Out with Oil & Coal, in with Jobs & Clean Energy

Oil as a fuel source is dirty.  Coal, even dirtier.  Both are leading contributors to global warming, and pose major public health risks from asthma to mercury poisoning.  Nonetheless, oil and coal dominate our energy mix, with about half of all electricity consumed coming from coal-powered plants.  Like lead-based paint and driving without seatbelts, it’s time we add dirty energy to the laundry list of American bad habits of the past.

Today, an ideological battle plays out on the campaign trail as “drill, baby, drill” Republican hopefuls claim forward looking energy policy kill jobs and raise fuel prices.  Though politically convenient, it’s a lie.  In a New York Times Op-Ed, Krugman highlights a simple yet key point: domestic oil production has little to no impact on the price of oil, an international commodity subject to worldly influences such as the explosive demand for crude in China.

Meanwhile, the EPA released proposed legislation that would effectively eliminate development of new coal plants by placing unreachable emission requirements on power plants.  Implementing the policy would mean demand for electricity would have to be powered by low emitting sources, such a solar and wind, leading to new jobs as these industries grow.

The fight over America’s energy future is this: business as usual vs. innovation, job creation, and safe, clean energy sources.  We must move away from policies destructive to public health and the environment (i.e. policies fostering oil, coal, and now fracking).  Alternatives are available in solar and wind.  Let’s not drag our feet in adopting these as our energy mainstays.            

China and US – Green policy and solar politics

How does the China and the United States get along when it comes to green energy and clean air policies? Not well.

Reports from the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Durban South Africa indicated that the biggest polluters acted like children without adult supervision. One attendee said, “China and the United States are hijacking the conference with game a of ping pong politics…frustrating the rest of the world."

China and the United States are the two largest producers of green house gases. China does so with sheer numbers in population and the United States with its unmatched appetite for energy consumption. China is rapidly increasing its annual output of carbon dioxide while the US and the European Union have actually reduced emissions.

The US wants China to be bound by the same clean air standards as the rest of the world, but China contends, that due to it’s millions of poor people and rapid economic growth, it is an unfair standard.

And then there is the solar trade issue. Are the Chinese are dumping solar panels on the US market? Seven US solar panel manufactures appealed to the United States International Trade Commission, who agreed the Chinese are selling solar panels far below market value. It is quite clear that the Chinese government is supporting the solar industry in China and it is reported that the US could implement tariffs on Solar Panel imports as early as January 2012.

So here we are. Two very different countries, on the same planet, with the same problems, but stuck in a game of international politics.

China has the point of view they need freedom to pollute more, in order to compete with the rest of the world. A small part of that pollution is caused by the production of solar panels that are being exported at a rapid rate. Solar panels, when installed, would help eliminate green house gases.

Recent atmospheric studies show China and the US are totally intertwined. Pollution and dust from China travels over the Pacific Ocean, directly affecting precipitation levels and air pollution in the US. We are learning the Earth is a small island that we all share.

Solar panels from China travel by boat and the pollution travels by air. The real cost of sub market pricing of Chinese solar panels is far higher than just crushing the American solar industry. Industries can recover in a few years; the long-term impact of pollution is unknown.

If China installed all the solar panels they manufactured they would get closer to the goals of the UN Climate Change Conference. This would let the US fend for itself and increase production of solar panels domestically eliminating the need for tariffs. Local problems would be addressed on a local level. Pollution floating over the Pacific to the US would be reduced since China would burn less coal.

What have we learned from the recent Climate Change Conference? Environmentalists are not politicians and neither are economists. Before matters get worse, these two mega economies need to find a way to play nice on this warming sphere floating in space.

The most responsible action is to work on a local level to curb the consumption of energy that produces green house gasses and install as much renewable energy as possible.

It is our universal responsibility to install a solar panel made in America, China or wherever – without disrupting economies and creating more pollution in the process. It needs to be logistically and economically sound to install a quality solar system, designed to last decades, right now – on a local level.

Where is the Sun?

The sun is not in the ground. It may not be obvious, but Solar energy requires no invasive surgery on our planet. Every day we look below the Earth's surface for energy. Why are we drilling and fracking when we know there are huge environmental costs?

BP has spent over $10 Billion on Deep Water Horizon and the checks are still being written.

These are long term liabilities that cause us more then just financial harm. Pollution is preventable disease.

The adolescent failures of the solar industry have zero environmental impact. When Solyndra imploded it didn't leave a pile of goo and almost kill off an entire ecosystem.

The sun is a clean billion year energy source. Unlike companies, the sun is not susceptible to failure. Solar companies may come and go, but they will not prevent the sun from shining or create an environmental tragedy.

Look up, the sun is shining in the sky.

Edison / LADWP and the stealing of the Sun

Edison is stealing from all new solar customers. If you install a new solar system and you generate power - Edison is not giving you credit for three months. Some or our customers are loosing over $1000. This is unfair and will backfire for Edison. So far the response from Edison has been " NEM legislation (is) becoming more complex" and "each NEM Package is now reviewed by our Field Engineers (P.E.), which added to the review time." These excuses all add up to $ in Edison's pocket. Edison Field Engineers have no business being involved in a solar installation under 10 Kw. Period. They are not qualified, do not have the staff and have no incentive to do anything in a timely manner. All solar installations pass building and safety inspections. A utility can not justify the need for two inspections. Modern inverters are safe and smarter then the grid - they turn off when the grid goes too high or too low. Anyone who suggests a solar inverter is unsafe is living in the 1970's - period. LADWP is in a simular boat with different problems. They are having staffing issues and have no ability to approve and inspect systems over 10 Kw with a staff of four inspectors who do not carry a cell phone or return emails. The Solar industry is growing. The power companies are unable to keep pace and are doing, what appears to be their best efforts, to slow down the solar industry. What will it take to teach a utility how to play nice? Send suggestions and concerns to 411@solarfoward.com

Solar and the SO CAL utilities, Edison and LADWP

Edison is stealing from all new solar customers. If you install a new solar system and you generate power - Edison is not giving you credit for three months. Some or our customers are loosing over $1000.

This is unfair and will backfire for Edison. So far the response from Edison has been " NEM legislation (is) becoming more complex" and "each NEM Package is now reviewed by our Field Engineers (P.E.), which added to the review time."

These excuses all add up to $ in Edison's pocket. Edison Field Engineers have no business being involved in a solar installation under 10 Kw. Period. They are not qualified, do not have the staff and have no incentive to do anything in a timely manner. All solar installations pass building and safety inspections. A utility can not justify the need for two inspections. Modern inverters are safe and smarter then the grid - they turn off when the grid goes too high or too low. Anyone who suggests a solar inverter is unsafe is living in the 1970's - period.

LADWP is in a simular boat with different problems. They are having staffing issues and have no ability to approve and inspect systems over 10 Kw with a staff of four inspectors who do not carry a cell phone or return emails.

The Solar industry is growing. The power companies are unable to keep pace and are doing, what appears to be their best efforts, to slow down the solar industry.

What will it take to teach a utility how to play nice?

Send suggestions and concerns to 411@solarfoward.com

LADWP is lost in the sun

To LADWP,

RE; RES # 1065430

Muhl 13858 Weddington St

This job has been in the hands of LADWP since 2010. The job passed LADBS final in March 2011.

The paperwork has been lost by three departments at various stages and now it seems to be lost again. This seems to be an issue with jobs over 10 Kw.

We are willing to do anything possible to enable the completion of the ESR process but we can’t get anything done when there is a total lack of communication. We can not fax a 11x14 sheet and we have been advised in the past that 8 x 10’s are not acceptable. This paperwork was submitted and approved, for the second time in the spring. This would be the third review of the paperwork.

Andrew Hoesly has been attempting to resolve this for two weeks and has spent over 15 hours restarting an inspection request - after I was informed it was inspected five months ago.

The Muhl family deserves decent service and we are doing our best to provide it. I fail to see how a third submittal of the paperwork via fax, is going to resolve anything.

We need prompt email communication and confirmation that the requirements have been met. And we need cell phone numbers for inspectors that only return calls in the early morning - if they have time. This just drags things on for days, weeks or months.

The appearance is that there is no oversight and no concern for the time line that clients and contractors are forced to deal with.

I look forward to suggestions and a completion of this interconnection approval.

Sincerely,

Mark Smith

China dumping Solar Panels?

Maybe. Or for sure, depends on your point of view and who is wining and who is losing. Solar is a great investment for anyone, but if the solar panels are 40% less in price and the quality is 25% less - China is going to be competitive in the market place.

We don't install the cheaper panels since there is not enough room on most roofs to make enough energy with the less efficient solar panels. We use Sunpower products on all residential jobs. Sunpower is the most powerful solar panel in the market. For us it only pays to use made in China panels on commercial jobs where space is not limited and a name brand is not as important.

This issue is not going away since their is a good possibility of an over abundance of made in China panels for the next year or two. As solar panel factories go out of business, there will be dumping of products and prices may drop for the short term.

Welcome to the wild west of Solar!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/20/business/global/us-solar-manufacturers-to-ask-for-duties-on-imports.html?emc=eta1

Edison Interconnection problems

Why has Edison allowed their interconnection department to be an obstacle for Solar contractors and clients for over five years? There is obviously no incentive for Edison to allow customers to receive credit for the energy they produce. Why? Money!

It would cost Edison money to improve the interconnection process and cost them money once they fix it and make our mutual clients happy.

Over the past four months Solar Forward has gathered enough information to begin the process of pushing this issue. We have letters and factual data from over ten clients that show huge inconsistencies and lack of customer service for new solar clients.

On average it is taking two to three months for a new solar client to get a meter that goes backwards and for their bill reflect the energy they produce. On average Solar Forward receives twenty emails or phone calls from each Edison client expressing frustration over the interconnection process.

Getting solar energy connected to the grid should be a fun and rewarding process. Instead clients are feeling insulted and ripped off. One client has suggested taking Edison to small claims court. This would be a great first step.