It is amazing to see our colleges reshaping their curriculum to add solar installation training classes. What’s even more amazing is the number of students who sign up for these courses. There are waiting lists. This is phenomenal.

Solar has grown at a snail’s pace for so many years. I remember when a neighbor installed solar panels on his roof in the mid-70’s; we thought our neighbors were aliens (or hippies.) They were neither; they were just 30 years ahead of their time.

Over the last ten years, I’ve heard more and more solar talk and now, seems like overnight, solar is here in a big way. And when colleges start offering courses in solar, you know there’s a big demand now, and in the future. …continue reading Bay Area Colleges Go for the Green

Al Gore’s 5-pt energy economy recovery plan for the new Obama administration was enlightening.

I believe that timing is everything. I also believe that there are millions of Americans that don’t take solar energy seriously. We all need to get on the same boat, collectively take the reins, and change our ways. Al Gore’s energy plan couldn’t have come at a better time.

With jobs flushing down the toilet or being outsourced at a phenomenal rate, it seems the planetary energies and stars are lining up: Gore’s got a plan for a healthier lifestyle and it will create millions of new jobs, too.

I hate spending $60 every time I gas up my car, don’t you? And, my electric bill is much, much higher than that. Gore’s idea to put people to work replacing 19th-century energy technologies that depend on dangerous and expensive carbon-based fuels with 21st-century technologies that use fuel that is free (sun & wind) sounds like a solid solution to many problems.

His plan to re-power America is an aggressive commitment to producing 100 percent of our electricity from carbon-free sources within 10 years. And, like the domino effect, it’s also a solution to the climate crisis and the economic crisis. …continue reading Gore’s 5-pt. Energy Plan for Obama

The sun provides a wide array of services, beyond keeping this planet warm and alive. While solar energy has always been here for us, we’ve just recently gone crazy about using our technology to harness that solar power. Suddenly solar energy is being adapted to run pretty much anything that runs on electricity; from our homes and businesses to our cell phones and laptops, we’ve written about plenty of solar products. Every couple of weeks there are more inventions and reinventions as the solar movement spreads its wings even further. Here are five for this week:

1. The Solar Gorilla, from EarthTech Products, takes charging to a higher level. It won’t fit in the palm of your hand but it will charge your laptop and it’s roughly the size of a good book.

2. Open Energy Solar Roof Tiles are another in the line of BIPV solar shingles products. Open Energy tiles, however, are lightweight (14 lbs.), wind resistant (up to 125 mph) and come with a 25-year warranty on performance.

3. Solar Powered Bags have developed a new sense of style. Canadian distributor, Evolve, is peddling the bags, which are made primarily from leather or hemp, are biodegradable and can charge your cell phone or iPod. Just don’t look at the price tag.

…continue reading 5 New Solar Products You Will or Will Not Use