tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094193770245004972024-03-16T11:52:53.199-07:00Plano Solar AdvocatesPV Plano - increasing awareness about PV (photovoltaic) solar in PlanoSolar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-224225229073441602022-08-24T06:26:00.007-07:002022-09-08T09:19:04.630-07:00Plano Solar Co-op 2022<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It's time for another
opportunity to Go Solar with a group purchase! The Plano Solar Co-op 2022 is
here! </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imagine walking into a solar
company’s office with 50 or 100 of your neighbors and saying, “We all want to
get solar. What kind of deal can you give us?”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Check
it out and share with your friends that live in Plano and the surrounding
areas!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://solarunitedneighbors.org/plano" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">solarunitedneighbors.org/plano</span></a></p>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-55162137557549561912022-06-08T08:26:00.000-07:002022-06-08T08:26:23.527-07:00Friendly Climate Science Workshop, June 15th<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHuUrKdkMlWUh_lSv12O82mMnvyS9M5YUI2AygvxovDhWaCw6FJ-fcOmtKcsWPMKNDD8rD0PiWPU6YkESxw2FLFLv5Mp1RU96TIgP7d9RlmHSryNiwcmk9j7WE_CUHxJNdSBmm6qaL2IWqiEZLFo8Tcxbb2eoXzYUmhaVUIjuV9o7vKxhILko0VEd-=s900" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHuUrKdkMlWUh_lSv12O82mMnvyS9M5YUI2AygvxovDhWaCw6FJ-fcOmtKcsWPMKNDD8rD0PiWPU6YkESxw2FLFLv5Mp1RU96TIgP7d9RlmHSryNiwcmk9j7WE_CUHxJNdSBmm6qaL2IWqiEZLFo8Tcxbb2eoXzYUmhaVUIjuV9o7vKxhILko0VEd-=w496-h124" width="496" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Photo caption: Cover Art from “The World’s Littlest Book on Climate”</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b>Friendly Climate Science Workshop, June 15th</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The next session of the Friendly Climate Science Workshop
will be Wednesday evening, June 15th at 7pm, at Plano’s Carpenter Park
Recreation Center. Plano Parks and Rec requires registration, but the workshop
is free. Signup at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop">tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop</a> and ask your friends to do the same!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not everyone has the time to do a deep dive on climate
science, but most of us can invest an hour or so to learn the basics so that we
can better trust those who have committed their careers to scientific processes
and discovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The workshops are
intended to provide resources and encourage more productive conversations on
this topic. Attendees will receive a free copy of “The World’s Littlest Book on
Climate – 10 Facts in 10 Minutes about CO2”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we all start working in the same direction, we can make
progress on a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable, and more prosperous Plano,
Texas, United States, and World for the 21st century and beyond.<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-30679417394707238652022-03-07T06:00:00.020-08:002022-03-11T10:00:20.256-08:00Friendly Climate Science Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHuUrKdkMlWUh_lSv12O82mMnvyS9M5YUI2AygvxovDhWaCw6FJ-fcOmtKcsWPMKNDD8rD0PiWPU6YkESxw2FLFLv5Mp1RU96TIgP7d9RlmHSryNiwcmk9j7WE_CUHxJNdSBmm6qaL2IWqiEZLFo8Tcxbb2eoXzYUmhaVUIjuV9o7vKxhILko0VEd-=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHuUrKdkMlWUh_lSv12O82mMnvyS9M5YUI2AygvxovDhWaCw6FJ-fcOmtKcsWPMKNDD8rD0PiWPU6YkESxw2FLFLv5Mp1RU96TIgP7d9RlmHSryNiwcmk9j7WE_CUHxJNdSBmm6qaL2IWqiEZLFo8Tcxbb2eoXzYUmhaVUIjuV9o7vKxhILko0VEd-=w496-h124" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Photo caption: Cover Art from “The World’s Littlest Book on Climate”</i></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b>Friendly Climate Science Workshop</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">March 7, 2022 – Plano, Tx - The local volunteer group, Plano Solar Advocates is hosting sessions of the Friendly Climate Science Workshop.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">Upcoming sessions will be March 23, April 20, and May 18, and are being held at Plano’s Carpenter Park Recreation Center. The workshops are free. Signup for one of the sessions at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop&source=gmail&ust=1647106767695000&usg=AOvVaw1kP-6zOiX013P0StIVoANF" href="https://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop" style="color: #0563c1;" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">Not everyone has the time to do a deep dive on climate science, but most of us can invest an hour or so to learn the basics so that we can better trust those who have committed their careers to scientific processes and discovery. The workshops are intended to provide resources and encourage more productive conversations on this topic. Attendees will receive a free copy of “The World’s Littlest Book on Climate – 10 Facts in 10 Minutes about CO2”.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;">If we all start working in the same direction, we can make progress on a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable, and more prosperous Plano, Texas, United States, and World for the 21st century and beyond.</p>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-50413691267388940572022-01-22T14:18:00.000-08:002022-01-22T14:18:29.653-08:00Friendly Climate Science Workshop<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Plano and surrounding area friends:</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are reaching out to ask your help to invite folks, including yourself, to one of the upcoming sessions of the “Friendly Climate Science Workshop” being held at Plano’s Carpenter Park Recreation Center (</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop&source=gmail&ust=1642976020411000&usg=AOvVaw0C-_EQdmh8qAd26nXspU5j" href="http://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not everyone has the time to do a deep dive on climate science, but most of us can invest an hour or so to learn the basics so that we can better trust those who have committed their careers to scientific processes and discovery.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To move forward with constructive solutions, we need more folks understanding the basics of the problem. Otherwise, we will have too much brain-power sitting on the sidelines.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Please share this registration page (</span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop&source=gmail&ust=1642976020411000&usg=AOvVaw0C-_EQdmh8qAd26nXspU5j" href="http://tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" target="_blank">tinyurl.com/FCSWorkshop</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">) with your network and ask folks to sign up for one of the four sessions – Feb 9, Mar 23, Apr 20, May 18.</span><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVqU-Mtb3-2czFZs676-aCIlqAVGW6tTp-nxzgY32rSUpbsdQRSoUaeyqqwZAp_meUlrFT7zkaxb4eR-JSpsSU_gCGfhellmySalQyyqVRhNVBGYaSQUMj94vQ-tThhVLa5Tz3s_4PFOwDbB-z_8VP_fAv5XrUX3ijDquoQHeWvEyaCuIen_3JCayx=s749" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="749" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVqU-Mtb3-2czFZs676-aCIlqAVGW6tTp-nxzgY32rSUpbsdQRSoUaeyqqwZAp_meUlrFT7zkaxb4eR-JSpsSU_gCGfhellmySalQyyqVRhNVBGYaSQUMj94vQ-tThhVLa5Tz3s_4PFOwDbB-z_8VP_fAv5XrUX3ijDquoQHeWvEyaCuIen_3JCayx=w488-h122" width="488" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-57083238620108008472021-07-26T15:11:00.005-07:002022-05-10T07:23:05.562-07:00Host a small group science workshop using just a “little book”Who doesn’t want to be a good steward of our planet and its resources? Who doesn’t want to ensure a safe, livable, and sustainable environment for our children, grandchildren, and future generations?<br /><br />Not everyone has the time, interest, or inclination to invest lots of time doing a deep dive to study climate science. But most of us can probably invest an hour to hear and learn about the basics. Doing so could help more of us then understand the basics so that we can better trust those who have committed their careers to scientific processes and discovery. Otherwise, we will have too much brain-power sitting on the sidelines.<br /><br />Earlier in July, about 10 volunteers came together for a “Friendly Climate Science Workshop” workshop. The main content of the workshop consisted of each of us taking turns reading out loud one chapter of the 10 chapters of the “<a href="https://tinyurl.com/littlestbookonclimate" target="_blank">Littlest Book on Climate – 10 Facts in 10 Minutes about CO2</a>” (free e-version download available here - <a href="https://tenintenco2.com/">tenintenco2.com</a>). Because each chapter only takes about 2-3 minutes to read out loud, this took about 30 minutes. We then discussed questions about the contents. And finally, we discussed ways to refine the process so that it could be repeated by others.<br /><br />With a special thanks to all the participants from our July workshop, we have developed the following documents to help others hold their own little one-hour workshops to help further constructive adult education and conversations on this important topic. Using these two documents, interested persons should be able to host sessions with about 5-15 people. After each session, we encourage participants to complete a short online survey (the link is included in the handout) so that we can provide additional feedback to the little book authors.<br /><br />The documents are available here:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PjBp4vzvPoVBesdtVvWJYl1c_PWhmpsetJjLawC8vZY" target="_blank">Friendly Climate Science Workshop</a></li><li><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h0OVR87F4zunwamME2UacKRTedqZ00WaaoIdofDbEoI" target="_blank">Friendly Climate Science Workshop-Handout</a></li></ol>Please let us know if you have questions or need assistance by using the comment section below. And freely share this information with others! Let’s keep the constructive conversations going!<br /><br />Shine On!<br />Plano Solar Advocates<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-54483529394873944392021-07-19T09:15:00.005-07:002021-07-30T11:18:49.336-07:00Energy Freedom update for Texas homeowners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS2PHxDeSkn1rm6x6OLFOv92QBeQcqTq52yZB07vz0X27juU9MkVN9_NYaCYJyLl-jII0yMvX_VWn0nrIqypvcgYnCaeSPsvPdTicBpxEWZ0irYOjHCYb1PYAiP8emTNvCK8U2iZIFMQ/s2550/IMG_7719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="2550" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS2PHxDeSkn1rm6x6OLFOv92QBeQcqTq52yZB07vz0X27juU9MkVN9_NYaCYJyLl-jII0yMvX_VWn0nrIqypvcgYnCaeSPsvPdTicBpxEWZ0irYOjHCYb1PYAiP8emTNvCK8U2iZIFMQ/w398-h193/IMG_7719.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><p>Here’s an update on energy freedom for Texas homeowners’ right to install solar energy! This is information compiled from the Texas Solar Energy Society, the North Texas Renewable Energy Group, and Plano Solar Advocates </p><p><i>(Update 7/28/21 - <a href="https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/tyler-ordinance-restricts-solar-panels-on-homes/501-75b89cb8-b037-4d90-b1df-71d84eaceb42" target="_blank">The Tyler City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to ease solar panel regulations within the city</a>.)</i></p><p>Topics:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Recent state legislation relevant to updating restrictive municipal local solar ordinances</li><li>Resources for municipal solar ordinance updates</li><li>Resources and project idea for homeowners wanting to go solar</li></ol><p></p><p><b>1. Recent state legislation relevant to updating restrictive municipal local solar ordinances</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b>SB 398, effective Sept 1, 2021</b>, passed in the Texas 87th regular legislative session</p><p style="text-align: left;">SB 398 provides a variety of consumer protections while also underscoring the importance of the competitive market. This legislation makes sure solar customers have information they need to make informed decisions and prohibits municipalities (in addition to homeowner association boards) from unreasonably restricting energy independence. These protections are hugely important for the rooftop solar market and will help to bring even more jobs and solar to Texas.</p><p style="text-align: left;">(from the Solar Energy Industries Association, <a href="http://www.seia.org/news/texas-governor-signs-series-pro-solar-bills-law" target="_blank">www.seia.org/news/texas-governor-signs-series-pro-solar-bills-law</a>)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Key clause from the SB 398:</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">“A municipality may not prohibit or restrict the installation of a solar energy device by a residential or small commercial customer except to the extent .. a property owner's association may prohibit the installation under Sections 202.010(d)(1) through (7), Property Code…”</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Key clause from Section 202.010(d) of the property code:</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">“A property owners' association may include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits a solar energy device that .. is located in an area other than an area designated by the property owners' association, unless the alternate location increases the estimated annual energy production of the device, as determined by using a publicly available modeling tool provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, by more than 10 percent above the energy production of the device if located in an area designated by the property owners' association.”</p><p style="text-align: left;">In Texas, south facing solar PV panel installations provide maximum annual production. East/west installations provide approximately 80-85% of maximum, and north facing installations provide only about 50% of maximum. Therefore, any solar panel placement requirement that prevents placement for maximum production would not be allowed. </p><p style="text-align: left;">See PVWatts Calculator at <a href="http://pvwatts.nrel.gov" target="_blank">pvwatts.nrel.gov</a></p></blockquote><p><b>2. Resources for municipal solar ordinance updates</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Resources developed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments for the Texas State Energy Conservation Office are available at <a href="http://www.gosolartexas.org/address-solar-zoning-code-or-adopt-solar-ordinance" target="_blank">www.gosolartexas.org/address-solar-zoning-code-or-adopt-solar-ordinance</a>. See “Model Ordinance Guidelines for Municipalities”</p></blockquote><p><b>3. Resources and project idea for homeowners wanting to go solar</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b>Group Purchase Idea</b></p><p>Solar United Neighbors (SUN) helps organize neighbors in an area or city into a group to go solar together – referred to as solar co-op. People love the community approach. SUN supports the co-op each stage of the solar process. Co-op members leverage bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation, while still signing individual contracts that ensure the right system for their home.</p><p>See <a href="http://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/texas/about-solar-united-neighbors-of-texas" target="_blank">www.solarunitedneighbors.org/texas/about-solar-united-neighbors-of-texas</a></p><p><b>Solar 101</b> – Texas Solar Energy Society, March 7, 2021</p><p>Check out this Solar 101 presentation from the Texas Solar Energy Society - <a href="http://youtu.be/JO2DkGXya_Q" target="_blank">youtu.be/JO2DkGXya_Q</a></p></blockquote><p>We hope you find this information useful. Please share with others across Texas!</p>Shine On!<br />Plano Solar Advocates<div><br /></div><div>Related stories from local channels in Tyler, Tx<br />July 16, 2021 – CBS19 - <a href="https://youtu.be/966v1MhvKqg" target="_blank">youtu.be/966v1MhvKqg</a><br />July 16, 2021 – KETK NBC - <a href="https://youtu.be/FLMVXZZkaFg" target="_blank">youtu.be/FLMVXZZkaFg</a><br />July 16, 2021 – ABC channel 9 - <a href="https://www.ktre.com/video/2021/07/19/tyler-solar-panel-ordinance/" target="_blank">www.ktre.com/video/2021/07/19/tyler-solar-panel-ordinance/</a></div>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-74645660040560796772021-01-14T18:34:00.004-08:002021-07-19T14:25:34.939-07:00Plano Solar Co-op<p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine walking into a solar company’s office with 50 or 100 of your neighbors and saying, “We all want to get solar. What kind of deal can you give us?”</span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check it out and share with your friends that live in Plano!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><span face="Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/plano-solar-co-op/" target="_blank">https://coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/plano-solar-co-op/</a></span></span></div>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-35777550300010175552020-04-06T16:43:00.001-07:002020-04-06T18:23:40.577-07:00Overcoming HOAs invoking the "nuisance clause"It's been a number of years since our last post about HOAs trying to prevent YOU from installing solar PV on YOUR property. Texas statutes have been implemented in 2011 (<a href="https://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/HB00362F.HTM" target="_blank">HB-362</a>) and updated in 2015 (<a href="https://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/SB01626F.HTM" target="_blank">SB-1626</a>) to protect homeowners property rights regarding the installation of solar PV systems on your home.<br />
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However, in the last year or so, it seems that some HOAs have been increasingly trying to reject homeowner applications to install solar PV systems due to esoteric "nuisance" clause in the <a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.202.htm#202.010" target="_blank">Texas Property Code Section 202.010</a>(e).<br />
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In this blog post we provide a bit of background on the esoteric clause and a way to help homeowners planning to install solar PV on their homes overcome this potential roadblock.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.202.htm#202.010" target="_blank">The Texas Property Code Section 202.010</a>(e) states:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A property owners' association or the association's architectural review committee may not withhold approval for installation of a solar energy device if the provisions of the dedicatory instruments to the extent authorized by Subsection (d) are met or exceeded, <i>unless the association or committee, as applicable, determines in writing that placement of the device as proposed by the property owner constitutes a condition that </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities</i>. For purposes of making a determination under this subsection, the written approval of the proposed placement of the device by all property owners of adjoining property constitutes prima facie evidence that such a condition does not exist.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With the help of Dan Lepinski, an advisor to the non-profit <a href="https://ntreg.org/" target="_blank">North Texas Renewable Energy Group</a>, and longtime solar energy industry expert, the operative words in this clause are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>..unless the association or committee, as applicable, determines in writing that placement of the device as proposed by the property owner constitutes a condition that </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities.</i>"</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">... with emphasis on "<i>substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable <b>discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities</b></i>."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dan goes on to explain. Recall these facts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">1. PV systems have no moving parts, and thus are silent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">2. PV system don't emit any odors, and per their material safety data sheets, have no toxic substances, even if broken.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">3. Any "glare" concerns can be dispelled with some complicated trig and a few hours' work. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />Regardless of these above facts, some<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> recent attempts by HOAs to reject homeowners from installing solar PV systems on their own property have invoked the "nuisance" clause under the pretense they can apply a visual claim that they are "ugly" - hence aesthetics.</span></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But as Dan goes on to explain in this "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lv3k3Fg219Yhgk6ZNRf5CXjHnuim-nkf" target="_blank">To Whom It May Concern</a>" letter he provided, the mere fact that a person's use of their land is "abnormal and out of place in its surroundings" will not support a claim alleging a nuisance, as affirmed by the Texas Supreme Court. Dan has found that providing a copy of his </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lv3k3Fg219Yhgk6ZNRf5CXjHnuim-nkf" target="_blank">To Whom It May Concern</a>" letter to an HOA using, or planning to use, the "nuisance" clause has been </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">usually sufficient to have the HOA withdrawn the "nuisance" assertion and move forward with approving the installation.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We hope this information helps anyone overcome attempted rejection by their HOA for a solar PV installation based a potential "nuisance" claim.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Much thanks to Dan Lepinski for his efforts and expertise to research this issue and for graciously making his "<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lv3k3Fg219Yhgk6ZNRf5CXjHnuim-nkf" target="_blank">To Whom It May Concern</a>" letter available folks to use!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shine On!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Plano Solar Advocates</span><br />
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Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-54424266541607478582019-10-04T15:51:00.000-07:002019-10-04T15:51:45.980-07:00TOMORROW IS THE DAY!<div>
The 2019 <a href="http://www.dfwsolartour.org/" target="_blank">DFW Solar Tour</a> is a free, one-day event taking place this year on Saturday, October 5, 2019, from 10 am to 4 pm. The general public is invited to visit select innovative homes and buildings throughout the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.</div>
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Over the past ten years, thousands of visitors have toured homes, schools, libraries and other energy efficient sustainable buildings across the Metroplex, from Allen to Weatherford, Denton to Cedar Hill, and all the way out to a rural off-grid home near Azle. Tour visitors from as far away as Houston, El Paso and Hot Springs Arkansas come to see what forward-thinking people in North Texas are doing to build a self-sufficient, renewable sustainable future.</div>
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The DFW Solar Tour enables people to learn how their neighbors – homeowners and businesses alike – are using solar energy, wind energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies to save money and reduce consumption of natural resources. The strategies and techniques on display during this year’s tour range from things as simple and easy as changing to LED light bulbs and selecting more efficient appliances, to cutting-edge, ultra-efficient eco-homes and businesses that are generating as much or more energy than they consume!</div>
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The <a href="http://www.dfwsolartour.org/" target="_blank">DFW Solar Tour</a> is organized by the non-profit 501(c)(3), all volunteer-based <a href="http://www.ntreg.org/" target="_blank">North Texas Renewable Energy Group</a>, Inc in cooperation with the <a href="http://www.txses.org/" target="_blank">Texas Solar Energy Society</a> and the <a href="http://www.ases.org/" target="_blank">American Solar Energy Society</a> <a href="http://www.nationalsolartour.org/" target="_blank">National Solar Tour</a>.<br /></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-1482494456087376922019-09-04T12:47:00.001-07:002019-09-04T12:47:50.872-07:00Home Solar Scams and Red Flags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Solar scams are like these red flags" height="144" src="https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/redflags-1.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<a href="https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/affordable-solar/home-solar-scams-and-red-flags" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Home Solar Scams and Red Flags</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
Check out this recent article. "Scammers, fraudsters, and jerks peddling misleading information are everywhere. Unfortunately, they are also in the solar industry. We'll make sure you can see the red flags, and empower you to make smart decisions about solar for your home."Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-68876397421709524582019-08-15T07:55:00.000-07:002019-08-15T07:55:05.209-07:00Solar United Neighbors of Texas<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wow – It’s hard to believe that it has been over 5 years
since we did our Solarize Plano Projects! And now we would like to let you know
that “group” purchase programs can happen again in Plano with <a href="https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/texas/" target="_blank">Solar UnitedNeighbors of Texas</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When organizing our “solarize” group purchase projects back
in 2013 and 2014, our volunteers reached out to other volunteer groups across
the country to get ideas and learn from their experiences. One of those groups
at the time was called Community Power Network. We spoke with their founders
and learned a lot about their experiences – what worked well and potential
problem areas. Since that time, that volunteer group has expanded into a
national non-profit called Solar United Neighbors, spreading solar ownership opportunity
through hundreds of group purchase projects across many states. We called our
group purchase projects “solarize” projects, they call their group purchase
projects “solar co-ops”. They are the same!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We would like to encourage residents interested in participating
in a group project to purchase installed solar to reach out to this
organization to request a solar co-op project here in Plano. To do this, send
an email with the subject <b><i>“Please start a solar co-op in Plano”</i></b> and include
your name and contact information in the email to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><b><i>info@solarunitedneighbors.org</i></b></a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To learn more about Solar United Neighbors, check out this
recent Freeing Energy podcast titled, <a href="https://www.freeingenergy.com/podcast-016-anya-schoolman-and-solar-united-neighbors-can-we-change-the-future-of-energy-at-the-community-level/" target="_blank">Episode #117 Anya Schoolman: Can wechange the future of energy one neighborhood at a time?</a></span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-3417784121599268882019-03-14T13:53:00.000-07:002019-03-20T09:07:02.514-07:00Reference Material for Educational Groups<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below are links to production monitoring websites for three of four of Plano's city installed systems.</span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/DmHC65177" target="_blank">Fire Logistics Warehouse (10.34KWdc)</a> - Power production and energy for City of Plano Fire Logistics Warehouse</span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/eXz365635" target="_blank">Oak Point Rec Center (9.4 KWdc)</a> - Power production and energy for City of Plano Oak Point Rec Center</span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://enlighten.enphaseenergy.com/public/systems/25Zd65705" target="_blank">Tom Muehlenbeck Center (9.635KWdc)</a> - Power production and energy for City of Plano Tom Muehlenbeck Center</span></li>
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Check out the <a href="https://www.generation180.org/solar-schools-resources" target="_blank">Solar Schools Campaign Toolkit</a> for a step-by-step guide to help your school go solar!<br />
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Check out the <a href="https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2018-year-review" target="_blank">Solar Market Insight Report 2018 Year in Review</a> to learn about the solar industry in the US.<br />
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Also, here is link to a brief overview of Solar Energy provided by Plano Solar Advocates - <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1o4V6qGaZ7Hd02-p0kl15wKtc8T5aspVI" target="_blank">2019-03 Plano Solar Advocates</a>Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-44876367321355555662018-12-14T09:44:00.002-08:002021-07-27T08:30:08.615-07:00Solar innovation is still very strongCheck out this recent article titled, "<a href="https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/why-pv-costs-have-fallen-so-far-and-will-fall-further" target="_blank">Why PV Costs Have Fallen So Far - and Will Fall Further</a>"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q2EGkTKtLQ8Z68z6XMO16QSy83PDiIxaYvUomejQNd0girOLc1aDK3ozrIhfwwRfhmH_IqvTgD7WYRtCOWp-ijxyZjzMDwj6KILcU2XFjJr-wC1gW8YUZPXrTXyTdxlwW6oRf1n01x8/s1600/Hanwha_Q_Cells_Solar_Manufacturing_XL_721_420_80_s_c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="721" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6q2EGkTKtLQ8Z68z6XMO16QSy83PDiIxaYvUomejQNd0girOLc1aDK3ozrIhfwwRfhmH_IqvTgD7WYRtCOWp-ijxyZjzMDwj6KILcU2XFjJr-wC1gW8YUZPXrTXyTdxlwW6oRf1n01x8/s320/Hanwha_Q_Cells_Solar_Manufacturing_XL_721_420_80_s_c1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-30737673854297510342018-09-26T13:32:00.004-07:002018-09-26T13:34:32.023-07:00Why solar is likely to power the Home of the Future<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #009000;"></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Very few places had air conditioners when the technology first became available, and now it’s rare to find a builder who would create a new home without it." </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Solar is </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">growing cheaper and more popular each year! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out this recent article!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/13/17670978/solar-energy-home-of-the-future-grant-imahara-panel-green-renewable" target="_blank">Why solar is likely to power the Home of the Future</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBXd5R26rLizGBOLv5jsA06ymENNCf-uVeEWPn4jxmQEB85v7l5olzx4oEipPHa9uVuafjOhHmmYYq1FRN6eE9IjDoZux03W_G_ABIbM3KZbDvRLqVVYsq5M8jZy-1IL6_2CbORj1c-c/s1600/future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="745" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBXd5R26rLizGBOLv5jsA06ymENNCf-uVeEWPn4jxmQEB85v7l5olzx4oEipPHa9uVuafjOhHmmYYq1FRN6eE9IjDoZux03W_G_ABIbM3KZbDvRLqVVYsq5M8jZy-1IL6_2CbORj1c-c/s320/future.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-26855119623264881262018-09-25T10:31:00.000-07:002018-09-25T10:31:04.892-07:00Can Solar Panels be Recycled?<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #312f30; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">"According to a </span>publication<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #312f30; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), more than 90 percent of the materials in typical photovoltaic solar panels — silicon, aluminum and glass — can be recycled and used again in the production of new solar panels." Check out this great article on the subject!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #312f30; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://www.greenbiz.com/article/sunsetting-solar-panels-us-photovoltaic-cell-recycling-incentives-are-beginning" target="_blank">Sunsetting solar panels: U.S. photovoltaic cell recycling incentives are beginning</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIXKzfAZdQcZ70ofL3VXN4p-J_yH3FZNv_qsuT-50O6c__JyJ5TU0bWpogHN-tVZFqNzVUZXxO5TA_aVcFZG_bHxWZjSPnuvR4TWg1Lv1E22hTYR0Cx0HnYlPicksGjJN4b9O9EpDBi0/s1600/solarrecycling.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="735" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIXKzfAZdQcZ70ofL3VXN4p-J_yH3FZNv_qsuT-50O6c__JyJ5TU0bWpogHN-tVZFqNzVUZXxO5TA_aVcFZG_bHxWZjSPnuvR4TWg1Lv1E22hTYR0Cx0HnYlPicksGjJN4b9O9EpDBi0/s320/solarrecycling.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-56215694859444783152018-07-16T09:15:00.001-07:002018-09-25T10:25:46.507-07:00Cost Savings for New Homes - include a Solar PV System<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is an interesting analysis of California's new code requirement to include solar PV systems on new home builds. "Jim Lazar [of the Regulatory Assistance Project] takes a closer look and finds that Californians’ energy bills are relatively low—not in spite of such policies, but because of them." Maybe its time for Texas to do the same. What do you think?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.raponline.org/blog/californias-mandatory-pv-code-amendment-is-it-really-time-for-this/" target="_blank">California’s Mandatory PV Code Amendment: Is It Really Time for This?</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSJVt8lD840vzt4HpXq1RfHngNaKm0gOOd6jBkOssdXRFUzksYjChxNTl3nZjnXlq-jevTQhNfCfAMVu8Fo_ISvYKJyRCSlJWV8STbH-04MbJYWBN4S7Ctz9yrCFfwNn6x7sfvUlC0Vs/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="599" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSJVt8lD840vzt4HpXq1RfHngNaKm0gOOd6jBkOssdXRFUzksYjChxNTl3nZjnXlq-jevTQhNfCfAMVu8Fo_ISvYKJyRCSlJWV8STbH-04MbJYWBN4S7Ctz9yrCFfwNn6x7sfvUlC0Vs/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-36072606364634387092018-06-05T10:36:00.000-07:002018-09-25T10:26:17.605-07:00How and when older Americans should go solar<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While some of the cost/price information has to be adjusted for here in North Texas, this article provides a good overview of the considerations involved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://solarpowerrocks.com/affordable-solar/solar-right-grandma-older-americans-go-solar/" target="_blank">solarpowerrocks.com/affordable-solar/solar-right-grandma-older-americans-go-solar</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="woman on bench" height="141" src="https://solarpowerrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/woman-on-bench.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-88227686648344748002018-05-23T07:48:00.000-07:002018-09-25T10:26:43.232-07:00The State(s) of Distributed Solar - 2017 Update (from ISLR)<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out this article which provides a good overview of distributed solar across the U.S.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://ilsr.org/the-states-of-distributed-solar/" target="_blank">ilsr.org/the-states-of-distributed-solar</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3DTpX_iVFHxSsI38bDcUj8H7Oxbn4EQta4ir7adI4gjUGVVtKB5QRUOCDz5-fiMVgVRyY-fC8UgfW_E3SjwRE7eTvrX3jcUzieBW0Um5Fg1CfF7iPe5CPX3YnD4Id95N4vjxQEChC7I/s1600/states.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="794" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3DTpX_iVFHxSsI38bDcUj8H7Oxbn4EQta4ir7adI4gjUGVVtKB5QRUOCDz5-fiMVgVRyY-fC8UgfW_E3SjwRE7eTvrX3jcUzieBW0Um5Fg1CfF7iPe5CPX3YnD4Id95N4vjxQEChC7I/s320/states.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-30685850046906147582018-05-19T12:20:00.001-07:002018-05-19T12:20:56.221-07:00Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy<span style="color: #555555; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We
can choose a path of building a more affordable, clean, reliable energy system
that meets the needs of all Americans. Or, continue down a path of centralized,
fossil fuel-based electricity production, building power plants and power lines
that will be redundant in 10 years, while pushing consumers to go it alone. Let’s
choose the first path.”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #555555; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This
is not an endorsement for the company Sunrun, however, this is a relevant blog
article and accompanying report regarding the individual and societal benefits
of home solar and energy systems. Check it out!</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #555555; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.sunrun.com/home-solar-blog/solar-industry-insights/affordable-clean-reliable-energy" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.sunrun.com/home-solar-blog/solar-industry-insights/affordable-clean-reliable-energy</span></a></span></div>
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<img src="https://www.sunrun.com/sites/default/files/family-in-yard-solar.jpg" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-32500894159576906702018-04-15T14:51:00.001-07:002018-04-15T14:51:39.549-07:00Recycling Solar Panels<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever wondered if solar panels can be recycled? Check out this article to learn more!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://solarpowerrocks.com/solar-politics/happens-solar-panels-no-longer-work/" target="_blank">What happens to solar panels when they no longer work?</a></div>
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<img alt="the layers of a typical solar panel" height="180" src="https://solarpowerrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/dupont-solar-panel-image.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-32305239707812670292018-04-04T11:55:00.000-07:002018-04-04T11:55:24.513-07:00No surprise here - rooftop solar saving everyone on the grid money! Check out this article that highlights savings "driven by energy efficiency programs and increasing levels of residential, rooftop solar generation".<br />
<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.utilitydive.com/news/efficiency-ders-saving-26b-in-avoided-transmission-costs-caiso-says" target="_blank">Efficiency, DERs saving $2.6B in avoided transmission costs, CAISO says</a></div>
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<img height="150" src="https://www.utilitydive.com/user_media/cache/e7/35/e7359a7b113f499fb219592131e289a6.jpg" width="320" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-26647206310655823862018-03-21T07:32:00.002-07:002018-03-21T07:33:44.778-07:00Wind, solar bring 100% of US' large capacity additions in Jan 2018<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out this article which includes a great chart of total installed capacity of all major sources of electricity generation in the US. We have lots of room to grow renewable energy in the US and rooftop solar in Plano!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://renewablesnow.com/news/wind-solar-bring-100-of-us-large-capacity-additions-in-jan-2018-605025/" target="_blank">Wind, solar bring 100% of US' large capacity additions in Jan 2018</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2jcxnHr1gG-Qv_pJSpcJQP0ttvJ0SJUNWaEcVX8Ti1HSd9M4JTqMaW2c_DN66rudWEXAUdNeVrpu2POhBwi798U1MQgfhE_ZtGV9-hhhMjzZ3XXYECZnHWi0Mfs01K3T65ZEjDvxSgI/s1600/64c2cd1584229459a84a9ebc13d82b71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="780" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2jcxnHr1gG-Qv_pJSpcJQP0ttvJ0SJUNWaEcVX8Ti1HSd9M4JTqMaW2c_DN66rudWEXAUdNeVrpu2POhBwi798U1MQgfhE_ZtGV9-hhhMjzZ3XXYECZnHWi0Mfs01K3T65ZEjDvxSgI/s320/64c2cd1584229459a84a9ebc13d82b71.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-33687314525713821642018-03-20T23:09:00.003-07:002018-03-20T23:11:06.347-07:00Charging An Electric Vehicle Is Far Cleaner Than Driving On Gasoline<div style="text-align: center;">
Be sure to consider an EV for your next automobile purchase!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5G7LeyzrQAZzxJXBBngrHGvFr_MX8nU-wijyVkbB4kocjGROgcLnKAi4ymBi-caXrPllElRayawv7e4kOttBsOdK7DQ8M1mjRSwTqJvsAmZjz93XC4gPRbKGqAgmQ3Ya9xbyq58Wxpo/s1600/ev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="960" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5G7LeyzrQAZzxJXBBngrHGvFr_MX8nU-wijyVkbB4kocjGROgcLnKAi4ymBi-caXrPllElRayawv7e4kOttBsOdK7DQ8M1mjRSwTqJvsAmZjz93XC4gPRbKGqAgmQ3Ya9xbyq58Wxpo/s320/ev.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out this article!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2018/03/14/charging-an-electric-vehicle-is-far-cleaner-than-driving-on-gasoline-everywhere-in-america/#1ef89c4071f8" target="_blank">Charging An Electric Vehicle Is Far Cleaner Than Driving On Gasoline, Everywhere In America</a></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-40920875943094612582018-03-12T11:11:00.000-07:002018-03-12T11:14:09.026-07:00Rooftop Solar and EVs Save Water and Cut Pollution<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">What a great pair! Solar PV and EVs! Spread the news! Share with your friends!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #009000; font-family: Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="179" src="http://txses.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Spiller-Solar-EV.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://txses.org/rooftop-solar-and-evs-save-water-and-cut-pollution/" target="_blank">www.txses.org/rooftop-solar-and-evs-save-water-and-cut-pollution/</a></div>
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Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609419377024500497.post-30401464779685492842016-08-29T10:52:00.000-07:002017-04-17T11:19:31.782-07:00Calling all architects! Help us recover from “Pointy Roof Disease”<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, this post is from the perspective of a rooftop solar
energy advocate, but hopefully it will spark some serious discussion and
eventually design changes!</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s take a look at what has become of roof designs of new
homes in North Texas. Let’s take a look at solar PV technology. And, let’s take
a look at the recent “solar-ready” provision in the optional section of the
2015 International Residential Codes. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ultimately, we need help from architects to
develop innovative ways to couple new roof designs with solar-ready features to
help North Texans on their path to “net zero” homes. </span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, what is “solar-ready”? A new solar-ready home is
designed and built to prepare for the most efficient use of solar PV
(photovoltaic) energy panels in the future. Homeowners have the choice of
installing the panels immediately after construction, or waiting to exercise
this option at another time. There are several factors that make a home
solar-ready: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">installation of appropriate electrical systems</span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">adequate south-facing roof space</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">angle of the roof to the position of the sun </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Specific details are available in </span><a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/document/code/553/9886654" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">Solar Ready Provisions, Appendix U of the 2015 International Residential Codes</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Building
a solar-ready home saves time and money. It enables a homeowner with an energy
efficient home a future path to “Net Zero”. This means its solar PV system
generates enough electricity during the year to offset all or nearly all of the
home’s electricity consumption for the year.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">According to Wikipedia - A roof is part of a building
envelope. It is the covering on the uppermost part of a building or shelter
which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain or snow, but
also heat, wind and sunlight.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the great things about rooftop solar PV is that it can
leverage the normally unused space of a home’s roof. It can allow the roof to
serve its normal function as described above, and a second valuable function to
capture light energy from the sun to help power our home’s electricity needs.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now here is the rub. For whatever reason when it comes to
roof designs, it seems that the one with the most points and angles wins. Over
time, it seems a bit like the spreading of “Pointy Roof Disease”. All these
angles and all these points, especially when placed on the south facing roof,
make it very difficult, if not impossible to have a solar-ready home.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Take a look at the following photos of North Texas roofs.
Ask yourself, what is the purpose of the angles/points? What is the function?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fig 1 – Three main roof surfaces. For a south facing roof
surface, having just one main surface would greatly facilitate cleaner
installation of solar PV.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLojdP2GeGy1vLWkcY6EdmfkueJKmlplQoKmbWsKwulKF1ALGCoUsKldd5LRKHicxfmP_Ar1q5j5I3fAj9ojOrga0pYjEbDQw2O06Pz9IbLltclisy1ZnJNifG6PvkIzXyIpR0XOlbhvw/s1600/fig1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLojdP2GeGy1vLWkcY6EdmfkueJKmlplQoKmbWsKwulKF1ALGCoUsKldd5LRKHicxfmP_Ar1q5j5I3fAj9ojOrga0pYjEbDQw2O06Pz9IbLltclisy1ZnJNifG6PvkIzXyIpR0XOlbhvw/s320/fig1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fig 2 – Five (or six) roof surfaces. Reducing this to maybe
two surfaces would greatly facilitate cleaner installation of solar PV.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmCdfLBlw6-g5k0x9WnTdMPvj2O1MHiQxWQtvaLW8XypdZaejb4PumKApW0EEwBzm1Y7Z6qxk0zYZnW7sfboNnO0Mu06tkYsMtLiT2nbVJjvUKCzj5baAQALnlPgfSyYmgv3eFubwrVM/s1600/fig2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmCdfLBlw6-g5k0x9WnTdMPvj2O1MHiQxWQtvaLW8XypdZaejb4PumKApW0EEwBzm1Y7Z6qxk0zYZnW7sfboNnO0Mu06tkYsMtLiT2nbVJjvUKCzj5baAQALnlPgfSyYmgv3eFubwrVM/s320/fig2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And these that follow seem to be competing to win the prize
for the MOST points and angles. If these represent the south facing roof
surfaces, then these roof designs virtually eliminate the potential for a
productive rooftop solar PV installation.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqKbsnRl6iFqEKhvcxfWYU696h_iYzjNE5rTr-CsS_A_fvNqm9jZmxm0MhcYxeGMKfvJXjBOYhiQfsQIsjwUr4VBCqONLShLNomGBnKN2qZBripuhj-AsFyu4yvUv4h_mke7pPnOXsQs/s1600/fig3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqKbsnRl6iFqEKhvcxfWYU696h_iYzjNE5rTr-CsS_A_fvNqm9jZmxm0MhcYxeGMKfvJXjBOYhiQfsQIsjwUr4VBCqONLShLNomGBnKN2qZBripuhj-AsFyu4yvUv4h_mke7pPnOXsQs/s320/fig3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0LorRlfzgTHABUPM-EyZa4EmU38-xLT6Zigov-PAU3LGrnCEz9lsAAAe1JqrDYWR1nZUJwckXinSohvDn39D7K53H39Xqw6X622x-J5ts-L1223JWx8HUq2vVQiY8Im2rBiXTAZsm1M/s1600/fig4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0LorRlfzgTHABUPM-EyZa4EmU38-xLT6Zigov-PAU3LGrnCEz9lsAAAe1JqrDYWR1nZUJwckXinSohvDn39D7K53H39Xqw6X622x-J5ts-L1223JWx8HUq2vVQiY8Im2rBiXTAZsm1M/s320/fig4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZOm-WE6k048sXXhumew-J_AEJencsO3YTP47ft9sax-V07V6xiwsKFJqpKj4QedKiCg76QloWvUL9UiEe_rO6apu6iBUtiSmUiNznc_YBS0mGOzG6Yhxd4BPbjO5UG4pOlGAboDtC3c/s1600/fig5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZOm-WE6k048sXXhumew-J_AEJencsO3YTP47ft9sax-V07V6xiwsKFJqpKj4QedKiCg76QloWvUL9UiEe_rO6apu6iBUtiSmUiNznc_YBS0mGOzG6Yhxd4BPbjO5UG4pOlGAboDtC3c/s320/fig5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE2tR_r73YshyKULET8VYM2rIfdtxWZNMENdD93a6l_IRwWUTocHlY7khJLAY7nicHeKb8OnVTDeTu14ox7aEksRVZfhshpJljAxyKd7i02zK5xiGIGVVUpRZFpHePjJgG-h2m0JmHOw/s1600/fig6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE2tR_r73YshyKULET8VYM2rIfdtxWZNMENdD93a6l_IRwWUTocHlY7khJLAY7nicHeKb8OnVTDeTu14ox7aEksRVZfhshpJljAxyKd7i02zK5xiGIGVVUpRZFpHePjJgG-h2m0JmHOw/s320/fig6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7Ihc4nxIJyLwR8b1RBkXm7K6pKkzfjsPYrcmXHuoAtfXUnUmCw8RYWATuE1kRALbeMHDxyEcAaHVALCkGAUGYXgmRx4hDf-rwhaSy8fYyXU8XuVeVrYP41mY_a9iEDSN6mhXjcX7W58/s1600/fig7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7Ihc4nxIJyLwR8b1RBkXm7K6pKkzfjsPYrcmXHuoAtfXUnUmCw8RYWATuE1kRALbeMHDxyEcAaHVALCkGAUGYXgmRx4hDf-rwhaSy8fYyXU8XuVeVrYP41mY_a9iEDSN6mhXjcX7W58/s320/fig7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wonder - what is the function of this “extra” triangle protrusion
on this roof?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E-gW47SO8BfAk6llcqgJWnwBo5_dHnq7IVWJABnfiVZOmbHwF8dswh4kBt1MfxGW_bFUORHdhQ0dgX01Kn9JG1_0YaY2le_Orxz8uAEmQ0264FKOaBjZugJ-C0wyXnu49o4GzV-K7JE/s1600/fig8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E-gW47SO8BfAk6llcqgJWnwBo5_dHnq7IVWJABnfiVZOmbHwF8dswh4kBt1MfxGW_bFUORHdhQ0dgX01Kn9JG1_0YaY2le_Orxz8uAEmQ0264FKOaBjZugJ-C0wyXnu49o4GzV-K7JE/s320/fig8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And what is the function of this double peak with the trough
that would be a great place for roof leaks to form?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcmwl29udX7_j4M6PhPQAP-E6q9WOhbQrZkmTE8bthTX3aODfNK8Zq3L76QyKqtmvEHn5hZ67-Xa3airTMABdx6I24lwU0VPsSIus7VSWrkxwJX10roaXPOGVfoycuUnV9dFMjBZtXbw/s1600/fig9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcmwl29udX7_j4M6PhPQAP-E6q9WOhbQrZkmTE8bthTX3aODfNK8Zq3L76QyKqtmvEHn5hZ67-Xa3airTMABdx6I24lwU0VPsSIus7VSWrkxwJX10roaXPOGVfoycuUnV9dFMjBZtXbw/s320/fig9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So which of these do you think wins the prize for the MOST
points and angles? And which one has any chance of installing rooftop solar PV
in the future and achieving net zero? Sadly, these roof designs are severely
limiting the future potential of net zero homes.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The goal of this blog post is to raise awareness and start a
dialog to promote solar-ready home designs! Share it with your friends. Reach
out to encourage architects to begin providing creative solutions and tackling
the transition to solar-ready home designs. Tell homebuilders that you want to
buy homes that are solar-ready! North Texas uses more electricity per residence
than any other part of the state. Combining new energy efficient home designs
with </span><a href="http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/content/2015-I-Codes/2015%20ISEP%20HTML/Appendix%20U.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">solar-ready home designs</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> creates a sustainable path to the use of clean local
distributed energy and reducing the strain on our electric grid for all of us!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Calling all architects! Help us recover from “Pointy Roof Disease”!</span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bring
on the age of solar-ready homes! </span></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Comments welcome and encouraged!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Shine On!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Plano Solar Advocate (LH)</i></b></span></div>
Solar Energy Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03497675882490055342noreply@blogger.com0