Green Valley-Sahuarita Solar Forum

What: The environmental committee of the Green Valley Community Coordinating Council in association with the Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a solar forum. New technology for solar home energy and new financial opportunities will be presented on Saturday for residents and businesses in the Sahuarita and Green Valley areas. Area residents will have the opportunity to hear about new technical developments and opportunities for solar in their homes and businesses. Where: Sahuarita High School Auditorium, located at 350 W.Sahuarita Rd

When: 9:30 - noon

Coal’s Assault on Human Health

Recently Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) released a medical report, “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” which takes a new look at coal’s effect on public health. The report examines the impact of coal pollution on the major organ systems from the lungs to the brain. This report caught our attention since nearly 95% of our electricity in Tucson is generated from coal. According to the report, coal emissions contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. and are responsible for increasing the incidence of major diseases already affecting large portions of the U.S. population.

Key findings:

* The respiratory system is seriously affected by air pollutants associated with coal combustion. Ailments include asthma, lung disease, lung cancer and infant mortality. They also adversely affect normal lung development in children.

* Cardiovascular effects include cardiovascular disease, such as blocked arteries that lead to heart attacks, and tissue death that leads to heart damage. Coal pollutants also contribute to irregular heartbeats and congestive heart failure.

* Studies show a correlation between coal-related pollutants and negative impact on the nervous system, such as stroke. Coal pollutants, primarily mercury, also cause a lifelong loss in intellectual capacity and a reduction in IQ.

* Even people who do not develop illnesses from coal pollutants will find their health and wellbeing impacted due to coal’s contribution to global warming. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to climate change and it has extreme adverse effects on health and wellbeing worldwide, such as heat stroke, malaria, declining food production, scarce water supplies, social conflict and starvation.

These stark conclusions leave no room for doubt or delay. We feel the answer is in education and clean energy sources, like solar electricity. Every month 239,450 pounds of CO2 are not emitted into the atmosphere, thanks to TFS customers choosing to make the switch to solar. It's numbers like those that reinforce the positive impact solar can have on our  environment and our community's well being.

10 good reasons to go solar in 2010!

1. Lock in your electricity rates Investing in a solar electric system is like buying 30 years of electricity at a fixed rate, thereby reducing your exposure to rising utility rates. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration,  Arizona had the third highest utility rate in the western U.S. in 2009 (following California and Oregon).  And, as the prices of coal and natural gas increase, the utility provider will continue to pass on the cost to you through future rate increases.  Solar provides long-term financial benefits by saving you money on electricity costs.

2. Increase the value of your home

Solar homes make their own electricity and therefore have lower operating costs than a comparable home without solar.  The cost of your solar electric system is often offset by the increased property value of homes that make their own electricity. According to the Appraisal Journal of the National Appraiser’s Association, a solar electric system may increase the value of your home by $20 for every $1 saved in annual utility expenses. Even though solar may increase the value of your home, Arizona state law prohibits it from increasing your property taxes.

Also, solar  energy can be one of the best home improvements you make in terms of return on invested dollar. Even in a down economy, the U.S. DOE’s office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy stated that a home that produces its own electricity sells twice as fast as a home without solar. Lennar Homes saw solar homes selling at a rate of 4.6 homes per month, while only 1.9 non-solar homes were being sold per month, during that same time period.

3. Solar is a bright investment

With an average return on investment (ROI) of 10%, you can diversify your investment portfolio with a wise, low-risk investment in solar electricity that pays better than CDs and is safer than the stock market. Also, the more utility rates increase the more your solar system will save you. To read more about individuals who are choosing to invest in solar over the stock market click here.

4.  Be good to Mother Nature & future generations

Help reduce global warming one rooftop at a time. Solar is a renewable, non-polluting energy source. When your home produces its own electricity, you reduce the amount of coal powered electricity you pull from the utility grid. This means fewer emissions, less pollution, and cleaner environment. Coal and natural gas emissions directly contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming, which affect public health and our society’s future. When you go solar, you can feel good knowing that your household electricity consumption will not contribute to resource scarcity for future generations.

5. Worry Free

TFS provides a 10-year workmanship warranty on all of our solar installations, and our solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. With no moving parts, solar electricity systems require no maintenance and are designed to operate for 30+ years.

Also, using electricity produced by your own solar electric system is like eating vegetables grown from your own garden. You have the peace of mind of knowing how your power is produced and where it comes from.

6. Solar keeps money and jobs close to home

When you make the decision to go solar it creates jobs and improves the economy. For every six homes that go solar, one new job is created in Tucson. Furthermore, by simply having the solar federal tax credits extended 8 years, the solar energy industry alone could provide almost half a million permanent jobs and $232 billion in investments!

7. Your mini power plant is more efficient than the grid

When there’s a mini power plant on your roof, you can stop wasting energy and money, because you are making energy right where you use it. Solar electricity is produced locally and reduces the need for new transmission infrastructure, huge mining operations, and fossil fuel resources from abroad.  According to the Energy Information Association, when electricity is transferred hundreds of miles through the grid and to your home 10% is lost as heat. Furthermore, when fossil fuels are converted to electricity 67% of the energy is lost. Now that’s not efficient at all.

8. Solar has never been more affordable

With the combination of the $1,000 Arizona state tax credit, a 30% federal tax credit, and utility rebates that offer a cash rebate of up to 60%, the cost of your solar electric system is significantly reduced. It’s important to note that these tax credits will not last forever; the federal tax credit will expire in 2016, while the state tax credit will expire in 2012. Also, utility rebates are structured to decrease steadily over time. As the number of solar installations goes up, the generous utility rebates will go down. A word to the wise… financial incentives have never been better than they are right now.

9. Help reduce the negative health consequences of coal powered electricity.

Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. According to a report published by Physicians for Social Responsibility, coal emissions directly contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. These include respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system illness as well as the hazardous impact of global climate change on health and wellbeing worldwide.

10. Be an inspiration

Being the first on your block to install a solar electric system will inspire your neighbors to make the switch to solar too.  Our customers realize that their efforts are part of a number of steps to a larger goal – living in harmony with our environment. We find that inspiration is a strong reason why many of our customers choose to install PV. They are very excited when they realize that going solar is easy and they can absolutely live in line with their values.

As part of our commitment to community outreach, TFS offers to sponsor an Open House after your system has been installed. We will provide refreshments, a tour of your system, and a presentation detailing many great aspects of your new solar PV system. Our customers enjoy having their system be a source of inspiration and education for their friends, family, and neighbors.

Solar: Creating Both Electricity and Jobs Close to Home

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that unemployment in the U.S. has reached over 10%, it is more important than ever to discuss the importance of going solar and creating green jobs. We’ve been hearing a lot of buzz in the media about ‘green jobs’ and many are wondering when we will start seeing them pour into Tucson. However, when exactly this time will come is still somewhat of a mystery. If we had to guess, it seems as though it will take a while to get the ball rolling in regard to the types of new programs the government will implement, the accompanying administrative details, and getting the ‘green’ companies that will be impacted up to speed as well.

However, the government is doing what they can to make the cost of solar affordable for homeowners. Both the federal government and the state offer tax credits. When you combine this with the generous utility rebates and the fact that Arizona gets more high intensity sun than any other state, solar starts to make a lot of financial sense for homeowners.

Although it looks like it may be a while before we start to see the government playing a large role in the creation of green collar jobs, we are seeing everyday homeowners making a big impact in their local economy. By deciding to go solar, this directly increases the number of local jobs in Tucson, and the potential for solar to create jobs is astounding. Unlike the coal industry, which relies on machines, solar relies on labor.  These include installation crews, engineers, salespeople, and administrative positions. As a leading solar installer in southern Arizona, TFS was chosen to install 130 systems in 2009, and was fortunate to grow 100%, thus creating 14 new green jobs in Tucson.

If 10% of Arizona homeowners decided to start receiving the benefits of a solar energy, it would create over 32,000 jobs! To put it another way, in order to create a new green collar job, it only requires that 6 homes go solar. When it comes to the issue of creating local jobs we think there’s one very simple answer - watch your utility expenses drop and help the green economy rise.

Arizona is making the grade and freeing the grid!

The report “Freeing the Grid”, released by solar energy advocates Vote Solar Initiative, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the Solar Alliance, and the Network for New Energy Choices, gave their 2009 assessment for each states’ net metering practices. Our sun-drenched state earned an A for its net metering policies, which is a nice improvement from the “B” grade it received in 2008. Net metering allows homeowners to earn credits on their utility bill for the excess electricity generated by their solar panels, which helps make going solar viable for many homeowners.

According to Jane Weissman, Executive Director of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, net metering helps to form the backbone of our nation’s rooftop solar markets and they create local jobs. She states if unnecessary hurdles are removed and customers are fairly compensated for delivering clean electricity to the grid, U.S. homes and businesses can and do go solar.

We’re excited to see an increase in the number of policies supporting solar energy. The 13 states that received an A or B in net metering in 2007 more than doubled to 27 states in 2009! We’re hoping to see this upward trend continue in next year's report.

What exactly is net metering?

One of the exciting aspects of going solar is that your home becomes its own mini power plant. When you make the switch to solar electricity (PV), your utility company will switch out your current meter with a NET meter. The NET meter keeps track of the amount of energy your PV system sends back to the grid, as well any extra energy your home pulls from the grid to meet your home’s additional electricity needs. This is known as “Net Metering” and it allows you to get the full benefits of your solar electric system. There will be times of the year (e.g. during the spring) when your solar electric system is pumping out more energy than your home is using. When this happens, the excess energy is sent back to the utility grid, and the utility company gives you a credit for the electricity it received.

For those times of the year, when your solar electricity system may not cover all of your energy needs (e.g. during the winter when there are shorter days, or when it’s cloudy for several days in a row), you will pull additional electricity from the utility grid. You don’t have to switch anything on or keep track of anything.  No extra steps need to be taken on your part. This electricity you’re using from the grid is sent to your home exactly like it was prior to you installing solar.  You will never notice a difference between electricity produced by your solar panels or utility-produced electricity.

At the end of the monthly billing cycle the utility company will check your meter to determine how much you owe (or don’t owe) them. Throughout the month the NET meter has recorded the amount of excess energy you’ve sent back to the grid and how much energy you have pulled from the grid. If you sent more electricity back to the utility grid than you have received, a credit will appear on your bill that will be applied to your next month’s electricity usage. On the other hand, if you have pulled more electricity from the grid that you have sent back to it, you will owe the utility for the electricity that you used.

Now that you understand the concept of net metering, you still may be wondering why you wouldn’t want to install a system that provides more electricity than you need. After all, you can make money on the excess electricity that you send back to the grid, right? Unfortunately, in Arizona it doesn’t work quite like that.

Once a year at the end of the October billing cycle, TEP will give you a final credit for the balance of any excess energy you sent back to the grid. Although, it’s nice to receive this credit, it’s not exactly ‘apples to apples’. The utility company pays you wholesale (about 3-4 cents per kWh) for your electricity even though you paid retail prices (about 8-10 cents per kWh) for the electricity when you used it. The result is a very small credit that will not increase your return on investment faster than simply sizing your system to meet your household’s energy needs. An appropriately sized system is the best way to get the full financial benefits from your PV system, and the best return on investment.

How Big is Your Water Footprint?

As many of us know carbon (CO2) is one of the leading contributors of global climate change; however, when we talk about energy use and our ‘carbon footprint’ we may also want to think about our ‘water footprint’. Water and energy are not only precious natural resources, they also have an intertwined relationship.

In order to provide electricity, it requires water. On the other hand, if you want water, it will require electricity. Many people don’t realize the tremendous amount of water it takes to create electricity, nor do they know that a great deal of electricity is needed to move water.  With the exception of wind and photovoltaic solar found on rooftops (more on this later), most power plants have a process that turns water into steam, which runs a generator that, in turn, produces electricity. This process comes with a hefty water price tag.

Researchers from Virginia Tech estimate that fossil fuel thermoelectric plants use between 8 -16 gallons of water to illuminate one 60-watt incandescent light bulb for 12 hours per day. When these numbers are taken over the duration of one year, this single light bulb consumes 3,000-6,300 gallons of water!

According to the Arizona Water Institute, different types of power plants require different amounts of water. In Arizona, 785 gallons are used per megawatt-hour (gal/mWhr) for nuclear energy and 548 gal/mWhr for coal. However, less than 1gal/mWhr is used for large scale solar photovoltaic plants.

It’s important to note that not all power plants need to use water. When TFS installs photovoltaic solar panels at your home, school, office building, restaurant, or hotel — this mini power plant creates electricity without the use of water. This is one of the many reasons we at TFS are excited about the impact that widespread solar adoption can have on our community.

Solar Seminars

Solar Seminars in PAS Room 180.First meeting: Tues Jan 12th from 12:00 - 12:50. Thereafter: Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30.

Feel free to bring your lunch. These meetings will encourage collaborations and seminars on solar research. They will be jointly organized by professors Conant, Cronin, and Kostuk. All are welcome to attend.  Questions can be addressed to Alex Cronin, 1118 E 4th St. Tucson AZ 85721, phone: (520) 465-8459

TFS Open House

TFS is hosting their annual Open House this Thursday, December 3rd, from 5-8pm. Please join us at our downtown location (612 N. 7th Avenue) for food, drink, slideshow and good conversation. Plenty of bike parking; car parking on north side of 5th St. Call for more info or contact us at info@tfssolar.com.

Solar Power 101

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Pima County Public Library presentsSolar Power 101:A Community Education Series on Solar Energy

The Basics of Solar Hot Water Joseph DiMatteo from Sunpower of Arizona will present on the basics of solar hot water heaters and pool heating systems. He will also elaborate on the cost breakdown for solar energy vs. electric or gas energy. Utility Update Trico Electric Cooperative will present on their initiatives in solar energy and their rebate program for residential and commercial PV and hot water. Solar Power for the Home - Getting Started The basics of solar energy residential systems.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 6 - 8 PM Wheeler Taft Abbett, Sr. Branch Library 7800 N Schisler Dr., Marana on the southeast side of Silverbell Road and Cortaro Road

Space is limited for this presentation Please RSVP by Monday, December 7: RSVPsolar*at*mail*dot*house*dot*gov or (520) 881-3588 For more solar energy information, please visit www.giffords.house.gov

Saguaro Fruit Harvest

The Sonoran Desert silently celebrates its new year with the swelling of the saguaro's rosy fruits. Join the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum to gather and prepare saguaro fruits in the traditional O'odham. manner, using a harvesting pole made from the ribs of the giant cactus, then cooking the fruit until it thickens into a rich, sweet syrup. We will learn about other desert plants that were important food sources for native peoples and about the animals who use the saguaro for food and shelter. Includes a native foods lunch.  To register click here. June 27, 2010 from 7 AM - 1 PM

Cholla Bud Harvest

Participate in a century-old Sonoran Desert springtime ritual of harvesting cholla buds sponsored by the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. After collecting this bounty from a site near the Museum, we will prepare it, along with other traditional foods such as tepary beans and nopalitos, and we will experiment making drinks with sweet "tunas". We will delve into the natural history of the cholla and its sister cactus the prickly pear, discuss associated myths, learn about the little red cactus-sucking bug that made some men rich and others slaves. The class concludes with a feast of native foods.  More information can be found here. April 10, 2010 from 8 AM -1:30 PM

Tree Pruning, Native Plants and Water Harvesting Maintenance Workshop

Saturday, December 5, 10 AM – 12:30 PM6th St./Euclid Ave. Area This workshop will include instruction and hands-on work maintaining neighborhood water harvesting sites, including caring for native trees and shrubs. Topics covered will include proper methods of tree pruning, choosing and siting native plants in water harvesting earthworks, and erosion control. No previous experience is necessary for this free, public workshop. Limited to 10 participants. For more information or to register, contact James MacAdam, 396-3266, james*at*watershedmg*dot*org.

Greening Neighborhood Right-of-Ways

Saturday, December 5, 8 AM – 12 PMCopper and Olsen, Tucson, AZ The Campbell-Grant Neighborhood has received funding from PRO Neighborhoods to build community through creating water harvesting features along the public right-of-way in their neighborhood. Watershed Management Group (WMG) is leading a volunteer workshop to teach community members how they can take action and green their neighborhood streets while reducing stormwater flooding, mitigating traffic problems, reducing urban heat island effects and more. Come help make Tucson a greener place to live. RSVP with Catlow Shipek, catlow*at*watershedmg*dot*org or by phone: 396-3266.

WMG accepting applications for Water Harvesting Certification Level 1

Watershed Management Group (WMG) is now accepting applications to the WMG Level 1 Water Harvesting Certification program, a hands-on training program in Tucson, AZ, to instruct educators, professionals, and community organizers in water harvesting systems design and construction.  The goal of the program is to provide the highest quality training in the nation to effectively transfer water harvesting skills and knowledge to new communities. Applications are due December 18. To download the full program announcement, click here.  For an application, click here.

USGBC Branch Meeting

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 5:30 - 10 PMFor more information contact: Nancy Schneider 520.954.5704 southernprograms*at*usgbcaz*dot*org or click here

Mercado San Agustín, 100 S Avenida del Convento, Tucson, AZ

Celebrate USGBC Arizona Chapter's Amazing 2009! Recuperate from and reminisce about Greenbuild 2009. Learn about the State of the Chapter and Southern Branch. Vote on minor changes to the Chapter and Branches' Bylaws. Welcome the incoming executive leadership of the Chapter and all four Branches. Enjoy an evening of revelry indoors or under the night sky!

Organic Garden Festival

March 7, 2010, 10:30 AM - 3:30 PMAt the Garden - St. Marks Presbyterian Church, 3809 E 3rd St. The garden is actually on 2nd St. so park in the lot off 2nd. Each spring Tucson Organic Gardeners hold an organic garden festival. In addition to their plant and bake sale, there will be educational presentations, a variety of earth friendly vendors, food, raffles and live local music.

Rainwater Harvesting Demonstration Site Tour

Thursday, December 10, 8 – 9 AMThe Nature Conservancy, 1510 E Fort Lowell Rd., Tucson AZ 85719 This docent-led tour is to promote and showcase appropriate rainwater harvesting techniques for residential and commercial properties, in order to make beneficial use of rainwater run-off and reduce soil erosion. Demonstration illustrates the beneficial effects of designing with nature. Cost to attend: Free. Please contact 520-622-3861 or dboone*at*tnc*dot*org for more information.

Green Streets Block Party

Join Watershed Management Group for an evening fundraiser that will include live music from Spirit Familia and catered dinner featuring local, organic ingredients.  The event will begin with tours of WMG’s award winning work to green neighborhood streets in the Rincon Heights Neighborhood. We'll be closing off two street blocks around the Feld Davis park (8th St. & Martin) in the Rincon Heights neighborhood for this festive party!

Event tickets are available at a price of $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 7 to 14, and children 6 and under for free.

You may purchase tickets online at watershedmg.org/earthmonth, or by sending a check made out to Watershed Management Group, PO Box 65953, Tucson AZ 85728.  Please indicate how many will be attending with your check or purchase online.  Tickets must be purchased in advance!  For more information, contact Lisa Shipek at lisa@watershedmg.org or by calling 520-396-3266.

When: April 10^th from 4pm to 7pm

Sustainable Tucson General Meeting

Sustainable Tucson General MeetingJanuary 11, 2010, 5:45 - 8 PM

The January General Meeting of Sustainable Tucson will feature the premiere showing In Transition, a 50 minute-long documentary about change and hope. It shows a practical vision for creating a post-consumer society, where ordinary people make a difference. Those attending will be asked to participate in a related program before and following the showing of the film to set the themes and direction of Sustainable Tucson for local activities in 2010. The public is welcome.