Maryland-based Solar Energy Company Brings More Green to Belisimos’ Table
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Frank Difatta owner of Carroll County based Belisimos Italian Restaurant turned to Solar Energy World, Maryland’s fastest growing solar energy systems provider to help him reduce operating expenses and his carbon footprint at the same time. It was an innovative and forward-thinking solution and Solar Energy World, was up for the job. Solar Energy World began designing a solar installation plan for Belisimos in late 2011.
Construction began on January 2, 2012 and in only five days, Solar Energy World finished installation of nearly 3,740 square feet of solar panels on the restaurant’s roof. In addition to experiencing a speedy and painless installation process, Diafatta now stands to save $35,000 per year and to generate a strong return on investment year after year.
According to Geoff Mirkin, Vice President and Managing Partner for Solar Energy World, his company’s record growth can be attributed to customers like Difatta who care about their impact on the environment and can appreciate the exceptional customer service that Solar Energy World can bring to the table. Mirkin says his company offers a higher level of expertise and better value than many of its larger competitors who are not always locally based and often subcontract installers. “Solar Energy World’s installation teams have more than 74 years of combined roofing and electrical experience and are employed directly by our company. This ensures they are held accountable for every job they do. Our customers can rest assured they will be well taken care of.”
“We aren’t the Walmart of Solar and we don’t want to be.” states Laureen Peck, Vice President of Marketing. “We believe in providing discerning homeowners and business owners like Frank, with quality work coupled with an easy process. In addition to dealing with utilities’ paperwork and procedures for our customers, all of our installations are done by actual Solar Energy World employees who take pride in their work.”
Diafatta sums it up this way, “The Solar Energy World guys made it really easy for me to go green and make more green at the same time.”
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Do You Get It?… Home Solar Isn’t Really That Complicated
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By Laureen Peck, Vice President of Marketing, Solar Energy World
Many consumers, even those who consider themselves greenies, won’t bother to investigate purchasing solar energy systems for their home. Even the smartest consumers among us have a difficult time understanding how solar could possibly be a viable, affordable energy choice. Many of us just don’t “get it”. This disconnect happens for the simple reason that communication about the personal benefit solar can bring to a homeowner as well as the economic benefit it can bring to our nation is lacking.
First, the American news media (and not just AM radio or Fox News) has done a terrible job of articulating how solar energy is actually a responsible energy choice for American homeowners. We Americans are bombarded daily with news stories that support our addiction to fossil fuels. For example, there are twice as many news stories about the Keystone Pipeline and the economic benefits it might bring to America, than there are about the economic benefits that solar energy is providing. In addition there is a lot of noise made by politicians and pundits who seem almost gleeful when an American company like Solyndra fails because this supports their political viewpoint that there is no market in America for solar.
Of course, this is total nonsense. When the horseless carriage was first invented, some start-up auto manufacturers went out of business, but obviously others survived and prospered. Those who are selling the idea that solar is not ready for prime time and so should be ignored either do not know what they are talking about, or stand to benefit from killing competitors to the fossil fuel industry.
The fact is that the solar energy industry is actually booming and as a result, it is creating lots of green jobs every year. Solar industry leaders in America are working hard to make the USA a leading manufacturer and exporter of solar technologies with the goal to one day we can outperform China. However, stories about the positive economic benefits of solar are few and far between.
The marketing and advertising done by solar panel installation and solar manufacturing companies is not working as well as it could either. Aside from California based REC’s “Expose Solar” campaign, most solar installation companies have mediocre advertising that looks and sounds the same and contains a lot of technical jargon that might appeal to fellow engineers, but not so much to consumers.
I was hired by Solar Energy World recently to head up marketing and I can see that I have many communications challenges to overcome. What I have learned so far is that most consumers already understand that solar is better for the environment. Some even understand the potential for a strong return on investment that installing a home solar system on their home can bring. However, the falsehoods and misconceptions about solar energy for homeowners still dominates the discussion, dampening the enthusiasm of those who might be perfect candidates for home solar, stopping them from investigating further.
So, I will be working hard over the next years to help dispel some of the misinformation that is spewed out by the media and others who stand to benefit from keeping the status quo alive. (Stay tuned. A new ad campaign is coming soon.) In the meantime, here is a list of some of the most common falsehoods consumers hear (and many believe) every day:
FALSEHOOD: Solar Isn’t Affordable.
TRUTH: Solar PV technologies have declined in price every year since they were introduced onto the market, driven by improved research and development, and most of all by steady increases in sales volume. Every solar panel purchased makes the next one cheaper, in stark contrast to non-renewable sources, which become scarcer and more expensive with every ton burned. In addition, most states and the federal government offer generous solar rebates, tax credits and other incentives available that make it much more affordable for homeowners.
FALSEHOOD: It takes too long to get a return on my investment.
TRUTH: Homeowners will see a return on investment in a few years, not in decades.
FALSEHOOD: Solar is only a cottage industry and appeals to small niche markets.
TRUTH: The solar industry segment has been growing by more than 35% per year over the past 2 years. In 2001, PV module shipments closed in on the 400-megawatt mark, representing a $2.5 to $3 billion market. The U.S.-based industry itself is now approaching $1 billion per year and providing 25,000 jobs. It’s expected to grow to the $10-$15 billion level in the next 20 years, providing 300,000 jobs by 2025. This sustained growth exceeds that of the semiconductor industry. A market shift has sparked the recent growth in the PV industry. It has shifted from almost completely remote, off-grid, and consumer products to nearly 60% grid-connected, distributed power. And these applications don’t represent small niche markets. They represent the significant growth path for PV — the true distributed power source.
FALSEHOOD: Current solar technology will soon be outdated and I will have to pay for an upgrade.
TRUTH: Solar is a technology that has been around for decades. Although the industry has been experiencing record growth, the technology itself remains stable and dependable.
CAN WE HELP YOU “GET” SOLAR? To receive a thorough consultation to explore how solar could work for your home and budget, schedule an appointment with one of our solar consultants by clicking here: www.solareworld.com. You might be surprised by what you learn.
Laureen Peck: info@solareworld.com
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2011 Solar Round Up
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Currently there are more solar energy projects planned than any other energy producers including natural gas, coal, oil, wind, and nuclear. Between 2009 and 2010 alone, installations grew by an astounding 109%, and installations of solar panels have doubled over the past year while on track to double again in 2012. And no wonder, with the cost of solar panels and their systems constantly falling, a plethora of new government subsidies and tax rebates, combined with constantly fluctuating traditional energy prices, solar energy just makes sense.
According to the US Department of Energy, the sun above us projects more clean, renewable energy onto the Earth in one hour than humans use in an entire year. The ability to harness that clean energy is steadily growing cheaper and more accessible. And it is becoming a mainstream idea. New polling finds that 9 out of 10 Americans support solar and believe it is a critical piece of future energy policy.
With solar panels now atop municipal light poles and parking meters, traffic lights and school crossing signs, not to mention both old and new commercial and residential properties, its increasingly easy to generate energy at the location it’s needed most. People and governments are starting to recognize this benefit as well since it decreases the volume required by traditional energy grids to handle and transmit. Much easier to place and use, solar energy is becoming more and more widespread as society recognizes its benefits.
As we head into 2012 solar energy will continue to produce increasingly larger shares of the nation’s energy networks while decreasing environmental pollutions associated with energy production at a cost saving rate to the consumer. To see how you can benefit and become part of the future, schedule an energy audit today before tax breaks and subsidies expire.
*Photo is © Copyright Caroline Hampton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
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2012 Solar Resolutions
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The holidays are not over yet and as you schedule festive dinners and holiday travel, buy gifts and try not to eat all the treats at office parties, also remember to set some Solar Resolutions for yourself and family. It’s just as easy to set goals for solar use as it is to map out other New Year resolutions. And we promise these goals are easier to keep (and less expensive) than that new gym membership!
Here are a few brief, easy to use, and simple to implement solar resolutions we use every day:
· During nice, sunny days, hang your clothes out to line on a clothes line or other open air method to dry them, instead of using a mechanical dryer
· Install blinds or drapes over windows. In the summer, keep them shut to keep your home cool, and in the winter open them up wide to allow sun and heat into your home.
· If building or buying a home, consider window placement. Lots of windows that face east and west will provide plenty of natural sunlight, lowering your energy costs as you require less artificial lighting use.
· Grow a garden! Whether it’s potted on your windowsills or terrace, or a full backyard plot, growing your own food with the suns help will save you money on groceries, and provide some healthy peace and exercise in the process.
· Practice smart landscaping. If you live in a warmer climate, tress and shrubberies closer to your home will help to keep it cool year round (in addition to the drapes). If you’re of a more northern locale, spreading out your leafy friends will give you a nice wind barrier while letting more sunlight into your home to keep you toasty in those months without leaves.
And, of course, you can also schedule an energy audit! A simple energy audit once a year will keep you in the know of the best way you can save money at home with solar energy. A certified auditor will be able to explain to you how to maintain your appliances (cleaning dusty coils or fans), updating home heating and cooling systems, and checking your windows for air leaks and sealing issues. Plus, a personalized auditor can easily explain to you all local and federal tax benefits, programs, and subsidies available to you in energy assistance.
Call today and see how much money you could save by doing some simple things around your home all year long. You could save enough for all the holiday gifts of next year!
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Solar Energy Jobs Empowering American Families in a Clean & Green Economy
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Position |
Pay( $, per hour)* |
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Solar Installer Helper |
$10-15 |
|
Systems Installer |
$14-20 |
|
Solar & PV Installer: Roofer |
$15-23 |
|
Solar Residential Electrician |
$17-31 |
|
Commerical Installer |
$17-31 |
|
Commerical Foreman |
$25-38 |
|
Systems Designer |
$22-29 |
If you have a Bachelors degree, Trade School Training, or Apprenticeship, you can find many other jobs within the solar energy industry:
|
Position |
Pay ** |
|
Commercial Installer Engineer |
$31.50 hour |
|
Thermoelectric Plant Manger |
$74-88k per annum |
|
Solar Cell Designer |
$77-91k per annum |
|
Solar Energy Engineer |
$75-80k per annum |
|
PV Power Systems Engineer |
$76-88k per annum |
|
Solar Energy Sales |
$45-85k per annum |
|
Solar Energy Physicists |
$106k per annum (avg) |
|
Solar Energy Chemists |
$68k per annum (avg) |
|
Solar Energy Software Developers |
$96k per annum (avg) |
The above information provides just a quick snapshot of many jobs and careers within the growing solar energy industry. Unlike the coal and oil industries that rely on machines to extract fuel, the solar energy industry relies on labor itself to research, design, and install solar systems. All of this labor is provided by the people in your communities. With more solar energy projects slated for production than traditional energy (oil, coal) and other new technologies (wind, hydro), there is tremendous opportunities for growth and employment in the future of clean, and natural solar energy.
Interested in learning about new positions in solar energy? Check here.
* – Environmental Defense Fund Green Job Report
** – Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics; Green Jobs: Solar Power
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The Solar Installation Process
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We know that normally installing a solar panel system is a pretty controlled and straightforward process, but we wanted to make this a little fun. This presentation includes videos and introductions of key people in the process. We hope you enjoy!
But…if you really want to read about the process – here is the detailed version of the solar installation process.
Solar Glossary: Photovoltaic
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Photovoltaics (PV) is the process of creating electrical power by converting solar radiation into DC current electricity by using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic power uses solar energy panels comprised of cells that contain the photovoltaic material.
Photovoltaics can involve a single cell however this is typically not the case, since a single cell cannot produce enough power. Generally the cells are electrically connected to form photovoltaic modules, or as we know them, solar energy panels.
Photovoltaic Effect – this involves the creation of voltage when a specific material is exposed to light. In this process, generated electrons bounce between different bands in the material causing a buildup of voltage (the junction of two substances exposed to light). This effect first observed by Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel.
Initially photovoltaics were used to power satellites and space stations orbiting in space, recently the majority is used for grid connected power generation for homes and businesses. With the development and implementation of electric cars, photovoltaics technologies continue to expand.
While there are many positives there are a few negatives. These would include cost and the fact that photovoltaics produce only DC current that must be converted. Secondly, current cannot be produced at night or when it is significantly cloudy. Solar power is also dependent on the limited power density of a locations insolation, a topic discussed in an earlier blog post.
Post written by: David Zamostny, Solar Energy World Intern
Solar history: Bell Labs and the first modern silicon solar cell
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Technological advances, such as updates to the photovoltaic cell, continue to push solar energy forward and help it join mainstream society. Perhaps the largest breakthrough in thrusting solar energy onto the main stage was the invention of the modern silicon solar cell, which by all accounts, was a mistake.
Early inventions paved the way for the modern silicon cell, most notably by French physicist A. E. Becquerel in 1839 who discovered the photo-electric effect- the birth of the photovoltaic cell. It was in 1883 that the first cell was built by Charles Fritts. These cells used a layer of gold to form junctions and were about 1% efficient.
A few iterations later, the modern silicon cell was stumbled upon by Bell Labs in 1954. While researching semi-conductors, scientists realized that when silicon was combined with certain “impurities” it became highly sensitive to light.
Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson, all of Bell Labs, converted the accidental discovery into the first practical device that converted sunlight into energy, the beginning of modern solar energy. Dubbed a solar battery, the first modern silicon cells debuted by powering a toy windmill and a radio, reaching an efficiency level of 6 percent.
The silicon cells became the basis for launching the solar energy industry. One year later, Western Electric licensed commercial solar cell technologies, and in 1957 the three scientist received a U.S. patent for a “Solar Energy Converting Apparatus.”
Shortly thereafter, in March of 1958, the scientists at Bell Labs reached true “stardom,” as the U.S. satellite Vangard I was launched with solar panels. This use of solar energy helped to spur government investment into solar energy, further bolstering the creation of the solar energy industry.
Today, new technology is starting to eclipse the use of the silicon cell, but many solar panels you see still use, or are based on, the silicon cell model as a means of converting natural sunlight into clean energy.
Solar in the News
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Solar energy continues to nab headlines across the nation this month. From new investments to new technology, solare energy continues to gain attention as the next big energy source.
In Boston, a team at MIT announced a breakthrough, reducing the scale of solar energy. Just like the first computers took up entire rooms but now fit into your 
pocket, MIT has produced a solar panel the size and weight of a piece of paper.
The new technology “prints” solar energy cells onto an array of surfaces, including paper and fabric. This drastically reduces size and weight of solar panels, essentially creating portable solar energy sources. While not as efficient as traditional solar panels, the technology, which boasts a low manufacturing cost, will allow people to power individual electronic devices. Not to mention the potential uses for them as the technology gets further refined.
On the other end of the scale, Hawaii started constructing its largest solar energy installation to date. Hoping to create one of the largest solar communities in the U.S., military families at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will soon be powered by solar energy. In addition to creating 55 green jobs, when finished, the four MW installation is expected to produce more than 5.6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) and power over 2,000 homes.
And here in the DC Metro area, the Washington Redskins are bringing solar to FexEd field. Officials announced plans for a two MW system that is expected to generate enough power to run the stadium on non-game days and off-set some electricity usage during game days. The photovoltaic solar panel system would span over 800 parking spots. While the league hopes the location will help increase solar visibility to its fans, the solar array will also creatively double as a covered parking area.
International solar: Kaohsiung World Stadium (Taiwan)
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Kaohsiung World Stadium is an excellent example of solar energy for the masses (or even commercial properties). The multi-purpose stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan was completed in 2009. It is the largest stadium in the country (by capacity) and the largest solar-powered athletic stadium in the world. Kaohsiung National Stadium hosted the 2009 World Games and holds 55,000 people.
Kaohsiung is semi-spiral shaped like a dragon, with 8,844 photovoltaic solar panels lining the external face. The solar panels are able to provide 75% of the needed electricity for the stadium. The solar panels generate 1.14 million kWh of electricity every year, avoiding 660 tons of annual carbon dioxide output.
Source: World Games 2009