Solar Power Ambitions Go Lunar

http://spaceosaur.co.uk/3180/solar-power-ambitions-go-lunar/

controversial is an understatement !

Nissan Seeks Approval for Solar-powered Car-charging Station

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110228/WILLIAMSON10/102280302/-1/WEDDINGS/Nissan-seeks-approval-solar-powered-car-charging-station

Toxic Landfill to be Converted to Solar

http://www.getsolar.com/blog/toxic-landfill-to-be-converted-to-solar-farm-in-new-jersey/12334/



more from Discovery News
http://news.discovery.com/tech/a-every-landfill-could-have-solar-lining-110228.html

Every landfill could have a solar lining


http://solarknowledge.blogspot.com/2011/03/solar-power-plant-to-develop-on-closed.html

another conversion in California

Solar Power Helps Schools Slash Energy Spending

http://www.getsolar.com/News/Solar-Energy-Facts/General/Solar-Power-Helps-Schools-Slash-Energy-Spending-800432457
One school district expects to save $25 million over the next 20 years!

http://newworldsolar.blogspot.com/2011/02/lady-bird-johnson-middle-school-to.html
Lady Bird Johnson Middle School to Produce More Energy Than it Uses

Why is a Solar Electric Home Worth More?

A good explanation despite the lack of data from the home appraisal industry:

http://howsolarworks.1bog.org/files/2010/03/black_solar_home_value.pdf


an answer column pointing out the challenges to the industry:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Property-Valuation-Appraisals-1657/2010/12/Solar-Panels-Home-Appraisal.htm

Here's a company, SunMath, that claims they can do the math for you:

http://www.sunmath.com/home/why/why.html

The original document that everyone seems to quote, "for every $1 of energy savings,
the value of your home increases by $20" :

http://www.icfi.com/Markets/Community_Development/doc_files/apj1098.pdf

Solar Power Home Resale Value Appraisal links:

http://solar-power.twowik.com/solar-power-home-resale-value-appraisal/

Swiss solar boat on a world-wide mission

It can store over 1MW of energy in its lithium battery!

Solar installers, workers descend on Capitol over shrinking solar rebates

http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/colorado-solar-industry-marches-on-state-capitol-022511/

cleanenergyauthority.com

Taking it to the streets in Colorado!  People want green jobs-

"...fossil fuels currently get 12 times the subsidies of clean energy."

Solar is Now Cheaper than Nuclear

The Historic Crossover

http://1bog.org/files/2010/08/NCW-SolarReport_final1.pdf

Solar Powered Toyota Prius News Feature

Okay, this isn't exactly breaking news but at 70 MPG it's worth a look.

"If you don't exceed 42 MPH you can run it completely on electricity"

'Morris Model' solar financing shines*

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20035870-54.html

*Only works in states with SRECs.

Solar Hot Water Shower DIY Black Water Hose

Couldn't resist posting this one. Part 2 is better.

New Magnifying Film

http://blogs.forbes.com/eco-nomics/2011/02/14/new-magnifying-film-increases-solar-panel-efficiency-by-up-to-300-percent/

A recent article in Forbes about a film that boosts effeciency by %300 ! (?)

Community Net Metering

http://www.newenergychoices.org/uploads/Varnado_Rose_ASES2009.pdf

An in depth look at this exciting new trend

On-Farm Renewable Energy Production Shows Tremendous Growth !

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os_gAC9-wMJ8QY0MDpxBDA09nXw9DFxcXQ-cAA_2CbEdFAEUOjoE!/?contentidonly=true&contentid=2011%2F02%2F0079.xml

The USDA's report shows farmers have the right idea!

Solar financing options

.

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy99osti/26242.pdf

DOE's Borrowers Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems



http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/15/municipal-solar-financing-the-biggest-revolution-that-youve-never-heard-of/

An article on municipal solar financing. Seems to be catchig on!



http://www.findsolar.com/index.php?page=rightforme&subpage=finance

Here is a link to solar financing options. I will be adding a new collection of finance links below coming soon!



http://solarfinancing.1bog.org/

1 Block off the Grid  has state by state group links at bottom

Solar Rainbow to Install 1.3 Megawatt 400,000 sq. ft. Solar System

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solar-rainbow-to-install-13-megawatt-400000-sq-ft-solar-system-on-jordache-rooftop-in-new-jersey-116661034.html

"The most difficult obstacle to selling a solar system is educating the customer," stated Mr. Bawabeh.  "Once they realize that they can protect the environment while getting a great return on investment, they begin to move forward.  Companies can take advantage of the 100% bonus depreciation of the system cost in the first year, as well as, a 30% Federal Cash Grant.  Additionally, there is also an income stream of SRECS and Electricity savings."

Students Use Car Parts For Solar Power

"We can wait for some high falootin' technology, but why wait when we have a technology that's here, now, made out of easily accessible car parts"

North Carolina Nursing Facility to Save $147k with Solar

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110222005346/en/North-Carolina-Nursing-Facility-save-174k-Solar

a hybrid business model

The Politics of Solar

http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/solar-energy-news-recap-022111/

Famed Futurist: "We Can Meet All Our Energy Needs from Solar in 20 Years"

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/famed-futurist-all-energy-needs-solar-20-years.php

Solar Energy Cheaper than Coal



Looks like a combination of a parabolic dish and a fresnel lens !

Science Channel Video

Breakthrough at MIT to convert solar enregy to hydrogen?

Does solar leasing make sense?   Pros and cons:

http://solarleaseprograms.com/

http://www.solarcity.com/residential/solar-lease.aspx

Leasing can make solar more affordable to more people but may not make sense from an investment standpoint.

It's about time

As a lifelong advocate and enthusiast I'm both encouraged by media coverage and frustrated by the obstacles to implementing solar power and other renewables.