Solar powered wineries are using the energy from the sun to not only grow grapes, but also to off-set their electric need for tasting rooms, production and on-site residences. In California, Napa leads the way, but up and down the state many wineries are jumping into solar, installing panels and finding out the benifits are not just great PR but money in their pockets while making themselves leaders in renewable energy. Constellation Wines has now jumped in installing a total of four megawatt solar arrays at multiple locations.

Installing solar makes sence because a portion of the wineries energy costs expenses are locked and federal and California solar incentives make solar financially appealing for wineries. In many cases, the return on investment for installing solar is as short as 5 to 7 years which is comparable to other winery equipment purchases. [continue reading…]

Residential solar is said to have a sad closure rate of only 1 in 10 qualified homeowners. In some ways it is hard to understand why. Most people would consider securing 5% interest on a CD an excellent if not unheard of rate of return. Yet if someone were to tell you that they can put $100 plus in your bank each month account AFTER the cost of financing solar, break even after 7 – 10 years with a 12% ROI with a investment more secure than a 401K wouldn’t you think they would jump on it?

In many cases, solar installed on a home can do that! The solar industry in general, and this Sacramento California solar company in particular, needs to do a much better job of educating consumers about the financial benefits of going solar. Lets start here – [continue reading…]

Solar News – I suppose its because Europe has a such a long history of reinventing itself that you could understand why they continue to be so far ahead of America when it comes to sustainable energy. Solar, nuclear and wind power are powering Europe successfully everyday driven by the recognition of the true cost of oil. Yet Europe continues to look at new ideas and new ways to get off oil. Read more about solar- [continue reading…]

Sacramento Solar News – Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is always on the front page with some innovative program designed to add more solar panels for homes and businesses. They are now offering special energy rebates to boost solar for small commercial business. Traditionally Sacramento has had some of the lowest electrical rates in California but the city is not stopping there. Solar is good for our local economy and our country. We wish more of the country would sit up and take notice. Read More – [continue reading…]

Sacramento California Solar News – The sun never shined brighter in Sacramento as now with some solar statistical information was added to the regions numbers. Sacramento established itself long ago as a leader in solar energy deployment both from a utility standpoint and also helping local Sacramento homes and businesses install solar. Read More [continue reading…]

Phoenix Arizona Solar News – With an eye to helping stimulate job growth, Arizona is opening the solar bid process to small solar installation companies. It would be sweet if there were more public solar projects brought on by the economic stimulus package. Many thanks to the leaders in Washington and in particular to the president for their assistance in pointing this country back on a course of growth and new local jobs by using solar renewable energy. Read More – [continue reading…]

California Solar News – Renewable energy in general and solar energy and wind electrical generation in particular have a bright future, that is a long as we keep electing forward thinking politicians. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s commitment to solar and other green iniatives have been a source of irritation to some in the Grand Old Party (Republican) community. “Is he for real” is often the comments we hear. If anyone thinks Arnold Schwarzenegger is not for real must have been living in a cave for the last several years. It is a shame we could not see another 4 years of Arnold in Sacramento but, alas, that is not to be. I hope California will continue to vote for progress, vote for more clean green careers and energy jobs and put someone in Sacramento that will continue moving solar forward. Read More – [continue reading…]

California Renewable Energy News – The Wall Street Journal calls California the hub of this “economic slowdown”. I am sure they are right. Housing is the backbone of this country and California has alway lead the country in permits and construction jobs. We must reinvent ourselves and quickly expand the renewable energy industry to get out of this. Solar and wind energy are the future because they both create jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. Read More – [continue reading…]

California Solar News – There is enough solar energy in the deserts of California to power all of Los Angeles. 1,600 kilowatt hours of solar energy falls on every square 11 square feet of land surface annually. That is equal to the amount of energy that is found in 1 barrel of oil. Big difference though, when the oil is consumed, its gone, except for what pumped into the air. Solar panels produce no emission, there are no moving parts to maintain and a solar panel will keep producing electricity for a minimum of 25 years! O ya, almost forgot, there is one more thing… with solar, there is no war required. Read More – [continue reading…]

Sacramento California Solar Commentary – The market for off-grid solar has traditionally only counted for very small segment of the total photovoltaic installations in America, about 2 – 3%. Globally, most of the planet is not serviced by electrical utilities so off-grid or stand alone solar accounts for up to 10% of the total solar installations. Many of those are small solar kits that go up in developing countries.

Having said that, it is apparent, there is a movement underfoot of people who feel the need to be self-sufficient. More and more concerned Americans are installing small solar kits. Our sales of off-grid solar kits has skyrocketed this year. We think that is great for many reasons, the least of which is the real concern that our aging grid and expanding power needs are going to outrun our supply of electricity. The concern is not without merit. Solar is right for everyone. From small portable solar chargers to solar kits that allow the DIY person to assemble a unit that will supply power when needed. Read More – [continue reading…]

SAN JOSE, Santa Cruz California News – A bay area company, Power Integrations, announced that it has completed the installation of commercial solar for its San Jose headquarters. The company’s innovative technology enables compact, energy-efficient power supplies in a wide range of electronic products, in AC-DC, DC-DC and LED lighting applications. The solar installations includes more than two thousand solar panels covering a fourty four thousand sqare fool parking area. This solar panel installation is among the tenth largest photovoltaic power installs in Silicon Valley. The solar installation will provide all the electricity for two buildings where over 100 employees work in the company’s computer chip operation.

The solar parking lot installation represents a serious commitment to helping resolve this countries energy demands while creating local jobs. Our hat is off to this San Jose bay area technology company who becomes our newest solar hero for its leadership. Read More [continue reading…]