The Human Race – Can We Win It?

It is interesting how some words have more than one meaning. Race is one of them. It can be a form of competition where the fastest one wins, but it can also be a group of people, such as the human race. The irony of this juxtaposition is that the human race is in a […]

2013 Solar Home Tour

The 9th Annual Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour is just around the corner! October 5, 2013 @ 10 am The American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour is the world’s largest grassroots solar event. It offers people from all over the country an opportunity to visit innovative green homes and buildings to see how you […]

Using Solar Around the House

Solar energy is wonderful and I like to use it around the house a lot. It provides the electricity for our home, including enough energy to charge an electric car. It provides illumination, most of our hot water and we even use it occasionally to cook delicious meals. Even though it all comes from the […]

Solar-Ready Homes

The policies set by local governments can do much to move us toward sustainability. We do not have to wait for national regulations to change the way we build or rebuild the homes in our communities. There is much to be done and with the political gridlock in Washington, local action is our best hope […]

Save Money – Go Solar

One of the most satisfying things we can do is gain energy independence. Start with efficiency. Get a professional energy audit and follow the recommendations, however mundane they may be. Then it’s time for the fun part, installing solar panels. We all want to save money and get a good deal, especially on big-ticket items. […]

Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour

October is my favorite month in Southern Nevada. The summer heat is waning and the cooler nights are delightful. It also happens to be National Energy Awareness Month. It sounds like the perfect time to visit and learn about solar homes, don’t you think? The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) agrees, and their annual National […]

Tour of Solar Homes

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 […]

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 […]