22 Nov

Here Washington is the not the only state trying to incent local manufacturing jobs. Bellingham based module manufacturer itek Energy to open a new plant in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Climate change may be endangering our abundant hydro-power resources. 50 percent of Seattle's hydro-power comes from glacial runoff. As glacier's are disappearing we'll need to find solutions to maintain power output in the face of...

07:00 / News
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16 Nov

“Is your license current? and Is it the right license for the work?” Licensing requirements change from state to state.  A quick call to the local chapter of a national solar industry organization should let you know what kind of license is valid for a contractor to be able to install solar.  You can find the contact information of your...

08:00 / Solar 101
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13 Nov

In our business, solar energy business, talking politics can get you into as much trouble as talking religion. The Energy Industry (including fossils) is deeply intertwined with politics. You never know just where someone leans politically. Everyone comes to install solar for their home or business for every conceivable reason. It’s one of the things that makes working in solar so fulfilling....

11:19 / News
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13 Nov

Earlier this year Edmonds solar advocates got together to bring a Solarize program to the South County area. Solarize is a program of Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED), Snohomish PUD, and South County neighbors with the purpose of accelerating solar energy awareness and installations through a group purchase of solar electric systems at a discounted price. Participants...

09:43 / Announcements
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23 Oct

This video was originally posted by the Northwest Power & Conservation Council. It's a three minute video featuring Bob Jenks, executive director of the CUB Policy Center, talking about the growing need for flexibility in the region's power system. A transcript of the video is below. Can you explain what power system flexibility is? System flexibility is really a way to use your...

07:00 / Energy
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20 Oct

According to the Energy Information Administration “about one-third of the natural gas North Dakota has produced in recent years has been flared rather than sold to customers or consumed on-site.” Meaning, that 33 percent of all of the natural gas in North Dakota is being burnt rather than collected. I’m guessing that 33 percent is not being calculated into the “efficiency”...

11:56 / Energy
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15 Sep

Edmonds Lutheran Church (ELC) and Annie’s Community Kitchen will receive a donated solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable energy for their facility if enough homes in Edmonds, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace neighborhoods choose to install solar electric systems in the coming months. The free solar system serves as a community award for participation in Solarize South County, a project of Northwest...

08:20 / Announcements
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05 Sep

Meet David! A microbiologist by profession and a self-proclaimed environmental activist by experience, David has centered his life around planet conscious living. A few years ago he took that effort into his home. It started with an exhaustive 6 month search for the perfect house to go solar in! (We really like that part!) Once he found the home the first move was...

10:23 / Technology
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26 Aug

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) recently issued a formal policy, stating that the UTC may regulate companies that lease solar power systems as an electric company. What does this mean for Washingtonians? More consumer protection. Third party ownership (leasing) of solar power is not a viable option for people in Washington yet. The State currently encourages an ownership model for solar. An...

14:34 / Announcements
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15 Aug

Believe it or not, the Northwest is actually an ideal climate for solar power. As native Northwesterners we know how hard that can be to imagine, but the system does not work in the way you might think. It’s our milder summer climate (read warm but not scorching) that makes it possible for solar panels to absorb the light more efficiently....

13:34 / Solar 101
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