Do you find batteries exciting? I bet you don’t, but when you realize how central they are to the clean tech revolution, you’ll be intrigued. Batteries, along with emerging technologies such as ultra-capacitors and flywheels are at the heart of energy storage – the ability to store enough energy to power electric transportation and solve […] Read more

Solar cost? How much is solar power going to cost to run my home or business? This is usually the first question asked by someone who is exploring the idea of using solar power to run their home or business. Seems like a simple enough question. However, the answer is not so simple to get […] Read more

Watching Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO last night is one of few TV shows I try and not miss because to learn something new, you need to get smart people with conflicting opinions at the table then get them to fight. Once again the topic of climate change came up and they continue […] Read more

Solar batteries store power generated from the sun and discharge the power as needed for later use. Portable solar batteries, off-grid or a simple backup rechargeable battery operates on fundamentally the same principles and many parts of the discussion can apply to both portable solar and fixed solar system. In a photovoltaic system, solar batteries […] Read more

Northern California Solar News – Solar thermal or as it is sometimes called, solar hot water heating systems, is a technology used for harnessing the sun’s energy for water heating. Water heating is the second highest energy cost in a typical household. Solar thermal water heating incorporating solar thermal is one of the most cost […] Read more

Have you ever risen early, walked into the Grand Canyon and watched God paint a grand picture? We just returned from our annual Grand Canyon backpacking vacation adventure and though I am familiar with most parts of the canyon, it never disappoints. Instead of worrying about battery power, this year we went all rechargeable batteries […] Read more

California Solar Energy Laws – Great news for California Homeowners. In October 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 920, the California Solar Surplus Act of 2009, which requires utilities to pay consumers for solar electricity that they generate over and above their home needs. What that means to you is if you decide to go solar […] Read more

Portable chargers powered by the sun can keep you connected when you’re away from a power source. Imagine being able to charge your cell phone, GPS, iPod, and other electronic gadgets when you’re on the go with a neat portable power charger that really works. Hiking, biking, or whenever you find yourself far from any […] Read more

PACE is an acronym for property assessed clean energy. (PACE) programs enable local governments to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on private property, including residential, commercial and industrial properties. The programs eliminate the chief barrier to clean energy installations: the large upfront cost. If the cities in America were to get behind this […] Read more

Green living is driven by our passion for hiking the shrinking back-country of our country and the growing alarm about the legacy we are leaving our children. Can we go on turning a blind eye to the changes going on around us forever? If you have a comfortable, rewarding and healthy lifestyle you probably think […] Read more

Watch out California! PGE is attempting a slight of hand, power grab, magic trick hoping the California voters are asleep at the wheel. PG & E paid a signature gathering company who put proposition 16 on the June primary ballot in an attempt to make it law. We firmly agree with the Oakland Tribune which […] Read more