Recently in Residential Solar Applicatons Category

Solar Growth Trends

Regulation of Solar Services Agreements (SSAs) has emerged as an important issue in supporting solar growth.

Confusingly, Power Purchase Agreement "PPA" is often used in reference to SSAs, however, PPA has long been the term for an wholesale sales agreement between a generator and a utility, but a SSA is actually a retail sales agreement between a solar array owner and the utility customer hosting a solar array.

This arrangement has become the norm, as SSA providers are able to use the available federal tax credits and depreciation, and free the host from tying up capital and taking on the risks of ownership.

By overcoming a number of barriers to customer uptake of solar, SSAs have become the preferred means for the financing solar by commercial customers and the use of solar SSAs is beginning to be seen in residential markets.

Because the use of solar SSAs is so beneficial to the growth of solar markets, IREC has been actively involved in state proceedings addressing participation of solar SSA providers in net metering and regulation of solar SSA providers as public utilities.

State Policies for SSAs

Over the past year, IREC has participated in proceedings in Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Massachusetts and Michigan that addressed the legal and policy issues surrounding regulation of solar SSAs. 

As part of Michigan's adoption of net metering rules, the Michigan PSC clarified the definition of customer-generator to ensure that SSA providers would be allowed to participate in net metering.

Likewise, Massachusetts clarified in its net metering regulations that net metered systems may be owned by third-parties.

IREC continues to be involved in Arizona and New Mexico's consideration of the matter and anticipates being active in Washington as well.

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/.

The bright 20-Watt quartz-halogen bulb, has no lumens, similar to a 75-Watt, will last over 2 years and lights instantly at even the coldest temperatures. An adjustable sensitivity control reduces false triggers by your cat, a raccoon, tiny UFO's, etc. The unit mounts easily to wall, fascia, soffit, or roof eaves. No wiring or electrician required. Has a 14-foot cord on solar module for best sun exposure. Extra battery capacity allows up to two weeks of operation without sun. The Solar Sensor Light comes with mounting bracket, hardware and bulb included. Replaceable battery and bulb. 7""H x 7""W. Extends 7""from wall.

The solar-charged detection circuit automatically turns on the light to welcome you when triggered by heat or motion at approximately 30 feet, then turns off after you leave the area. This can also make it effective in deterring prowlers.

A light that runs on the sun! At night, they can see your address!

This light is great! It helps friends and emergency services find your house! Easily visible at night and during the day.

Solar powered-no wiring. No electrical installation. No digging up the lawn, No electrical costs.

Automatically goes on at night and off in the morning! Rugged weatherproof construction

1.5hrs of sun = 1 full night of illumination!

Profit from the technology of tomorrow today! With the new solar powered house number light! Made of durable ABS plastic, Sun-Mat is completely weatherproof and clearly identifies any address up to 5 digits. Bright blue 4"numbers which are easily visible from 500ft. Pinpoint exact location for emergency calls, deliveries, etc.  Only 1.5hrs of sun each day will keep it  illuminated all night! Can be mounted (hardware included) or staked in to the ground with the included 16" stake.

Green Home Environmental Store
"Green home, Inc. first started in 1999 and has continued to succeed as the longest lasting environmental store and resource center on the internet. Located in the Richmond District of San Francisco, our main office is still technically in the original garage space, although there is a mystical spaceship atmosphere within the garage as we suspend ourselves in the endless universe of the internet in search of better ways to improve our planet." :-)

Greenhome.com