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 […]
Bathing with Sunlight
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 […]
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 […]
Taking Back Our Future
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 […]
Green Revolution and the Clean Energy Summit
Think 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 […]
Celebrate Independence
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 […]
Can’t Have it Both Ways
Energy Use: Perception vs. Reality 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 previous […]
Jane Feldman’s Green Home
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 […]
Solar Increases Home’s Value
My wife and I live and work in a solar-powered home. I’m writing this from my office using a computer running on the freshest electrons you can get, produced just a few feet away, from photons only eight minutes old. That’s how long it takes light to travel 93 million miles from the sun to […]
Solar Hot Water – Be the Change!
We live in interesting times. Never before have we witnessed so much change in so little time. Whether we resist or embrace change, it is still inevitable, but if we actively embrace the changes we like we can often minimize the change we’d prefer to avoid. For example, almost everyone in this country uses some […]