Prevost, L. (2015, February 20). Appraising Solar Energy’s Value. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/22/realestate/solar-panels-and-home-values.html?_r=0

The Department of Energy has found that homes with rooftop solar panels typically are sold for more than homes without. Their study analyzed sale data for about 23,000 houses in eight different states for 11 years between 2002 and 2013. Only 4,000 of the homes utilized solar energy systems, all privately owned (not leased by a solar company). The Dept. of Energy discovered that buyers would pay $15,000 more for a home with a medium sized solar photovoltaic system (3,6 kilowatts, or 3,600 watts) than a house without one. Especially in areas with high electrical costs, buyers are attracted to houses with solar energy systems. However, the appraisal process is difficult for green homes, as bank reviewers are unsure how to price them.

Hopefully this study will encourage a proper appraisal process for the value of sustainable features in homes. I figure if more people are willing to pay for solar energy, more solar energy systems will be implemented. I am curious how appraisal will work on leased systems – because they sometimes don’t need down costs.

McDonald, G. (2015, February 27). Solar Panels Power E-Kayak. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/solar-panels-power-e-kayak-150228.htm

German outdoors outfitting company Klepper has created a new “e-kayak” to be sold commercially in America. It contains a small engine-and-propeller unit that can be powered by solar panels (both rigid and flexible) that are attached to the top of the kayak. The solar panels provide enough energy to power the kayak for an entire day. The propeller unit and foot rudder allow kayakers to put down their paddles. Additionally, the solar panels provide enough energy for kayakers to plug in and power and charge their cell phones, GPS systems, and other electronics. The kayak itself is also collapsible for easy storage. American prices run upward of $7,200.

While most Americans will likely not purchase this e-kayak, I still believe Klepper has come up with a great design. We could significantly lessen our impact on the environment using devices solely powered by the sun, like this kayak. While I would agree that it seems a little unnecessary for a kayak,  other electronic devices we use daily could also be powered by solar energy. This also applies to devices in third world countries – like solar-paneled lamps and other smaller household appliances.

Google has invested $300 million to aid people in installing solar panels on their houses. New solar energy company SolarCity manages their fund. Already, Solar City has raised $750 million to fund home solar panels in 15 different states. Their system works by SolarCity charging the people who have solar panels installed for the energy they use. Thus, homeowners do not pay for the setup of the panels themselves. A SolarCity representative states that the solar energy typically costs less to homeowners than traditionally used fossil fuels.

This seems like an effective and highly innovative system. It benefits homeowners and the environment, and is also economical. Many people reject the idea of installing solar panels, as they are an expensive investment. SolarCity is making them more accessible to families who would otherwise pay for fossil fuel energy. In addition, if having solar panels become a more conventional practice, many more people will adopt solar energy.

Luckerson, V. (2015, February 26). Google Is Paying Millions to Help You Switch to Solar Power. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://time.com/3723459/google-solar-energy/

Ziv, S. (2015, February 11). Apple Invests $850 Million in Solar Power, Citing Climate Change. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from www.newsweek.com/apple-invests-850-million-solar-citing-climate-change-306191

Apple follows the likes of Google in solar energy investment. They are funding the California Flats Solar Project, a solar farm to be built in Monterey County, California. Solar power company First Solar is building the project. The farm is to provide energy to Apple’s new Cupertino headquarters, all California retail stores, a data center, and an additional 60,000 California homes. First Solar and Apple have a 25-year power purchasing agreement, where Apple gets 130 megawatts of the produced energy. PG & E plans to buy the farm’s remaining output. The farm is planned to be built upon 2,500 acres and construction begins mid-2015 to be finished in the end of 2016.

Apple definitely has a large carbon footprint to counteract, but these are steps in the right direction. I hope other companies (especially those that require a lot of energy) follow Apple’s example in switching to renewable power.

Sickinger, T. (2015, February 27). Oregon’s signature solar energy project built on foundation of false hopes and falsehoods. Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_signature_solar_project.html

A $27 million project for solar arrays in Oregon has found to be a “green energy boondoggle”. The project began in 2011, and was proposed to create $10 million in new, local jobs and reduce energy costs; all for about $12 million tax credits. Former Governor John Kitzhaber promoted the program. Last year the solar panel arrays were activated, providing more than expected power at Oregon Institute of Technology and Oregon State University. Through a thorough examination of thousands of state documents, researchers found that state officials had overlooked falsified documents to receive millions in state tax credits. In addition, instead of the local labor the state planned to hire, the project used prison inmates at 93 cents an hour without telling the Energy Department officials. The two contracted project managers Ryan Davies, Ryan Lambert, and Martin Shain submitted the false papers, however all deny any involvement at this time. Investigation has begun to in order to file criminal charges against guilty parties.

I am appalled at the fraudulences of this solar energy project, but I am not entirely surprised. For centuries American government officials have participated in corrupt boondoggles and grafts. It’s particularly disappointing that Oregon officials’ deception was involved with a solar energy program, as it discourages future tax-funded renewable energy ventures. As more projects begin in other states, it is imperative this kind of criminal deception does not occur again. Many taxpayers are willing for their dollars to go to creating sustainable energy systems (and consequentially more jobs, and cut energy costs), however not if their money is being misspent.

Lee, M. (2014, November 25). Power-plant foe petitions top CA court. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/26/power-plant-supreme-court-appeal/

In San Diego a new natural gas plant, the Pio Pico Energy Center, is planned for development across from the existing Otay Mesa Energy Center.  Opponents are upset as they believe the newer fuel plant is unnecessary, and the project was initially rejected by the California Public Utilities Commission last year.  In response, the group Protect our Communities has drafted a petition to the Supreme Court.  The San Diego Gas & Electric company believes that the creation of the Pio Pico plant is the best option to address rising energy demand.  However, the plant would go against current efforts to adopt solar power as a viable resource for California.

Creating more plants for nonrenewable fuel sources only further promotes the usage of nonrenewable energy in the future.  If we expect to continue our lifestyle of using lots of energy, we need to find and establish renewable power sources.  Influence from large companies who wish to continue the nonrenewable fuel business may try to either sabotage clean energy efforts. Groups like Protect our Communities are necessary to combat this and spread awareness.

Breuch, J. (2014, November 16). EAO attempts to bring solar panels to USC. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://dailytrojan.com/2014/11/16/eao-attempts-to-bring-solar-panels-to-usc/

Student petitions and outsiders have been clamoring for USC to adopt solar panels for renewable energy. The “Environmental Affairs Organization”(EAO) at USC created their “Go Solar Campaign” to further promote the adoption of solar energy at the college campus. USC’s geographical location makes it the perfect candidate for solar panels.  Despite the many vocalizations, USC has not responded to the efforts. Other colleges in the area have implemented solar panels, and students have become frustrated with USC administration’s indifference.  Senior leader of the Go Solar Campaign Alexander Vermie believes the school is hesitant to adopt sustainable energy because it may not be a profitable venture. The EAO is in the process of developing a financial business plan to present to the administration, in order to further convince them to adopt the solar project.  This plan would focus on separating a certain amount of donations to fund the project.  Another inexpensive option other schools have used is for USC to lease land for free to solar energy companies, and in turn they use the efficient energy on campus.  A third financial possibility for USC is to create some type of crowdsourcing platform in collaboration with   Ignite.  The EAO is currently focusing on educating more of the student body about renewable energy and holding awareness events to gain support.

The financial cost of implementing solar panels is a genuine concern for schools, homes, and businesses.  However, the cost of using coal and other nonrenewable energy sources is much higher in the grand scheme of life. The latest solar technology, the “Gen 2 bifacial (double sided)” solar panels present a considerably high cost, but produce more energy because the see-through design allows sunlight to hit the back of the double-sided solar cells. Despite the cost, have no doubt any costs could be mitigated by any of the three or more potential plans.  The benefits of installing solar energy outweigh the initial price.  The USC students’ active work toward campus installation should be applauded by the administration, not ignored. Hopefully their leadership and dedication will persuade USC to finally agree to solar energy.

. Roth, S. (2014, November 20). BLM rejects a solar project near Death Valley National Park. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://www.desertsun.com/story/tech/science/energy/2014/11/20/death-valley-solar-wind-project-rejected/70036542/

The proposal for a solar project located near Death Valley has been rejected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  The project, known as the Silurian solar farm, was expected to span along Highway 127, the highway connecting Death Valley National Park and the Mojave National Preserve.  The solar farm would produce 200-megawatts and span   (the BLM has yet to decide if a 200-megawatt Silurian Wind Farm will be allowed).  Environmental groups such as the Sierra Club strongly opposed the proposals.  They believed the creation of these farms would destroy the fragile desert ecosystem, and threaten various endangered species.  This length of land is contains a large portion of the historic Old Spanish Trail, a trade route to Sante Fe, and is often visited by tourists. Besides negatively affecting native wildlife, it would anger many who consider the land historically significant.

This article shows that when likeminded, passionate people unite, they have the ability to influence national rulings in their favor.  The proposal refusal will protect the land area between the nature reserves.  The creation of the clean energy plant will not only inflict harm on the natural species and habitat  This span along Highway 127 holds historical significance, and is highly valued by many who have visited Death Valley and the Mojave Reserve. In the future when deciding areas to build solar farms, however, the BLM may disregard the importance of protecting wildlife in a section of land that holds less value to others.  As the usage of solar energy becomes more widespread and gains attention, it will also face more opposition.

30MW Solar Farm to Provide Power to Imperial Irrigation District in California. (2014, November 25). Retrieved November 25, 2014, from http://www.solarnovus.com/30mw-solar-farm-to-provide-power-to-imperial-irrigation-district-in-california_N8359.html

Imperial Irrigation District of Imperial County, California purchased the 330-megawatts-ac Midway III Solar Farm project from clean energy companies 8minutenergy Renewables, LCC and Getsamp Solar on November, 25^th. Both 8minutenergy and Gestamp Solar are working together to establish and develop the new Midway III project.  The new farm is set to be built upon 221 acres of low-productivity farm land; construction will begin in 2015.  They are hoping by the end of 2016 the solar farm will be added to the energy grid.  The nonrenewable energy site Midway III will serve for the Imperial Irrigation District electricity, California’s sixth greatest utility, and is expected to supply 10,600 Californian households. The site will include a tracking system to rescored optimal energy production settings, and include photovoltaic molecules and related power electronics.

This project illustrates the growing demand for renewable sources of energy across the state.  The Midway III solar farm project will be immensely beneficial to California, however it appears to be scheduled to become another vast clean energy production site.  The creation may again disrupt natural habitats and species in the Imperial County of California.   As Imperial County is mostly desert, bordering Arizona, the Midway III solar farm project seems to emulate other planned systems for clean energy sites in desolate locations. Perhaps this growing trend of developments can provide an example to other desert covered and dry states to ensure current and future manageable resource use. Renewable energy farms also seem be an effective solution for humans who want to use nonrenewable resources but refuse to install solar panels on their home roof for economic or aesthetical reasons.

Wolfson, E. (2014, November 24). Renewable Energy Farms Spread Through California Deserts. Retrieved November 21, 2014, from http://www.newsweek.com/renewable-energy-farms-populate-california-286644

Solar and wind energy farms are being built in the dry and arid Mojave Desert.  Establishments such as the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm and Ocotillo wind Facility capture the plethora of sunlight and open space provided by the desolate surroundings. Farms similar to the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm are expected to cover 4,000 acres of land by 2015, and produce an astounding 550 megawatts of energy.  Researchers speculate that s the demand for clean energy increases in future years, energy farms or “cities” such as these will become more commonplace.  Recently the United States and China formed an agreement to both significantly lower their emissions from initial 2005 baseline standards.  As these two countries currently emit the greatest amounts of greenhouse gasses, the agreement represents both  the competitive spirit and demand from other countries to lower their emissions.  Energy production through photovoltaic cells stationed in California has already exceeded expectations, and talks of expansion are rampant.  Green energists are hoping that the 22.53 percent amount of energy raised from renewable sources to power the state will raise to 40 percent by 2020. Renewable energy experts contrast in their opinion if large-scale renewable energy necessary to meet the requirements of the US-China agreement, or if smaller scale should be preferred due to the negative causes of a large-scale system.

This article shows new solar and other renewable energy improvements are progressive to California, in becoming a state less reliant upon fossil fuels.  However, this sudden influx of green energy development will probably be accompanied by other consequences.  The new locations in previously reclusive areas will disrupt local ecology and threaten the habitat of native species.  The productions will arise complaints from human neighbors and potential tourists. The author presents an divisive issue between large-scale and small-scale renewable energy production.  While the renewable energy production will benefit California, it may evolve into an over-industrialized business similar to corn today.