Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fwd: Energize Alabama e-bulletin 9-27-12






Energize Alabama, e-bullein 9-27-12


Blount County Alabama Solar Homes Tour
A part of The American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour
October 6 and 7, 2012
  • The Solar Tour is a 3 ½ + hour guided walking tour that includes 4 passive solar houses with numerous solar and efficiency features.  Viewing a nearby retrofitted ranch house may be scheduled before the afternoon or after the morning guided tours. 
  • The Tours will be at 9 am or 2 pm Saturday, October 6; and 2 pm Sunday, October 7.  Come join us for a brown bag lunch discussion and a film at noon on Saturday between the tours.
What you will see:
  • The 4 passive solar homes have unique designs, one is insulated with bales of wheat straw, another one is a twelve sided yurt, one features clerestory windows, and another one is built underground. 
  • Energy efficient appliances include CFL and LED lighting, washing machines, ceiling fans, a mini-split ductless heat pump and a super efficient homemade chest refrigerator and freezer. 
  • Active solar systems include solar water heating and battery based solar pv systems. 
  • You may see other items of interest such as: vegetative shading, organic gardens, vermi-composting, rain water catchment, grey water usage, solar dehydrator, solar ovens and a solar lawn mower.
Logistics
  • Plan to wear comfortable walking shoes for about a mile walk. Arrangements can be made for those unable to walk that distance. Two of the houses are fairly wheel-chair friendly.
  • There will be a brown bag lunch discussion at noon on Saturday. All are welcome to stay after the Saturday morning tour or come early before the afternoon tour. Bring your lunch and join us. We will provide lemonade. At 1 pm the film Kilowatt Ours will be shown.
  • For those coming on Sunday the same film will be shown at 1 pm.
  • To register, please email the information requested below. Confirmation and directions to the tour site will be sent upon registration. The same 4 houses are covered on all tours with different starting points. 
  • Our driveways and volunteers are able to handle only so many people, so we may need to limit registration. Please let us know if the number of people in your party changes. We want everyone to register, so when you receive the directions, please do not share them with others not registered in your party.
Bonus tour 
Our neighbors (Pat Lyles and Rick Trescott) have installed a 5.76 kw battery grid-tie PV system. They sell their excess electricity to Alabama Power by day, purchase power at night, and have battery back-up when the grid is down).  This house has been upgraded for energy efficiency.  It features a sun room, an attached green house and geothermal heat pumps. 
To visit the Lyles-Trescott  house, located about 10 minutes away: 
 -   If you register for Saturday at 9 am, the Lyles-Trescott tour will be at 2 pm (after the brown bag lunch);
 -   If you register for the 2 pm Saturday Tour, the Lyles-Trescott tour will be at 11 am (before the brown bag lunch);
 -   If you register for Sunday it will be at noon before the 1 pm Kilowatt Ours film and the 2 pm tour.


To register for this tour, copy, paste and e-mail the following to SolarTourAlabama@gmail.com

Preferred Tour time: ( ) Saturday 9 am, ( ) Saturday 2 pm, or ( ) Sunday 2 pm  Sunday Tours are filled.
(  ) Yes, we plan to be there for noon lunch, film and discussions on Saturday. 
We understand lemonade is provided and will bring our own lunch.
(  ) Yes, we plan to arrive at 1 pm on Sunday to see the film. Solar Tour provides lemonade.
(  ) Yes, we plan to visit the Lyles-Trescott ( ) Saturday 11 am, ( ) Saturday 2 pm or ( ) Sunday at noon.

  • Number of people in your party: 
  • Name of contact person:
  • Phone number:
  • City/town: County: State:
  • How did you learn about us?
  • The American Solar Energy Society will send an email evaluation survey after the tour. May we share your email address with the ASES for this purpose? ( ) yes ( ) no


Alabama returns DOE Energy Efficiency Grant
The $541,089 grant for Stimulating Energy Efficiency Action in States we mentioned last month was returned by the state of Alabama since Alabama Power chose not to participate.
 

Solar PV Installation Class, Calhoun Community College, Nov 3, 9, 10, 16, & 17
 

Energize Alabama booth at Blount Count Covered Bridge Festival, Saturday, October 27
If you would like to assist, for early morning setup, staffing during day, afternoon dismantle, contact Daryl Bergquist 205 429-3088,


Report from Alabama Environmental Council
ADECA Grant Activity:
Wednesday, Sept. 19th was the opening event for a National Governors Association 4-state Policy Academy Initiative to increase energy efficiency and the deployment of Combined Heat and Power in the industrial sector. The expected outcome by May, 2013 is a strong education and outreach plan, increased awareness of opportunities for technical assistance, streamlined permitting processes and the development of a standard interconnection policy in the State of Alabama. The other states in the group are Arkansas, Illinois and Iowa. 

On Friday, September 21, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is set to receive grant applications in response to their RFP for a one-year project for $100,000 with 25% match. Non-profits, colleges and universities as well as commercial for-profit firms are eligible. The project is to start October 1, 2012 and be completed by August 31, 2013. Although we don't know the level of participation which will be allowed, Alabama Environmental Council will be soliciting your input and information about what policies, procedures and programs would help develop a robust energy efficiency and renewable energy market in Alabama. We will also keep you informed about formal opportunities to interact with the planning team - contact AEC at the email address below. 

Update On State Energy Work
   Building on the foundation that Energize Alabama laid several years ago, the Alabama Environmental Council has been traveling the state to reconnect with state agencies and other advocates for a clean energy future. We have been "energetically" welcomed and even encouraged to invite friends and continue to engage in the process. There are a lot of opportunities right now and here are a few.
 
  Please add the dates below to your calendar and contact info@aeconline.org if you are interested/able to attend or want more information about the ADECA grants.

Public Service Commission meetings and Joint Legislative Committee meetings are open to the observing public, though input is very limited. The meetings for the rest of the year are:
October 2nd - Public Service Commission Meeting
October 24th - Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Meeting
November 6th - Public Service Commission Meeting
December 11th - Public Service Commission Informal Hearings on Alabama Power's Rate CNP (Certified New Plant - primarily their expenditures to meet EPA regulations) and on Rate RSE (Rate Stabilization and Equalization - a formula which is calculated to guarantee them a 13.0 to 14.5% Return on Equity) The audience won't be able to impact any decisions but may ask questions.
January 15th - Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy Meeting

Daryl Bergquist for Energize Alabama

Send an email to steward@otelco.net if you wish to be added to or dropped from receiving Energize Alabama emails.



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