by jboullion | Sep 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a post by Margaret Krome in The Capital Times:
At Farm Progress Days this summer, other farmers told me that they also are interested in creating solar or wind energy, but their decision hinges on whether they receive a sufficient payback on their investment. The rapid and extensive growth of renewable energies in Germany, Denmark and parts of Canada is attributed overwhelmingly to a single policy addressing this concern, called “feed-in tariffs.” (In Europe, the word “tariff” can mean “price.”) This policy encourages small businesses, households, farms, towns – anyone – to produce renewable energy by providing a stable price for that energy at a rate that considers the actual costs of producing it. It’s an obvious idea, but currently in most parts of the United States, utilities set widely varying rates for renewable energy – rates that seldom properly calculate the costs of producing it.
Wisconsin policymakers are on the verge of considering this and other policies to support renewable energy. Last week I joined the Homegrown Renewable Energy Campaign bus tour of four sites in northwest Wisconsin that illustrate ways communities and entrepreneurs can benefit from those policies.
We visited the bus garage for the Cadott School District, which converted its bus engines two decades ago to use compressed natural gas, which cut up to two-thirds off the district’s transportation costs.
We saw a small electric vehicle whose manufacturer is located in Wisconsin and may be one of the few vehicle manufacturers with growing, not shrinking, demand.
Pete Taglia, a scientist with Clean Wisconsin, explained how one policy under consideration, a low carbon fuel standard, would set a market standard for energy sources with a lower lifetime carbon footprint, rewarding fuel manufacturers, distributors, and ultimately users.
We visited Barron High School, which for over 20 years has been heated – and now is also cooled – by burning wood chips. A fuels for schools policy would help other schools use nearby biomass similarly.
We also saw biomass research plots at the University of Wisconsin’s Spooner research station. A proposed biomass crop reserve program would reward farmers for taking land that’s vulnerable to soil erosion and planting it to longer-term and less-erosive biomass crops.
Wisconsin would be wise to support homegrown renewable energy. Avoiding fossil fuels can help reduce climate change. Renewable energy projects offer many opportunities to build new jobs. And, as Valerie Adamski said, “It’s nice not to be in the hands of a foreign oil company.”
by jboullion | Sep 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Tim O’Brien Homes:
Tim O’Brien Homes teams up with We Energies to build twelve solar homes as part of regional study on energy conservation.
Waukesha, WI (September 11, 2009) – Tim O’Brien Homes, a certified Green Built™ and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® home builder, announces a partnership with We Energies to build twelve solar electric homes across southeastern Wisconsin by spring 2010. This endeavor is part of a multi-year study that We Energies is conducting to evaluate homeowners’ lifestyle habits in response to utilizing solar energy.
Along with analyzing trends in energy usage and demonstrating the impact of using solar energy, the study will also provide insight on how solar may influence market value and overall electric demand. This is the first time that a solar electricity study of this magnitude has ever been done in the Midwest.
“Our relationship with We Energies provides us the opportunity to outfit more homes with solar electric power,” says Tim O’Brien, president of Tim O’Brien Homes. “We are thrilled to be part of this cutting-edge initiative that’s opening the door to solar electric energy as a practical and reliable power option to home builders and owners. Given our green building philosophy, it’s a natural progression for Tim O’Brien Homes to move toward solar installations. As we see more opportunities for renewable energy applications, we’re discovering they offer a significant long- term return on investment.”
The study is being conducted by the We Energies Renewable Energy Development (RED) Program and will examine the solar energy production of the twelve homes along with homeowners’ consumption. “We are pleased to partner with a home builder that has a solid understanding of solar energy, its applications and potential benefits,” says Jessica Thibodo-Johnson, renewable energy specialist for We Energies. “Our partnership focuses on demonstrating the practical and beneficial use of solar energy for Midwest homes. This unique project will also provide greater insight into possible effects solar installations have on housing market values,” adds Thibodo-Johnson.
Solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) power is a form of renewable energy that uses the sun’s energy to create electricity. These systems are made up of panels or modules containing PV cells that generate direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to sunlight. An inverter then converts the DC power to the alternating current (AC) electricity utilized to power the home.
The solar homes will be studied side by side with twelve equivalent size control homes. Having similar orientation to the sun, the control homes are located in the same neighborhoods as the solar homes. Four of the twelve solar homes are currently under construction or nearing completion, with solar panels being installed by Renewable Energy Solutions. The homes, ranging in size from 2,000 to 2,400 square feet, are being built in neighborhoods such as Jackson’s Sherman Parc, Milwaukee’s Oak Hill, Waukesha’s Rolling Ridge South, and Kenosha’s Leona’s Rolling Meadows. “Most of the solar homes will be for sale at a price point just under $300,000. This provides an opportunity to introduce solar energy to interested consumers that previously would not have been able to afford it,” adds O’Brien.
by jboullion | Sep 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Mike Moore in the Stevens Point Journal:
RAYMOND — Car executives looking for the next electric car might just want to slip out of the board room and stop by Tom Leitschuh’s garage.
This year, Leitschuh converted his 1981 Chevrolet El Camino to run completely on electric power. And because the juice is created by the windmill and solar panels at his home on Highway K, he’s not paying for it.
“I get to drive for free,” he said. “I have energy independence even on the road now.”
Compared to the El Camino, the Toyota Prius sitting in his driveway with the “renewable energy is sexy” bumper sticker is a gas hog. Where El Camino’s engine once sat, 26 batteries now fill the space. Twenty more sit by a rear axle.
It’s a load, but removing the radiator, gas tank, muffler and other unnecessary baggage helped offset the weight. Leitschuh also skipped the regular car batteries and splurged on lighter lithium ferrite batteries.
“They’re the safest batteries in the world, and they’ll work down to zero degrees,” he said.
A charge could take him 200 miles if he manages his driving carefully, Leitschuh said, but typically the car has a range of about half that.
The project took about six weeks. Including the car, which he bought used on eBay, the project cost him about $30,000. He could have done a scaled-back conversion for $10,000, which he said should be feasible for some car owners. Not to mention big car companies, which are still developing plug-in models they plan to introduce over the next few years.
“I’m wondering, ‘Why aren’t they doing this?'” Leitschuh said. “If a guy in a garage in Racine can do this with a little bit of help … .”
by jboullion | Sep 3, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a post on Greener Milwaukee:
Participants in this two hour seminar will learn about: how photovoltaic (PV) systems create electricity from the sun; what components make up a PV system; how to determine what size system will meet your needs; where to locate a system on your home or property; what PV systems cost and the financial incentives that are available. This program includes handouts, demonstrations, and a question and answer period. We Energies and Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) have partnered to offer this seminar and it is only available to WE Energies Customers. Cost: $15/person or $5/We Energies’ Energy for Tomorrow customers.
Time: September 12, 2009 from 10am to 12pm
Location: Outpost Natural Foods – Bayview
Street: 2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave
City/Town: Milwaukee
Register here.
by jboullion | Aug 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Adam Wise in the Marshfield News-Herald:
Mid-State Technical College continues to adjust its class lineup, as leaders attempt to provide more options to students and meet the needs of employers. . . .
College administrators have put a major emphasis on providing diverse offerings in recent years, with the school expanding into renewable energy and biorefinery technology fields.
Benjamin Nusz, a renewable thermal energy instructor, was hired by the college last school year to teach students about solar water heating systems — which garner energy from the sun and convert it into a usable resource for households. He has been involved in the industry for years and even co-wrote a book on the topic with his father in-law, Bob Ramlow, in June 2006.
“When I entered the field, there weren’t these established training courses,” Nusz said. “The way to get involved was to find somebody in this industry. To get these technologies and trainings set up in the technical college system is a huge leap forward.”
While the technology has been around for decades, the equipment itself still has a ton of potential and a ways to go in acceptance, said Nusz, who acknowledged there are few solar heating systems installed in Wood County.
The college will continue to focus on renewable energies but won’t ignore other areas, Budjac said. Among the possibilities: Administrators are investigating a possible advanced certificate program for forensic investigation.
