http://www.solar-nation.org Where citizens rally and convince their leaders to make America a true Solar Power Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:53:07 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en An anecdote, to start with... A colleague, on a recent visit to Washington DC, found himself in conversation with a recently retired, well-known and -respected U.S. senator.  He took the opportunity to ask him what it would take for a congressman to vote for an issue that he knew in his ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/07/29/why-we-advocate/ Around the world, there are more and more indicators to be seen of the dramatic effect of government policy on solar power development.  This shouldn't come as a surprise, since the whole purpose of policy is to further the political philosophy of government;  what's surprising and unsettling to Americans is ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/07/29/a-paucity-of-policy/ How much of our need for power could we actually satisfy with renewable energy in America? Today, renewables account for less than 10% of our electricity supply, most of that in the form of large-scale hydro;  (check out the National Academies web site here).  But many studies have been done in ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/07/29/how-much-can-renewables-really-do/ "When it's cheaper."  "When it's cheaper."  "When it's cheaper." That's a familiar and understandable refrain heard from people debating the best time to go ahead with solar power.  But cheaper than what?  Right now it would be cheaper than new nuclear, at least in North Carolina, according to a report co-authored ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/07/29/solar-cheaper-than-nukes/ It all started in February with a solar blogger, Tom Valenza (@SolarFred), who proposed the idea that the 44th president should install solar panels on the White House roof, as the 39th had done back in 1979.  The idea was taken up in April by a commercial company, Sungevity, which ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/06/28/an-idea-whose-time-has-come-back/ Two steps forward, one step back. Yes, sometimes it feels like competing in a three-legged race with someone who's been placing bets on the opposition.  But this is not a race we can afford to give up - not if we truly want clean energy and a stabilized climate to characterize ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/06/28/help-us-to-help-solar/ You've heard from us several times about Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, those innovative financing plans that are spreading rapidly across the country from their birthplace in Berkeley, California.  In a PACE program a city or regional authority raises funds, often with a tax-free bond, and citizens apply to have ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/06/28/about-pace/ Would you like to show others how you solarized your home or business? The world's largest grass roots solar event, the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, is open for online registration for its 15th annual tour.  Most of the tours will take place on or about October 2nd, 2010. The ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/06/28/become-a-national-solar-tour-host/ It's sometimes tough, when supposedly writing about solar, the whole of  solar, and nothing but solar, to keep from straying into all kinds of peripheral fields.Poor writing discipline?  Almost certainly (along with atrocious penmanship), but an understandable fault, because solar power affects and is affected by so many externalities - ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/05/28/the-price-isnt-right/ Solar 2010, Phoenix, May 17-22 The big solar event of the year kicks off in less than three weeks at the Phoenix Convention Center;  it's the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Conference, Solar 2010.  The conference and expo take place this year in Arizona, one of the hottest spots for ... http://www.solar-nation.org/2010/04/28/where-to-begin-or-continue-your-solar-education/