Two Great Energy-Saving Options for Homeowners in Northern Indiana

Collier’s Solar in Northern Indiana helps homeowners take advantage of great opportunities to afford going solar.  NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Corporation) customers are encouraged to take advantage of incentives to install solar PV systems, which Collier’s can help with.  There are two great options which homeowners should definitely consider, those being Net Metering and [...]

NASS

Energy Trust of Oregon Increases Solar Incentives for Businesses

Energy Trust of Oregon, an independent non-profit organization under the authorization of the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), has been effecting change toward energy efficiency since its inception in 2002. It was announced last month that solar incentives, which have created market momentum for residential solar installations, have now increased for businesses in Oregon. Solar [...]

NASS

Northampton and 9 Other Communities Get In On the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts Program

Solarize Massachusetts, an innovative program for advancing the use of solar power in the state, was unveiled in spring of 2011.  This was done in support of an initiative set out by Governor Deval Patrick to install 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power in Massachusetts by the year 2017.  In both 2011 and 2012, the [...]

NASS

The Solar Energy Industry Shines in New Report

It’s been a great few years for the solar energy industry, and the good news keeps on coming. According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) Energy Infrastructure Update, solar energy has accounted for all new utility electricity generation capacity added to the U.S. grid in March. In just the month of March 2013, more [...]

NASS

Concord, Massachusetts, the Home of Walden Pond and now The Concord Solar Challenge

  Massachusetts is a state with many incentives designed to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy sources, including solar power.  Concord, a city in Massachusetts and home of famed Walden Pond, is going the extra mile to offer even more reasons for homeowners to make an investment in clean energy.   The Concord Solar [...]

NASS

Solar Energy in PA & NJ: A Bargain for Ratepayers

Why should residents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey switch to solar? To answer this question, we simply need to take a look at a new study released by the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association (MSEIA) and the Pennsylvania Solar Energy Industries Association (PASEIA). According to the findings solar power, in both PA and NJ, delivers [...]

NASS

Investing in Solar Energy: A Smart Business Choice

  As a small business owner, you may enjoy the thought of “going solar” to save on energy cost and reduce your store’s carbon footprint. You may also feel that installing a solar power system is a luxury reserved for well-funded corporations like Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, or Google. While this used to be true, the declining [...]

NASS

Rebates & Tax Credits Make “Going Solar” a Viable Option in Massachusetts

  Many states across the country are taking initiatives to “go green” in order to combat environmental changes and the ensuing macroeconomic consequences; and Massachusetts is leading the way. Residents and businesses are beginning to take advantage of the tax credits, rebates, and other incentives that MA offers for switching to clean energy like solar power, [...]

NASS

Meet Mr. Sustainable, who Lives Off the Grid in East Amwell, New Jersey

Dante DiPirro is a lawyer in East Amwell Township, New Jersey, who has had a lifelong interest in collecting energy from the sun.  He’s come a long way since the sixth grade, when his science project was a contraption which collected solar power using mirrors.  DiPirro, who calls himself Mr. Sustainable, now lives completely off [...]

NASS

American Beer Brought To You By Solar Energy

Americans love beer so much; over 50 billion pints are consumed annually.  And now there’s a whole new reason for breweries to win favor.  Many breweries are tapping into renewable energy sources, heating water with solar power, and installing solar arrays to help with overall electricity costs. Central Waters Brewing Company The first brewery in [...]

NASS

Governor Cuomo Greatly Expands New York’s Solar Energy Program

One of the most significant catalysts for expansion of solar capacity is when individual states increase government spending toward that end and take other steps which encourage consumers to invest in solar.  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is currently providing a model for solar expansion, encompassing these initiatives and more for the New York solar [...]

NASS

Solar’s Value Found to be Well Above Cost in PA and NJ

A study conducted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey found that the value of solar power to the electric grid is significantly above its cost.   The study recently released by the Pennsylvania Solar Energy Industries Association (PASEIA) and the Mid‐Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association (MSEIA) analyzed data related to utility cost, particularly costs associated with solar [...]

NASS

New Federal Regulation Could Revitalize Solar Energy Development in New Jersey

When it comes to development of solar, New Jersey is second only to California. Advancement of renewable energy seems to have stalled out lately, partially due to lack of access to transmission lines. But a new federal energy regulation called Order 1000 is in place; and it will no doubt give further solar energy growth [...]

NASS

Germany Leads The Way In Solar PV

Germany is outpacing the rest of the world in switching to solar power, by a large margin.  In August of this year, 320 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity was installed in Germany.  With that development, the total PV capacity of the nation reached 30 gigawatts.  How does that measure up next to the U.S.A.?  [...]

NASS

Solar Power Benefits for Veterans and the Military

We all owe a debt of gratitude to past and present military personnel who defend our freedoms.  The solar energy industry has found various ways in which to say thanks, including providing cost-effective solar-powered electricity for veterans and current military members who are home from deployment and more. Adopt-A-Solar-Panel In New Jersey, for instance, the [...]

NASS

Solar PV Parking Lots From Coast to Coast

From San Diego, California, to Atlantic City, New Jersey, some cities in the U.S.A. are bold about committing to renewable energy sources such as solar power.  In particular, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in parking lots are making a showing from coast to coast, shining a light on the benefits and value of clean energy. [...]

NASS

The Cost-Effectiveness of a Residential Active Solar Heating System

An active solar heating system could save you a lot of money on energy costs.  If you do some research into your specific situation, you may find that switching to solar heating is the smartest decision for you. What is an active solar heating system?  It’s simply a heating system which depends upon the sun’s [...]

NASS

New Duties on Chinese Solar Products Boost the U.S. Solar Manufacturing Industry

Earlier this month the United States International Trade Commission gave final approval on duties of billions in solar-energy products from China.  U.S. solar producers will be protected against unreasonably low priced Chinese imports for the next five years.  The inexpensive solar panels which have poured in from China have literally put solar manufacturing companies out [...]

NASS

A Cost-Cutting Solar Solution: Using Robots!

The biggest hindrance to a more rapid increase in the number of installed solar energy systems in the U.S.A. has been cost.  That hurdle has largely been cleared, since solar panels now cost 60% less than they did a few years ago.  There’s another aspect of solar energy which involves cost issues, and that’s installing [...]

NASS

MetLife Stadium and Other NFL Facilities Put Solar Energy on Display, in a Big Way

MetLife Stadium is more than just the home of the National Football League’s New York Giants (reigning Super Bowl champions) and New York Jets.  The NFL’s largest stadium is also the home of 1,350 solar panels which produce 25 times the power required to run the stadium’s LED lights at night.  The bright lights, which [...]

NASS

Springfield, Massachusetts, Takes Steps Toward Going Green with Solar Power

Cities across the U.S.A. are struggling to keep their budgets balanced.  The rising cost of energy is just one of many issues that municipalities in America are dealing with.  City governments which take the long view and invest in solar power as a way to reduce energy costs are smart, rare, and forward-thinking; and Springfield, [...]

NASS

Liquid-Based Active Solar Heating 101

A solar heating system is a source of on-site renewable energy that is proven to be one of the most cost-effective for homeowners, whether in cold climates such as in New Jersey, Iowa, Delaware, and even Alaska or in warmer regions of the U.S.  When you go green with an effective heating system such as [...]

NASS

Up-Down, Good-Bad – Solar Shines Through

A lot is on the line with the soon-coming presidential election, not the least of which is the status of the 30 percent investment tax credit for solar projects.  As things currently stand, this solar incentive expires at year’s end 2016; but that could change, with government subsidies potentially on the chopping block.  But even [...]

NASS

Maximize the Efficiency of Your Solar PV System

Switching to green energy with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a smart move for homeowners.  Besides lowering your energy bills and contributing to cleaner air, a PV system is one of only a few types of home improvement projects which ultimately pay for themselves. You’re even smarter, however, when you take steps from the start to ensure that you [...]

NASS

Ohio Solar Incentives for Homeowners: SRECs and Rebates

Ohio homeowners can potentially take advantage of numerous federal, state, and local solar incentives to begin using solar energy, which is the cleanest energy source on the planet.  Among the incentives are Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, rebates for new homeowners, and residential efficiency rebates. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates Ohio broadly restructured the electric industry for [...]

NASS

Applications Accepted Beginning 9/24/12 for a Revived Solar Incentive Program for Illinois Residents

There are numerous IL solar incentives designed to encourage residents to begin using clean energy.  Among the programs is a Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program.  The types of renewable energy and technologies which are eligible for the program are photovoltaics, solar pool heating, solar water heat, and wind.  The time is now to get [...]

NASS

Sun and Solar Energy Facts

Energy costs are steadily rising, and all the while sunshine abundantly provides an environmentally friendly clean energy solution.  Resources are available in every state in the United States to help homeowners, businesses, government institutions, and nonprofits tap into the sun’s energy.  When you know a few facts about the sun and solar power, you can [...]

NASS

Long Island, NY Implements a FIT Program; One Among Numerous Incentives to Go Solar

Long Island, New York, implemented a solar feed-in tariff (FIT) this summer and in doing so will help with Governor Cuomo’s call for New York State to use quadruple the amount of on-site solar by the year 2013.  By 2015, the Renewable Portfolio Standard for the state requires that 30% of the state’s power be renewable [...]

NASS

Time to Get Moving; Most MA Solar Hot Water State Funds Remain Unused for 2012

A new multi-year program worth $10 million has been announced by The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).  Homeowners and businesses throughout the Commonwealth are encouraged to install solar hot water systems with the help of this long-term program.  This investment will advance the MA solar hot water industry by stabilizing funding assistance for those seeking [...]

NASS

Connecticut PACE Program is Set to Release Millions in Loans Through CEFIA

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a program which finances rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations as well as other projects designed to advance energy efficiency.  PACE programs have not made a big impact up to now in Connecticut, and that’s partly because there are no counties in the state.  County-wide government cooperation is often the [...]

NASS

Big Brands Go Solar

The use of solar power on the rooftops of big box stores is a trending practice that will hopefully catch on with more and more corporations.  There are already quite a few stores which have made the commitment to use their massive rooftops to install utility scale solar projects to capture solar energy.  Installing solar [...]

NASS

The US Government Paves the Way for Utility Scale Solar Energy and More

The United States Department of the Interior announced earlier this month plans which represent a historic milestone in the acceleration of renewable energy in the U.S. Seventeen utility scale solar projects on public lands in six southwestern states are projected to produce an estimated 6,000 megawatts of electricity —  enough power for approximately 1.8 million [...]

NASS

New York Solar Laws Boost Solar Power Installations by Reducing Costs

The State of New York has recently given solar enthusiasts something to be excited about.  Up to now the state has been sluggish in effectively advancing the use of renewable energy sources, especially compared to such states as nearby New Jersey, which recently topped even California in new megawatts of solar installed.  But the use [...]

NASS

Federal Mandates Promote Solar System Installations, Including at Alcatraz

President Obama’s Executive Order that Federal Agencies are required to make a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 includes National Parks.  Infamous Alcatraz prison located in San Francisco Bay also falls under this presidential mandate.  Thanks to the Federal government, big things are happening in the switch to solar power, many of which [...]

NASS

Philadelphia’s Green Building Incentive

State and local governments in Pennsylvania are on board with transitioning more citizens to the use of clean energy.  They put taxpayer dollars where their mouths are, so to speak, by offering juicy incentives for homeowners and business owners who will make investments in solar power and other types of renewable energy.  There are many [...]

NASS

Basic Elements of Passive Solar Design

The sun has been utilized as a heat source in the architectural design of buildings for thousands of years.  Passive solar technology is, by definition, a means of utilizing sunlight as an energy source without the aid of mechanical systems.  Passive solar design (also called climatic design) employs the walls, windows, and floors of a [...]

NASS

A Solar-Friendly Fair and Portable Solar Stages…Really?

Have you ever wondered whether solar energy is truly becoming more practical?  While solar panel systems are being installed on enormous warehouse rooftops, are there advancements in solar technology which make short-term and smaller solar powered projects feasible?  There is good evidence that besides being practical for homeowners interested in clean energy and lower electricity [...]

NASS

Attention, Political Candidates: Solar Power is as American as Apple Pie

It is a good time to put a fresh political spin on solar. With a Presidential election coming in November, political strategizing is in full play across America.  Candidates acknowledge that job creation is a top priority for many Americans and the state of the economy is a concern for most.  How far down the [...]

NASS

5 Reasons a Radical Shift to Solar Power Makes Perfect Sense

For many years the idea of switching from reliance on power plants for electricity to renewable energy sources such as solar power was considered by most in the U.S. to be a far-fetched and unreasonably costly proposition.  Whether mostly due to the cost of solar panels or political pressures related to keeping the need for fossil-fuel [...]

NASS

New York State Gets On Board The Solar Express

Surveys reveal that most Americans are concerned about rising energy costs, and there is evidence that homeowners everywhere are making a monumental shift toward solar energy.  This is also true in New York, which has not been in the lead toward renewable energy sources, by any stretch of the imagination.  The advancement of solar across [...]

NASS

Don’t be Fooled by the Negative Press on Solar Energy.

It’s true that a lot of bad press has targeted the failure of major solar manufacturing companies such as Solyndra and Konarka Technologies Inc.  It’s also true that in the past year several other manufacturers of solar panels have filed for bankruptcy as a direct result of the 50% price drop in solar panels caused [...]

NASS

Dip into the Timeless Resource of the Sun

The fact that the sun is a powerful heat source has been recognized throughout history. Strong early evidence of passive solar systems date as far back as the 5th century; entire cities in Greece were designed to ensure that every home could benefit from the warmth of the sunlight during winter months. Turn back the [...]

NASS

Are Solar Panels a Sound Investment for New Jersey Churches?

A series of solar panel installations have taken place on church rooftops across New Jersey.  Is such an investment a smart choice for a house of worship?  Churches obviously don’t have the amount of roof space as compared with massive New Jersey solar panel projects such as Gloucester Marine Terminal in Gloucester City – the [...]

NASS

Big Helps and A Major Hindrance to Solar Expansion in Minnesota

Minnesota is among the 13 states with access to $56 million in funding for solar expansion over the next three years, sponsored by the Federal Energy Department. There are other entities trying to advance solar expansion in Minnesota, as well, such as the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES). Amidst all of this good news about [...]

NASS

What state produces the most Solar Energy? You will never guess.

New Jersey may not seem like a probable place to surpass even California in the production of solar energy, but it has become America’s biggest U.S. solar market by megawatts installed from January through April of this year.  New Jersey may just hold on to the lead, too, thanks to a bill approved by the [...]

NASS

More Homeowners in Minnesota are Being Sold on Using Solar Power

A workshop hosted by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT) was recently held at the Battle Creek Recreation Center.  The event gave Minnesota homeowners an opportunity to learn about various options for converting to solar power for their homes. CERT accommodates people who are interested in switching to solar energy.  They assist people by: Finding [...]

NASS

Solar Access Laws are the Easiest Way Around Obstructive Homeowners’ Associations

Most of the power plants in the United States run on coal, which is dirty energy that pollutes the air. That one fact alone should be enough to move the progress of renewable energy forward at a rapid pace. But the fact is that the switch to renewable energy such as solar power is very [...]

NASS

Solar is Growing by Leaps and Bounds, But What About Future Solar Power Growth?

Government predictions about the growth of renewable energy sources such as solar electricity have proven to be a remarkable underestimation of what actually occurs. While it’s true that solar power and wind power currently provide a small fraction of the electricity around the world, they are expanding at a remarkably quick pace. The solar power [...]

NASS

Major League Sports Teams Make Big Plays for Clean Energy

Major sports stadiums are great venues for capturing the sun’s energy using solar panels and more and more sports teams are taking full advantage.  In addition, some sports leagues are proving to be good resources for promoting renewable energy by getting involved in community projects. Recently, Major League Soccer, the National Football League, and Major [...]

NASS

Senate Bill 1925 to Rescue NJ Solar Market

New Jersey’s Boom in the Solar Panel Industry Has Stalled, But a Rescue Strategy is in Place U.S. solar panel installations in the U.S. have increased by a whopping 85% as compared to last year’s first quarter, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.  A total of 506 megawatts in generating capacity was added between [...]

NASS

Northern Indiana Solar Incentives Hard To Resist

NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Corporation) is offering many consumers in Northern Indiana that want to install solar panels a deal that is hard to pass up. If you have any interest in becoming more energy independent by using solar panels and specifically Solar PV to generate electricity and are a NIPSCO customer, now is [...]

NASS

Macy’s Goes Solar in New Jersey

A Solar Array on a Macy’s Rooftop in New Jersey is Part of a Long-Range Plan Toward Sustainability The rooftop of the Macy’s Raritan Distribution Center near Edison, New Jersey, has just become an active source of clean, renewable solar energy.  A 1.1 megawatt fixed-tilt solar array installed by Enfinity America Corporation (Enfinity) is further [...]

NASS

Solar Farm Creation on the Rise

NJ Solar Farm Proposal Meets With Resistance, Unlike a Delavan, WI Farm A 60-acre property off Crosswicks-Hamilton Square Road in Hamilton, New Jersey, which is being considered as a site for a solar farm is the subject of ongoing and heated debate. The area is currently a privately-owned golf course but if BKB Properties is [...]

NASS

5 Solar Power Breakthroughs that Can Make Solar More Economical Than Coal

The year 2011 was record-breaking for the number of solar power projects completed. In fact, solar power captured 49% of the global renewable energy investment totals, according to a report by GlobalData. The solar industry has tremendous growth opportunity, in spite of the steep tariffs recently placed on China, which had been supplying solar panels [...]

NASS

Alaska’s Going Solar Too!

Alaska Solar Power Proves Profitable It’s true that originally solar power was only practical in California, Arizona, and Nevada and those were the only places solar panels were used. But advancements affecting the affordability and effectiveness of solar panels has expanded their practicality to include all of North America and, yes, Alaska. With every new [...]

NASS

Big News in Solar Technology

Goldman Sachs Commits Billions and More Good News on Solar Power Environmentalists who are passionate about a switch to solar power and other forms of renewable energy in America don’t always have a lot to celebrate.  Thanks to steep tariffs placed on China by our government, there’s been much to indicate that advancements in solar [...]

NASS

Deep Tariffs on Chinese Solar Cells

 Are Tariffs of 31% on Solar Cells Imported from China Good or Bad for the U.S.? It depends on who you ask, whether the decision of the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose tariffs of approximately 31% on the import of Chinese solar cells is going to be a good or a bad thing for [...]

NASS

Massachusetts Solar on Increase

Massachusetts Solar Moves State Closer to Renewable Energy Goals  & Big Box Stores Lead the Way By Example! What does it take to spur companies into investing in solar power?  In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick’s 2008 initiative directed at large retail stores seems to have done the trick.  He urged the use of alternative energy [...]

NASS

Top Four Reasons to Use Solar Hot Water

Solar Hot Water is the Fastest Growing Segment of Solar Energy   Whether you live in Scranton, Pennsylvania – Springdale, Arkansas – or anywhere else across North America, taking small steps to go green makes sense for you and for the planet. With every step of progress, the world gets healthier. Every environmentally friendly action [...]

NASS

New Solar Incentives in CT for Rooftop Systems

Homeowners in Connecticut Have Great New Incentives for Going Solar Connecticut residents paid the third highest electricity rates in the U.S.A. in 2010, second only to Hawaii and New York. Using solar energy is a way to save on energy costs, even while solar represents a mere fraction of the overall energy supply in the [...]

NASS

Are You “FIT” for Solar Power

FIT is an acronym for Feed-In Tariffs. What does FIT mean? This terminology has become common in today’s discussion about Solar Energy and how it is encouraged by allowing those who create their own solar power with roof-top or pole mount solar panel installations to sell back excess power to their utility company. Many times [...]

NASS

Vermont Solar Energy 2012

Timely Update to Our NASS Post Below: Renewable Energy Bill Gets Last Minute Overhaul - Anne Galloway / May 3rd “The Shumlin administration wants 75 percent of the state’s power to come from renewables by 2032. Electricity from Hydro-Quebec would account for 40 percent of that total.” At NASS we would love to see consumers jump [...]

NASS

Growth of Solar Power in Iowa

IOWA is FIT for Solar Power FITs (Feed in Tariffs) are a proven policy that will succeed in bringing more renewable energy on-line. FIT incentive rates are one of the most popular renewable energy incentives around the world. Commonly referred to selling back to the grid or grid-tied solar pv this formula allows excess electricity [...]

NASS

Solar Energy in Pennsylvania on the Rise

The Sun Shines Brightly On the Keystone State Pennsylvania has long been associated with energy. As a leader in coal production and nuclear energy for years, the state has been a source of power for years. The legacy of power production continues as Pennsylvania holds a strong place in the top ten ranked states for [...]

NASS

Solar Energy in Illinois Increasing

Illinois is Changing the Way it Looks at Solar Energy So, build it and change will come. A hearty congratulations to Avenue Garage in Oak Park as 42 tons of galvanized steel were delivered and installed Sunday, Feb 19th to the Avenue Garage as part of a 390 panel PV project. The solar array on [...]

NASS

2011- A Solar Odyssey

Cue the kettle drums and start playing the music from 2001, a Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick. 2011 was a banner year for the growth of solar in the U.S., Canada and around the world. Solar technology is being embraced and adopted by more and more residential solar consumers and small businesses every day. We [...]

NASS

Solar Energy in Wisconsin

The Sun Also Rises In Wisconsin Some people think there is not enough sun in Wisconsin for solar energy systems. Not true! Madison is at 43 degrees North latitude. So is Rome, Italy. During the summer, Wisconsin is exposed to nearly 80% of the yearly solar energy received by the deserts of Arizona and Southern [...]

NASS

Chinese Solar Panel Tariff

Heat Over Chinese Panels For years there have been charges of unfair trade practices and unfair advantages in trade with China across many industries. Domestic solar panel manufacturers have cried foul. They claimed that unfair trade practices in the manufacture of solar panels result in an unfair advantage. It seems the US Department of Commerce agrees. [...]

NASS

Sun Shines Brightly On Ohio Solar Energy

We owe a great deal to the Buckeye state. After all, it was here that Thomas Alva Edison, the father of the first electric power station was born and lived. It was from this cradle that Charles F. Brush enabled the first electric arc lights into homes and small businesses. Doesn’t it make sense that [...]

NASS

Helios – Success in US Solar Panels Manufacturing

One of North American Solar Stores suppliers of Solar Modules is Milwaukee based manufacturer Helios USA, LLC. Helios produces solar modules commonly known as solar panels, and they want to change the way we view solar power, one panel at time. NASS is partnering with Helios, a US producer of ARRA-compliant solar modules to provide [...]

NASS

Big Incentives for Minnesota Solar Energy

There are some new incentives to the northeastern Minnesota customers of Minnesota Power. They recently announced an update to their SolarSense program that can pay up to 60% (or $20,000) towards the cost of a solar electric (solar PV) installation. MP is one of the pioneers across the country when it comes to encouraging renewable [...]

NASS

Concentrated Solar Power

The panels may look like Solar PV panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity via the photovoltaic effect, but Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) actually is type of Solar Thermal Energy that creates heat using mirrors or lenses to focus a large amount of sunlight on a small area. The heat produced can then be used [...]

NASS

Amazing Combination of Solar & Wind Power

Probably one of the most ambitious solar energy projects ever undertaken is taking shape in the middle of Arizona. This unique system that combines wind turbines, solar power in what will become the second tallest structure in the world. At 2625 feet, it will only be about 100 feet less than the Burj Khalifa (the [...]

NASS