From ASES and the New York Solar Energy Society:
The New York Solar Energy Society will present three RETScreen solar thermal tutorials for utilizing the software available from RETScreen Canada. At the same time NYSES will be preparing status reports on your experience with their software thanks to a grant from RETScreen. The American Solar Energy Society is providing the webinar time for NYSES.
What is this RETScreen software? Want to know how a solar hot water system will work for you? If you know the basic parameters of your location and how big your system needs to be you can find out the pay back time, the carbon off sets, and more. Watch our instructor, Dan Connors take you through a few examples. You won't need to take notes as the examples will be sent out after the tutorial.
How to sign up? Go to www.nyses.org and the RETScreen logo and fill in your registration information. Your invitation to join the webinar will be sent to you and you'll get reminders for your class.
Upcoming solar thermal tutorials:
February 10 at 6:30 pm (EST)
February 11 at 10:00 am (EST)
March 3 at 6:30 pm (EST)
A tutorial runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes and includes time for questions and answers. Your input is very important.
The RETScreen Conference for advanced workshops will be on June 20, 21, and 22 in Niagara Falls, Canada.
Join us!
Dan Connors, Instructor
President, Renewable Energy Strategies, LLC
*New York Solar Energy Society** - The solar resource network*
* 5270 Sycamore Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471-2838*
*www.NYSES.org*
*wyldon1@gmail.com*
*Mobile: 917 974 4606 FAX: 347 269 4141*
* NYSES is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society*
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
LATimes: Fool's Gold Catches Eye of UCI Solar Energy Researchers
Great article in the Los Angeles Times about solar research and technologies here in Orange County. Iron pyrite — also known as fool's gold — may be worthless to treasure hunters, but it could become a bonanza to the solar industry. The mineral, among the most abundant in the earth's crust, is usually discarded by coal miners or sold as nuggets in novelty stores. Read more by clicking here.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
AB 920 Update
Here at OCRenewables, we have eagerly anticipated the implementation of AB 920. Here's a great article from the Solar Home and Business Journal on the latest developments.
California Solar Owners to Start Gaining Payments for Net Surplus Generation
Some highlights from the article:
Although fewer than 10 percent of solar PV system owners are expected to be affected, and the compensation in most cases will be small, the frequency with which this question comes up demonstrates that it packs a symbolic wallop.
Conversations with hundreds of small-scale prospective solar owners suggest that a majority believe that they are entitled to be paid for excess generation at the highest retail price they pay the utility to provide electricity to them, not the wholesale price the utility pays conventional suppliers.
They aren’t going to get it, at least not yet.
Under a proposed decision by an administrative law judge in a proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission, the compensation for net surplus generation is to be based on a formula suggested by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. that reflects short-term wholesale electricity prices. Because these prices vary, the plan calls for averaging out 12 months of daily fluctuations.
In 2009, the average price for Pacific Gas and Electric was a nickel per kilowatt-hour for energy purchased between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The draft decision calls for adding a payment to the wholesale electricity price that reflects the cleaner-energy attributes of solar or other renewable generation. This amount is to be based on the average market price of renewable energy credits, which are not yet traded on a public market in California. Under other pricing mechanisms suggested by the utilities, the added compensation for cleaner energy could have ranged from about 1 to 3 cents per kilowatt-hour.
According to Pacific Gas and Electric, a total of 2,450 customers on net energy metering were net exporters of electricity in 2009. Of those, more than 40 percent had net surplus generation of only 100 kilowatt-hours or less annually. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. said it had fewer than 1,000 customers who would have been eligible for net surplus compensation, while Southern California Edison reported fewer than 1,500 would have been eligible. At 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, the average annual payment would have been less than $125 in the service areas of SCE and SDG&E, the proposed decision said.
We will continue to keep you posted on this important development as events warrant.
California Solar Owners to Start Gaining Payments for Net Surplus Generation
Some highlights from the article:
Although fewer than 10 percent of solar PV system owners are expected to be affected, and the compensation in most cases will be small, the frequency with which this question comes up demonstrates that it packs a symbolic wallop.
Conversations with hundreds of small-scale prospective solar owners suggest that a majority believe that they are entitled to be paid for excess generation at the highest retail price they pay the utility to provide electricity to them, not the wholesale price the utility pays conventional suppliers.
They aren’t going to get it, at least not yet.
Under a proposed decision by an administrative law judge in a proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission, the compensation for net surplus generation is to be based on a formula suggested by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. that reflects short-term wholesale electricity prices. Because these prices vary, the plan calls for averaging out 12 months of daily fluctuations.
In 2009, the average price for Pacific Gas and Electric was a nickel per kilowatt-hour for energy purchased between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The draft decision calls for adding a payment to the wholesale electricity price that reflects the cleaner-energy attributes of solar or other renewable generation. This amount is to be based on the average market price of renewable energy credits, which are not yet traded on a public market in California. Under other pricing mechanisms suggested by the utilities, the added compensation for cleaner energy could have ranged from about 1 to 3 cents per kilowatt-hour.
According to Pacific Gas and Electric, a total of 2,450 customers on net energy metering were net exporters of electricity in 2009. Of those, more than 40 percent had net surplus generation of only 100 kilowatt-hours or less annually. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. said it had fewer than 1,000 customers who would have been eligible for net surplus compensation, while Southern California Edison reported fewer than 1,500 would have been eligible. At 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, the average annual payment would have been less than $125 in the service areas of SCE and SDG&E, the proposed decision said.
We will continue to keep you posted on this important development as events warrant.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
February Speaker - Kevin Ross
Topic:
Current status of California Solar Initiative (CSI) Rebates and Economic Viability of Commercial PV Projects in 2011 and Beyond.
Speaker Bio:
Kevin Ross manages commercial-scale and small utility-scale project development in California for SunPower’s Commercial Systems Division. Mr. Ross has developed many large commercial projects under various financing structures; Power Purchase Agreements, ARRA-supported Bonds, municipal tax leases, CEC loans, and direct procurement, including the 3.9 MW multi-site PPA project for Inland Empire Utility Agency in Chino, CA. Mr. Ross also manages Solar project development for the Water & Waste Treatment Industry in California, and remains an active associate of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), having completed over 20 large projects, representing 20+ MWs in this market sector. He was directly responsible for starting up SunPower’s Southern California office located in Irvine, CA, currently staffed with Project Development Managers, Sales Analysts, Project Managers, and Construction Managers. Mr. Ross has over 24 years in specialty contracting and design engineering in the Semiconductor & Photovoltaic Industries, and holds BS degrees in Business Management and Manufacturing Engineering.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Duck Club Directions - Our Apologies
Despite our best efforts to inform everyone of the new route to the Duck Club, it seems many of you had trouble getting to the location last night. We apologize for the inconvenience and will include a detailed map with our February event information. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you in February.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
January Speaker - Shawn Gehle
Topic:
“Consumers as Producers“
Motivators for Reconsidering our Aging Distribution and Consumption-Centric Energy Model
Speaker Bio:
Shawn Gehle has sought a diverse experience in his career, which includes professional practice and teaching in the U.S. and abroad, believing that cross-disciplinary interaction contributes to his rigorous methodology for thinking and making.
Having formerly worked for BNIM Architects, one of the nation’s most recognized sustainable design firms, Shawn was instrumental in leading the design direction of projects and introducing BNIM to emerging materials and technologies. During his tenure at BNIM he was an integral part of the design and research team that worked on The David & Lucile Packard Foundation headquarters in Los Altos, California, a project that was nationally recognized with awards in sustainability and applied research. The experience solidified his commitment to long term thinking and the consequences of designing in our fragile environment, while reaffirming his interest in multidisciplinary design teams as means of achieving a balance the between the art and science in architecture.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2005, Shawn has continued his material and sustainability research, most recently as a contributor to Blaine Brownell’s book "Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment". A brief stint working at Clive Wilkinson Architects, found him working directly with creative workplace guru Clive Wilkinson, helping to shape his interest in color and the role of graphic design in architecture.
While working with Gensler, Shawn has balanced his time between projects and applied research ranging from the recently completed Ritz Carlton Hotel and Residences at L.A. Live to the creation of the Los Angeles Community College District’s pioneering Sustainability Guidelines.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Call For Presenters!
We are looking for presenters to speak at future Orange County Renewable Energy Society (OC Renewables) chapter meetings. OC Renewables is the local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. The Chapter's primary focus is to increase the intelligent use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in Orange County. Made up of industry professionals, renewable energy providers, municipalities, and concerned citizens, the Chapter promotes the commercialization of renewable energy in order to facilitate its use in residential and commercial buildings.
The Chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month. The presentation topic should be in line with the organization’s vision and should consist of about 20 to 30 slides for a total presentation of approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Potential presenters are asked to email their bio and an outline of their presentation to info@ocrenewables.org.
The Chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month. The presentation topic should be in line with the organization’s vision and should consist of about 20 to 30 slides for a total presentation of approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Potential presenters are asked to email their bio and an outline of their presentation to info@ocrenewables.org.
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