The trend towards driving electric cars is upwards, and has been for years. Now, it seems the marketplace is shifting from “start-up” status to “primary” status with more and more manufacturers creating e-car models. Everyone I know who’s already bought one is truly happy they did so. Without an engine, spark plugs, muffler, etc. the annual maintenance costs are far less. Now, there’s a sales strategy that brings initial prices way down.
Forgetting about political trends, once solar power became cheaper than coal – which has historically been the lowest cost form of power – the employment trends were established. The solar power industry already employs more than the coal industry, and the gap will continue to grow. The trend is also helpful for the environment, and healthful for our lungs. From a pure economic perspective, latching onto a growth industry, rather than trying to prop up a declining industry, also makes the most sense.… Keep reading
Here’s an unusual article coming from a main-line media source, AP and ABC news. It details what we’ve already found and are living with on a day-to-day basis.
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DETROIT — Oct 28, 2014, 5:30 PM ET
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Auto Writer
Owners of electric vehicles have already gone gas-free. Now, a growing number are powering their cars with sunlight.
Solar panels installed on the roof of a home or garage can easily generate enough electricity to power an electric or plug-in gas-electric hybrid vehicle.… Keep reading
Here are two articles about the shift that’s already happening in two states – both oriented toward providing 100% clean, renewable energy.
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Originally published on SEFAIRA.
By Carl Sterner
California’s recent revisions to Title 24 put in place ambitious performance goals: all residential buildings must be Zero Net Energy (ZNE) by 2020, and all commercial buildings must follow suit by 2030. The code also applies to retrofit projects that pass certain thresholds.… Keep reading
Here’s some positive news that verifies the growing trend towards localized power. After WWII, the world built large regional coal or nuclear powered electrical generation plants. Besides their needs for maintenance, the trend for decades has been towards smaller, decentralized power plants, many fueled by natural gas. Just extend the trend a bit further and you have a completely decentralized PV power system – right on our rooftops. It’s now also become less expensive!
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Barely three years ago, the Obama administration launched the SunShot Initiative, an ambitious effort to transform solar power from an exotic, expensive form of energy into a mainstream fuel that can compete on price with petroleum, coal, and natural gas.… Keep reading
