Colorado communities are well on their way to becoming more solar friendly, thanks to work their officials are doing to find ways to make it easier to go solar.
The Solar Friendly Communities project sponsored in-depth workshops this month in Denver, Golden, and Fort Collins to examine current practices and explore ways to streamline some procedures. A similar workshop for Boulder County is planned for June.
http://www.coseia.org/newsroom/coseia-news-releases/colorado-communities-take.html
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Monday, June 4, 2012
AB1990: Solar for All passes the Assembly! | California Environmental Justice Alliance
Here's a really promising community solar bill in California.
I have had a chance to witness the wonderful efforts of Grid Alternatives' volunteers to solarize affordable homes in San Francisco. In the same city, the Valencia Gardens affordable housing complex hosts 700 kilowatts of solar arrays, with bill credits provided to the residents through Virtual Net Metering.
This amazing work has been supported through both the SASH (Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing) and MASH (Multi Family Affordable Solar Housing). Both those programs are going away, and if made into law AB1990 will replace them with a new program to make solar more equitable.
-Joy
----------------------------------------------------
Sacramento, CA – Efforts to help communities of color access renewable energy and jobs made a significant step forward on Wednesday. AB 1990, "Solar for All," authored by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), passed out of the Assembly with a vote of 49 – 27. The bill would create a pilot project throughout California to build small-scale renewable projects in low-income communities and communities of color. AB 1990 is sponsored by the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA), a statewide alliance of grassroots groups working on environmental issues that impact low-income communities and communities of color.
Read more and lend your support:
http://caleja.org/2012/06/solar-for-all-passes-the-assembly/
Read the fact sheet:
http://caleja.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Solar-For-All-Fact-Sheet-v9.pdf
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
I have had a chance to witness the wonderful efforts of Grid Alternatives' volunteers to solarize affordable homes in San Francisco. In the same city, the Valencia Gardens affordable housing complex hosts 700 kilowatts of solar arrays, with bill credits provided to the residents through Virtual Net Metering.
This amazing work has been supported through both the SASH (Single-Family Affordable Solar Housing) and MASH (Multi Family Affordable Solar Housing). Both those programs are going away, and if made into law AB1990 will replace them with a new program to make solar more equitable.
-Joy
----------------------------------------------------
Sacramento, CA – Efforts to help communities of color access renewable energy and jobs made a significant step forward on Wednesday. AB 1990, "Solar for All," authored by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), passed out of the Assembly with a vote of 49 – 27. The bill would create a pilot project throughout California to build small-scale renewable projects in low-income communities and communities of color. AB 1990 is sponsored by the California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA), a statewide alliance of grassroots groups working on environmental issues that impact low-income communities and communities of color.
Read more and lend your support:
http://caleja.org/2012/06/solar-for-all-passes-the-assembly/
Read the fact sheet:
http://caleja.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Solar-For-All-Fact-Sheet-v9.pdf
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Community solar is alive and well in San Francisco!
Community power is springing up everywhere! There’s a huge amount of interest in it. In fact, it’s really a movement -- as was evidenced by the large turnout at our recent Community Solar Confluences in Boston, New York, Omaha, and San Francisco.
The San Francisco Bay Area Community Solar Confluence, which the Solar Gardens Institute co-sponsored with the Local Clean Energy Alliance, drew in 80 people from diverse perspectives:
- Members of community groups and neighborhood associations
- Organizations that are funding community power
- People working on policy to promote community power, or advocating for community power in other ways
- Members of activist groups like 350.org
- Government employees
- Solar installers
- And even individuals not associated with any organization, who were just interested in finding out more about community power
We also had a range of speakers from organizations promoting community power. Though the organizations have different approaches, they’re all working toward the same goal – and that’s to empower communities and help as many people as possible participate in renewable energy.
 |
| Joy Hughes, Ted Ko, Eric Brooks, Erica Mackie |
We've posted Confluence videos and presentations from these organizations on the Solar Gardens Institute Training page:
- Clean Coalition: Find out more about the CLEAN programs (aka feed-in tariffs) that Ted Ko helps implement.
- Our City: Check out the CleanPowerSF program that Eric Brooks is working on.
- GRID Alternatives: See how Erica Mackie's organization is bringing solar to low-income communities.
- Learn how these organizations fund community power projects with donations from people like you:
- Everybody Solar - Youness Scally
- RE-volv - Andreas Karelas
- San Francisco Energy Cooperative - Evan Wynns
 |
| Evan Wynns, Andreas Karelas, and Youness Scally |
Learn more about policy:
- General info on SB 843, the CA virtual net metering bill that Tom Price and Brandon Keefe told us about at the Confluence. We've posted a PDF from their talk on the SGI Training page. See also:
- Latest draft of SB 843
- Local Clean Energy Alliance preliminary analysis of earlier draft
- The Local Clean Energy Alliance has a new page on that organization's takes on California legislation.
- Vote Solar has info on solar policy around the U.S.
 |
| Joy Hughes discussing solar finance |
The fact that we had to squeeze the talks and questions into not enough time attests to how much is happening with community power in the Bay Area, and how much interest there is. The Confluence gave us an overview of community solar in the area and introduced many of us to one another. Let's continue the conversation!
If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, get involved locally:
- Join the Local Clean Energy Alliance for updates on what's going on, including monthly meetings on community power issues. The LCEA welcomes volunteers in a variety of areas, so here's your chance to keep networking and learning.
- Join our community power working group to share info on community power models and get projects started in the Bay Area.
- Sign up for the GRID Alternatives Solarthon to install solar PV systems for low-income families.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
denverpost.com : Guest Commentary : Inconsistencies in Colorado's energy developments
Energy expert Rich Mignogna wonders why the Colorado PUC has little say in the siting of power plants...
--------------------------------------------
Mignogna:
... one of the cases that has received much recent attention is the 1041 permit process for a concentrating solar power facility near the San Luis Valley town of Center in Saguache County.
That project, proposed by California solar developer Solar Reserve, posits the development of two concentrating solar electric generation facilities known as "power towers." A number of groups expressed environmental, wildlife, view shed, and quality of life concerns with this proposal to construct two 656-foot towers smack in the middle of the valley on land that is presently dedicated to agricultural use. In a 2-1 decision, the Saguache County commissioners approved the Solar Reserve 1041 permit application, eschewing the aforementioned concerns in favor of the promised economic benefits that the development would have.
The development would create an industrial facility encompassing about 6 square miles, the central focus of which would be two towers that are only 50 feet short of the tallest building in downtown Denver. It is difficult to envision how such a project — with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west — fits into the character of what is largely a pristine agricultural area.
Read more:
http://m.denverpost.com/denverpost/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=OycS5f7o&full=true#display
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
--------------------------------------------
Mignogna:
... one of the cases that has received much recent attention is the 1041 permit process for a concentrating solar power facility near the San Luis Valley town of Center in Saguache County.
That project, proposed by California solar developer Solar Reserve, posits the development of two concentrating solar electric generation facilities known as "power towers." A number of groups expressed environmental, wildlife, view shed, and quality of life concerns with this proposal to construct two 656-foot towers smack in the middle of the valley on land that is presently dedicated to agricultural use. In a 2-1 decision, the Saguache County commissioners approved the Solar Reserve 1041 permit application, eschewing the aforementioned concerns in favor of the promised economic benefits that the development would have.
The development would create an industrial facility encompassing about 6 square miles, the central focus of which would be two towers that are only 50 feet short of the tallest building in downtown Denver. It is difficult to envision how such a project — with the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west — fits into the character of what is largely a pristine agricultural area.
Read more:
http://m.denverpost.com/denverpost/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=OycS5f7o&full=true#display
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Friday, June 1, 2012
Students harvest solar power | Crescent City California
Sunset High School is reaping the benefits from solar panels installed at the school.
Teacher Tom O'Connor applied for a Blue Sky grant from Pacific Power and the school was awarded $20,000, which paid for 18 solar panels.
O'Connor and the high schoolers installed the solar panels on the roof of the school themselves.
He wanted to help the school save money on electricity by harnessing the sun's energy, but also teach his students about solar energy and how to install the panels.
Read more:
http://www.triplicate.com/News/Local-News/Students-harvest-solar-power
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Teacher Tom O'Connor applied for a Blue Sky grant from Pacific Power and the school was awarded $20,000, which paid for 18 solar panels.
O'Connor and the high schoolers installed the solar panels on the roof of the school themselves.
He wanted to help the school save money on electricity by harnessing the sun's energy, but also teach his students about solar energy and how to install the panels.
Read more:
http://www.triplicate.com/News/Local-News/Students-harvest-solar-power
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Monday, May 28, 2012
EVENT: June 2, Erie, CO - Mothers Against Fracking
Encana Oil and Gas operations are expected to begin on May 26, 2012 at the well site between Erie and Red Hawk Elementary Schools. Despite numerous letters (20,000+) and appeals from Erie Rising, other parents, celebrities, and politicians including Congressman Jared Polis, the company appears to put profits first. Though they are legally entitled to drill this location, please join us as we voice our concerns regarding these activities.
10:30 am -1 pm
Erie Community Park 450 Powers Street Erie, CO
Parents: Please being your kids and join us for a family friendly event!
Listen to great music, hear from great speakers, bring a picnic blanket and lunch! Please ride your bikes or push your strollers as parking at the Rec Center can be limited on Saturdays. RTD also runs directly to this location.
For an event flyer, click below:
http://www.erierising.com/red-hawk-elementary-school-parents/
----------------------------------------------
And, in the ongoing battle of Hulk vs. Frack, Mark Ruffalo speaks out on the plight of Erie moms. Imagine Mark's anger when he sees an ad for ANGA!
(For some reason, this doesn't seem to work on mobile.)
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20657595/ruffalo-erie-mothers-battle-stop-drilling
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
10:30 am -1 pm
Erie Community Park 450 Powers Street Erie, CO
Parents: Please being your kids and join us for a family friendly event!
Listen to great music, hear from great speakers, bring a picnic blanket and lunch! Please ride your bikes or push your strollers as parking at the Rec Center can be limited on Saturdays. RTD also runs directly to this location.
For an event flyer, click below:
http://www.erierising.com/red-hawk-elementary-school-parents/
----------------------------------------------
And, in the ongoing battle of Hulk vs. Frack, Mark Ruffalo speaks out on the plight of Erie moms. Imagine Mark's anger when he sees an ad for ANGA!
(For some reason, this doesn't seem to work on mobile.)
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20657595/ruffalo-erie-mothers-battle-stop-drilling
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Solar vs. Tree
The Record, a northern New Jersey paper, took a stand on the practice of logging for solar farms:
"A company ... chopped down 5 acres of oaks, maples and sweet gums to make room for a field that will host more than 3,000 solar panels. Some residents aren't happy about it. Neither are we."
(Blogger's note - I read this in the online edition rather than in print.)
They go on to say:
"...as Staff Writer James M. O'Neill reports, trees do more than clean. They prevent soil erosion from runoff and they serve as homes for wildlife. Bruce Surak, a councilman in the borough, said cutting down trees raises the noise level. Not good, with busy Teterboro Airport nearby."
You can read the rest of the opinion piece here:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/146767885_Solar_vs__tree.html
The original article goes into further detail:
"Count Don Torino squarely in favor of the trees. Torino, president of Bergen County Audubon, shook his head sadly as he scanned a 5-acre lot studded with stumps of freshly cut trees and piles of downed limbs along Caesar Place in Moonachie."
Torino: "First, we had Big Coal and Big Oil. Now we have to watch out for Big Solar. You've got to love the irony. If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny."
http://www.northjersey.com/moonachie/040812_moonsolar.html
The Solar Gardens Institute's Principles of Responsible Solar Development comes down squarely on the side of the trees. The very first principal addresses the topic:
- Tree Preservation: By hosting panels on another rooftop or a community solar garden, people can protect the trees that shade their houses.
(You can read the rest of the principles at SGI's about page http://www.solargardens.org/about/ )
It just wouldn't make sense to save one tree by cutting down another! The United States has paved over 60,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Georgia. I have come to believe a cost effective solar canopy solution for roads and parking lots is the way forward.
Hug a tree today!
Joy
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
"A company ... chopped down 5 acres of oaks, maples and sweet gums to make room for a field that will host more than 3,000 solar panels. Some residents aren't happy about it. Neither are we."
(Blogger's note - I read this in the online edition rather than in print.)
They go on to say:
"...as Staff Writer James M. O'Neill reports, trees do more than clean. They prevent soil erosion from runoff and they serve as homes for wildlife. Bruce Surak, a councilman in the borough, said cutting down trees raises the noise level. Not good, with busy Teterboro Airport nearby."
You can read the rest of the opinion piece here:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/146767885_Solar_vs__tree.html
The original article goes into further detail:
"Count Don Torino squarely in favor of the trees. Torino, president of Bergen County Audubon, shook his head sadly as he scanned a 5-acre lot studded with stumps of freshly cut trees and piles of downed limbs along Caesar Place in Moonachie."
Torino: "First, we had Big Coal and Big Oil. Now we have to watch out for Big Solar. You've got to love the irony. If it wasn't so sad, it would be funny."
http://www.northjersey.com/moonachie/040812_moonsolar.html
The Solar Gardens Institute's Principles of Responsible Solar Development comes down squarely on the side of the trees. The very first principal addresses the topic:
- Tree Preservation: By hosting panels on another rooftop or a community solar garden, people can protect the trees that shade their houses.
(You can read the rest of the principles at SGI's about page http://www.solargardens.org/about/ )
It just wouldn't make sense to save one tree by cutting down another! The United States has paved over 60,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Georgia. I have come to believe a cost effective solar canopy solution for roads and parking lots is the way forward.
Hug a tree today!
Joy
Joy Hughes, Founder, Solar Gardens Institute http://www.solargardens.org
CEO, Solar Panel Hosting LLC http://www.solarpanelhosting.com
(719)207-3097 direct
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
