Residential solar power is growing very quickly in the US. A new 30 percent federal tax credit has created a dramatic boost to the home solar power market. Falling solar panel prices have also added to the financial incentives. In some locations, with combined federal, state, and local incentives, the payback on the initial investment can be as short as six years. Since the beginning of 2009, residential solar energy installations have grown by 200 percent.

Solar a Win-Win for Public Schools

Amid increaasing budget cuts for public schools, solar installations at schools are reducing electricity bills, improving education, and making the retention of  staff and resources an increasing possibility.

With large, flat roof tops and unused lots of vacant land, school properties are an ideal location for solar installations. School parking lots can also be put to productive use with solar PV canopies, which provide the added benefit of shading parked vehicles on sunny days.

Solar: A Smart Investment

Investment Tax Credit - Critical for Solar Development

As part of its annual Environmental Poll, Gallup just reported that 91% of respondents said the U.S. should place more emphasis, or the same emphasis, on solar development. In this newly released nation-wide poll, solar was voted as the #1 domestic energy source that should be developed with greater emphasis.

Supply half of CA's energy needs through renewables in 15 years?  Now we are talking!

Recently elected to a historic fourth term, Governor Jerry Brown has ambitious plans for California's renewable energy commitment:  50% renewable energy by 2030 - the highest in the country.  In his state of the state address, Governor Brown said, "I envision a wide range of initiatives: more distributed power, expanded rooftop solar, microgrids, an energy imbalance market, battery storage, the full integration of information technology and electrical distribution, and millions of electric and low-carbon vehicles."

Originally founded in 1892 by legendary pioneer and environmental activist John Muir, The Sierra Club is one of the largest and most influential grassroots organizations in America.  Some of the succesful past campaigns of the Sierra Club include:

At the 2015 World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, the overarching topic of "resource scarcity and the environment (specifically the future of fossil fuels and fighting climate change denial)" was recognized as one of the top global challenges. 

Christina Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 2010, drew four primary conclusions on climate change and energy from the disucssions circulating at the forum.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) was founded in 1954 and is based in Boulder, CO.  ASES is the American Affiliate of the International Solar Energy Society.  The Executive Director, Carly Rixham, is a professional in solar, wastewater management, biofuels and education. She has plans to expand the reach of renewable energies on college campuses and at the grassroots level and to usher in a new generation of solar users and advocates.

Some of the notable programs of ASES include:

• Solar and Renewable Energy Publisher -- including Solar Today Magazine (in its 26th year)
• National Solar Conference Organizing Body
• National Solar Home Tour Organizers

ASES has chapters throughout the country; click here to find an ASES chapter near you.

Look here for assistance with installing solar on your residential or commerical property,  

This blog is part of an on-going series highlighting thought leaders in the Non Profit sector.

The Politics of Energy - Educated Voices Needed

The next two years will be challenging for advocates of clean energy in America.  

The new Republican majority in Congress is threatening to rollback the progress of the past 6 years.  Fossil fuels (tar sands oil, coal and natural gas) are their energy sources of choice - with renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) pushed aside and starved of funding.

That is why the non-profit organizations we are highlighting in this series need your support.  They have the means to educate - to inspire - to call to action - the people (like you) that can make a real difference in the debate - and keep us moving on the road to clean energy.

Solar Education and Energy Savings

The Hawaii Department of Education plans to install solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV) on each public school in the state over the next five years. Electricity costs will decrease while helping the state meet its renewable energy goal of 90 percent clean energy by 2040. Little or no upfront costs from the state would be necessary to fund the proposed improvements. In fact schools should end up making money when extra power is generated and sold. Yearly electrical cost savings might be close to $5 million.