to easily cope with the increased power extraction necessary for today’s high efficiency heterojunction solar cells – enabling energy yields of up to 20{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} to 30{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} more power per installed module in comparison to standard modules with PERC and PERT cell technologies, according to the company.

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Soledad Bee | GRID Alternatives accepting applications for solar panel installation

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Contributed Photo
GRID Alternatives and volunteers are working on installing solar panels on homes on the Central Coast.

SOUTH COUNTY — GRID Alternatives is accepting applications from low to moderate income homes in the cities of Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales.

GRID Alternatives has a program called “Energy for All” and is part of the non-profit organization that is solely based out of state and local funding. The program provides services to low to moderate income homeowners throughout Monterey County and works with families to install solar panels, making the change to renewable energy sources.

“Our program focuses on providing renewable energy access to families,” said Mayra Guzman, outreach coordinator for GRID Alternatives. “We’re trying to reach out to the families that would want to access to renewable energy but at the same time benefit from the savings on their energy use.”

According to Guzman, program participants can save 85 percent to 100 percent on their energy use by installing the solar panels.

The requirements for the program include being a homeowner, live in the home, verify income with tax forms or pay stubs, and be a PG&E customer. Before installation, GRID Alternatives also has to look at the condition of the roof at the home to make sure it can support the solar panels.

The process can take anywhere from three to six months for approval, and because GRID Alternatives “Energy for All” is a state and local funded organization, it is at no cost to the homeowner.

The panels are installed by CET and other work force development programs and work with the construction team from GRID Alternatives over the course of two to three days.

“We just celebrated our 1,000th install in June for the whole Central Coast area,” said Guzman.

Education on maintaining solar panels is also given during the application and installation period. Once installed, the solar panels last approximately 20 years with maintenance and are recycled after those years.

GRID Alternatives is partnering with King City as well, but is still in the process of developing their special project.

King City is developing its own power service and once that program launches, customers will be referred through that process.

To possibly qualify for the program, homeowners should call GRID Alternatives at 831-784-8549 or stop by the office at 285 Griffin St. in Salinas.

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Bacteria help solar panels beat cloudy days | MNN

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Solar panels are a terrific source of renewable energy … until it gets really cloudy.

This is particularly worrisome for areas where the skies are overcast more often than not, but researchers may have found out how to harvest the silver lining of cloudy days.

All it took was some genetically modified E. coli.

Lycopene energy

This isn’t the first time biology has been applied to solar cells. Solar cells make solar panels work; they absorb the sunlight and convert it to an electrical current. Biogenic solar cells have relied on extracting a natural dye produced by bacteria during photosynthesis for conversion to electricity. This process is expensive and toxic, however, and it can cause the very thing that creates the energy, the dye, to degrade and become less useful over time.

But researchers from the University of British Columbia decided to take a different approach, leaving the dye in the bacteria. They modified the E. coli so it would produce lots and lots of lycopene, the same thing that gives tomatoes their bright red color. Lycopene is a natural — literally — at harvesting sunlight to convert it to energy, and its color allows it to absorb more light even on cloudy days.

Bright red tomatoes on a cutting board
Lycopene, a chemical found in tomatoes, could help us light up solar panels, even on cloudy days. (Photo: Supapun Narknimitrung/Shutterstock)

To test how successful this biogenic solar cell would be, researchers coated the modified E. coli with a semiconductor metal and then applied that mixture to a glass surface. They generated a current density of 0.686 milliamps per square centimeter, an improvement on the 0.362 achieved by others using biogenic cells.

“We recorded the highest current density for a biogenic solar cell,” Vikramaditya Yadav, a professor in chemical and biological engineering who led the project, said in a statement. “These hybrid materials that we are developing can be manufactured economically and sustainably, and, with sufficient optimization, could perform at comparable efficiencies as conventional solar cells.”

Researchers announced their biogenic cell in the journal Small.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Achieving a sustainable model with this will take time, however. The E. coli doesn’t survive the process, meaning the bacteria need to be replaced each time. If a process can be developed that allows the E. coli to produce lycopene indefinitely, well, that would be a major step forward.

“Our invention is a first-generation prototype that needs significant improvements before it can reach the levels of silicon solar cells that can deliver about 25 times the current density of the bacterial-based solar cell,” Yadav told Popular Science. “We don’t view our technology as a competitor to conventional solar cells. Not yet, at any rate.”

Still, the biogenic panels can help areas like British Columbia and Northern Europe where the clouds are a bit more present. These sorts of biogenic sources of light can also be useful in other areas, including mining and deep-sea exploration.

Related on MNN:


Apple Spaceship HQ



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Gonzales Tribune | Gonzales schools make the switch to solar energy

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Photo by Samantha Bengtson
Solar panels were installed at Fairview Middle School earlier this summer.

GONZALES — Solar will now power Gonzales Unified School District (GUSD) school sites, as solar panels were installed over the past few weeks.

“GUSD is working on reducing overall expenditures, such as electricity, which will allow more funds to be directed toward student outcomes,” said Mary Dawson, assistant superintendent of business services. “We are being considerate of our environment by going green.”

The solar project has been a topic of discussion for the Gonzales Unified School District for a while now and the solar panel project is anticipated to be completed Friday, Aug. 3.

Following that, the panels will not be operational until the connection is finalized by PG&E.

There are a total of 13 panels at three school sites, six at Gonzales High School, three at Fairview Middle School and four at La Gloria Elementary.

“Currently, there are no projected out-of-pocket costs to the district,” Dawson said. “The current PG&E billing will be reduced, thereby allowing those funds to be used to pay the monthly cost of the solar contract.”

According to Dawson, the school district will be paying 19.6 cents per Kilo Watt Hour.

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Encore Renewable Energy ranked among top US solar contractors

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Vermont Business Magazine More than 10,600 megawatts of solar power were installed last year in the United States, and Burlington, Vermont-based solar project developer and installer Encore Renewable Energy has been recognized again by Solar Power World magazine for its growing contributions to the industry. Encore was recognized as a top 25 solar development company in the US, with a ranking of 23. Additionally, Encore achieved a rank of 123 out of 500 solar companies on the magazine’s 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. 

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year. The 2018 list was released on July 24th. 

“Solar Power World is very excited about the 2018 class of Top Solar Contractors,” said Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World. “Our 2017 list showed impressive installation numbers after 2016’s rush to meet ITC requirements, and many companies were hesitant to show unavoidable installation dips after last year’s high. We’re happy to feature a strong group of thriving U.S. solar installers on the 2018 Top Solar Contractors list. These companies truly are at the top of their markets.” 

2017 marked Encore Renewable Energy’s most significant year in its history, both with respect to the nature of projects completed and commenced, as well as the Company’s ongoing commitment to the environment, its employees, and the communities in which the Company works. Encore installed more than 8.4MWp of solar power in 2017, bringing its total installed capacity since inception to over 32MW. 

“We are thrilled to be recognized by Solar Power World as one of the top solar development and installation companies in the United States and are excited to see continued improvements in our ranking over the past several years, despite the headwinds that the industry has faced over the past few years. We look forward to continuing to provide world-class solar projects for our customers”, said Chad Farrell, Encore’s founder and Chief Executive Officer. 

About Encore Renewable Energy 

Encore is a Burlington, Vermont-based leading clean energy development company and certified B-Corp focusing on commercial-scale solar PV systems, utility scale battery storage, and 21st century solutions for underutilized property including landfills, brownfields and rooftops. Founded in 2007 as Encore Redevelopment, Encore specializes in the design, development, financing, permitting, and construction of renewable energy projects. 

Source: Burlington, VT — Encore 7.26.2018 EncoreRenewableEnergy.com

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Duke Solar Rebates Have Already Run Out For The Year

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Just two weeks after Duke Energy began taking applications for new solar energy rebates, the program has run out of money for homeowners and businesses for this year. 

More than 1,500 customers applied for rebates after an online application became available July 9. Duke accepted about $9 million worth of projects from homeowners and businesses — all the money it set aside for 2018, said spokesman Randy Wheeless.  

“So we’re tapping out of the funds available for this year. The good news is that the program continues for another four years. So there will be a lot of sustainable solar growth in North Carolina,” Wheeless said.

Homeowners can get rebates of up to $6,000, and businesses up to $50,000.

Anyone who missed out this year goes on a waiting list. Duke is asking state regulators for permission to let those people reapply next year, after Jan. 1, 2019, Wheeless said.

“As we’ve seen in past rebates, a lot of times people apply for the rebates, but don’t follow through with the project. And then we’ll just take people off the waiting list,” Wheeless said.

While home and business rebates are gone, Wheeless said money is still available this year in another category — nonprofits, which qualify for rebates of up to $75,000.

Duke’s rebate program is required by a 2017 state law. The company allocated $62 million over five years under an agreement with regulators.

Even if you can’t get a rebate now, there’s still a federal tax credit for new solar installations.

RELATED LINKS

  • N.C. Utilities Commission ruling approving the solar rebate program, NCUC.net
  • More information on Duke’s solar rebate program at Duke-Energy.com

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East Washington schools expect big savings from solar

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NEW PEKIN, Ind. (WDRB) – Tucked behind the campus of the East Washington School Corporation lie 12 acres lined with row after row of newly installed solar panels.

The panels, which cost $4.2 million and generate about 2.4 megawatts of energy, provide most of the power for the district’s elementary, middle and high schools, and Superintendent Dennis Stockdale said  savings realized through a dramatic drop in electric costs will more than cover payments on the system’s 20-year lease.

In fact, Stockdale shared recent electric bills for East Washington Elementary and East Washington High that show the district has built up more than $21,000 in credits with Duke Energy after East Washington’s solar power system generated surplus energy back into the local power grid.

Those credits will come in handy during winter months, when days shorten and less solar energy is available, he said.

“When we run out of credits, then that’s when we’ll start having to pay,” Stockdale told WDRB News Thursday. “I don’t anticipate any kind of significant expenses in the future because we do have a very robust solar field. I believe at the time it was put in … it was probably the largest school field for a single corporation in the state of Indiana.”

In all, Stockdale said the district expects to save about $7 million over the course of the 20-year lease in what he described as a “very conservative” estimate.

“We’ll have benefit long after it’s paid off,” he said.

Stockdale said that the district had paid about $8,000 to $9,000 on each school’s electric bill before installing the solar power system, and East Washington expects to cut its electricity bill even more with $9.5 million HVAC upgrades currently underway at its three schools.

One financial benefit of the solar setup, he said, is that East Washington’s lease payments will remain flat while electric costs rise with inflation and other rate increases.

Another is that the district has more money to put into its classrooms. Stockdale said he’s hoping to invest savings generated through the solar power system will pay for more teachers and educational programs for East Washington students.

 “We’re able to make decisions on staffing and programs and have a lot of good information in front of us to be able to make those long-term that you don’t know when you’re trying to figure that inflation in,” he said. “We’re set. We’re set for the next 20 years.”

The solar power system can also provide learning opportunities for East Washington students.

Each school has a kiosk where students can see real-time energy use within the district, and that information will be available on the district’s website soon, Stockdale said. Students can then use that information to calculate East Washington’s energy costs, he said.

“There’s so many things they can do academically from that standpoint,” Stockdale said.

“Our kids are seeing that our school district is really helping that carbon footprint, making our impact on energy,” he added. “Maybe they’ll do a little bit more. Maybe they’ll start thinking about recycling differently. Maybe they’ll start talking to their parents about recycling differently or energy conservation at home and things like that, so we think it’s going to reach farther, much farther than just providing some electricity each month.”

Some school construction initiatives have faced public opposition, but Stockdale said that wasn’t the case with East Washington’s solar project.

He credited the East Washington school board for sharing important details about the project with the local community, such as how much the solar panels would cost, how they would be funded and what the energy system would mean for the district moving forward.

“It keeps us from having to raise taxes in other areas,” Stockdale said. “… By communicating that and getting that word out, they know what the investment is going to mean long-term for education for our kids. No pushback. Zero. A lot of people were interested in it.”

East Washington students report back to school Aug. 8. Stockdale said the district is planning to hold a ribbon-cutting for the solar project, but no date has been set.

Reach reporter Kevin Wheatley at 502-585-0838 and kwheatley@wdrb.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinWheatleyKY.

Copyright 2018 WDRB News. All rights reserved.

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Starting The Off Grid Tiny House Boat

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I am starting to build an off grid tiny house boat using an old pontoon boat I got for free.

We love to go fishing but since we have a baby Melanie will not go out into a boat with our baby, even with a life vest. But she loves to go out on a pontoon boat with friends on the lake or on my parent’s dock. On our cabin lake most people use a pontoon as a dock.

With the doors and rails our little Michelle is safe and protected from falling into the water. But there are no fish along the shore on our side of the lake. So Melanie never gets to fish anymore.

I saw this old pontoon boat sitting here and got the idea of making an off grid tiny house bot on top of the old pontoon boat frame.

I will restore the old pontoon boat and then build a small cabin on top with benches that fold out to beds, a kitchen, fish cleaning station, solar power, LED lights and the works.

There will be two fishing decks, one out front and one out the back side.

The cabin will be fully enclosed to protect us from the elements and the bugs. It will have screen windows and sliding plastic or plexiglass windows.

I started out by removing all the garbage that was on top of the old pontoon boat. Then I stripped off all the trim metal on the sides.

Then I ripped off all the old plywood bench seats. And the side rails and doors simply pulled off for the most part due to the rotted decking.

I ripped up the decking with my bare hands, it was so rotted.

I will keep all the metal and trim for use on my new boat.

I got the boat stripped down to its frame in just an hour and a half. It was an easy job.

I will strip down the metal and paint it with a rust preventing paint and primer. Then I will put on new decking and then the side rails.

Later I will start the cabin build on top.

This is going to be an exciting project.

Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe & follow my daily videos.

Troy
http://www.thedoityourselfworld.com
http://www.theoffgridproject.com

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