Archive for the 'Energy' Category
April 26 2009 William writes:
This will change your mind about solar.
http://rael.berkeley.edu/node/507
- to make photovoltaic solar energy availible to the whole world the installed cost of the solar needs to be $.75 / W.
- if the PV industry grows at 50% growth for 10 more years, solar would still only be 2.6% of the world electricity market.
- great graph on electricity costs and solar costs around the world at 16 minutes into the video
Daneil Kammen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynntdk6eGSY
- Anyone studied electrical energy before 1999 was taught that renewables can be at most bit players and that renewables can destroy the electricity grid. These notions are not true.
- Counties that have tried to expand the renewables sector in a dramatic way have discovered that it was very easy and hugely cost effective.
Categories: Energy | No Comments »
February 08 2009 William writes:
The solar industry in California is booming despite the surrounding financial apocalypse. The combination of high electricity rates, federal tax credits, and the California solar initiative make solar panels financially attractive. The SolarLease offered by SolarCity allows anyone with a good credit score to get solar power with a minimal upfront cost. Improved installation efficiency and new technologies, like thin film solar panels, will help bring down the cost of solar power.
SolarCity has partnered with FirstSolar to deliver inexpensive thin film solar panels to residential and commercial customers. The FirstSolar Panels are sexy black! Here is a pictures of the first FirstSolar install out of the SolarCity LA office in Malibu.
My Solar Installation Toolbag
Installing a FirstSolar Panel in Malibu
Active Transportation Argument
Call me crazy but I think LA could become the greenest city in the country. It has huge transportation corridors that could be smothly converted to use other than freeway traffic. Some studies suggest that the ROI for active transportation (biking & walking) infrastructure are much higher than for anyother transportation type (http://www.railstotrails.org/resources/documents/whatwedo/atfa/ATFA_20081020.pdf).
Categories: California and Energy | No Comments »
December 06 2008 William writes:
I have moved back to California for a job with SolarCity, an aggressive residential solar company that aims to make solar installations as easy as a phone call. I am very impressed by its horizontal management style and cutting edge financial instruments. LA could become the epicenter of the residential solar industry with its intense sun, many roofs, and strong incentives.
Culver City is a nice area and is similar to the Lower East Side of Manhattan with its many diverse restaurants, young population and random hipsters. I live only a bike ride from the beach and work so my car is one of the many just take up a parking place.
LA in general is interesting. Huge roads and too many cars define the city but this situation of a frustrated public and many lanes might help the city create pragmatic transportation solutions. California recently authorized funding for the costruction of a bullet train system to link all major CA cities.
I do miss the open space and mountains of Wyoming.
Categories: California and Energy | No Comments »
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