Thank you, petition signers and your comments. I am happy to report that we now have reached 153 signatures for the Solar-FIT For Sunshine State petition! I will keep you posted on our progress. Now, I’d like to share some of the comments received, below:
Let Our Florida Sunshine Through! Solar-FIT For Sunshine State!
This is seriously a no brainer. (Gail Mingo)
I have been investigating this for my next home in Florida. (Cari K. Wood)
It seems inane that Florida will do nothing to take advantage of its most prevalant and cheapest resource, solar energy! (Richard Ewald)
Solar! Let’s do it, Florida!!! (Kathryn Grindle)
I have been in the environmental/alternative energy field for 35 years. I have seen solar work in NEW ENGLAND! IT should be on every house in every state and sell electricity back to the utility company. We all proved it works, but big oil brings the profits, so we know who to vote for next time. Vote right. BTW, where are the natural gas cars? We used them in the state government in Ohio 20 years ago, what is taking the rest of the country so long to get on board? BIG OIL. Florida especially should have solar on every home and more insulation, better windows, better building, better codes and more efficient in every respect. This brings jobs that the YOUNG people need. Young people are flocking out of the state and taking their tax dollars with them. How sad. I miss them./ Start using your head, not adding to your already HUGE bank accounts. It is all about money and greed. You work 6 months a year, get almost free health care and let the others suffer. at least give us cheap energy. Dr. Janine (Janine Secord)
WE NEED THIS ASAP!!!! THE NEWS ABOUT FRACKING AND OPEN MINING OF “OIL SOIL” IS TERRIFYING!!!!! THAT IS PLANET TERRORISM!! THE SUNSHINE STATE NEEDS TO USE THAT SUNSHINE, NOW!!! LET’S GET MOVING!! (Judith Babcock)
Please push for solar energy… Initially I grew up in Citrus County and there was always worry of Nuclear Leaks… and now with the Nuclear Plant Offline (Indefinitely) Solar Energy make the most sense… Other countries are doing it, lets be a leading state in this country and push for solar energy. Even if we could offer a solar panel per household, to heat our water, it would save Floridians millions per year. Please push Solar Energy for our future, our children’s future, and generations to come. Oil, Coal, Natural Gas all emit pollution… when will we learn this is having a negative effect on our environment. (Thomas Sprouse)
iTS COMMON SENSE, ESPECIALLY IN FLORIDA, WE NEED INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR ENERGY SUPPORT SOLAR-FIT. (Alexander McDevitt)
I’ve been saying FOREVER that the sunshine state would be wise to promote solar in a government led way, like in Germany, for instance. Berkley, CA had a great initiative to put solar on people’s houses with a small investment price and then tack the rest onto their tax bill so the money is paid out by the homeowner for the next 10 years. This would create THOUSANDS of jobs–and of course, we want to build the panels in our state, too. Clean manufacturing!—we have a surplus so now’s the time to think LONG TERM!! (Dr. & Ms. Randall & Kelley Hewitt)
WE HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR THIS AS IT IS A NO BRAINER. HELLO !!!!!! WAKE UP !!! (Roshelle McDevitt)
Why do we lag behind so much of the world in yet ANOTHER area? (Karen W. LeBoutillier)
Yes, Florida needs to use the sun for its energy. (Ligia Perez)
We need solar energy in Florida! (Theresa Zieber)
I have 2 systems using the FIT. A fantastic deal for me, the electric company, and for FL. It will help us get off the dirty fuels and into clean energy. Put folks to work making the panels in FL as well. (Martha Tod)
It’s a no-brainer to harnes as much of our abundant sunshine for energy use! Please enact this policy asap! (James Griffin)
It’s way past time!(Kitt Lough)
Please consider incorporating the FIT program into the Florida market. Sustainable energy resources are so important to providing diverse energy options for this market. Thank you. (Sharon Lee)
I have solar panels for my hot water tank and they are amazing. We all need to tap more free energy from out sun and stop depleting irreplaceable resources. (Beth)
The sun’s free energy is “Mother Nature’s ” greatest gift. Encouraging solar utilization through proven, effective policies such as FIT’s is the pathway for economic development, job creation, and energy independence in our state. With your leadership, Florida will assume it’s rightful roll as America’s leader in solar development, manufacturing, and deployment. Let’s send a message to the rest of our great nation, and the world that Florida is indeed ..the “Sunshine State”. (Bill Gallagher)
Please support solar energy (Rosemary G. Sexton)
I am so glad other people are interested in solar power in Florida. It won’t answer all of our energy problems but it’s a start. (Cynthia Strait)
Be sure to sharethis petitionwith your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues, fellow Floridians. It’s about time for Florida’s Sun To Truly Shine! Thank you for all of your supports and please help us to get more signatures! I will keep you abreast of our progress.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered & posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Your comments and suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Fantastic news! I just found out yesterday (April 26, 2013) that ADEME (The French Environment and Energy Management Agency) has recommended France to triple its solar PV target from 5.4 GW (gigawatt) to 15 GW by 2020. As study by ADEME indicated that solar PV has the potential to reach grid parity in the coming years and therefore is an essential component for sustainable energy policies. France celebrated the added 1.08GW of PV capacity in 2012, represented by over 34,500 plants, according to French Ministry of Energy, Ecology, and Sustainable Development. Solar PV has the potential to not only solve our energy problem, but also to fight against climate change, to help create local jobs, improve local industrial development and economic prosperity, according to ADEME. ADEME recommends that France concentrate on installing large rooftop PV systems to boost installed capacity and support the domestic solar industry. One can see that ADEME is on the right track toward developing economic and technological solutions to speed up the deployment of solar PV in France. Examples of rooftoop PV, below:
Rooftop photovoltaic power station at Googleplex, California
rooftop pv panels in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Rooftop from the Chicago Center for Green Technology
Rooftop Solar Panel array at the Kuppam i-Community Office
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments and/or suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
Just quickly sharing some of the things I’ve learned from a solar-cells course I’ve been taking recently at Stanford and from www.phys.org.
In the past decade, the best lab examples of traditional silicon solar cells have efficiencies around 25%, while current world record of multi-junction/3-junction solar cells is 43.5% (based on former Professor/Dr. Jim Harris & his group at Stanford and then Solar Junction ) . Commercial examples of tandem cells are widely available at 30% under one-sun illumination, and improve to around 40% under concentrated sunlight. However, this efficiency is gained at the cost of increased complexity and manufacturing price. To date, their higher price and lower price-to-performance ratio have limited their use to special roles, such as in aerospace (where their high power-to-weight ratio is desirable).
Sun Seen From Space Station (Credit:STS-129 crew, NASA), available @ Sun Is The Future of http://www.cafepress.com/sunisthefuture
In earthly applications, these multijunction (MJ) solar cells are used in concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) with operating plants all over the world.
Tandem techniques can also be used to improve the performance of existing cell designs, although there are strict limits in the choice of materials. In particular, the technique can be applied to thin-film solar cells using amorphous silicon to produce a cell with about 10% efficiency that is lightweight and flexible.
At this point, please allow me to share a graph developed by NREL (now available at www.cafepress.com/sunisthefuture), the Best Research-Cell Efficiencies, summarizing the results of various solar cell efficiencies from 1975-2013, below:
Best Research-Cell Efficiencies (by NREL, available at www.cafepress.com/sunisthefuture)
Now, based on the collaboration of researchers from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena; the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland; the University of Maryland in College Park; and ,Boeing-Spectrolab Inc., in Sylmar, California. The team published a paper on their work in a recent issue of Applied Physics Letters. These scientists have designed a new multijunction solar cell that can achieve an efficiency of 51.8%. This high performance exceeds the current goal of 50% efficiency in multijunction solar cell research as well as the current world record of 43.5% for a 3-junction solar cell. In multijunction solar cells each junction or subcell absorbs and converts sunlight from a specific region of the spectrum. The subcell can be stacked one on top of another so that sunlight first strikes the highest bandgap subcell (tuned to light with shortest wavelengths or highest frequencies). The longer wavelengths pass through the first subcell and strike the lower band gap subcells. In order to approach its theoretical limit, multijunction solar cells not only need multiple subcells but also optimal semiconductor materials for the subcells to provide a combination of band gaps that cover as much of the solar spectrum as possible. To improve upon the current best 43.5% efficiency level of MJ solar cells, researchers focused on improving the current match between the different subcells, along with using a lattice-matched design. These two factors have previously limited MJ solar cell efficiency. Below is a video clip on new multijunction solar cell during a lecture given by Dr. Vijit Sabnis of Stanford University:
“The lattice match corresponds to the matching between the crystal unit cells from the different subcells,” lead author Marina Leite, an energy researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, told Phys.org. “By using subcells that are lattice-matched, we can minimize dislocations and other crystal defects that can significantly affect the performance of the device. A current match is required for two-terminal tandem configurations because in this case a single current passes through all the subcells and the voltages are added; therefore, if one subcell has less photocurrent it will limit the current generated by the entire device. The current match is desired so that each individual subcell works at its own maximum power point of operation.”
Solar energy world is definitely dynamic, with constant progress made beating the previous record ! We will look forward to the day when a new Multijunction Solar Cell will be able to exceed 50% efficiency goal.
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments & suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
As a result of our petition campaign for “Solar-FIT For Sunshine State“, I’ve been receiving many questions from our visitors/readers/viewers about the incentive policy Feed-In-Tariff. Below is a simple explanation. For more complete history and description of this policy, please click on FIT (Feed-In-Tariff).
Solar Energy Waiting For Us
Dear C,
Simply put, Feed-In-Tariff allows any solar energy producer to get a guaranteed rate (feed-in rate) for the energy they produce or the excess energy they produce within a fixed period of time (this period may vary from place to place and may change subject to reassessment). Feed-In-Tariff is an incentive policy that will help the spread of solar installations by guaranteeing solar energy producers to be able to sell the excess energy they produce back to the power/utility company. This creates a synergistic relationship with the utility company because it will help to reduce the load on utility company during peak demand (when sun is shining brightly) and to provide incentive for people to stay on the grid. With greater certainty of return on the investment, financial institutions are more likely to want to lend money to those who are intending to become solar energy producers. Feed-In-Tariff has proven to be the most effective policy in stimulating the spread of solar installations, local jobs, local economic prosperity and helping the local economy to shift away from dependence on fossil fuel. This policy has been responsible for Germany’s economic prosperity and Germany’s having one of the lowest unemployment rate among all European nations. It has also worked beautifully in Gainesville, FL. We would like to see this policy extending beyond Gainesville so that all of the Floridians will be able to enjoy the benefit of our glorious sunshine through this policy.
I hope this is clear. Please feel free to contact me if you need further clarifications.
Please also share the petition link with others Thank you.
~have a bright and sunny day~
sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
When you call, you don’t need to say a lot—just reiterate the main message of the petition, which is:
“Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) have proven to be the world’s most successful policy for delivering large quantities of renewable energy generation quickly and cheaply. It will help to develop vibrant solar energy industry in the state of Florida that will create local jobs, economic prosperity, and better preparations for hurricanes by using our abundant Sunshine. Our state can encourage a rapid increase in the production and use of solar energy by adopting Feed-In Tariff (FIT)/CLEAN policy that provides incentives to homeowners, businesses, utility companies, and investors to make the switch from fossil fuels to renewable/ clean energy. Our state legislatures should enact this policy as quickly as possible to create a cleaner, healthier, and wealthier future for our communities. Please join us in asking our state legislatures in helping us to reach for our sunshine!”
Then, help me keep track of how many calls have been made by clicking here:
Every where I go, there are folks worried about the rising cost of fuel, CO2 emissions, global warming, and depleting fossil fuel. My friends from Germany commented that there are far more installations of solar panels in their countries (with less sunshine) than here in Florida (the Sunshine State). The reason is: they have FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) for renewable energy and we, the Floridians, do not.
That’s why I created a petition to The Florida State House, The Florida State Senate, and Governor Rick Scott, which says:
“Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) have proven to be the world’s most successful policy for delivering large quantities of renewable energy generation quickly and cheaply. It will help to develop vibrant solar energy industry in the state of Florida that will create local jobs, economic prosperity, and better preparations for hurricanes by using our abundant Sunshine. Our state can encourage a rapid increase in the production and use of solar energy by adopting Feed-In Tariff (FIT)/CLEAN policy that provides incentives to homeowners, businesses, utility companies, and investors to make the switch from fossil fuels to renewable/ clean energy.
Our state legislatures should enact this policy as quickly as possible to create a cleaner, healthier, and wealthier future for our communities. Please join us in asking our state legislatures in helping us to reach for our sunshine!”
Will you sign my petition? Click here to add your name:
SEIA Joins BlueGreen Alliance in Calling for Renewed Efforts to Create Jobs WASHINGTON, DC — Calling job creation in America a “shared goal,” the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today joined other trade associations, labor unions, environmental groups and business and community advocates in pushing for new efforts to address climate change, rebuild America’s aging infrastructure and foster innovation. Members of the BlueGreen Alliance, which represents more than 15 million members and supporters nationwide, held a press conference today on Capitol Hill to discuss ways to jumpstart job creation. One important way, they said, was to dramatically expand the use of renewable energy, including solar. “Today, solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States, providing good-paying jobs for more than 119,000 American workers,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “Over the past five years, the U.S. solar energy industry has experienced sustained growth
Solar Energy Industry Growth
thanks to rising demand, falling costs and new financing options. Since 2008, the amount of solar powering our homes, businesses and military bases has increased six-fold – from 1,100 megawatts to more than 7,700 megawatts today, which is enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes.” Resch went on to say, “Some of this growth is attributed to the fact that the cost of a solar system has dropped by nearly 40 percent over the past two years, making solar more affordable than ever for consumers. If we want to create new jobs, foster innovation and ensure prosperity for future generations of Americans, we must expand our commitment to using clean, renewable energy sources in the U.S. and around the world.” In a related development, The Solar Foundation (TSF), an independent nonprofit solar research and education organization, today announced the release of its State Solar Jobs Map (www.solarstates.org), a web-based tool providing the first-ever solar jobs numbers for each of the 50 states.
Did you know that a few cloudy days don’t hurt us as much as poor policies? Please allow me to share part of a letter/email I’ve just received from SEIA’s Carrie Hitt, below:
Dear Susan Sun, Today, the Solar Foundation released their State Solar Jobs Map, a web-based tool providing the first-ever highly credible solar jobs numbers for each of the fifty states. . These new state numbers build upon TSF’s National Solar Jobs Census 2012, which found that the U.S. solar energy industry employs 119,016 Americans and that solar employment grew 13.2 percent over the prior year, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the country. The interactive map features detailed profiles with state jobs figures, rankings of industry subsectors by employment, key state policies supporting solar, and much more. Check it out. See how your state compares and show off your home state on Facebook! Share this image on Facebook and help us spread the word! The top ten solar jobs states all have public support and smart policies that spur solar development, including renewable portfolio standards
Every where I go, there are folks worried about the rising cost of fuel, CO2 emissions, global warming, and depleting fossil fuel. My visiting friends from Denmark and Germany commented that there are far more installations of solar panels in their countries (with less sunshine) than here in Florida (the Sunshine State).
Solar Panels under Florida Sun
The reason is: they have FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) for renewable energy and we, the Floridians, do not. So, I will do my part, and I hope those of you out there who are residents of Florida, will also do yours.
Let’s Spread Our Glorious Florida Sunshine!
Please be sure to visit our tomorrow’s post: April 19, 2013, at www.sunisthefuture.net, for the opportunity for us to collaborate toward a brighter future for Florida ! Let’s move up from rank 28!
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be appreciated.
Get Ready For A Bright and Sunny Day/Future (The Future Is Now)
Just want to quickly let you know that there will be an online event celebrating Earth Day this upcoming weekend, April 19-22, 2013. This is a virtual conference, free and open to the general public. There will be many people speaking about solar energy. Our friend Bill Gallagher, former President of FlaSEIA and long-time (37 years!) solar entrepreneur (Solar-Fit of Holly Hill, FL) will be on at 11:30 A.M., Saturday (April 20, 2013) morning. Times for each day are 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. Click Agenda for scheduled programs and speakers. Click FREE Registration for registration.
Speakers:
An outstanding line-up of speakers will address a wide array of timely energy topics, including top State officials (like State Energy Director, Patrick Sheehan and Florida Solar Energy Center Director, Dr. Jim Fenton) … national energy pros (like long-time American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy expert, Skip Laitner) … state-level nonprofits (like the Florida Green Building Coalition) … regional organizations (like the Space Coast Energy Consortium and Clean Cities Coalition) … industry officials (solar, electric utilities, transportation, others) … leading local governments and still others.
This event is hosted by: The Future Is Now Foundation and our Energy Smart Planning Program, held in conjunction with the Florida Solar Energy Center & the Central Florida Clean Cities Coalition. Various other groups such as Florida Transportation Systems, Inc., Orlando Utility Commission, etc.
Get Ready For A Bright and Sunny Day/Future (The Future Is Now)
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered and posted by-sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Especially for those of you residing in the state of Florida, please note: There is now a great opportunity to make going solar easier in Florida. The SB1064, will help to Stop Taxing Sunshine in the Sunshine State! SB1064/HB277 would provide property tax abatement for residential solar installations. This insures that when homeowners make solar investments to bring their utility bills down, their property taxes won’t go up.
“Not only does this make great business sense, but Florida’s voters have already approved it. These bills simply implement a ballot initiative passed in 2008 — it’s the will of the people, albeit a bit overdue.” noted by Adam Browning+ The Vote Solar Team at www.votesolar.org . This bill has passed the House but failed in the Senate the past few years. Florida needs your help — Can you take action now to tell your Senator not to tax the sun?
We will be looking forward to some updates on/after Wednesday, April 17, 2013, after the possible committee hearing regarding SB1064.
It is an exciting decade to be living in! Fellow Floridians, let’s Go Solar!
Sun Peeking Through The Cloud, Ready To Shine (Photographed by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker)
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments or suggestions will be welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
This is a very special month for Union Station in Washington D.C., for not only is it one of the nation’s premier, historic transportation hubs and a must-see destination for every visitor to the Washington D.C. area, but the fact that it is hosting Earth Month of 2013, from April 1 through April 30. This event is presented by Earth Day Network and the Premier Tourist and Landmark Association, featuring interactive, eco-friendly experiences throughout Union Station to raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage sustainability.
Washington Union Station (from Columbus Circle, wikimedia commons)
Washington Union Station (50 Massachussetts Ave. NE,Washington D.C., wikimedia commons)
Earth Month 2013 is a significant expansion of prior Earth Day festivities held on Washington’s National Mall.In addition to the scheduled events, exhibitors from across the country will be there to highlight various green initiatives, programs and events. “Our commitment to the environment must extend far beyond one day,” said Kathleen Rogers, president of Earth Day Network. “That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Union Station to devote an entire month to sustainability and green responsibility. Hosting the series of events over the entire month in one of the most iconic venues in our nation’s capital allows us to engage more exhibitors and educate more people.”
Earth Month will feature a film festival, a farmers’ market, alternative energy demonstrations, a green fashion show and a science fair with local schools, all held at Union Station throughout the month of April. There will also be programmed activities, entertainment, discussion panels, contests, games, giveaways, and much more throughout the month, with a full day of special events and entertainment on Earth Day, April 22 (Monday), this year. Most events are free and open to all ages.
There is a special reason I am posting about Earth Day/Month this year: one of our very own Central Florida entrepreneur couple/team (Carol/Kevin team) will be demonstrating their The Real Green Machine-solar products on April 22-24 at the Carriage Porch of Union Station. Carol and Kevin have these wonderful solar-assisted bikes that provide comfort, protection, and exercises, with models in 2-seater,
2-seater model of The Real Green Machine at www.therealgreenmachine.net
5-seater,
5-seater model of The Real Green Machine at www.therealgreenmachine.net
and police bike. (Think of the gas money one can save and pounds one can shed by using this vehicle to get around to pick up one’s kids from school or to get one’s grocery, not to mention the CO2 emission that may be reduced!)
Police Bike model of The Real Green Machine at www.therealgreenmachine.net
They are such friendly and well-prepared couple that I wouldn’t be surprised if they have prepared some solar roasted coffee
The Real Green Machine With Solar Roasted Coffee in Cart (there’s an idea for another business!) at www.therealgreenmachine.net
for this event. If you will be at Union Station of Washington D.C. between April 22-24, look for Carol and Kevin’s The Real Green Machine and check out their solar-assisted bikes! Their contact information (407-574-6900; email: sales@therealgreenmachine.net ) are also available at www.therealgreenmachine.net If you’re a frequent guest on Facebook, check out Carol/Kevin’s The Real Green Machine page on Facebook. They will also be available for Solar Rides at the Union Station between April 20-22, 2013, so look for the “Buy a Solar Ride and Save a Forest” Carol/Kevin Team during Earth Day Celebration ! Have a terrific time on your Solar Rides!
~have a bright and sunny day~
Gathered, written, and posted by sunisthefuture-Susan Sun Nunamaker
Any of your comments and suggestions are welcomed at sunisthefuture@gmail.com
