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Solar Project Partnership Powers Low and Moderate-Income Housing

The team at Solar Design Studio has been honored to work in partnership with the Westside Housing Organization through KCP&L Solar on the restoration of an historic property in Kansas City’s Northeast neighborhood. Too often, solar implementation is out of reach for those with low or moderate incomes, but partnerships like this one are bringing solar power to diverse communities that can benefit greatly as a result.

For this particular project, their largest yet, the dedicated staff at Westside Housing Organization set their sights on rehabilitating a dilapidated, abandoned building at 8th and Woodland. The historic property is being turned into a mixed-use commercial and residential space, with retail, restaurant, or office space on the first floor and 10 residential units above. The building was purchased for a small sum from the Land Bank and benefits from donations and investment from several partners in its transformation, including the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and Neighborworks America.

Affordable Housing Matters

In a recent conversation, Warren Adams-Leavitt, the Manager of Strategic Energy Initiatives for Westside Housing, noted that Kansas City is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. As development in the Downtown and Crossroads areas has displaced low and moderate-income families, the city is still short 23,000 housing units. The resulting increases in rent prices have made it difficult for these tenants to find adequate, affordable housing. “It’s actually getting worse (for low and moderate-income tenants), Adams-Leavitt says, “because buildings that were affordable aren’t anymore, which puts pressure on housing prices and rents as a result.”

This $1.3M project will increase the stock of safe, affordable housing in the Northeast neighborhood, transform a dilapidated building into a community asset, and support city initiatives around renewable, sustainable energy development.

Solar Energy Makes a Major Impact

Because the building required major renovation, it became feasible to include multiple solar roof-top units into the project design. A grant from the ISC is funding the installation of 83 panels, which will generate enough power to supply 100% of the residential tenant’s energy needs. “We asked Solar Design Studio to design a way to plug solar panels through an inverter into 4 residential meters,” Adams-Leavitt says, because “we believe strongly that solar energy ought to be available for everyone in Kansas City and wanted to figure out a way to deliver it to our low-income tenants.”

The addition of solar panels to this particular project will have a big impact on the residents of the building, who will not have to add an electric bill to their list of monthly expenses. Adams-Leavitt notes that energy cost spikes in the summer and winter are especially hard on low and moderate-income tenants, who may not be able to respond as quickly to price fluctuations during high-demand months.

The Westside Housing Organization hopes to include solar energy in all future housing projects to remove this burden from tenants and to make sustainable, renewable energy available to a wider group of Kansas Citians.

Solar Design for Everyone

The Solar Design Studio team has embraced this exciting renovation and enjoyed working with the partners involved to show that solar energy can power low and moderate-income housing and make an impact on the lives of diverse communities. The project is not without its challenges. As Adams-Leavitt noted, “This is a messier process because of the age (110 years) of the building. The solar aspect has to work alongside the larger redevelopment project and respond quickly to decisions about electrical service and structural engineering, among others.”

As a result, the solar design and installation had to be flexible and able to evolve to support the project’s changing needs. Luckily, we love a challenge and look for opportunities to problem-solve with our clients to determine how best to incorporate solar technology into their construction or renovation plans. We strongly believe in the power of solar energy to create sustainable development and ease the burden of energy prices on tenants, homeowners, and commercial buildings alike.

We’re proud to work with the Westside Housing Organizations and other partners on the project at 8th and Woodland, and look forward to seeing how it positively impacts the local community and further sustainable development. This project proves the value of solar installation in low and moderate-income housing and will hopefully become a template for more projects and even wider impact in the future.

Contact the team at Solar Design Studio to discuss your solar projects needs!

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Puerto Rico’s Microgrid Plans Exemplify the Power of Distributed Generation

In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico and caused the longest blackout in U.S. history. The island’s long and difficult recovery has raised questions about the best ways to provide better infrastructure security in the parts of the world that are at the greatest risk due to climate change. Would Puerto Rico rebuild an outdated system based on coal and diesel fuel, or embrace the future by creating a utility grid that relies on renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power?

Puerto Rico’s path was revealed a few days ago when the legislature approved a plan to generate 100% of its power from renewable sources by 2050. "While leaders across the country are talking about how to best innovate and integrate renewable energy into their economy, today we're proud to say we're actually doing it," Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said as he announced that he would sign the bill into law. Puerto Rico’s resolution is part of an emerging trend - the territory joins Hawaii, California, and New Mexico as the fourth U.S. state or territory to approve a clean energy mandate.

Rebuilding for the Future

Inside Climate News reports that “To get off fossil fuel imports and transition to renewables as it recovers from the hurricane, Puerto Rico will need to remake its electric grid.” As part of this transition, leaders are working with the Environmental Defense Fund to “develop renewable energy microgrids that would hasten the territory's clean energy transition.” The proliferation of solar-plus-storage technology has created opportunities to rebuild the islands power infrastructure in a more sustainable, resilient form.

Microgrids are localized grid systems serving small communities, neighborhoods, or geographical areas by generating and storing power from renewable sources for immediate or future use. They have become popular in hard-to-reach areas and those that are prone to natural disasters, as they can often continue to provide power to their immediate area even when larger power grids go dark. By decentralizing power production and delivery, distributed generation systems like microgrids create greater energy security and independence.

Adele Peters reports in Fast Company that several solar microgrids have already been installed at vulnerable locations across Puerto Rico, including health centers, schools, and water and fire stations. “All of this is a response to the ongoing crisis,” she notes, “But it also points to a more resilient future for the grid.” The National Resources Defense Council writes that “a bottom up network of distributed microgrids is starting to take shape across all of Puerto Rico. Each installation is a replicable model of renewable microgrids that will be placed at critical infrastructure across the island and provide resiliency when the next storm strikes.”

A Secure, Resilient System

Even Puerto Rico’s recently-privatized utility company, PREPA, now sees the advantages of distributed generation. As James Ellsmoor reports in Forbes, “the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) has put forward a plan to radically reform electricity access on the Caribbean island.” A recent proposal outlines a pathway toward dividing the island into 8 regions, each with its own “mini-grid.”

These grids would be interconnected but capable of sustaining their own region in the event of an outage elsewhere on the island. “Each mini-grid would be further broken down into smaller microgrids, which could function autonomously to service a small community,” Ellsmoor notes, and remote areas of the island that are not currently reachable via traditional infrastructure would have their own microgrids as well. This revolution of the traditional utility model offers hope that other utility companies may see the value of distributed generation systems.

Puerto Rico’s new clean energy mandate reinforces the ability of state (or territory) level energy policies to pave the way for nationwide progress towards a renewable, secure energy future. The island’s growing use of microgrids makes them an example of the power and promise of distributed generation for the rest of the United States.

Would you like to learn more about microgrids, distributed generation, or solar-plus-storage systems? Contact the experts at Solar Design Studio today!

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Science & Industry Perspectives on the Green New Deal

  As I write this, the U.S. Senate is teeing up for a vote later this month on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ ambitious non-binding resolution to work towards a Green New Deal, which would confront climate change and social inequality through a coordinated effort to make alternative energy sources a pillar of our economy. The resolution, which has been in the news for weeks, has already succeeded in bringing national attention to the problem of climate change. Many 2020 presidential hopefuls are expressing their support, while other lawmakers condemn the proposal in increasingly dramatic and hyperbolic ways.

Whether or not this iteration of the Green New Deal becomes legislative policy this year, it will no doubt impact our nation’s priorities for years to come. Former Vice President and climate change activist Al Gore, who has been struggling to convince Americans about the threat posed by a destabilizing climate for a decade, noted that “The Green New Deal resolution marks the beginning of a crucial dialogue on climate legislation in the U.S…. this proposal responds to the growing concern and demand for action.”

We’ve heard a lot from politicians about the Green New Deal. Let’s take a moment to listen to what climate scientists and alternative energy industry insiders, those who have been at the forefront of the effort to make renewable energy an economic priority, are saying.

Raising Public Awareness

“The GND is an aspirational idea,” write environmental politics and affairs experts Nives Dolsak and Aseem Prakash, “it lacks policy coherence and a legislative roadmap. Yet, it has moved climate conversations from fretting about IPCC reports to topics that people can relate to. Its vocabulary is simple and accessible. Politicians may hate the GND or love it, but they cannot duck it.”

For people who have understood the threat of climate change but struggled to move the needle of public perception, the Green New Deal is cause for celebration. Whether or not they agree with every aspect of its policy, they are relieved that it has finally broken through to a large audience in ways that scientists, filmmakers, and reporters have not.

Asking Hard Questions

For Pacific Standard magazine, Francie Diep interviewed climate scientists about their reactions to the Green New Deal. Their responses raise several hard questions, both about the resolution and our national approach to stemming climate change as a whole. “Should the Green New Deal aim merely to ensure America doesn't emit any more greenhouse gases? Or should it shoot for America's energy to come from all renewable sources?” she asks, noting that “Some environmentalists object to nuclear energy and carbon capture technology, but renewables are less controversial.”

One of the biggest questions the Green New Deal raises is “how much will this cost?” Diep writes that, when it comes to widespread alternative energy sources and energy storage, “The researchers I talked to believe these technology advances are all possible. It's just a question of how much we are willing to pay for this future.” Economists have released varying projections for the total cost of a Green New Deal, but pinning down the numbers is difficult. One underlying theme is that, while the costs of fighting climate change may be quite high, the costs of not addressing the problem are likely to be even higher.

Encouraging State-Level Action

What alternative energy industry members and climate scientists all seem to agree on is that the national discussion of a major energy shift is important, but the state-level initiatives that are currently underway deserve equal attention. Recently, New Mexico announced its own “mini” Green New Deal, which calls for state utilities to be completely carbon-free by 2045, sets a 100% renewable energy goal, and includes money for retraining workers in industries that will be impacted, such as coal. For the third-largest producer of domestic crude oil, this is an enormous step forward into a renewable energy economy.

New Mexico joins California and Hawaii in passing bills that will require 100% of energy to come from renewable sources in the future. Other states that have embarked upon Green New Deal-adjacent projects include New York, Illinois, and Michigan. Whether a national Green New Deal is imminent or not, the progress made at the state level is encouraging, as these states pave the way for larger progress.

For GreenTechMedia, Adam Browning writes that “The Green New Deal is like cilantro, Hawaiian pizza, or peas in guacamole — it’s the kind of thing that, love or hate, everyone has an opinion about… But the fact is, most Americans find many of the goals of the Green New Deal appealing.” From the states to the halls of Congress, those voices are now being heard.

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Business, Solar, and the Green New Deal

The Green New Deal, a nonbinding resolution introduced by Senators Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ed Markey, has sparked a lot of discussion over the last several weeks. It is an ambitious plan to confront man-made climate change while also building an American economy that prioritizes renewable energy, innovation, and job creation. As such, it would have a tremendous impact on the solar energy industry (as well as other alternatives to fossil fuels) and the business community as a whole.

As BusinessInsider notes, “this type of rhetoric is arguably ‘the first time that the US — or any major Western economy — has proposed a comprehensive 20-year plan for a green transition.’” The magnitude of what the Green New Deal proposes has raised concerns and objections from those who feel it is too ambitious. Indeed, “the plan would involve major changes to the US' infrastructure, electricity grids, and transportation systems to make them more sustainable and energy-efficient.” However, many professionals in the solar industry and larger business community acknowledge that these sweeping changes are necessary to fight climate change, and “Green New Deal supporters see the plan as a way to take on that enormous threat while stimulating the national economy at the same time.”

How the Green New Deal Impacts Business

A recent article in Harvard Business Review examines how the Green New Deal might impact businesses, and what they can do to prepare, adjust, and help in making this important effort successful. Written by two researchers who have studied the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies, the piece acknowledges the costs of such a large undertaking and argues that “taking advantage of these early opportunities will not only help transform and protect vulnerable communities, it will also allow companies to secure new modes of revenue.”

The authors propose two complementary ways for businesses to lead the way during this transition and create new opportunities at the same time. First, “Companies can help reduce the burdens of the energy transition by supporting economically sustainable low-carbon initiatives,” particularly in areas that are hardest-hit economically by the move away from coal. Creating new economic opportunities through investment in these communities “can help revive stagnating local economies and insulate them from the downsides of the transition.”

In addition, “two new energy business models have evolved over the past decade that demonstrate possibilities for specifically targeting vulnerable populations.” These are subscription-based community solar projects and energy service companies (ESCOs). We’ve discussed community-based solar projects such as microgrids as a way to provide stable, efficient energy for small or large communities. Businesses that invest in these projects help pave the way for sustainable change while also serving communities that would otherwise suffer from disproportionate energy costs. “In ESCOs, firms help other companies design a plan for energy savings through energy efficiency, conservation, or by installing new renewable energy technologies on-site.” Both of these opportunities aid in the transition to a green economy and provide avenues for businesses to benefit while helping vulnerable populations.

Solar Industry Impacts

The solar industry in the U.S. is already booming, contributing technological innovation and creating a large share of new job opportunities. The Green New Deal would turbocharge the already fast-expanding solar sector. Pacific Standard reveals that “a 100 percent emissions cut” like the one proposed by the Green New Deal “might... create a net 6.8 million jobs” across renewable energy industries. Emerging opportunities in the solar industry would include education and professional development for new workers as well as the creation, manufacturing, design, installation, and maintenance of solar technologies.

The Green New Deal represents a massive shift in the priorities of the American economy, but many experts believe it can (and must) be done. As Harvard Business Review notes, “If companies making positive inroads on climate protection flourish, then the communities where those companies are working have a real chance to thrive.” The solar industry and the business community as a whole must take advantage of these opportunities to help pave the way.

At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited to be on the forefront of a changing, renewable economy. We work with business, industrial, and residential clients to build solar solutions that save money and mitigate environmental impacts. Contact us today to learn more!

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State-Level Energy Initiatives are Helping Advance the Green New Deal

  In our exploration of the “Green New Deal” and its impacts on the alternative energy industry, we examined how the environmental and economic components of the ambitious plan, proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, would greatly enhance efforts to slow climate change and create new green jobs. The idea has rallied many Democrats behind a federal environmental policy that has quickly become a litmus test for representatives and candidates, including those eyeing the presidency in 2020.

It’s galvanizing for those of us who have worked for years in alternative energy technology, design, and implementation to hear politicians at the highest levels of government prioritizing our work, creating opportunities for broader discussions, and signalling their commitment to environmental action. However, many leaders at the state level have been working to implement policies similar to the Green New Deal over the past several years. Their efforts, and the results, are helping advance federal policy-making regarding the environmental and economic benefits of alternative energy.

Let’s take a look at some of the state-level initiatives that give us hope for the success of a Green New Deal:

New York Leaps Forward

In New York state, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his own Green New Deal this January. As GreenTech Media reports, the plan aims “to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040, and ultimately eliminate the state’s carbon footprint.” An update to the state’s previous energy plans, it sets ambitious goals involving the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation’s largest public power organization. Progress in New York foreshadows how both public and private utilities must cooperate with lawmakers and the alternative energy industry in order to achieve these new goals.

NYPA has announced its plans to invest in large-scale renewable energy with “a 20-year power-purchase agreement for 290 megawatts of wind” that will create an estimated “140 construction jobs, 300 indirect positions and around $2.5 million a year in tax payments.” Offshore wind energy is on the agenda as well, with the deployment of data collection technology in the near future informing decisions about placement and design.

In alignment with Cuomo’s Green New Deal for New York state, Con Edison has announced its plans for a $484 million rate-based investment in energy infrastructure, including charging ports for electric vehicles and energy storage installations. That utility companies, which have fought energy progress for decades, are getting involved as a result of state-level policies is a sign that real forward motion is being made.

California Sets an Example

On the west coast, California’s new Governor Gavin Newsom is continuing the work of his predecessor to meet climate goals that include eliminating carbon emissions by 2045. Long a stronghold for progressive environmental policy, California’s example now includes eliminating some tax revenue sharing for municipalities that contribute to suburban sprawl instead of increasing density of housing in areas with public transportation options.

Grist reports that Newsom also plans to reinstate the Healthy Soils Initiative, which includes soil conservation practices and “techniques to get farmland to soak up carbon from the air.” They note that the Governor will need the cooperation of state legislators to turn these ideas into policy, but that his priorities will shape the upcoming legislative session. California’s example shows that we need passionate leaders like Newsom to continually demand progress if ambitious proposals like the Green New Deal are to be successful.

Other States Join the Movement

While states like New York and California have long been on the front lines of progressive climate policy, they aren’t alone. The New York Times writes that “midterm elections in the fall brought in a new wave of governors who are now setting climate goals for their states and laying out more ambitious plans to cut emissions and expand low-carbon energy” in states like Michigan, Illinois, and New Mexico. “By advancing technologies like wind, solar or electric vehicles,” these states “pave the way for more ambitious federal action.”

State-level initiatives across the country include requiring utilities to use and invest in more renewable power sources, lowering or eliminating carbon dioxide emissions, and creating carbon pricing markets. As the national conversation around environmental and economic policy evolves, educators and activists are focusing on the states to create progress and build support for new federal policy.

From New York to California and everywhere in between, state-level policies are giving us a taste of what a national Green New Deal could mean. At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited to be part of the conversation. If you have your own renewable energy goals for your home or business, reach out to us today to learn more about how we can work together to achieve them.

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What is the Green New Deal? Environmental, Social, & Economic Impacts

We’ve begun 2019 with the signs of climate change all around us - from a searing heatwave in Australia to the polar vortex recently unleashed across the Midwestern United States. As record-breaking events like these fail to convince some of our political figures that the threat of man-made climate change exists, many advocacy groups are pushing for sweeping governmental and regulatory action to confront it and mitigate future damages.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines by proposing a “Green New Deal” that would make climate change a priority for our government, set new goals and standards for energy production, and address pervasive economic issues as well. Predictably, a chorus of naysayers has emerged to call the plan unfeasible and even unnecessary. However, many politicians and renewable energy advocates support the idea.

Let’s examine what this Green New Deal is shaping up to mean and how it could change the energy landscape in the United States.

Green New Deal: Environmental Goals

Ocasio-Cortez’s website contains a draft resolution that outlines a number of the goals that would be prioritized under the Green New Deal. Within a 10-year window from the adoption of the resolution, goals include “meeting 100% of national power demand through renewable sources,” “building a national, energy-efficient, ‘smart’ grid,” and “upgrading every residential and industrial building for state-of-the-art energy efficiency, comfort and safety.” The Green New Deal also calls for the elimination of greenhouse gas production in manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure.

These are very ambitious goals, but they reflect the passion and commitment of an ever-growing coalition that acknowledges the threat of climate change and is working to address it in meaningful, systematic ways. As Axios notes, groups that have rallied behind the Green New Deal include “the Center for Biological Diversity, the Climate Justice Alliance, the Indigenous Environmental Network, Food & Water Watch, Oil Change USA and more,” ultimately numbering in the hundreds of national and local organizations. Additionally, a number of high-profile Democratic politicians (many of them 2020 presidential hopefuls), including Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker, Julián Castro, and Beto O’Rourke, have expressed support for the idea of “a Green New Deal.”

Ocasio-Cortez writes that her Green New Deal includes “making ‘green’ technology, industry, expertise, products and services a major export of the United States, with the aim of becoming the undisputed international leader in helping other countries transition to completely greenhouse gas neutral economies and bringing about a global Green New Deal.” Ambitious? Yes. Important and inspiring? Absolutely.

Green New Deal: Economic Impact

Alongside the environmental goals set forth in the Green New Deal is a plan that would help the emerging alternative energy industry continue to drive job growth, embrace innovation, and ultimately address systemic economic inequality by creating opportunities for those who want to work in the green economy. This would include education and job training programs to prepare a new workforce for careers in alternative energy technology development, implementation, and maintenance.

In short, just as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal both provided opportunity for impoverished American workers and accomplished massive infrastructure and public works projects, the Green New Deal aims to mobilize today’s workforce towards achieving economic and environmental stability and sustainability.

An Alternative Energy Economy

How might this set of policies, if implemented, impact the alternative energy industry? A short series recently published by Greentech Media notes that “with limited exceptions, clean energy advocates are enthusiastic” about the Green New Deal. “A Green New Deal must fundamentally transform the electric grid into a platform for innovation and allow new business models to flourish,” notes energy storage expert Daniel Finn-Foley, who also states that “a national (renewable portfolio standard) may be the only politically feasible way to transition the entire economy to clean energy.”

The Green New Deal would not only allow the alternative energy industry to continue its record of driving job growth and technological development, it would place it at the center of a national project that could reshape our society and the world around us for centuries to come. The responsibility would be immense, but then so are the challenges that we are facing as a result of decades of reliance on coal and oil for energy.

There are many, many unknowns surrounding the idea of a Green New Deal, but it is vital that we seek wide-ranging solutions to the problem of man-made global warming. The alternative energy industry is adaptable, scalable, and eager to prove its worth on a national scale.

It may take years before we see a policy like the Green New Deal implemented, but the conversation it has created is already bringing awareness to the power of green technologies to impact our future for the better. At Solar Design Studio, we’re proud to be part of that conversation. Contact us today to learn more.

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Solar-Plus-Storage: Another Big Year Ahead for Energy Storage

Solar-plus-storage, or the pairing of solar panels with batteries to store excess energy for future use, was a big topic in 2018. Many industry analysts predicted that the energy storage market in the United States would triple, and despite a few obstacles, it was a record-breaking year for new solar-plus-storage deployments. This trend is expected to continue in 2019 and beyond as energy storage becomes a vital component of consumer and utility solar installations.

There are now 5 states with publicized energy storage targets. Their efforts, along with growing adoption of solar-plus-storage systems by utility companies, will continue to highlight the security and stability benefits of energy storage. Let’s take a look at what the year ahead may hold for the solar-plus-storage market.

Prices Decline as Technology Advances

For consumers who are interested in achieving greater energy independence and security, there has never been a better time to invest in energy storage. Prices continue to decline as storage technology advances, and major battery suppliers such as Tesla and SunRun are creating more efficient and effective products. As Energy Storage News notes, “from residential to commercial to utility-scale, vendors and developers are ‘pitching pre-designed solar-plus-storage [solutions] with increasingly competitive prices compared to standalone solar.’”

Why should solar adopters embrace solar-plus-storage? Consumers seeking to cut the cord from utility companies, use more of their own energy, or even sell stored energy back onto the grid find that today’s battery systems add tremendous value to their solar installations. In addition, stored solar energy can allow residential and commercial energy producers to avoid peak demand charges and greatly increase their energy savings.

Utilities Come On Board

The cost of producing and storing solar energy dropped low enough in 2018 to compete favorably with natural gas-generated power, awakening utility companies to the fact that alternative energy sources can be good business for them, too. CleanTechnica reveals that “energy storage is now becoming more integrated into resource plans,” at the utility level.

UtilityDive forecasts that “as more utilities incorporate storage into their systems, it will change the way utilities think about how much intermittent renewable resources their systems can integrate, particularly in regions that are expecting substantial amounts of retirements of older resources, such as coal and nuclear power plants.” The buy-in of utility companies will have a major effect on the energy storage market, enabling even more rapid growth and innovation and resulting in even better technology and lower prices for all solar-plus-storage consumers.

A Powerful Case Study

One great example of the potential impacts of solar-plus-storage adoption is underway in Kaua’i, Hawaii. PV Magazine writes “those who cast doubt on the ability of renewable energy to supply the demands of our civilization” like to say that “the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow all the time.” But, “As it turns out, they don’t have to. Because with batteries, photovoltaics can supply electricity after sundown. And this is not theory; it is being done.”

The proof? The world’s largest solar-plus-storage “peaker” - which means that “it will meet peak demand typically served by the use of natural gas-fired power plants.” The Lāwa’i Solar and Energy Storage plant will provide for 11% of the island’s energy needs, replacing 3.7 million gallons of diesel fuel each year and bringing Kaua’i’s total solar contribution to 34%. In addition, it is capable of “black-starting” the island’s grid in the event of a system outage or natural disaster. How much does it cost? Just 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.

This example is proof that solar-plus-storage installations will continue to make a major impact, from consumers to utility companies and back, by providing more efficient, more reliable, and less expensive power.

At Solar Design Studio, we’re always happy to help clients include battery storage in their solar plans. If solar-plus-storage is part of your plan for 2019, contact us today!

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U.S. Solar 2018: A Year-End Review

As we enter the New Year, it’s important to look back over the struggles and successes of the previous year. And what a year it was for the solar industry! Despite a few major challenges, the U.S. solar sector stayed strong and made significant progress. Much of that forward motion is due to continually increasing public support for alternative energy technology and environmental stewardship.

Let’s take a look back at what U.S. solar accomplished in 2018:

Greater Public Awareness of Climate Change

Due to a number of high profile natural disasters, including Hurricanes Michael and Florence and the Camp and Carr wildfires in California, the threat posed by climate change was a prominent part of our national discourse. While our government struggles to take meaningful action, consumers have begun to vote with their dollars, making it clear that they believe clean energy sources are vital to our future.

As a result, the solar market is growing in geographic areas of the country that have previously been challenging to reach. California still leads the nation in solar adoption, but Florida and Texas have emerged as major markets as well. Fast Company recently reported on a program called DeepSolar, which used AI to scan satellite images and tally the number of panels in the United States. It found “1.47 million rooftop solar systems or larger solar plants in 48 states,” a much greater figure than previously reported.

Domestic Solar Manufacturing on the Rise

The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration did encourage domestic solar manufacturers. As PV Magazine reports, “3.9 GW of new module manufacturing capacity... is currently underway in five new factories, as well as a few hundred megawatts more in several smaller factories” across the country. They note that while tariffs were a motivating factor, plans for many of these factories were underway before that decision complicated the U.S. solar market.

While domestic solar module manufacturing is increasing, it is unclear how profitable it will be in the future as the Section 201 tariffs continue their yearly decline. Nevertheless, consumers who wish to purchase American-made solar modules despite the additional expense now have greater options to choose from.

Solar + Storage Continues to Gain Traction

As we predicted this time last year, Solar + Storage systems were a major source of growth in 2018. The residential energy storage market grew 9x in the first quarter of the year and 10x in Q2, spurred in part by initiatives in states such as California and Hawaii. The outlook is so strong that Tesla’s Elon Musk predicted “300-400% of ‘mad growth’ in energy storage in 2019.”

A report released by Energy Sage early in 2018 found that “74% of customers shopping for solar on their online solar marketplace were considering energy storage,” indicating that consumers who are educated about battery options consider them a natural extension of their interest in adopting solar power. The outlook for battery storage is strong going into 2019.

Solar Prices Still Falling

Perhaps the best news for solar consumers is that, despite the ups and downs of the past year, solar panel and battery options continue to increase and prices continue to fall. PV Magazine writes that “Solar power electricity generation pricing is the cheapest electricity you can get every single day at 12 noon in many places across the United States.” Because of this, even utility companies are coming around to embracing solar energy as part of their plans for the future, especially those who are mandated to buy power from the cheapest source.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) notes that “higher-voltage inverter designs, lower inverter prices, and higher module efficiencies contributed to cost reductions” in 2018, despite reasonable fears that solar tariffs would drive up prices. For residential and commercial consumers (and even utility companies, it seems) the choice is clear - solar power is the cheapest and most reliable way to mitigate our negative impact on our environment and save money on energy bills.

The Future is Solar

After a sometimes tumultuous year, it’s satisfying to see that the U.S. solar industry is still going strong. At Solar Design Studio, so is our commitment to helping consumers source, design, and install the most efficient and effective solar installations possible. We know that solar power is the future of energy production and we’re grateful to clients past, present, and future for joining us there.

Contact us today to begin your solar journey in 2019!

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U.S. Solar Industry Stays Strong Despite Tariffs on Imported Panels

The announcement of new 30% tariffs on imported solar panels in January, one of the early salvos in a trade war between the U.S. and China that has dominated headlines for the past year, put the solar industry on edge. Many solar professionals feared that our livelihoods, as well as the rapid momentum that solar power had gained over the past decade, would be jeopardized.

As we wrote at the time, panel tariffs would have an economic chilling effect on one of the U.S.’ most promising industries, which has been a force for new job creation and a major contributor to the national economy. GTM Research wrote that these tariffs “could devastate the U.S. industry, wiping out two-thirds of solar systems forecast to be installed over the next five years.” The experts weren’t wrong - tariffs did delay or destroy a significant amount of solar projects in 2018, setting back clean energy goals and reducing the solar industry’s ability to contribute to economic growth.

However, due to the strength of the solar industry and continually growing consumer support for clean energy adoption, the tariffs have not been as devastating as many predicted. Let’s take a look at why:

Solar Panel Prices Continue to Trend Downward

Solar tariffs negatively impacted many utility-scale solar projects in 2018 and caused a contraction in the solar market overall, but despite additional fees, solar panel prices are now lower than ever. How? Several unforeseen (and unpredictable) circumstances have worked in the industry’s favor.

As Quartz reports, “Federal tax credits, state renewable energy goals, and plunging prices for equipment from China have driven healthy demand despite the import duties,” leading to optimism and momentum for the solar market in 2019. In late May, Chinese authorities announced they were “removing domestic feed-in tariffs (favorable long-term contracts for renewable energy producers) and moving utility-scale solar to competitive bidding.” As a result of this competition between rival manufacturers, PV panel prices dropped to their lowest level ever.

This was great news for solar professionals and consumers, as it had a leveling effect on the price increase imposed through trade tariffs. If the tariffs had not gone into effect, however, consumers would see even lower prices today and the solar industry would have been spared a lot of panic and delayed or canceled projects.

Panel Options Continue to Increase

Another mitigating factor for solar consumers has been the continually expanding options they have when implementing solar collection and storage technology. Many new products, including building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels, have taken the market by storm over the past year, increasing the design and functionality options for commercial and residential solar adopters. American-made solar panel options are increasing as well, although the tariffs did not achieve their stated goal of leveling competition between foreign and domestic photovoltaic producers.

Consumers Want More Solar Power

Perhaps the greatest strength of the solar industry, and the primary reason it has weathered these tariffs as well as it has, is the growing consumer demand for solar power. Corporate adoption of solar power shows no signs of slowing, and although residential consumers were spooked by potentially higher prices related to the tariffs, the cultural consensus is firmly in favor of renewable energy growth. Despite the obstacles of the past year, the solar industry continues to win over the hearts and minds of Americans who understand how important alternative energy sources are to the future of our economy and our climate.

We aren’t out of the woods yet, however. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly half the economists they polled consider the ongoing trade war between the US and China “the biggest threat to the U.S. economy in 2019.” Despite this threat, the solar industry has remained strong and anticipates further growth.

Solar Design Studio remains committed to providing solar solutions with the greatest possible return on investment for our clients. If you’re ready to start a solar project of your own, contact us today to learn more.

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Integrated PV Panels Create New Solar Design Possibilities

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels are the latest innovation to hit the solar market, increasing the design and installation options for residential and commercial solar consumers seeking to achieve their energy goals. Unlike “traditional” solar installations, in which panels are mounted on frames on top of or nearby the building they provide power to, building-integrated panels blend seamlessly with other construction materials as part of the structure itself. Whether you are building a new home or commercial facility or retrofitting an existing structure, BIPV offers several exciting design possibilities.

We’re going to focus on the impact this new technology is having on solar design and aesthetics but first should note that integrated solar panels can also be more efficient and less expensive than traditional solar installations. The constant innovation in the solar sector has led to new technologies that are lighter, more durable, and more effective than ever before.

Combining Form & Function

Almost every major solar manufacturer has now released a line of building-integrated photovoltaic panels, each with its own unique design elements, technical specifications, and capabilities. Some directly mimic roof tiles, like Tesla’s Solar Roof array including “active” (solar collecting) and “inactive” tiles. Others, such as MiaSolé’s flexible solar modules, are flexible and can be fitted onto curved structures or incorporated into framing materials. Some are so thin and transparent that they can be applied to windows or skylights and capture energy without blocking sunlight.

What every BIPV panel has in common is the integration of form and function. As SEIA notes, “they serve as both the outer layer of a structure and generate electricity for on-site use or export to the grid.” This dual function means that BIPV can “provide savings in materials and electricity costs, reduce pollution, and add to the architectural appeal of a building” while also reducing the incremental cost of solar technology for consumers. Like any solar panels, they also have an immediate impact on the energy costs of the building they’re a part of.

Solar Design: Blend In or Stand Out?

As a design element, building-integrated photovoltaics offer several new possibilities. The biggest impact they are having on solar design is their ability to seamlessly blend into new or pre-existing structures. Now, the first question solar consumers need to ask is whether they want their panels to blend in or stand out?

While BIPV systems can be completely invisible due to their ability to blend in with (or replace) other construction materials, they can also be used to advertise the owner’s green credentials in subtle or not-so-subtle ways. As SolarProfessional writes, “BIPV has become one of the most powerful visual manifestations of green design… Innovative architects are now adding BIPV to their design pallet and the creative process.”

For instance, during renovations of the Bell Labs facilities in New Jersey, architects decided to feature a largest-of-its-kind photovoltaic skylight as a way to publicize the company’s dedication to renewable energy sources. As consumers become increasingly attracted to companies that prioritize green practices, it’s not a bad idea to put your solar installation front and center.

On the other hand, home or building owners in areas with historic designations or picky homeowners associations can use BIPV technology to experience the benefits of solar energy without making drastic alterations to the appearance of their structure. The unobtrusive (or even invisible) visual beauty of these new product lines allows them to be implemented almost anywhere. Perhaps most importantly, aesthetic concerns are no longer a barrier to entry for those who want to save money and reduce their environmental impact.

Beyond Traditional Solar Design

Another exciting element of building-integrated solar panels is the ability to put them almost anywhere the sun will shine. While most traditional solar installations are on top of buildings (where they get the most direct light), BIPV technology can be used on the sides of structures, integrated into windows, and even incorporated into solar greenhouses, carports (such as this carport we recently created for a client), or shade structures.

At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited by the new design possibilities this technology creates for our residential and commercial consumers. If you’d like to learn more about BIPV technology or begin planning a solar project of your own, contact us today!

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Integrated Solar Modules: The Next Step in Solar Design & Technology

As the need for serious progress towards meeting renewable energy goals and sustainability practices becomes more and more urgent, the solar industry is responding by making it easier than ever before for consumers to adopt technology that mitigates our impact on our environment. Solar technology companies continue to grow and innovate their product offerings in order to provide consumers with more efficient, less expensive, and more aesthetically-pleasing options.

Over the past few years, there has been a push to make solar panels less intrusive, longer lasting, and more effective. As a result, integrated solar modules are arriving on the market and increasing the design and installation options for consumers seeking to achieve their energy goals.

Integrated Solar Technology

Integrated solar modules, also known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), are different from “traditional” solar installations (picture solar panels affixed to rooftops or to metal frames) in a number of ways. While different manufacturers and products mean that not every integrated solar module is the same, the primary difference is that these new solar panels can be directly integrated into building construction. So, rather than building a mount and frame for panels on top of a roof, for instance, an integrated panel serves as the roofing material itself.

As the SEIA specifies, “Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are dual-purpose: they serve as both the outer layer of a structure and generate electricity for on-site use or export to the grid.” This means that, unlike traditional installations, there is often much less technology exposed to the elements, as connection points, microinverters, and power optimizers are housed inside the panel rather than being external components.

Benefits of Integrated Photovoltaics

This new technology has been developed in response to consumer’s desires as well as the logistics of solar installation and maintenance. The resulting products are easier to install (especially when integrated into initial construction, but also when retrofitting existing structures) and maintain over the lifespan of the panel, which is similar to that of “traditional” external panels at approximately 25 years.

Solar Power World notes that “Installers love that integrated panels just plug in to each other without any high voltage DC. This makes installation much safer and panels can be shut down individually if needed.” In addition, “because of their plug-and-play technology, integrated systems can be expanded without problems” which allows consumers to easily scale their installations up or down as their needs change.

For consumers, integrated photovoltaics require less maintenance and may experience fewer complications as a result of housing more components internally. These panels are also less susceptible to environmental factors such as wind, rain, and hail because they are integrated into the building structure rather than separate from it.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect for solar consumers, however, is that integrated panels can be seamlessly included in the design of their homes or buildings. As design elements, they can be almost invisible or create visual interest of their own if desired. Integrated panels are rated for roof construction and are just as watertight, insulating, and durable as the traditional roofing materials that they replace or interface with.

Products to Consider

Among the innovative new products that are beginning to surface on the market are several different takes on integrated panels. Tesla, whose new technologies always generate plenty of press, has released a line of solar roof tiles with options that include textured, smooth, Tuscan, and slate. The “active” solar tiles look exactly like “inactive” tiles to create a truly seamless look. Sunflare’s flexible SUN2 cell modules are ultra-thin and can conform to irregular roof shapes because they do not require framing or glass coverings, while 3 IN 1 solar tiles offer a wide variety of colors and finishes, including completely concealed panels.

Another product line (which we’ve discussed using to create aesthetically pleasing rooftop installations) is CertainTeed, a construction materials company that has recently expanded into solar tiles. Their Apollo II tiles match the profile of other concrete tiles to create a seamless, watertight roof with solar capabilities. MiaSolé offers flexible solar modules that can be fitted onto curved structures or incorporated into framing materials. Their product is so lightweight and low-profile it can even be used on the roofs of semi truck trailers.

As more options continue to become available to consumers, they will have a wealth of options to consider when integrating solar panels into new construction or retrofitting existing structures to include seamless solar capabilities. It’s an exciting time to be a solar designer, and Solar Design Studio looks forward to sharing these new possibilities with our clients as we create PV systems that accomplish their unique goals.

Would you like to learn more about cutting-edge solar technology and how it can save you money and reduce your impact on the environment? Contact us today.

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Meeting Your Company’s Sustainability Goals: Start with Solar!

  Most of us have already encountered the landmark report authored by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which revealed that global temperatures are continuing to rise towards unsustainable levels as a result of man-made emissions and deforestation. As The Guardian notes, “there is only a dozen years (remaining) for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C,” and “urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target.” This alarming call to action comes at a time when the United States is rolling back important environmental policies.

Hot on the heels of the IPCC report comes upsetting news from Bain & Company in the form of a report that reveals “The Disappointing Reality of Sustainability Efforts.” While institutional change of any kind is hard to implement, Bain discovered that only 4% of companies self-report that they are meeting or exceeding their sustainability goals. A full 47% of companies say that their sustainability efforts have “failed.”

Why is progress so slow at a time when it is more urgently needed than ever before? More importantly, what can companies do to put themselves on the path to success?

The Difficulty of Creating Change

Bain’s report contrasts sustainability efforts with “all change efforts,” revealing that sustainability lags considerably behind other initiatives. While companies self-report only a 12% success rate in “all change efforts,” the drop to 4% reporting success in sustainability is significant. As Bain notes, “sustainability change is harder to achieve than other types of change,” and the higher failure rate of sustainability efforts “suggests challenges driving ambitions through to results.”

In our tenure in the renewable energy space, we’ve seen this pattern play out too many times. Meetings are called to discuss sustainability, changes are suggested, research is begun, and then results never materialize. As Jive notes in “How to Overcome the Top 10 Challenges to Business Sustainability”, there are many obstacles that stand in the way, including financing, company culture, lack of information, and “where to start.”

“Where to start” seems to be where ambitions to create change most often falter. However, the answer is simple: just start! Whether upgrading equipment or replacing outdated light bulbs to save energy or installing solar PV panels and battery storage to produce and store your own, there is no step in the wrong direction other than not taking action at all.

Solar Sustainability Benefits Everyone

We’ve written before about the many benefits of adopting solar technology in the business and industrial space. Both the IPCC report and Bain’s study of sustainability efforts add new urgency for companies that want to mitigate their negative impact on the environment, gain a foothold with environmentally-conscious consumers, and save money on electric bills.

Implementing solar technology as part of your sustainability plan can significantly lower your energy expenditures, especially if you incorporate battery storage. For commercial offices and facilities that consume large amounts of power, the ability to lower demand charges through “peak shaving” results in significant savings that augment standard utility reductions. These savings often quickly pay for the cost of the initial solar installation and only grow in value as they add up over the long term, especially when continually rising utility rates are considered.

Solar installations directly impact company sustainability efforts by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and our outdated power delivery infrastructure. They also help connect environmentally-minded companies with the growing base of consumers who make purchasing decisions based on sustainability and environmental impact. From your pocketbook to the planet as a whole, solar sustainability benefits everyone.

If you’re ready to call your company’s sustainability efforts a success, consider starting with solar. Solar Design Studio’s longstanding experience and expertise ensure that your business can maximize the results of your solar design and installation. Contact us today!

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Smart Grids: Energy Infrastructure Modernization & the Internet of Things

We’ve written a lot recently about the possibilities unleashed by interconnected technologies (broadly referred to as the Internet of Things or IoT). From smart homes that prioritize comfort and ease-of-use for homeowners to smart buildings (commercial, residential, or industrial) that integrate systems to achieve massive energy savings, the growing combination of IoT technology and solar energy is very promising.

There’s an even greater application for this technology, however - one that could help our inefficient, unstable energy infrastructure enter the modern era. Grid modernization, the effort to update an electric grid that hasn’t changed much over the last century, can incorporate IoT technology to create a more resilient, accessible, and efficient power distribution system. Here’s how:

Smart Meters are Just the Beginning

The initial application of interconnected technology to hit the grid has been the implementation of “smart meters” over the past decade or so. While not everyone is happy with the way utilities have used smart meters, they mark the beginning stages of a modern grid by making two-way communication between utilities and homes possible. This sharing of information benefits utilities, consumers, and the grid that connects them.

As Capgemini notes, “Utilities want to profitably manage supply and demand, while customers want uninterrupted service, with lower carbon emissions and greater control over usage and costs. One way of providing that greater degree of control is through information.” Smart meters allow utilities to remotely monitor energy usage to better prepare for peaks and lows and regulate the demand being placed on the grid. For consumers, smart meters provide a more detailed understanding of energy usage, including time of use pricing. For those consumers who produce their own energy through distributed generation systems, smart meters also document the flow of power back onto the grid.

But smart meters are just the first step towards building a smarter grid through innovative technology.

IoT Technologies Make the Grid Smarter

In addition to more advanced metering, the interconnected web of devices we call the Internet of Things offers greater grid stability and accessibility for renewable energy generation systems. These technologies include smart inverters for solar panels, which automatically adjust the power supply to the correct voltage, and smart thermostats, which learn usage patterns to anticipate demand (or skirt high demand periods entirely).

In terms of updating the energy transmission infrastructure to create greater stability and efficiency, many IoT technologies are being implemented. The U.S. Department of Energy writes that “Through the IoT, advanced sensors can gather new data from grid assets to give grid operators better insight into infrastructure performance; controls can work across the transmission and distribution systems that are responsive to changing grid conditions, based on shifting generation mixes, physical conditions, or security threats.” These include smart sensors that can detect areas where power is being lost, intelligent distribution transformers that can help prevent outages, and line fault indicators that can predict weaknesses and suggest areas that are in need of repair.

These technologies also enhance distributed generation system’s relationship to the grid, giving consumers who generate some (or all) of their own power more seamlessly access, whether they are drawing power or adding it. Distributed generation is a vital component of any grid modernization effort, as incorporating renewable energy reduces demand from less sustainable sources while decreasing the burden on our vulnerable infrastructure.

Growing the Smart Grid

Last year, the Department of Energy announced a $50 million award “to begin research and development of tools that can enable the next-generation of grid infrastructure,” as StateTech reports. This initiative is a response to the escalating challenges facing the grid, including increasingly unpredictable and damaging storms as well as cyber-threats that make our energy infrastructure vulnerable.

As consumers, we can contribute to grid modernization efforts through implementing our own smart home or building systems to reduce power use and save money. Solar-connected IoT devices are making the generation and storage of solar power more efficient and cost-effective than ever.

If you’re ready to learn more about the solar IoT solutions that can enhance your comfort and your bottom line, contact us today!

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Buildings Going Green: How IoT Enables Better Energy Use & Management

The consumer-led push to create “smart home” systems, which prioritize energy efficiency and savings alongside increased convenience for home or building owners, is opening up new possibilities in energy management. As technology developers build home and office solutions for energy-savvy consumers, they continue to create better models for reducing the energy that our buildings consume. Both consumers and the environment benefit.

But how exactly do smart building systems enable better energy management? After all, dozens of interconnected devices (all requiring power) sound like they would need more energy, not less. Let’s take a look at how new technologies are working to make our homes and offices smarter, more efficient, and more convenient.

It Starts with the Grid

While some solar consumers are able to completely remove themselves from the grid (and the utility companies) through solar-plus-storage solutions, most of us still rely on this outdated and inefficient infrastructure for at least some of our power. However, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is providing new ways to increase grid performance.

On the blog at the SAS Institute, a leading analytics firm, Alyssa Farrell writes that “IoT is aligned with three key trends in energy: digitization, decentralization and disruption.” Through digitization, interconnected sensors placed at key points in the grid are able to detect areas of energy loss and even prevent problems (such as power surges) that lead to less efficient operation. IoT solutions also enable distributed generation through solar or wind-generated power systems paired with batteries, which lessen demand on the grid as a whole.

The disruption of the utility monopoly system that IoT and solar providers have begun requires utilities to compete with independent power generators, and consumers are becoming smarter about how they source and consume power.

Powering Green Buildings

The Internet of Things has found a natural ally in the green building movement - a push towards creating structures that prioritize energy efficiency and a minimal impact on their environment. ProudGreenBuilding notes that “The most important impact that IoT has on buildings is energy efficiency. The use of networked sensors helps in providing information that would help managers to control their assets better and also reduce harmful waste in the environment.”

These sensors serve a variety of functions, collecting data about temperature, light, appliance usage, weather forecasts, and more, alongside empowering building owners or managers to remotely adjust everything from lighting to HVAC settings or automate the building completely. A study from the Consumer Technology Association found that just implementing temperature and lighting controls (only the basic components of a full IoT system) can save consumers 10% on their monthly energy expenses. Fully interconnected, automated homes or offices offer the possibility of even greater savings.

The Energy Management Puzzle

For decades, energy-conscious homeowners have tried their best to cut back on energy use by turning off lights in empty rooms or adjusting the thermostat before leaving the house. But no amount of human effort can match the ability of interconnected devices and sensors to collect data and manage themselves. And, as Solar Industry Magazine points out, “There’s the potential for home IoT devices to bridge the gap not just in areas where we’re forgetful about energy use, but where we can’t even see it.”

Connected home systems that include our water heaters, HVAC systems, refrigerators, and more are able to communicate with each other about where power is needed at any given time and adjust to keep a building’s energy usage below certain levels. They can even interface with external temperature or light sensors to determine the best time to cycle appliances on and off. These capabilities have a major impact on a solar power system’s ability to provide all the energy that is needed.

IoT has major implications for the solar industry, but the relationship between these technologies benefits them both. Solar installations, for example, enable IoT systems in remote locations and empower data collection in previously unreachable areas. Together, these technologies will continue to reshape how we generate and consume power.

Are you ready to consider how a solar smart home system could reduce your energy use and impact your energy costs? Contact Solar Design Studio today to learn more about our comprehensive suite of solar consultation, engineering, and implementation.

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Solar Smart Homes: IoT Enables Powerful Energy Integration

As we discussed in a recent blog, when the Internet of Things (IoT) meets solar power it enables efficient, effective energy consumption in the buildings where we live and work. The interconnection of devices that we use to facilitate our daily lives provides the opportunity to better understand and control our power use. Through networked capabilities and shared data, IoT solutions show us the future of holistic energy generation and implementation.

While integrated “smart” homes are becoming more accessible than ever before, many of us still don’t fully understand what they look like in practice. Let’s examine the possibilities that are created when solar power and IoT devices combine in our homes - making our lives easier, giving us greater control over our power consumption, and moderating energy use for greater efficiency and lower costs.

Smart Homes Make it Easy

How is a smart home different than any other? By leveraging interconnected devices (the Internet of Things) to create a network that can communicate and gather data through a centralized controller. As a concept drawing produced by WISE Power shows, solar or other alternative energy sources can be connected to a battery storage system (which may also be grid-connected), which then powers an array of home appliances through a control unit.

This means that everything from lighting and computers to thermostats and sprinkler systems and even home security systems can all be controlled through a central hub. The controller is the primary IoT component, gathering data about power use and communicating between devices to ensure that a home isn’t exceeding its capacity to provide the energy it needs. For homeowners, the controller makes it easy to direct various devices (including appliances) from their cell phone. Was the TV left on or the garage door left open? Just check your phone and make the fix from anywhere.

Smart Homes Give Us Power

Putting greater control into the hands of homeowners is only one part of the smart home equation. Interconnected devices are able to share information about energy usage and provide accessible, actionable information that gives homeowners the ability to better moderate energy use. By automating parts of their smart home system, users can prioritize energy efficiency without walking through the house to check which appliances are running, or even being at home at all.

This automation provides convenience and ease, but also greater control. As Energy Matters suggests, “Imagine having a garden irrigation system that responds to current weather conditions and a thermostat you can control while you’re away from home, so your house is at a comfortable temperature when you return.” And if homeowners would prefer to spend less time thinking about how things are going at home, “A modern system will also learn from your configurations and habits, operating silently and seamlessly in the background; making some dreary and repetitive tasks just things of the past.”

Smart Homes Use Less Energy

The most important achievement of a smart home system from an energy perspective is that these buildings are able to create energy efficiency at a level that was previously impossible. Because all or most major appliances can be networked and communicate their energy needs to a central hub, a smart home can prioritize vital systems and eliminate waste from devices that aren’t currently needed or in use.

Energy Matters provides a great example - “you may want to run your washing machine during the day; but this is when electricity is most expensive. An automated home could “instruct” a washing machine to only turn on if the weather is favourable for solar electricity generation and/or your battery system has sufficient charge to support the cycle.” As a result...

Smart Homes Save Money

By enabling greater efficiency and effectiveness, smart home systems reduce a home’s impact on the environment and also save homeowners money. While they are capable of creating savings in any region, they may be especially effective in areas where energy prices frequently fluctuate or consumers experience significant demand charges by enabling automated peak shaving protocols.

The costs of smart home systems and connected devices continue to fall, as do the up-front costs of solar-plus-storage systems, making this a great time to implement both for homeowners who are eager to start seeing savings on their energy bill.

Would you like to live in a smart home and experience the benefits they provide? To learn more about our solar-plus-storage solutions and smart home recommendations, contact us today!

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Solar Power Meets the Internet of Things: The Smart Building Revolution

Few trends in the solar energy space are as exciting as the possibilities offered by interconnected technologies. Whether it’s the coupling of solar PV arrays with battery storage for increased energy independence or the potential for blockchain to create a new market for clean energy, advances in technology keep taking solar power to the next level. As the efficiency, stability, and economic viability of solar installations continue to improve, new possibilities reveal themselves.

One growing subset of clean energy technology uses interconnected devices to monitor and manage the energy production and usage of entire buildings, making them more efficient and saving money as a result. These “smart buildings” offer a glimpse into a future in which energy generation and management are more accessible and customizable - where the power to control a building’s worth of devices fits in the palm of your hand.

The Internet of Things

What’s enabling this type of progress? The Internet of Things (IoT), which WIRED notes “is increasingly being used to define (any) objects that ‘talk’ to each other.” Encompassing devices from smartphones and remote speakers to small wearable technology like fitness bands and large smart appliances, the IoT is already reshaping the way we manage communication, health, and our homes and offices. These devices can interface with each other and with cloud-based applications or storage systems to do everything from adjusting the thermostat when we leave the house to alerting emergency personnel in the event of a heart attack or stroke.

Entrepreneur Ludovic Deblois writes in Medium that “in 2020, the Internet of Things should number 50 billion connected devices communicating with applications in the cloud, compared with ‘only’ 14 billion today. That will be an average of more than 7 objects per person on Earth…” In addition to communicating across interconnected devices to make our lives easier, these devices also collect and store massive amounts of data, which can help us eliminate waste and diagnose inefficiencies or potential dangers.

Beyond Green Buildings

The Internet of Things is also changing the way we think about the buildings in which we live and work. Nearly twenty-five years ago, the green building standard was developed to encourage sustainable, environmentally friendly, healthy building practices. The primary considerations set forward by the U.S. Green Building Council include “energy use, water use, indoor environmental quality, material selection and the building's effects on its site.” Now, IoT applications can help address many of the same issues, both when included in new construction and retrofitted to systems in older buildings.

Internet of Things devices can be used to connect various building systems from HVAC and ventilation to computer servers, lights, and alarm systems. These “smart” buildings or homes are then able to integrate and process information from each system to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs. When paired with green building practices, IoT can create incredibly low-impact facilities that use less energy and produce less waste than ever before. When applied to older buildings, IoT devices can address and mitigate many issues such as water management, energy efficiency, and air quality.

As GreenTechMedia recently explored, there are several converging trends that make IoT-connected smart buildings the smart choice for building managers and owners. These include the growing market for green buildings and the higher prices that they can demand from buyers or renters, the desire for high-tech spaces (in both residential and office buildings), and a “renewed focus on space utilization and space analytics.” Smart buildings satisfy all of these needs, and many facilities are recognizing that a “building retrofit can be funded by the future reductions in energy cost.”

Solar Power Meets the Internet of Things

What’s the next step for smart buildings and homes? Imagine a systems-integrated solar installation that can provide power to a building’s interconnected devices and store the excess for use when needed (or to be sold to a nearby facility or back to the utility company). These solutions are being actively developed by innovators such as those behind WISE Power technology, which “integrates smart devices through a vendor-neutral hub to facilitate home automation as well as building management through smart HVAC, electrical, and solar plus storage solutions.”

At Solar Design Studio, we’re excited to embrace the possibilities revealed through the interconnection of solar and other technology systems. Our decades of expertise in the rapidly-changing solar market have prepared us to integrate new technologies as we design solutions that prioritize effectiveness and ROI for our clients.

Are you interested in learning more about how solar energy can add to or kick-start your smart home or office? Contact us today!

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Utilities vs. Solar Consumers: Who’s Got the Power?

A new white paper from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reflects on how Solar Plus Storage technology is disrupting the traditional power balance of energy supply and demand. Titled “How Solar+Batteries Shift Electric Grid Decision Making from Utilities to Consumers,” it examines the fundamental shift that is occurring as more consumers elect to produce and use power locally. But are utility companies ready to acknowledge that the future of solar plus storage is here?

Rapid Technology Adoption Spurs Change

The paper’s author, John Farrell, notes that “For 100 years, most decisions about the U.S. electric grid have been made at the top by electric utilities, public regulators, and grid operators. That era has ended.” Why?

The rapid consumer adoption of solar plus storage systems has created new, localized models of power production and consumption. Farrell calls this “economic defection” - the ability for power customers to become independent power generators has changed their relationship to utility companies. Because grid-connected solar plus storage systems are still very common, the shared infrastructure still binds solar adopters to the traditional utility companies, but perhaps not for long.

These localized power generation, storage, and distribution systems have already provided the impetus for reflection on the future of the electric grid and what must be done to prepare infrastructure for decentralized energy production. The fact is, distributed generation is a more reliable, more flexible, and cheaper alternative to paying continually rising utility rates to buy and transport energy from far off power plants. As prices for solar and battery technology continue to decline, more and more consumers are feeling empowered to make the switch.

“Based on a proxy measure of electricity prices, the combination of on-site solar and energy storage can already compete with the price of serving nearly 26 million residential electricity customers in 19 states,” Farrell notes. How have utility companies responded?

Utilities Do Too Little, Too Late

The first attempt by utilities to address the rising popularity of solar (and later, solar plus storage) technology was to block it by making it less economically beneficial to consumers. We saw this with attempts to end net metering (which allowed consumers to be reimbursed for extra power they produced and shared), the levying of special fees on the accounts of solar consumers, and raising fixed portions of bills. Luckily, the arrival of low-cost energy storage options has allowed many consumers to still experience the financial benefits of producing their own power.

Another strategy has been adopting utility-scale solar efforts, which allows utilities to dodge environmental arguments and continue making money off of consumers by withholding their share of reduced costs. Additionally, “some utilities go beyond utility-owned large-scale clean energy facilities to embrace utility-owned distributed solar and storage.”This keeps as much as two-thirds of the profits from clean energy inside the company.

Consumers know better, however. The democratization of power production enabled by solar plus storage technology has proven that consumers want to be able to choose how and where they get their power. As utility companies continue to drag their heels, solar plus storage adopters are outpacing them and making the case for a different kind of energy future.

Cutting the Cord

Will utilities realize that major spending on outdated technologies is regressive and focus their grid modernization efforts on a more local, sustainable model? That remains to be seen. In the meantime, more and more consumers are choosing to cut the cord, embrace solar plus storage, and benefit from the financial savings that come from clean power investments.

Are you ready to cut the cord? Solar plus storage technology is more efficient and more affordable than ever. If you’d like to be part of the movement towards sustainable, stable, and economically beneficial power production, contact us today!

  from Learn From the Solar Expert http://www.solardesignstudio.com/RSSRetrieve.aspx?ID=13199&A=Link&ObjectID=730924&ObjectType=56&O=http%253a%252f%252fwww.solardesignstudio.com%252flearn-from-the-solar-expert-blog%252futilities-vs-solar-consumers-who-s-got-the-power