There’s a charity out there bringing solar electricity to countries in need. That organization is the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) and they’re making waves the world over. Let’s talk about what they do and how they do it.

SELF is dedicated to creating a long-lasting and renewable life for the third world through agricultural innovation and modernization. They provide solar electricity for residential, business, health care and telecommunications use, including solar-powered drip irrigation for rural farmers. They do this by creating lasting relationships between both “for-profit” and nonprofit groups, as well as local governments. SELF focuses mainly on the solar aspect of things and has been at it for 18 years with a proven track record. SELF also helps by being the advocate for those who are underprivileged and uneducated. They train locals residents to become solar installers.

Local residents unloading their new power plant: solar panels.

“SELF believes that energy is a human right. To meet global challenges, such as food and water scarcity, climate change and poverty, SELF is working to assign greater priority to theimportance of sustainable energy among international development banks, aid agencies, foundations, and philanthropic individuals, who are committed to improving the health, education, and economic prospects of the world’s poorest citizens.”  This quote comes from SELF’s mission page and really, who can argue with it? This is the wonderful thing about solar energy – it could actually help reduce the amount of globally crippling energy barons that we are all so familiar with (and if we’re not, our wallets are). (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

Government incentives are great and all, but solar is still ridiculously unaffordable.  A company called Helio mU (micro utility) is doing something to change that. 

Helio charges zero cash up-front to lease a solar system. The company assesses your home and installs the correct system to meet your needs. And what’s more,  they sell you the solar electricity at a “below average” cost – about 5% below standard utility rates. But what if you want to eventually own your own system?  Helio mU will offer to sell it to the consumer after five yearsof use. (more…)

Popularity: 3% [?]

New York Governor David Patterson announced the distribution of $10 million in federal stimulus funds for solar energy projects. The funds will be granted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on a competitive basis.

The money is part of a Program Opportunity Notice (PON). This particular program, PON 1686, is a competitive capacity-based incentive program. In other words, developers must propose solar projects that include individual solar PV projects. When combined, the projects equal a minimum of 500 kilowatts of solar electricity. Proposals for funding must be received by October 29th, 2009.

There will probably be no shortage of applications. On the heels of Governor Patterson’s announcement, NYSERDA released a letter announcing a reduction in awards through its PV incentive program. The program is back due to high demand. Effective immediately, incentives for residential and commercial solar electric systems have been reduced by 50 cents per watt. Therefore, the incentives for residential systems (up to 4 kW) have dropped from $3.oo/watt DC to $2.50/watt DC, according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). The maximum incentive remains at 50 percent of system costs, or $24,000 for residential systems – whichever is smaller.

On the bright side, this means that residential solar power systems are in very high demand in New York as the state tries to achieve its goal of 45% renewable energy by 2015.

Photo Credit: Solar Energy New York

Popularity: 2% [?]