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The IREC declared that the most significant trend during the September 2008 - September 2009 period is a continued emphasis on solar energy in recent RPS adoptions and changes. Eleven states enacted or significantly modified standards; of those, seven states and DC included new provisions specific to solar energy.

In addition, five states made minor adjustments to their policies, of which two involved solar provisions.

• Missouri replaced (via ballot initiative) an existing renewables goal of 11% by 2020 with a standard of 15% by 2021, and included a provision mandating that at least 2% of the requirement come from solar energy (equivalent to 0.3% of retail sales in 2021).
• Illinois expanded its RPS to cover competitive sales and adopted a solar carve-out of 6% of the annual requirement from 2015 - 2025.
• And, in September 2009, California extended its RPS to 33% by 2020, via executive order.
• Both Oregon and Rhode Island adopted provisions relating to long-term contracts for solar energy resources, coupled with targets for solar that are outside the scope of each state's existing RPS.
  
• New Jersey approved long-awaited utility-administered solar renewable energy credit (SREC) contracting programs in connection with its existing solar carve-out.
  

SOURCE:  2009 IREC Annual Report

Solar Decathelon
October 9-18, 2009
National Mall in Washington

The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the international Solar Decatehlon and this year's participants in DOE's 2009 Solar Decathlon will exhibit a range on new innovations in solar PV and solar thermal technologies -- as well as green building. 

The Solar Decathlon competition challenges students to design and develop houses that can provide their own energy from the sunlight - a clean, renewable source of energy.  

The twenty collegiate teams from the United States, Canada, Spain and Germany will each build a completely self-sufficient solar powered house, showcasing energy-efficient amenities and smart home systems that provide reduced carbon emissions without sacrificing the comfort of modern conveniences.

 "The Solar Decathlon highlights President Obama's goal of improving our national security and transforming the economy by using off-the-shelf, clean energy technologies to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil, reduce our carbon emissions, and protect the environment," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.  "As part of the building competition, the next generation of green engineers, architects, designers, and professionals gain valuable experience that will help them to lead America toward a clean energy future."

DOE's Solar Decathlon, which takes place October 9-18 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., consists of 10 individual contests that evaluate the teams' skills in architecture, home design, and communications. The homes constructed by the teams must produce enough electricity and hot water from solar panels to perform all the normal functions of a home -- from powering the lights; to cooking, washing clothes and dishes; to powering home electronics; and maintaining a comfortable temperature.  This year, a new net-metering contest will evaluate each home's ability to produce its own power.  The competition focuses on cutting edge energy efficient and renewable energy innovation while providing a unique green jobs training opportunity for each of the students.

The start of the competition marks the culmination of more than two years of hard work by the student teams.  The twenty teams will assemble their homes on the National Mall in early October.   Following the Opening Ceremony on October 8, the homes will be open for public tours October 9-13 and 15-18.

This is DOE's fourth Solar Decathlon competition since premiering in 2002 with subsequent competitions in 2005 and 2007.  On average, each Solar Decathlon competition has drawn more than 100,000 visitors to the National Mall.

The colleges and universities competing in the 2009 Solar Decathlon are:

• Cornell University
• Iowa State University
• The Ohio State University
• Penn State
• Rice University
• Team Alberta (University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, Alberta College of Art + Design, Mount Royal College)
• Team Boston (Boston Architectural College, Tufts University)
• Team California (Santa Clara University, California College of the Arts)
• Team Missouri (Missouri University of Science and Technology,  University of Missouri)
• Team Ontario/BC (University of Waterloo, Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University)
• Technische Universität Darmstadt
• Universidad de Puerto Rico
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
• The University of Arizona
• University of Illinois
• University of Kentucky
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• University of Minnesota
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Virginia Tech

The Solar Decathlon is sponsored by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, in partnership with its National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which manages the event.  For more information, please visit http://www.solardecathlon.org/.

Renewable energy is a high priority for President Elect Obama.  His jobs program emphasizes rebuilding the infrastructure, including roads and bridges, schools and weatherizing homes.  This slideshow synthesizes the energy priorities established by Obama during his campaign and in the days of the transition. Renewable energies, including solar figure prominently in his energy plan.

Government incentive programs are getting spotty for solar and wind energy.  With the changing of the guard during election seasons, old programs are ended so that new administrations can write and endorse their own versions of funding programs.  And, I assume you know that taxes and incentives are structured to control behaviors of the populace, right?

What's unusual in today's political world is the EXTENT of corporate level incentives.  Not long ago incentives were extended to consumers who were in need of assistance.  Today, with the escalating speed and technological prowess of startup technologies, more and more sectors such as alternative energy and alternative transportation are being subsidized at the venture funding stage...and the commercialization stage to encourage rapid payback for the venture capital firms.

The question is why are companies with record levels of income having to ask for government handouts? I'm just saying.... :-)  It seems we as taxpayer citizens without a corporate lobby behind us,  pay at least twice:  taxes and than again when we pay higher prices for new technology.

I'm just saying.... :-)

 

Energy Efficient Solar Lighting and Heating for Homes

Solar cells are great solutions to high petroleum prices for natural gas and electricity powered by coal generating plants. You can now use cogeneration to supplement or replace your grid power and electric bill. Prices for solar PV are coming down, and we will help you locate effective solutions for your solar dreams - be they solar thermal, solar hot water tanks, solar arrays, solar lights for landscaping or earning money from solar power cogeneration.

Energy Efficient Solar Power and Light for Offices

Business buildings often have large flat roofs that can be great locations for solar arrays to generate PV electric power for lights, HVAC, ventilation, safety lighting, hot water for bathrooms, and even to sell extra cogenerated power back to the utility company.

We will help you find quality solar products and services to take advantage of the solar generating possibilities that are available in most locations in our country. Solar power uses the best renewable resource -- sunlight that radiates from the sun.

Energy Efficient Solar Product Categories

• Home Solar Powered Lighting
• Office Solar Lighting
• Solar Systems ROI for Cogeneraton
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• Thermal Solar
• Don't Forget Passive Solar Savings