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Charging Ahead: Using Your Home to Fuel Your Car

It feels like I’ve reached a milestone in my life. I’ve long been concerned about environmental issues and years ago I realized that change starts with each of us; in other words it was up to me to embrace it. The process, shared with my wife and best friend Marsala, has involved a many-layered strategy of simple living, debt reduction, self-education and goal setting. It has taken some patience too.

We planned …(more)

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The Super Bowl of Solar

An early model of UNLV's design for the Solar Decathlon. Image courtesy of Eric Weber, School of Architecture, UNLV

An early model of UNLV's design for the Solar Decathlon. Image courtesy of Eric Weber, School of Architecture, UNLV

Competition. It’s as old as life itself. For many, the word brings to mind mega-events like the recent Super Bowl. As big as that mega-event is, there are other kinds of competition that carry much more weight in the big scheme of things. One such competition is the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. It’s …(more)

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Tour of Solar Homes

Installing solar thermal system.Seven years ago, Southern Nevada experienced its first Solar Home Tour. At the time, I was involved with a great non-profit group called Solar NV, the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). I had attended a few solar home tours in Arizona and they were always a great experience. Our group decided it was time for folks in our local communities to have that same opportunity. That first tour was a resounding success and everyone had a great time. Thus, a tradition was born.

This year marks the seventh anniversary of the Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour. It will take place this Saturday, November 5th from 10 AM until 4 PM and is open to the public. Organized by the dedicated volunteers at Solar NV, this year’s tour will be another great opportunity to meet face to face with neighbors around the valley who live with renewable energy on a daily basis. Sponsors include Bombard Renewable Energy, Geary Company, and Southwest Gas.

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Bathing with Sunlight

Solar hot water collector panel on Southern Nevada roof.I enjoy writing this column and sharing ideas about living lighter on the planet. I think it works best when I write about real experiences, especially my own. Several years ago I set a goal to install a solar domestic hot water system. This week, I checked that one off the list.

Now, most of the energy it takes to provide our home with hot water is clean and fresh. Bursting from the nuclear-fueled depths of the Sun, it makes the 93-million-mile journey to our roof in just eight minutes. We put it right into our hot water system, ready to be used immediately, eliminating the incredibly inefficient 300-million-year process of turning ancient sunlight into fossil fuels. Like I said, solar energy is clean and fresh – and it works great!

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Rebates and Some Little Things

If you have been waiting for the right time to apply for a solar system rebate through NV Energy, this is your reminder. Rebate applications are only accepted during certain windows and one of them is currently open. In past years the program used a first-come, first-served application process that produced a mad rush at the very start, rewarding those with the fastest internet connection and typing skills.

This year’s process will incorporate a lottery system for the first time. The application window opened on September 16th and will end September 28th, so we are right in the middle of it. The lottery selection will occur on the 30th. This particular application window is limited to 25% of this year’s program capacity so there will be more opportunities. However, the rebate amount is not set in stone and there is no guarantee it will remain at current levels (up to $17,000 per residence).

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Taking Back Our Future

Tar sands oil is the dirtiest on the planet. Using it means "game over" for climate stability.

Photo Credit: Josh Lopez

Last week’s National Clean Energy Summit provided a partial snapshot of the status of our nation’s shift toward clean energy. It featured a wide range of presentations representing green building, military, commerce, transportation, utilities, manufacturing and labor interests.

The message was strong and clear: Renewable energy along with a vast array of innovative technology is here and vital to our future. The concept of clean energy includes everything from …(more)

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Green Revolution and the Clean Energy Summit

National Clean Energy Summit 4.0: The Future of EnergyThink about this: We are living during an incredibly unique period in the ongoing history of humanity.

How often did that same thought cross the minds of our ancestors? Did the first generation of farmers realize the profound impact the agricultural revolution would have on the formation of modern society? In the early years of the industrial revolution, did anyone have even an inkling of what they were setting into motion? These key turning points in the development of our species have dramatically changed the world. As important as they were, they will pale in comparison to the Next Big Thing. I’m talking about the new Green Revolution.

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Celebrate Independence

Celebrate Energy Independence! Join the revolution!Nothing is more important to the human spirit than freedom. People sacrifice their lives so that others may experience it. As we celebrate our country’s independence this weekend, friends and family will gather for barbeques and many homes will display the flag. In addition to displaying a symbol of our patriotism, our homes and businesses represent a vital opportunity that, if we choose to take action, can do more to strengthen and enhance our freedom than almost anything else.

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Can't Have it Both Ways

Is saving bucks using a clothesline a form of money laundering?I’ve done energy surveys on hundreds of homes to determine their suitability for renewable energy systems. One thing that I’ve learned is that many people are out of touch with energy reality. This is especially true in the U.S. where we’ve experienced more energy abundance (and waste) than any other generation that has ever lived. We want our power all right, and we want it cheap and unlimited.

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Jane Feldman's Green Home

Jane Feldman visits an ancient home. Thanks to GrandPar for the photo.Green Living is an attitude more than anything else. At its core, there is deep caring and a sense of value for things that often do not carry an obvious price tag. Sure, anyone with ample cash can go out and buy a bunch of green stuff: a hybrid car, an efficient house or a rooftop solar array for example, but that’s not really the essence of it. The best formula for success includes the persistence, patience and vision to actually live an environmentally responsible life in the best possible way.

No one better exemplifies that spirit than Las Vegas resident Jane Feldman. She is a recognized leader in local environmental issues and has spent countless hours volunteering her time, energy and expertise to improve the quality of life in Nevada. She has played a key role in the Sierra Club, currently serving as Conservation Chair and Energy Chair. For many, that would be enough, but Feldman also walks her talk.

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