----- Original Message -----

From: Kim & Garth Travis

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 5:17 PM

Subject: Re: [hreg] solar air conditioning

1. I have looked into to it very carefully.  Our land, 4 feet down is 65F even
   in the summer, which one could use for hydronic cooling, provided you have
   a way of getting rid of the heat that goes back into the land. (Using plants (preferably plants that provide edible products) overhead the piping could provide transpirational cooling and shading for the ground below)  I do use
   this on a small scale, running pipes under garden beds that circulate in
   the floor.  However, this is a system that does rely heavily on moving
   parts, which means that service and replacement are a constant.
   
   I have yet to talk to anyone who has put in the geothermal tubes
   underground (they must be circulating air though these into the house) that has not wound up with a major mold and mildew
   problem.  Granted I have only talked to 6 people who have the system, and
   at first they thought it was great, but by the time the system was 5 years
   old, they had problems developing.  Since my hubby is very allergic to both
   mold and mildew, I decided that does not sound like a great idea.
   
   I am toying with the idea of a modified Canadian AC.  The term 'Canadian
   AC' comes from the summer of 1980, when Edmonton Alberta Canada had a heat
   wave.  Large blocks of ice were put in front of fans, everywhere including
   shopping malls to cool.  I have been looking at the icy balls from the
   1930s and their modern update, using a funnel solar cooker perhaps as the
   heat source with a fan to circulate the cool.  For information on icy balls
   see http://www.ggw.org/~cac/IcyBall/crosley_icyball.html
   or the modern version
   http://www.homepower.com/files/solarice.pdf
   
   While this is not luxury cooling by thermostat, to many of the seniors that
   are living in hot homes, this could be a life saver, literally.  Also, many
   young families out here in the boondocks have no AC.  I got interested in
   this while looking for a cooling system for a root cellar and so for the
   more affluent, it still has merit especially if one likes to brew their own
   beer or wine.  (Any system that adds water vapour to the air will only promote mold growth in our climate. That's why "swamp" coolers don't work here except for greenhouse where the growth of mold is not a concern.)
   
   If someone has better ideas, I would love to hear them.
   
   Bright Blessings,
   Kim
   
   
   At 04:57 PM 9/15/2004, you wrote:
   >Out of curiousity: have you looked at geothermal cooling? I know there are
   >some specific costs there that are hard to get around (the digging, mainly),
   >but it seems like geothermal would be a lot simpler than solar.
   >
   >4:37pm, Kim & Garth Travis wrote:
   >
   > > I am finding that this is a real problem with many things, such as jet
   > > septic systems, they are designed to break.  Thank you for posting your
   > > evaluation of his system.
   > >
   > > I was hoping to start a dialogue on the systems themselves, not where to
   > > buy a ready made one.  Ready made is too expensive for most people, and I
   > > am hoping to be able to put something together to help some of the seniors
   > > here where I live.  Many of the seniors barely keep their place at 80F
   > > since they can't afford the electric bill.  We do not have any code issues
   > > on anything in my part of the world.  I would like a system for myself, as
   > > well.  I have figured out how to get off grid and be sustainable with one
   > > problem, the AC.  A standard AC system really hurts on the electric
   > > consumption and there really does have to be a better way to do this.
   > >
   > > Bright Blessings,
   > > Kim
   > >
   > > At 04:23 PM 9/15/2004, you wrote:
   > > >I know Larry Bowers personally and professionally.  Larry is a good man, a
   > > >wizened mechanical engineer and he has been trying to retire for the last
   > > >two years.
   > > >
   > > >I am not that impressed with his design for water heating or for space
   > > >heating/cooling using solar.  Larry's systems are designed to require
   > > >periodic maintenance and he uses materials that do not hold up.  His
   > > >products are made this way in order to guarantee follow up and service
   > > >business on his systems.  It is a solid marketing strategy but not a
   > > >sustainable product.
   > > >
   > > >I have already made one offer on the purchase of Larry's business and I
   > > >hope we can consumate a deal in the near future.
   > > >
   > > >Our new address is:
   > > >SBT Designs
   > > >25581 IH-10 West
   > > >San Antonio, Texas 78257
   > > >210-698-7109
   > > >FAX: 210-698-7147
   > > ><http://www.sbtdesigns.com>www.sbtdesigns.com
   > > >----- Original Message -----
   > > >From: <mailto:Tarzane@...>Tarzane@...
   > > >To: <mailto:hreg@yahoogroups.com>hreg@yahoogroups.com
   > > >Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 11:12 AM
   > > >Subject: Re: [hreg] solar air conditioning
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >Re: Posting about Solar AC by Kim:
   > > >
   > > >In a message dated 9/15/2004 10:34:42 AM Central Daylight Time,
   > > ><mailto:gartht@...>gartht@... writes:
   > > ><http://www.eduvinet.de/servitec/henninge.pdf>http://www.eduvinet.de/se
   > rvitec/henninge.pdf
   > > >
   > > >Dear Kim,
   > > >
   > > >     Thank you for the info on Solar AC.  Some years ago I heard a talk
   > > > about Solar AC being developed in San Antonio.  I believe the company was
   > > > Sun Energy Systems.  Their President at the time was Larry Bowers.  I
   > > > couldn't find a website for them but they do have a publicly listed
   > > > number in San Antonio.  Bob Zane, Austin
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
   > > >ADVERTISEMENT
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >----------
   > > >Yahoo! Groups Links
   > > >    * To visit your group on the web, go to:
   > > >    *
   > > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/
   > > >    *
   > > >    * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   > > >    *
   > > >
   > <mailto:hreg-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com?subject=Unsubscribe>hreg-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
   > > >
   > > >    *
   > > >    * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
   > > > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.
   > > >
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > > Yahoo! Groups Links
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > >
   > >
   >
   >------------The UNIX Guru's View of Sex-----------
   ># unzip ; strip ; touch ; finger ; mount ; fsck ;\
   > > more ; yes ; umount ; sleep
   >--------------------------------------------------
   >
   >
   >
   >
   >Yahoo! Groups Links
   >
   >
   >
   >
   
   
   

Greetings Lavern,
Please see inserted comments.

At 09:52 PM 9/15/2004, you wrote:
>Kim:
>
>Hydronic cooling and geothermal cooling are entirely two different types
>of systems.  One system ( a hydronic type) I don't recommend, exposes cold
>piping (in summer, hot in winter) in a trough high along the walls inside
>your house to convective air streams.  They of course can have terrible
>mold problems in humid climates because of their constant sweating during
>the cooling season.  There are other types of hydronic systems, but the
>one I described above probably is a type that you are receiving mold
>problems about.
>
Actually, I use a hydronic system and no, I have no mold problems with
it.  The real trick to this system is to not have too much differential
between ambient and cooling temperature.  Also to have a trough that can be
easily cleaned.  The main value of this system is to prevent heat build up
in your solar mass in the home.  While the solar mass is great in the
winter, I don't want it to hold heat in the summer, so hydronics do work
very well as part of the passive solar.

>Except it could be that the geothermal tube system that people are
>describing are some of the "Cool Tube" systems that used buried large
>diameter tubes through which they would circulate air to pick up cooling
>from ground tube connection with the cooler earth.  Please don't attempt
>this here.  It is only applicable. at best, in very dry climates as it
>sets up conditions here that are excellent for the growth of the
>Legionnaire's disease bacteria.
>
Yes, this is the type of install that I had heard of having real problems.
snip
  >Anyway, the reason for relating this short story is to help keep people
from making the same mistakes >other before them have made, i.e.,
reinventing the wheel.  There are people like myself out there with a >vast
storehouse of experience and knowledge that is readily available to those
who need and what it >for a reasonable hourly fee.  Unless the time expense
involved in doing in-depth research and the >financial expense of going
down blind alleys is a source of immense enjoyment, people like myself >can
be of real benefit to people like you.  If only to eliminate some of the
confusion that comes with >exploring unfamiliar territory so that you can
focus on what can really benefit you and the other >important matters in life.
>
The problem is what you consider a reasonable fee and what someone who's
entire income is $500/month consider reasonable.  Do you have the
information on how to build the system or does it require hiring
someone?  I am looking for low tech systems that can be owner built, since
everything else is too much money for the people who need it.  I do believe
that the important matters in life are helping our elderly live a better
life, I hate it when I see them having to choose between being cool and eating.

Bright Blessings,
Kim

>Hope this helps.
>
>LaVerne A. Williams, AIA, LEED AP
>architect & building ecologist
><mailto:laverne@...>laverne@...
>ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATES, Architects & Consultants
>5828 Langfield Road
>Houston, TX 77092-1429
>713.528.0000
>866.815.2527 toll free
><http://www.environmentassoc.com>www.environmentassoc.com
>Leadership in Healthy, High Performance Homes / Green Architecture since 1975

There is a solar refrigeration/AC group on Yahoo groups. I have not
participated but I know it exists.

Mike


Being Christian is not going from bad to good, but from death to life.



-----Original Message-----
From: Kim & Garth Travis [mailto:gartht@...]
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 6:36 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] solar air conditioning



Greetings Lavern,
Please see inserted comments.

At 09:52 PM 9/15/2004, you wrote:
>Kim:
>
>Hydronic cooling and geothermal cooling are entirely two different types
>of systems.  One system ( a hydronic type) I don't recommend, exposes cold
>piping (in summer, hot in winter) in a trough high along the walls inside
>your house to convective air streams.  They of course can have terrible
>mold problems in humid climates because of their constant sweating during
>the cooling season.  There are other types of hydronic systems, but the
>one I described above probably is a type that you are receiving mold
>problems about.
>
Actually, I use a hydronic system and no, I have no mold problems with
it.  The real trick to this system is to not have too much differential
between ambient and cooling temperature.  Also to have a trough that can be
easily cleaned.  The main value of this system is to prevent heat build up
in your solar mass in the home.  While the solar mass is great in the
winter, I don't want it to hold heat in the summer, so hydronics do work
very well as part of the passive solar.

>Except it could be that the geothermal tube system that people are
>describing are some of the "Cool Tube" systems that used buried large
>diameter tubes through which they would circulate air to pick up cooling
>from ground tube connection with the cooler earth.  Please don't attempt
>this here.  It is only applicable. at best, in very dry climates as it
>sets up conditions here that are excellent for the growth of the
>Legionnaire's disease bacteria.
>
Yes, this is the type of install that I had heard of having real problems.
snip
  >Anyway, the reason for relating this short story is to help keep people
from making the same mistakes >other before them have made, i.e.,
reinventing the wheel.  There are people like myself out there with a >vast
storehouse of experience and knowledge that is readily available to those
who need and what it >for a reasonable hourly fee.  Unless the time expense
involved in doing in-depth research and the >financial expense of going
down blind alleys is a source of immense enjoyment, people like myself >can
be of real benefit to people like you.  If only to eliminate some of the
confusion that comes with >exploring unfamiliar territory so that you can
focus on what can really benefit you and the other >important matters in
life.
>
The problem is what you consider a reasonable fee and what someone who's
entire income is $500/month consider reasonable.  Do you have the
information on how to build the system or does it require hiring
someone?  I am looking for low tech systems that can be owner built, since
everything else is too much money for the people who need it.  I do believe
that the important matters in life are helping our elderly live a better
life, I hate it when I see them having to choose between being cool and
eating.

Bright Blessings,
Kim

>Hope this helps.
>
>LaVerne A. Williams, AIA, LEED AP
>architect & building ecologist
><mailto:laverne@...>laverne@...
>ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATES, Architects & Consultants
>5828 Langfield Road
>Houston, TX 77092-1429
>713.528.0000
>866.815.2527 toll free
><http://www.environmentassoc.com>www.environmentassoc.com
>Leadership in Healthy, High Performance Homes / Green Architecture since
1975





Yahoo! Groups Links

-----Original Message-----
From: jclem412@... [mailto:jclem412@...]
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 9:07 PM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [hreg] Amer. Bar Assoc. launches RE info share

The American Bar Association
Launches Monthly Teleconferences on Renewable Energy

The Renewable Energy Resources Committee of the American Bar
Association's SEER Section is launching a series of multi-site
seminars/teleconferences, intended to be of interest to those involved
in any aspect of law, policy, business or financing in the renewable
energy field. The sessions, which will be held simultaneously in cities
around the country including New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Denver, Houston,
Portland, Tallahassee, and Atlanta, will provide information about
developments in renewable energy and will offer opportunities to network
and discuss the subject matter with renewable energy lawyers, policy
makers and business experts. Those unable to attend a seminar in person
will be able to call into the teleconference. Knowledge of the legal
framework is essential to understanding the opportunities and obstacles
presented by national and state laws, regulations and executive orders
as they evolve to address this emerging energy market segment. These
seminars will enable all those essential to the development of this
market to hear about important legal considerations, which can often
dictate the feasibility of renewable energy projects.


You are invited to join the first Multi-site Brown/bag Teleconference
On Wednesday, September 15, 2004 on:


California's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard ("RPS") Initiatives,
and the Development of the Western Renewable Generation Information
System ("WREGIS")

Learn about:

*        major new implementation decisions and strategies with respect
to California's Renewable Portfolio Standard, which calls for 20%
renewable by 2010
*       the development and new implementation steps of the voluntary
renewable energy generation data base and a registry for Renewable
Energy Credits ( REC's) within the Western Interconnection, which covers
11 Western states developed by  WREGIS, a joint effort by the California
Energy Commission, the Western Governors Association and the Western
Regional Air Partnership. Such tracking systems are essential to support
the growth of robust renewable markets, verification of compliance with
policy mandates and consumer protection in voluntary green power
markets.

Speakers:

Commissioner John Geesman, California Energy Commission, a leading
proponent of renewable energy in California and plays a central role in
the formation of renewable energy portfolio policies and procedures.

Jeff Burks, Energy Policy Coordinator for the Utah Energy Office, and
State Lead for the Western Governor's Association WREGIS Project

Moderated by Carol Smoots, Thelen Reid & Priest, LLP and Monica Schwebs,
California Energy Commission

The Program will be offered:

*       LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO AT THELEN RIED & PRIEST LLP From 12-2 p.m.
Pacific Time

*      BY VIDEO CONFERENCE AT THE OFFICES OF THELEN RIED & PRIEST LLP IN
WASHINGTON D.C., LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, AND SAN JOSE from 12-2 p.m.
Pacific Time. In New York we will be joined for comment by former
Administrative Judge Eleanor Stein , who rendered the recommended
decision on the New York RPS to the NY Public Service Commisssion,  Kit
Kennedy from Natural Resources Defense Council and Rich Miller from Con
Edison, all of whom were integrally involved in the development of the
New York RPS.

*        BY TELEPHONE HOOKUP AT HOST FIRM SEMINAR LOCATIONS IN HOUSTON,
ATLANTA, CHICAGO, PORTLAND OR., DENVER, PHILADELPHIA , BOSTON AND
TALLAHASSEE from 12-2 Pacific Time

*        By CALLING INTO THE TELECONFERENCE FROM YOUR DESK FROM
12:30-1:30 p.m. Pacific Time

REGISTRATION

For information on how to register log onto
http://www.abanet.org/environ/committees/renewableenergy/home.html


Hold these dates:

October 20, 2004:  "On-site  Generation -- Opportunities and Obstacles
for Solar, Cogeneration, and Wind"  Seminar 12-2 PM Eastern Time;
Teleconference 12:30-1:30 PM Eastern Time. An expert panel will provide
an overview of the regulatory structure governing on site power
generation, of the various state and federal efforts to standardize
interconnection with the power grid, and of issues relating to standby
charges and net metering. The program will include a case study of the
wind turbine planned for installation at the top of the Freedom Tower at
the World Trade Center site. To register log onto
http://store.mountainmedia.com/ceepinc/calendar.cfm?do=detail&d=3191&c=4943&
p=24786


November 18, 2004:  "Renewable Energy Credits" Seminar 12-2 PM Eastern
Time; Teleconference 12:00-1:30 PM Eastern Time will cover the current
status of RECs in the various states, legal ownership of RECs where
existing long term Power Purchase Agreements are silent, moving the REC
from contract right to commodity, and a look to the future.

December 15, 2004:  "Federal and State Tax and Other Incentives to
Promote Renewables" Seminar 12-2 PM Eastern Time; Teleconference
12:30-1:30 PM Eastern Time, will address the role of Federal and State
tax incentives in driving renewables energy financing,  policy questions
as to state and federal involvement, and workable precedents for
strengthening market incentives.

Other programs will follow monthly

The seminar/teleconference series is being organized by Committee
Vice-Chairs Edna Sussman of the law firm of Hoguet Newman & Regal LLP
and Robert S. Faron, Esq. for the ABA Renewable Energy Committee chaired
by Roger Feldman of the law firm of Bingham McCutchen, LLP. For more
information about later programs: e-mail esussman@...

- Edna R. Sussman
HOGUET NEWMAN & REGAL, LLP
10 East 40th Street
New York, NY 10016

tel. 212-689-8808
fax 212-689-5101

Thanks Mike, I will check it out.
Bright Blessings,
Kim

At 07:38 AM 9/16/2004, you wrote:
>There is a solar refrigeration/AC group on Yahoo groups. I have not
>participated but I know it exists.
>
>Mike
>
>
>Being Christian is not going from bad to good, but from death to life.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kim & Garth Travis [mailto:gartht@...]
>Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 6:36 AM
>To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [hreg] solar air conditioning
>
>
>
>Greetings Lavern,
>Please see inserted comments.
>
>At 09:52 PM 9/15/2004, you wrote:
> >Kim:
> >
> >Hydronic cooling and geothermal cooling are entirely two different types
> >of systems.  One system ( a hydronic type) I don't recommend, exposes cold
> >piping (in summer, hot in winter) in a trough high along the walls inside
> >your house to convective air streams.  They of course can have terrible
> >mold problems in humid climates because of their constant sweating during
> >the cooling season.  There are other types of hydronic systems, but the
> >one I described above probably is a type that you are receiving mold
> >problems about.
> >
>Actually, I use a hydronic system and no, I have no mold problems with
>it.  The real trick to this system is to not have too much differential
>between ambient and cooling temperature.  Also to have a trough that can be
>easily cleaned.  The main value of this system is to prevent heat build up
>in your solar mass in the home.  While the solar mass is great in the
>winter, I don't want it to hold heat in the summer, so hydronics do work
>very well as part of the passive solar.
>
> >Except it could be that the geothermal tube system that people are
> >describing are some of the "Cool Tube" systems that used buried large
> >diameter tubes through which they would circulate air to pick up cooling
> >from ground tube connection with the cooler earth.  Please don't attempt
> >this here.  It is only applicable. at best, in very dry climates as it
> >sets up conditions here that are excellent for the growth of the
> >Legionnaire's disease bacteria.
> >
>Yes, this is the type of install that I had heard of having real problems.
>snip
>  >Anyway, the reason for relating this short story is to help keep people
>from making the same mistakes >other before them have made, i.e.,
>reinventing the wheel.  There are people like myself out there with a >vast
>storehouse of experience and knowledge that is readily available to those
>who need and what it >for a reasonable hourly fee.  Unless the time expense
>involved in doing in-depth research and the >financial expense of going
>down blind alleys is a source of immense enjoyment, people like myself >can
>be of real benefit to people like you.  If only to eliminate some of the
>confusion that comes with >exploring unfamiliar territory so that you can
>focus on what can really benefit you and the other >important matters in
>life.
> >
>The problem is what you consider a reasonable fee and what someone who's
>entire income is $500/month consider reasonable.  Do you have the
>information on how to build the system or does it require hiring
>someone?  I am looking for low tech systems that can be owner built, since
>everything else is too much money for the people who need it.  I do believe
>that the important matters in life are helping our elderly live a better
>life, I hate it when I see them having to choose between being cool and
>eating.
>
>Bright Blessings,
>Kim
>
> >Hope this helps.
> >
> >LaVerne A. Williams, AIA, LEED AP
> >architect & building ecologist
> ><mailto:laverne@...>laverne@...
> >ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATES, Architects & Consultants
> >5828 Langfield Road
> >Houston, TX 77092-1429
> >713.528.0000
> >866.815.2527 toll free
> ><http://www.environmentassoc.com>www.environmentassoc.com
> >Leadership in Healthy, High Performance Homes / Green Architecture since
>1975
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about
installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments.
Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal
govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?



_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

Welcome aboard,

This would be your best resource for reviewing incentives in and around
Texas:


http://www.dsireusa.org/


Andrew H. McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704

(512) 448-0055
(512) 448-0045
www.meridiansolar.com



-----Original Message-----
From: burner_22 [mailto:burner_22@...]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 7:45 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about
installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local
governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the
Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?



_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com




Yahoo! Groups Links

Being Christian is not going from bad to good, but from death to life.

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 11:51 AM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Welcome aboard,

This would be your best resource for reviewing incentives in and around
Texas:


http://www.dsireusa.org/


Andrew H. McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704

(512) 448-0055
(512) 448-0045
www.meridiansolar.com



-----Original Message-----
From: burner_22 [mailto:burner_22@...]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 7:45 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about
installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local
governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the
Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com




Yahoo! Groups Links







[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: Kim & Garth Travis

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:27 AM

Subject: [hreg] solar air conditioning

http://www.eduvinet.de/servitec/henninge.pdf

Greetings,

While I know that many people on this list have to deal with homeowner's
associations on top of building codes, some of us have no rules on what we
do.  All of us face the same problem, AC is the major energy expense.  If
those of us who have no rules can make solar AC work, then maybe we can
figure out how to make it acceptable to the regulation boards for those who
are restricted.

I have found the above web site, but it was published in 2000.  I talks
about further research, but I have not yet found it.  Does anyone else have
any good information on this topic?

I am also looking at icy balls for refrigeration and ammonia/salt solar
systems for cooling.

Bright Blessings,
Kim


[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

I hear that Major White is concerned about the environment  - so perhaps
there is hope yet?

Or perhaps next time there is an election we can have a who-is-for
renewable energy publized on our site?

Roxanne Boyer wrote:

> It looks like the only incentives for the Houston area are that the
> value of the renewable system in not included in the Property tax
> appraisal.
>
>
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Andrew McCalla <mailto:andrew@...>
>     *To:* hreg@yahoogroups.com <mailto:hreg@yahoogroups.com>
>     *Sent:* Friday, September 17, 2004 11:51 AM
>     *Subject:* RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx
>
>     Welcome aboard,
>
>     This would be your best resource for reviewing incentives in and
>     around
>     Texas:
>
>
>     http://www.dsireusa.org/
>
>
>     Andrew H. McCalla
>     Meridian Energy Systems
>     2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
>     Austin, TX  78704
>
>     (512) 448-0055
>     (512) 448-0045
>     www.meridiansolar.com <http://www.meridiansolar.com>
>
>
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     From: burner_22 [mailto:burner_22@...]
>     Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 7:45 AM
>     To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
>     Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx
>
>     Howdy Folks,
>
>     I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been
>     thinking about
>     installing a 5Kw PV
>     cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local
>     governments. Unfortunelty I can
>     not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the
>     Federal govt. have any
>     grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?
>
>
>
>     _______________________________
>     Do you Yahoo!?
>     Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
>     http://vote.yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
>     Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>     [Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]
>
>
> *Yahoo! Groups Sponsor*
> ADVERTISEMENT
> click here
>
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hoo.com>
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>       Service <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>.
>
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 4:19 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Bashir,

 

 

Good to hear from you………..weren’t you going to send the group a link to your website?

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Bashir Syed [mailto:bsyed@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 12:00 PM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Mohammad Mukhtar
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Chris:

If you need any help we are here to help people. Currently, we are engaged in three international projects abroad, where we have better success as Consultants rather than locally.

 

Bashir A. Syed

VicePresident, R&D

(Member: APS, IEEE, ASES, HREG and More)

EnerTech Enterprises, Inc.

(A Renewable Energy Consulting Company)

1120 NASA Road One, Suite 220

Houston, TX 77058

Business: 281-333-9889/Direct: 281-286-3726

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

 

 

Being Christian is not going from bad to good, but from death to life.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew McCalla [mailto:andrew@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:08 PM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Roxanne,

 

Indeed, that’s about it.  Damning with faint praise at best.

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 9:51 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

It looks like the only incentives for the Houston area are that the value of the renewable system in not included in the Property tax appraisal.

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 11:51 AM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Welcome aboard,

This would be your best resource for reviewing incentives in and around
Texas:


http://www.dsireusa.org/


Andrew H. McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704

(512) 448-0055
(512) 448-0045
www.meridiansolar.com



-----Original Message-----
From: burner_22 [mailto:burner_22@...]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 7:45 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about
installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local
governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the
Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com




Yahoo! Groups Links







[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: Mike Ewert

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 4:01 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

I think there is some federal income tax credit, or more likely deduction, but I don't know the details.

 

 

Being Christian is not going from bad to good, but from death to life.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew McCalla [mailto:andrew@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:08 PM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Roxanne,

 

Indeed, that’s about it.  Damning with faint praise at best.

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 9:51 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

It looks like the only incentives for the Houston area are that the value of the renewable system in not included in the Property tax appraisal.

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 11:51 AM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Welcome aboard,

This would be your best resource for reviewing incentives in and around
Texas:


http://www.dsireusa.org/


Andrew H. McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704

(512) 448-0055
(512) 448-0045
www.meridiansolar.com



-----Original Message-----
From: burner_22 [mailto:burner_22@...]
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 7:45 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about
installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local
governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the
Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com




Yahoo! Groups Links







[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

I believe the "at the mercy" comment mostly indicated a desire to
understand more about PVs so as not to feel helpless and totally
dependent upon others.

I agree with Andrew's recommendation of the SEI PV course.  It
should give you a comfortable knowledge of PVs, and perhaps even a
greater appreciation of a vendor's possible assistance.

You do not have to choose between 100% vendor and 100% Do It
Yourself.  I'm sure that most vendors are happier with educated
customers and those that are more interested in involvement.

I believe that www.homepower.com still offers free pdf downloads of
their latest issue, and I urge you to subscribe and consume.

I live in Houston, have PVs on my home, and will be glad to have
discussions with anyone seriously interested in installing PVs or
who have an existing system.  And Andrew, when you're in town with
extra time, let's have lunch.

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

----- Original Message -----

From: Roxanne Boyer

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 9:51 AM

Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

I greatly appreciate the vendors who have advised us on this group.  Installing a PV system involves a rather large cost, and so I want to know more about what I am doing.  I believe the vendors can design and install excellent systems, but that is only part of the work - interconnection with the grid and building permits are the other part.  I also want to shop around and get other people's opinions about the best vendors to use.

 

It left a negative impression on me when I called Southwest PV last year and asked what I needed to do to put PV on my house.  The salesman replied, "just buy our system".  I asked about interconnection with the utility and building permits, and he replied that he was not aware that I would need to do anything.  I know now that I would have gotten into a lot of trouble if I took his advice.

 

Would someone who is knowledgeable and experienced with interconnection and permitting like to make a presentation during an HREG meeting?  I think it would make a good topic.

 

Thanks,

Chris

 

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

[Scanned by AwesomeNet Anti-Virus]

From: Roxanne Boyer

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 9:51 AM

Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

I greatly appreciate the vendors who have advised us on this group.  Installing a PV system involves a rather large cost, and so I want to know more about what I am doing.  I believe the vendors can design and install excellent systems, but that is only part of the work - interconnection with the grid and building permits are the other part.  I also want to shop around and get other people's opinions about the best vendors to use.

 

It left a negative impression on me when I called Southwest PV last year and asked what I needed to do to put PV on my house.  The salesman replied, "just buy our system".  I asked about interconnection with the utility and building permits, and he replied that he was not aware that I would need to do anything.  I know now that I would have gotten into a lot of trouble if I took his advice.

 

Would someone who is knowledgeable and experienced with interconnection and permitting like to make a presentation during an HREG meeting?  I think it would make a good topic.

 

Thanks,

Chris

 

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Andrew McCalla

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 3:41 PM

Subject: RE: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

Chris,

 

I take umbrage with your comment regarding photovoltaic vendors.  You seemed to imply that the involvement of a pv vendor in your project would provide an inherently negative impact.  I believe you are muddling the concepts of price vs. cost.

 

To be clear, there are a lot of people in the group who would like to put pv on their homes, some of whom actually have done so, and some of whom we have helped to do so.  Our function as vendors is not simply to provide equipment and labor at exorbitant mark-ups, and many of us, though not all, are committed to this industry as advocates of the technology.

 

Whether you ultimately tackle a project, either by yourself or at the mercy of a vendor, I would strongly encourage you to review several sources currently available to you.  If you can’t swing the commitment of enrolling with the premier hands-on photovoltaic educational experience that Solar Energy International provides

( www.solarenergy.com ),   then a subscription to Home Power Magazine ( www.homepower.com ) and a thorough and consistent review of the Wrenches List (http://lists.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches) will almost certainly insure that you don’t get taken.  If you still have questions, I would suggest you call a local vendor.  My bet is that you would find them very helpful.

 

Lastly, if you are looking for cheap prices, don’t bother with bulk purchase fantasies.  The web is plastered with all manner of low-service, low-margin discount shops that will be glad to drop-ship you whatever components you think you need. 

 

 

Andrew H. McCalla

Meridian Energy Systems

2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107

Austin, TX  78704

 

(512) 448-0055

(512) 448-0045

www.meridiansolar.com

 

---

From: Roxanne Boyer [mailto:rox1@...]
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 10:31 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

I want to install a PV system on my house too, however, I hesitate to tackle the project alone or at the mercy of a vendor.  Is there anyone else in this group that would like to put PV on their home.  Maybe we can get together and share what we learn, buy stuff in bulk so as to get a discount, or even share work on the installation. 

-Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: burner_22

To: hreg@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 9:44 AM

Subject: [hreg] Solar Power incentives in Houston, Tx

 

Howdy Folks,

I just joined this group a couple of days ago. I have been thinking about installing a 5Kw PV
cells in my home and have been looking at the incetives from local governments. Unfortunelty I can
not find any, does anyone know if Houston, the state of Texas, or the Federal govt. have any
grants iniciatives, rebates if i do decide to install a PV system?


           
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A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
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September 22, 2004




News and Events

     * USDA Awards $22.8 Million for Renewable and Efficiency Projects
     * San Francisco to Include Efficiency and Solar Power in 1,600 Homes
     * New Jersey Proposes New Rules for Renewable Energy Systems
     * Canadian Solar Car Achieves World-Record Distance
     * Honda Delays Release of Accord Hybrid Until December
     * Energy Efficiency Yields Big Savings for Mississippi Schools


Site News

     * KidWind Project Explores the Science Behind Wind Power


Energy Connections

     * Study Finds Vulnerabilities in the U.S. Power Grid
[]

[]



News and Events




USDA Awards $22.8 Million for Renewable and Efficiency Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week that it has
selected 167 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to receive a
total of $22.8 million in competitive grants. Rural small businesses,
farmers, and ranchers will use the funds to build renewable energy systems
and install energy efficiency improvements. Of the 94 renewable energy
projects, most are either wind turbines or anaerobic digesters that convert
farm wastes into energy, although a handful of projects involve solar
power, geothermal energy, and biodiesel fuels. Most of the 73 energy
efficiency grants will go towards upgrading buildings used by agricultural
producers. See the <http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0386.04.html>USDA press
release and the
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/2004/EnergyLists0904.html>full list
of grant recipients.

The USDA's Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements
program was created as part of the 2002 Farm Bill to assist farmers,
ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems
and making energy efficiency improvements to their operations. See the
<http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/farmbill/9006resources.html>program Web site.


San Francisco to Include Efficiency and Solar Power in 1,600 Homes

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has approved an
agreement with Lennar/BVHP to include energy efficiency measures and solar
electric systems in the construction of 1,600 residential housing units.
Lennar is the primary developer selected by the city for the redevelopment
of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, which is being transferred to the City
and County of San Francisco. The new homes will be built on a 78-acre plot
that was the first parcel of land transferred to the city. The agreement
between the city and Lennar specifies a variety of energy efficiency
measures­including improved wall and attic insulation, combined water and
space heating, better windows, and highly efficient appliances­as well as
rooftop solar electric power systems. See the
<http://sfwater.org/detail.cfm/MC_ID/7/MSC_ID/64/MTO_ID/139/C_ID/2036>SFPUC
announcement.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is also encouraging the construction
of energy-efficient solar homes. The CEC issued a request for proposals
last week that aims to support research and development to encourage market
adoption of so-called "zero-energy homes"­homes that generate as much
energy as they use over the course of a year. The CEC intends to provide up
to $10 million to develop zero-energy homes that integrate the best
available energy efficiency measures and solar power designs with effective
business models to reduce the cost of the homes. Proposals are due by
November 8th. See the
<http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/2004-09-13_500-04-501.html>CEC
announcement and the <http://www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/#pier_zenh>request
for proposals.


New Jersey Proposes New Rules for Renewable Energy Systems

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved amendments last
week to its rules for connecting renewable energy systems to the electrical
grid and selling the power back to the electric utility. The proposed rules
expand the types of eligible systems to include renewable-fuel-powered fuel
cells, landfill-gas systems, power from sustainable biomass sources, and
geothermal, wave, and tidal energy systems, in addition to wind and solar
systems, which were previously included. The rules also boost the maximum
system size to 2 megawatts, up from 100 kilowatts. Three levels of
interconnection requirements start with simple, streamlined requirements
for small systems and ratchet up to more complicated requirements for the
larger, more expensive systems. The changes are consistent with model
procedures and agreements developed by the National Association of
Regulatory Utility Commissioners. See the
<http://www.bpu.state.nj.us/home/news.shtml?60-04>BPU press release.


Canadian Solar Car Achieves World-Record Distance

[]


[]

Photo of the solar car breaking through ribbons with a crowd in


The Midnight Sun solar car crosses the finish line after its
record-breaking trip.
Credit: Midnight Sun Solar Car Team, University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo's Midnight Sun Solar VII solar car broke the
unofficial distance record for a solar car tour last week. The previous
unofficial record of 8,111 miles was set in 2002 during a circumnavigation
of Australia. The Midnight Sun team's new record of 9,370 miles is subject
to ratification by the International Solar Car Federation and Guinness
World Records. See the
<http://newsrelease.uwaterloo.ca/news.php?id=4141>University of Waterloo
press release.

The Midnight Sun team completed its North American Tour on September 16th
after driving across Canada and through the United States for 40 days,
relying heavily on the kindness of strangers. Find out all about the team's
experiences along the way­including the challenges of incoming hurricanes,
overcast skies, overeager highway patrolmen, and errant dogs and cats­in
the <http://www.midsun.uwaterloo.ca/tour/tour_news/archive/>Tour News Archive.


Honda Delays Release of Accord Hybrid Until December

[]


[]

Photo of the Accord Hybrid engine&mdasha large black box&mdash


A peek under the hood of the new Honda Accord Hybrid.
Credit: Honda

American Honda announced last week that its Accord Hybrid will not go on
sale until December, a delay from its original fall release. The new Accord
Hybrid will combine the third generation of Honda's hybrid electric drive
with a V-6 engine. Compared to the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Accord's hybrid
electric system will achieve 26 percent more torque during initial
acceleration and more than double the torque while driving at speed. The
lighter battery pack produces 45 percent more power per pound and 20
percent more power overall. Fuel-saving features of the Accord Hybrid
include lightweight aluminum and magnesium components and an Electric Power
Steering system, and to top it off, Honda's new Variable Cylinder
Management technology will shut down three of the six cylinders during
cruising and deceleration.

The sum total of all this technology is an estimated fuel economy rating of
30 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, a
significant gain over the current Accord V-6 (21 mpg city and 30 mpg
highway), while also achieving a slight increase in performance. See the
<http://hondanews.com/CatID2128?mid=2004091739095&mime=asc>Honda press release.


Energy Efficiency Yields Big Savings for Mississippi Schools

Twenty schools in Mississippi are expected to save more than $390,000 in
energy costs each year, thanks to energy efficiency improvements recently
completed by Chevron Energy Solutions. The improvements included lighting
retrofits throughout the Harrison County School District, as well as water
conservation retrofits, the installation of digital thermostats in
classrooms and a centralized energy management system, and the use of a
Web-based information system for remote energy monitoring at each of the 20
schools. The improvements also included new heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning systems at two schools, plus the installation of two new
boilers. The Harrison County School District will pay only $2.4 million of
the total project cost of $6.4 million, with future energy savings paying
the remainder through a financing structure known as an energy savings
performance contract (ESPC). See the
<http://www.chevronenergy.com/press_news/2004_sep_03.asp>Chevron Energy
Solutions press release.

The federal government also uses ESPCs. DOE's Federal Energy Management
Program (FEMP) estimates that 18 federal agencies and departments in 46
states are using ESPCs to save $4.7 billion in energy costs. About $3.2
billion in energy savings will pay off the investment in the energy
efficiency projects, resulting in a net savings of $1.5 billion for the
U.S. government. See the
<http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/financing/superespcs.cfm>FEMP ESPC Web page.

Harrison County, by the way, was one of three coastal counties in
Mississippi that faced a threat from Hurricane Ivan. However, the hurricane
caused minimal damage in the county, and schools were able to reopen on
Monday. See <http://www.governorbarbour.com/Evacuate.htm>Governor Haley
Barbour's announcement prior to landfall and the reopening announcement on
the <http://www.harrison.k12.ms.us/DesktopDefault.aspx>Harrison County
School District Web site.
[]

[]



Site News




<http://www.kidwind.org/>KidWind Project Explores the Science Behind Wind Power

The KidWind Project is a team of teachers, students, engineers, and
practitioners exploring the science behind wind energy in classrooms around
the United States. Its Web site features hands-on science projects and
lesson plans to help kids learn about wind. After successful summer
workshops that served more than 150 teachers in the Northeast, the KidWind
Project has a number of workshops planned in the Northeast in October and
November. See the <http://www.kidwind.org/>KidWind Project Web site.
[]



Energy Connections




Study Finds Vulnerabilities in the U.S. Power Grid

A recent study of the U.S. power grid finds that a major disruption could
result from the loss of only two percent of its electrical substations. The
study, conducted by researchers at Penn State and DOE's National Renewable
Energy Laboratory, involved mathematically modeling the electrical grid
with more than 14,000 "nodes" at which either generators or substations are
located. The study found that during a cascading failure, in which heavily
loaded substations fail in sequence, the failure of only about 280 of the
most heavily loaded substations could cause a catastrophic failure of the
entire grid. In contrast, a random failure of about 411 substations would
result in a loss of power for only 60 percent of the electrical grid. The
authors suggest that schemes to reduce the electrical load on the most
heavily loaded substations could reduce the electrical system's overall
susceptibility to disruptions. The study was published in the February 26th
edition of Physical Review E; Penn State announced the news on September
16th. See the <http://live.psu.edu/story/7929>Penn State press release.
[]


This newsletter is funded by DOE's <http://www.eere.energy.gov/>Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and is also available on the
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A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
<http://www.eere.energy.gov/>Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable
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<http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/>www.eere.energy.gov/news/


September 29, 2004




News and Events

     * Congress Renews Wind Energy Production Tax Credit
     * New York State Sets a New Renewable Energy Requirement
     * National Solar Tour Kicks Off This Weekend
     * EIA: U.S. Solar Power Manufacturing Declined in 2003
     * California Passes Bills to Promote Clean Cars and Renewables
     * California Approves Rules to Cut Auto Greenhouse Emissions


Site News

     * Renewable Energy Long Island


Energy Connections

     * Approval of Reactor Design Opens Door for New Nuclear Power
[]

[]



News and Events




Congress Renews Wind Energy Production Tax Credit

[]


[]

Photo of a man who appears tiny atop the hub of a massive wind


A worker prepares to enter the hub of GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbine. With
the tax credit reinstated, about 200 of these wind turbines will soon be
erected in Iowa.
Credit: Sandia National Laboratories

Congress approved a bill last week that will extend the wind energy
Production Tax Credit (PTC) through the end of next year. The PTC was
included in a major tax package that President Bush is expected to sign.
The PTC provides a tax credit of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour (in 1992
dollars, adjusted for inflation) for power produced by wind turbines.
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the PTC extension
will allow wind energy investments of about $3 billion to move ahead over
the next several years. See the
<http://www.awea.org/news/news040924wti.html>AWEA press release and the
<http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:HR01308:@@@L>full text and
latest status of the bill, HR 1308.

Wind power is yielding economic benefits for Pennsylvania, as Gamesa, a
Spanish wind energy company, has agreed to base its East Coast development
offices and U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia and to also locate a wind
blade manufacturing facility in the state. According to Pennsylvania
Governor Edward G. Rendell, the new Gamesa facilities could generate as
many as 1,000 jobs in Pennsylvania over the next five years. See the
<http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?Q=438315&A=11>governor's press
release.

Wind power is also moving ahead in Iowa, as MidAmerican Energy Company, the
state's largest utility, has chosen two sites on which to install 310
megawatts of wind power. One site is near Blairsburg, about 40 miles north
of Ames in central Iowa, and the other is in northwest Iowa, near Storm
Lake. The company will erect about 100 1.5-megawatt General Electric wind
turbines at each location at a cost of about $323 million. MidAmerican
Energy expects the Storm Lake site to be online before year-end, and the
Blairsburg site should begin operating in 2005. See the
<http://www.midamericanenergy.com/newsroom/asp/newsdetails.asp?id=252>MidAmerica\
n
Energy press release.


New York State Sets a New Renewable Energy Requirement

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted a new renewable
energy policy last week that requires 25 percent of the state's electricity
to be supplied from renewable energy sources by 2013. Although the state
already produces 19.3 percent of its electricity from renewable energy
sources, primarily hydropower, the new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
program will result in about 3,700 megawatts of new renewable energy
capacity. The new requirement credits medium- and large-scale facilities
that draw on wind, biomass, or ocean energy sources, as well as solar
photovoltaic systems, fuel-cell systems, hydropower upgrades, and
low-impact, run-of-river hydropower plants of less than 30 megawatts in
capacity. The requirement also credits customer-sited fuel cells, solar
electric systems, and wind turbines. The RPS program will start in 2006
with a target of roughly 1.3 million megawatt-hours from renewable sources,
increasing to nearly 12 million megawatt-hours in 2013.

The PSC estimates that the RPS program will have modest impacts on customer
bills, and should cause the state's wholesale energy prices to decline.
Overall, the PSC estimates residential customers may see as much as a 0.9
percent reduction in their bills over the life of the program, or an
increase of up to 1.68 percent. The projected impact on commercial
customers ranges from a 0.78 percent reduction to a 1.79 percent increase,
and for industrial customers, from a 1.54 percent reduction to a 2.2
percent increase. See the PSC press release
(<http://www3.dps.state.ny.us/pscweb/WebFileRoom.nsf/Web/87532649A774800785256F1\
70061A644/$File/pr04068.pdf>PDF
23 KB). <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html>Download
Acrobat Reader.


National Solar Tour Kicks Off This Weekend

October 2nd marks the date for this year's National Solar Tour, during
which homes, schools, churches, and businesses across the United States
will open their doors to the public to show how solar energy and energy
efficiency are being put to work. Last year's tour attracted 35,000
visitors in nearly 800 communities in 45 states; this year, the ninth
annual National Solar Tour is offering tours in 37 states plus the District
of Columbia. The tours are organized by chapters of the American Solar
Energy Society (ASES), state energy offices, and volunteer groups. See the
<http://www.ases.org/about_ases/press/2004_tour_9-27-04.htm>ASES press
release and to find out if there's a tour near you, visit the
<http://www.ases.org/tour/homepage.htm>ASES Web site.


EIA: U.S. Solar Power Manufacturing Declined in 2003

Despite a growing U.S. market for photovoltaic solar power, a drop in
exports caused photovoltaic manufacturing in the United States to decline
in 2003. According to a recent report from DOE's Energy Information
Administration (EIA), the bankruptcy of AstroPower in 2003 contributed to
the first decline in the U.S. production of solar cells and modules since
the EIA began keeping track in 1986. The 2.5 percent decline from the
previous year was the result of a 9 percent drop in exports, which
outweighed a 7 percent increase in domestic shipments. Meanwhile, ABI
Research reports that Japan has been leading the photovoltaic industry for
years, but now the center of activity is shifting to the West­not to the
United States, but to Germany, where strong subsidies are in place. See the
EIA report,
"<http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/solarreport/solarmanu.html>\
Solar
Thermal and Photovoltaic Manufacturing Activities 2003," and see the
<http://www.abiresearch.com/abiprdisplay2.jsp?pressid=324>ABI Research
press release.

Even the growing U.S. market sometimes fails to yield new production
capacity within the United States: Japan's Kyocera Solar, Inc. plans to
double its photovoltaic manufacturing output within the next year, and will
open a new production plant on Friday to serve the North American market.
The company's new module assembly plant is meant to focus on the California
market, but is located in Tijuana, Mexico. See the
<http://www.kyocerasolar.com/news/news_detail.cfm?key=119>Kyocera press
release.


California Passes Bills to Promote Clean Cars and Renewables

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a number of bills over the
past week that will be beneficial to hybrid-electric car owners and certain
renewable energy installations.
[]

Photo of the Toyota Prius.


The Toyota Prius may soon be a more common sight in California's HOV lanes,
thanks to a new law.
Credit: Toyota

California owners of new hybrid electric cars and recent-model low-emission
vehicles will benefit from
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_2628&sess=CUR>AB
2628, which allows those vehicles to use the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle)
lanes normally reserved for carpools. The bill opens those lanes to
low-emissions vehicles produced during the 2004 model year or earlier, as
well as new low-emission hybrid-electric vehicles that achieve at least 45
miles per gallon. Meant as an incentive for people to buy hybrid vehicles,
the bill also limits the total number of HOV stickers for these vehicles to
75,000 and sets procedures to avoid causing the HOV lanes to become
congested. The governor
<http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?sCatTitle=Press+Re\
lease&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2004_09/20040923_GAAS44104_LegUpdate.html\
>signed
the bill on September 23rd, but the measure will also require approval from
the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Several new laws will also help the development of renewable energy
resources in the state.
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_1689&sess=CUR>AB
1689 expands the state's self-generation incentive program to include
projects fueled with waste gas, while
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1565&sess=CUR>SB
1565 requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission to develop a strategic plan including renewable energy. The
governor
<http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?sCatTitle=Press+Re\
lease&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2004_09/20040922_GAAS43604_LegUpdate.html\
>signed
both bills on September 22nd. Governor Schwarzenegger also
<http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov_htmldisplay.jsp?sCatTitle=Press+Re\
lease&sFilePath=/govsite/press_release/2004_09/20040925_GAAS44604_LegUpdate.html\
>signed
two solar energy bills on September 25th:
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_2473&sess=CUR>AB
2473, strengthening an existing law that prohibits local governments from
placing restrictions on solar energy systems, and
<http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_594&sess=CUR>AB
594, which requires Pacific Gas and Electric Company to establish a net
metering agreement with the City and County of San Francisco for up to 5
megawatts of solar power. The city currently owns a 688-kilowatt solar
power system at the Moscone Convention Center, and plans to install a
600-kilowatt system at a wastewater treatment plant.


California Approves Rules to Cut Auto Greenhouse Emissions

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved new regulations last
week requiring automakers to sell vehicles that produce lower emissions of
greenhouse gases. The new regulations begin to phase-in during the 2009
model year and gradually tighten until 2016, when the average new car or
light truck sold in California will be required to emit 30 percent lower
greenhouse gases than today's vehicles. The CARB staff estimates that costs
for the added technology needed to meet the rule will average about $325
per vehicle in 2012 and about $1050 per vehicle in 2016. However, lower
operating costs for the vehicles will result in a net savings to consumers,
according to analyses by CARB. See the
<http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr092404.htm>CARB press release and the
<http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/grnhsgas/grnhsgas.htm>full regulatory documents.

Although restricting greenhouse gas emissions from cars is often equated
with fuel economy, that's not the full story. In June, CARB issued a report
on greenhouse gas reduction technologies that suggested a variety of
fuel-saving technologies­including improved engine technologies,
turbocharging combined with smaller engines, and automated manual
transmissions­but also suggested technologies to cut emissions of
refrigerants from cars' air conditioning systems. Many refrigerants are
powerful greenhouse gases. See the report
(<http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/factsheets/cc_isor.pdf>PDF 1.1 MB).
<http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/alternate.html>Download Acrobat Reader.
[]

[]



Site News




<http://www.renewableenergylongisland.org/>Renewable Energy Long Island

Renewable Energy Long Island is a membership-based, not-for-profit
organization promoting clean, sustainable energy use and generation for
Long Island. It seeks public participation in energy policy decisions to
encourage energy efficiency, use of renewable energy sources, and to
protect our environment, economy, and public health.
[]



Energy Connections




Approval of Reactor Design Opens Door for New Nuclear Power

Will new nuclear power plants contribute to the U.S. energy supply in the
future? The Westinghouse Electric Company thinks they will, as the company
has just earned approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
for its new standard nuclear plant design, the AP1000. Described by
Westinghouse as the "safest, most economical nuclear plant currently
available with NRC approval," the new design "has already received strong
interest from potential customers in Asia, Europe, and the United States,"
according to Westinghouse. See the announcement on the
<http://www.westinghousenuclear.com/>Westinghouse Web site.

According to DOE, a recent study by the University of Chicago finds that
advanced nuclear power plants could be cost-competitive with coal and
natural gas as a source of electricity. The study shows higher costs for
the first few nuclear power plants, but lower costs once a third or fourth
plant comes online. See the
<http://nuclear.gov/home/09-20-04.html>announcement and the
<http://nuclear.gov/nucpwr2010/NP2010rptEconFutofNucPwr.html>full report on
the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology Web site.
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Hello everyone,

My name is Brian Herod and I'm one of the vendor coordinators for Houston
Bioneers satellite conference October 15-17th.  Bioneers
(http://www.bioneers.org/) is presented every year in San Rafael California
and brings together leading-edge speakers on creating a sustainable world.
For the second year, Houston
(http://www.blackwoodland.com/bioneers/info.htm) has the fortune to
participate as one of 15 satellite conferences.  Hundreds of participants
from throughout the Gulf Coast region will converge at University of St.
Thomas to listen to broadcast speeches from speakers in San Rafael and
participate in workshops presented by local leaders in creating a
sustainable Houston region.

If you know of a group or organization that would like to participate as a
vendor in the Houston Bioneers Conference, please let me know.  Booths are
$50 for non-profit organizations and $150 for for-profit companies.
Vendors will receive a table two chairs and electrical connections for the
duration of the conference.  Additional sponsorships are available as well
as advertisements in the official program.  Ads in the conference program
are also available at the following rates:
¼ page - $25
½ page - $50
full page - $100

Please contact me at 713-480-6303 or myth@... to reserve you
place today.

Thanks,

Brian Herod