At a recent "key ceremony" hosted by the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's economic development corporation, one of the companies honored is a solar photovoltaic manufacturer.
The firm, Cuantum, is a transplant from Spain and this would be their first facility in North America. It would also be the first PV manufacturer to set up shop in Florida.
The company projected a $5 million investment in the production facility just west of Miami International Airport and is expecting to hire over 100 new employees as they start production in early 2010.
Additional details when I get them, but this is big news - green solar jobs right here in Miami.
Cuantum Solar America's website
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Nuke Regulators Reject FPL's choice of Plant Maker over structural flaw
I'm a bit off topic here, but since FPL seems to think nuclear should be given the same due as solar in the RPS legislation, I figured I'd cover a bit of rather alarming news about the company slated to build the new Turkey Point nuclear units:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently rejected the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor design over flaws in the shield building design. The shield building is the outermost structure around the reactor.
It appears that the NRC deemed the building insufficiently tough enough to withstand natural disasters - a rather important performance measure in hurricane prone South Florida. The design flaw also seems to stem partially from the manufacturer's attempt to make the construction "modular" - making the structure in sections elsewhere and shipping them to the final destination to be connected together like Lego blocks. While that aspect of the design is probably overcome by slowing down construction and pouring concrete on site, a bigger issue might be the passive cooling design. The Westinghouse unit stores millions of gallons of water above the reactor so an emergency shut-down would not require energy to pump water into the containment area. Structural concerns there would be harder to work around.
Even though this will likely impact the construction timeline for FPL, the PSC just gave the go-ahead to pre-charge us for these new reactors just this past week. I wonder if the utility informed the PSC about the problems with the design when they were asking for early cost recovery.
The New York Times: Agency Rejects Westinghouse Plant Design
The Wall Street Journal: NRC Rejects Nuclear Plant Design
The Miami Herald: Nuclear Reactor Design Has Safety Flaw
The Charlotte Business Journal: NRC rejects Westinghouse Reactor's Shield Building Design
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently rejected the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactor design over flaws in the shield building design. The shield building is the outermost structure around the reactor.
It appears that the NRC deemed the building insufficiently tough enough to withstand natural disasters - a rather important performance measure in hurricane prone South Florida. The design flaw also seems to stem partially from the manufacturer's attempt to make the construction "modular" - making the structure in sections elsewhere and shipping them to the final destination to be connected together like Lego blocks. While that aspect of the design is probably overcome by slowing down construction and pouring concrete on site, a bigger issue might be the passive cooling design. The Westinghouse unit stores millions of gallons of water above the reactor so an emergency shut-down would not require energy to pump water into the containment area. Structural concerns there would be harder to work around.
Even though this will likely impact the construction timeline for FPL, the PSC just gave the go-ahead to pre-charge us for these new reactors just this past week. I wonder if the utility informed the PSC about the problems with the design when they were asking for early cost recovery.
The New York Times: Agency Rejects Westinghouse Plant Design
The Wall Street Journal: NRC Rejects Nuclear Plant Design
The Miami Herald: Nuclear Reactor Design Has Safety Flaw
The Charlotte Business Journal: NRC rejects Westinghouse Reactor's Shield Building Design
Solar Energy Industry group calls for oil drilling!
FlaSEIA, whom I have referenced numerous times in this blog as the "go-to" group representing solar in Florida recently shocked pretty-much everyone by endorsing oil drilling in Florida. The supposition of their support resting on the notion that the new revenue from royalties and taxes on the found oil and gas could be used to subsidize solar and other alternative energy production.
Setting aside the revolting idea that an alternative energy organization would push for more of their dirty carbon competition, I have some serious concerns about the economic conclusions being reached by the solar group.
The Florida legislature has not adequately funded education, much less the State's solar rebate program. Without stimulus money from Washington this year, the school system state-wide would have been adding thousands of teachers to the ranks of the unemployed, but would have completely emptied the coffers for the rebate program and probably left thousands of solar installations in the lurch.
Even then, to "balance" the budget this year, the State swept hundreds of millions of dollars from "trust funds" into the general fund. The trust fund idea that FlaSEIA thinks will provide support for solar, didn't protect programs designed to clean up toxic sites or build affordable houses, so to assume that alternative energy funding is untouchable is absurd.
The group should return to advocating for solar by passing a renewable portfolio standard with a solar carve-out and pushing for their "permanent funding source" through a public benefit fund like every other state has been doing.
Just because Florida is one of the most backward places in the US when it comes to energy policy (amongst many), doesn't mean we should embrace stupid.
Here's a link to the FlaSEIA position paper, and a link to the story in the South Florida Business Journal
Setting aside the revolting idea that an alternative energy organization would push for more of their dirty carbon competition, I have some serious concerns about the economic conclusions being reached by the solar group.
The Florida legislature has not adequately funded education, much less the State's solar rebate program. Without stimulus money from Washington this year, the school system state-wide would have been adding thousands of teachers to the ranks of the unemployed, but would have completely emptied the coffers for the rebate program and probably left thousands of solar installations in the lurch.
Even then, to "balance" the budget this year, the State swept hundreds of millions of dollars from "trust funds" into the general fund. The trust fund idea that FlaSEIA thinks will provide support for solar, didn't protect programs designed to clean up toxic sites or build affordable houses, so to assume that alternative energy funding is untouchable is absurd.
The group should return to advocating for solar by passing a renewable portfolio standard with a solar carve-out and pushing for their "permanent funding source" through a public benefit fund like every other state has been doing.
Just because Florida is one of the most backward places in the US when it comes to energy policy (amongst many), doesn't mean we should embrace stupid.
Here's a link to the FlaSEIA position paper, and a link to the story in the South Florida Business Journal
Bacteria breakthrough: Team honored for turning dirt into a battery
Wicked-smart folks working with rudimentary materials to create "batteries" for the dirt-poor areas of Africa by harnessing the electrical discharges of bacteria in - ironically - dirt.
Cross post from The Fueling Station (alternative energy blog from the Tampa Tribune)
Cross post from The Fueling Station (alternative energy blog from the Tampa Tribune)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Designing and Installing PV workshops coming up at MDC
Miami Dade College Earth Ethics Institute is offering their Designing & Installing Photovoltaic Systems classes once again.
Participants can earn 7 CEUs for each of the 7-hour courses.
More info or to register:
Intro to Designing PV, Sept 25, 2009
Intro to Installation of PV, Sept 26, 2009
It also looks like the College is preparing to offer a new set of more advanced courses in the near future too. I'll post info about any course offerings when the information becomes available.
Participants can earn 7 CEUs for each of the 7-hour courses.
More info or to register:
Intro to Designing PV, Sept 25, 2009
Intro to Installation of PV, Sept 26, 2009
It also looks like the College is preparing to offer a new set of more advanced courses in the near future too. I'll post info about any course offerings when the information becomes available.
Electricity for newbies course offering at MDC
The Earth Ethics Institute of Miami Dade College is offering a course for novice electricians on September 19th (sorry for the late notice).
This is a 7-hour course that 'introduces basic electrical concepts for those who wish to obtain a basic understanding of electricity before taking more advanced courses in designing and installing photovoltaic systems." Sounds like a good idea for homeowners who want to be better consumers too.
For more info or to register for the course, visit www.earthethicsinstitute.org
This is a 7-hour course that 'introduces basic electrical concepts for those who wish to obtain a basic understanding of electricity before taking more advanced courses in designing and installing photovoltaic systems." Sounds like a good idea for homeowners who want to be better consumers too.
For more info or to register for the course, visit www.earthethicsinstitute.org
Friday, August 28, 2009
Cash for Clunkers "borrows" from Energy Dept Innovative Loan Program
From Solar Nation:
"The Obama Administration has diverted one-third of the $6 billion allocated to the DOE Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program to the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program, which has proved so popular that it was in danger of running out of money. The rationale of the Administration and Congress is that DOE will not be able to spend that part of its funds before the end of the year, so will not miss it in the short term. And White House staffers have assured concerned clean energy supporters that the Loan Guarantee Program fund will be replenished by that time."
As popular as the cash for clunkers program has been, pilfering the funds from the solar R&D fund seem a wee bit short-sighted don't you think? Why not raid funds set aside for the oil and gas industry or nuclear programs instead?
The way to fund this program so that it doesn't keep collapsing under the weight of its own success is to create a "fee-bate." Gas guzzlers - SUVs and trucks included - would pay a premium for the privilege of crapping up the planet and making us choke on excessive smog. That premium would subsidize purchases of highly efficient cars (and even SUVs and trucks if they are as fuel sipping as the top tier cars).
Not my idea by any stretch. The concept has been advocated by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute for decades.
"The Obama Administration has diverted one-third of the $6 billion allocated to the DOE Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program to the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program, which has proved so popular that it was in danger of running out of money. The rationale of the Administration and Congress is that DOE will not be able to spend that part of its funds before the end of the year, so will not miss it in the short term. And White House staffers have assured concerned clean energy supporters that the Loan Guarantee Program fund will be replenished by that time."
As popular as the cash for clunkers program has been, pilfering the funds from the solar R&D fund seem a wee bit short-sighted don't you think? Why not raid funds set aside for the oil and gas industry or nuclear programs instead?
The way to fund this program so that it doesn't keep collapsing under the weight of its own success is to create a "fee-bate." Gas guzzlers - SUVs and trucks included - would pay a premium for the privilege of crapping up the planet and making us choke on excessive smog. That premium would subsidize purchases of highly efficient cars (and even SUVs and trucks if they are as fuel sipping as the top tier cars).
Not my idea by any stretch. The concept has been advocated by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute for decades.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Miami-Dade to fast-track solar installation permits
As a result of the Building Code meetings with industry representatives, Miami-Dade County got the Board of Rules and Appeals to agree to a number of changes that will benefit solar.
For one, solar equipment will be considered "green" for the purposes of qualifying for the free "fast-track" of building permits in the unincorporated county. I hear the County is in talks with interested cities to get them to adopt similar fast tracking for green buildings and solar.
Another biggie is that the County will now consider solar panels as being "non-permanent" equipment so they can be installed as designed instead of being treated like air conditioning equipment and other "permanent" rooftop equipment.
Now if we could get a couple more products through code approval. The County may have a plan for that too. We'll have to wait and see if the Department of Energy approves the recent energy efficiency block grant program list, but there's a strong chance that the County may get the green-light on a project to reduce "market barriers" and help companies with the cost of getting product approval.
For one, solar equipment will be considered "green" for the purposes of qualifying for the free "fast-track" of building permits in the unincorporated county. I hear the County is in talks with interested cities to get them to adopt similar fast tracking for green buildings and solar.
Another biggie is that the County will now consider solar panels as being "non-permanent" equipment so they can be installed as designed instead of being treated like air conditioning equipment and other "permanent" rooftop equipment.
Now if we could get a couple more products through code approval. The County may have a plan for that too. We'll have to wait and see if the Department of Energy approves the recent energy efficiency block grant program list, but there's a strong chance that the County may get the green-light on a project to reduce "market barriers" and help companies with the cost of getting product approval.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Florida Renews Solar Rebate and adds loan program for Thermal (updated)
I was recently at the Green Cities conference in Orlando where some numbers were presented by a representative with the NRDC that stated that the Solar Rebate program was replenished with $5 million from the Florida portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka the stimulus bill) and will be using another $9 million for some sort of revolving loan fund for solar thermal to provide micro-loans up to $4500 for up to 5 years at a rate of 2-4% interest.
- update: There seems to be another pot of money to be used to replenish the rebate, doubling the total amount available, which would provide the funds to make good on the backlog and provide new funding for this fiscal year. This post has been edited to reflect that change.
There's another $20 million for solar schools / shelters which was a pretty successful program for getting demonstration sized solar onto schools for a couple years under Governor Bush. This would be a significant bump in funding and if FSEC is involved, I know they were trying to up the size of the installations to 10 kw so they could provide some off-grid emergency shelter functionality too.
You can find the details on the Florida Energy and Environment Commission website page on ARRA and an explanation on all the ways the State wants to spend $126 million on energy programs on this adobe document from the same web page.
The good news is all those nail-biting solar customers who went out on a limb and installed approved solar systems last year and applied for a rebate should get a check, but we're now relying on stimulus money to keep the program alive for just another year.
We need a public benefit fund in this State. Connecticut spends more on solar PV than Florida for goodness sake! And we need to provide a separate funding block for efficiency and thermal or PV will continue to eat up all the funds. As much as I love PV, thermal will have a much faster penetration into the market because of faster payback, less complicated installation and maintenance, and way less roof needed to go solar. Maybe the loan program concept will work since it will take the sting out of the initial up-front cost, but there's nothing like reducing your total out-of-pocket to pump up interest.
Solar thermal is the one part of the Florida alternative energy industry that struggled and survived through the down decades, and they need a fair shake when it comes to the incentives too. There's my shout-out for our scrappy solar thermal companies out there.
On that front, news to report about the Miami-Dade code recommendations. Post to follow soon when I get details. Good news for thermal and PV installations in Southeast Florida.
- update: There seems to be another pot of money to be used to replenish the rebate, doubling the total amount available, which would provide the funds to make good on the backlog and provide new funding for this fiscal year. This post has been edited to reflect that change.
There's another $20 million for solar schools / shelters which was a pretty successful program for getting demonstration sized solar onto schools for a couple years under Governor Bush. This would be a significant bump in funding and if FSEC is involved, I know they were trying to up the size of the installations to 10 kw so they could provide some off-grid emergency shelter functionality too.
You can find the details on the Florida Energy and Environment Commission website page on ARRA and an explanation on all the ways the State wants to spend $126 million on energy programs on this adobe document from the same web page.
The good news is all those nail-biting solar customers who went out on a limb and installed approved solar systems last year and applied for a rebate should get a check, but we're now relying on stimulus money to keep the program alive for just another year.
We need a public benefit fund in this State. Connecticut spends more on solar PV than Florida for goodness sake! And we need to provide a separate funding block for efficiency and thermal or PV will continue to eat up all the funds. As much as I love PV, thermal will have a much faster penetration into the market because of faster payback, less complicated installation and maintenance, and way less roof needed to go solar. Maybe the loan program concept will work since it will take the sting out of the initial up-front cost, but there's nothing like reducing your total out-of-pocket to pump up interest.
Solar thermal is the one part of the Florida alternative energy industry that struggled and survived through the down decades, and they need a fair shake when it comes to the incentives too. There's my shout-out for our scrappy solar thermal companies out there.
On that front, news to report about the Miami-Dade code recommendations. Post to follow soon when I get details. Good news for thermal and PV installations in Southeast Florida.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Miami Herald Drops Ball on Secretary of Labor visit
The AFL-CIO Executive Council had a big meeting in Miami back in early March. I'm not in the solar business directly (just a big advocate), so I didn't hear a peep. Hilda Solis, then recently confirmed as Secretary of Labor, visited the group as one of her first acts on the job.
Why is her visit a solar energy story? Well, after addressing the Executive Council, she went to visit a training center for the IBEW where they're preparing future electricians to be the skilled "green jobs" workforce we need to successfully install solar photovoltaic and other "new" technologies.
Did you read about it in the Herald? I didn't. I found a link by accident to an online video of the visit on the IBEW's website: Sec Solis Visits LU 349 I have no idea how I got there, but glad I found the video none the less.
Curious how I'd missed such a big deal since I'm pretty good at scouring the local rag for energy stories, I ran a search of the Herald online and could only dig up a story in the Business Section (beacuse there's no such thing as a labor section) that came close: Labor secretary inspires union crowd in Miami, March 3, 2009
That story is just a bunch of piffle - no substance - about a rally of union members just happy to have someone at the DOL that might actually advocate for labor (organized or otherwise).
Nice to see the local electrical workers union wasn't waiting for stimulus funds or for the local markets to catch onto solar before they started their training programs. Very encouraging, even in the absence of the local press.
Why is her visit a solar energy story? Well, after addressing the Executive Council, she went to visit a training center for the IBEW where they're preparing future electricians to be the skilled "green jobs" workforce we need to successfully install solar photovoltaic and other "new" technologies.
Did you read about it in the Herald? I didn't. I found a link by accident to an online video of the visit on the IBEW's website: Sec Solis Visits LU 349 I have no idea how I got there, but glad I found the video none the less.
Curious how I'd missed such a big deal since I'm pretty good at scouring the local rag for energy stories, I ran a search of the Herald online and could only dig up a story in the Business Section (beacuse there's no such thing as a labor section) that came close: Labor secretary inspires union crowd in Miami, March 3, 2009
That story is just a bunch of piffle - no substance - about a rally of union members just happy to have someone at the DOL that might actually advocate for labor (organized or otherwise).
Nice to see the local electrical workers union wasn't waiting for stimulus funds or for the local markets to catch onto solar before they started their training programs. Very encouraging, even in the absence of the local press.
Miami Solar installation and design courses coming up soon
Miami-Dade College Earth Ethics Institute has been hosting photovoltaic training classes for a couple years now with the help of PV evangelist and FAU professor emeritus of electrical engineering Dr. Roger Messenger.
From their website:
Designing PV Systems, June 5, 2009
This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system selection, PV system site selection, types of PV systems, PV system electrical design considerations, PV system structural design considerations and PV system permitting and paperwork. It is intended primarily for design professionals (architects and engineers) but should also be of interest to code officials and contractors. Electrical and solar contractors who have taken the Installing Photovoltaic Systems course and want to understand more about the PV system design process may also be interested in this course.
Installing PV Systems, June 6, 2009
This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system installation and focuses, in minute detail, on how to install a PV system that someone else has designed. It includes understanding the electrical design, siting and structural considerations, safety considerations, system commissioning and programming as well as permitting and paperwork. It is intended for electrical and solar contractors as well as for electrical and structural inspectors and plan reviewers.
These courses qualify for 7 CEUs each for those who need continuing ed credits, and they're NABCEP certified too.
Thanks to the emailer who reminded me to post this.
From their website:
Designing PV Systems, June 5, 2009
This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system selection, PV system site selection, types of PV systems, PV system electrical design considerations, PV system structural design considerations and PV system permitting and paperwork. It is intended primarily for design professionals (architects and engineers) but should also be of interest to code officials and contractors. Electrical and solar contractors who have taken the Installing Photovoltaic Systems course and want to understand more about the PV system design process may also be interested in this course.
Installing PV Systems, June 6, 2009
This is a 7-hour course that introduces the process of PV system installation and focuses, in minute detail, on how to install a PV system that someone else has designed. It includes understanding the electrical design, siting and structural considerations, safety considerations, system commissioning and programming as well as permitting and paperwork. It is intended for electrical and solar contractors as well as for electrical and structural inspectors and plan reviewers.
These courses qualify for 7 CEUs each for those who need continuing ed credits, and they're NABCEP certified too.
Thanks to the emailer who reminded me to post this.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Solar VS the South Fla Building Code - round 2
Alright, so it ain't a prize fight, or any kind of fight for that matter. I just needed something catchy to grab a reader or two.
The second meeting of the joint Dade/Broward building code appeals boards is set - this time in Broward. I got word that the meeting will be on March 23 at 10 AM at the West Broward Regional Library in Plantation.
A bunch of industry reps showed up the first time, and I expect that there will be a similar turnout - maybe better since many of the participants came from Broward or points north. Miami's indigenous solar industry being small enough to count on one hand. Getting these code issues straightened out could change that.
The second meeting of the joint Dade/Broward building code appeals boards is set - this time in Broward. I got word that the meeting will be on March 23 at 10 AM at the West Broward Regional Library in Plantation.
A bunch of industry reps showed up the first time, and I expect that there will be a similar turnout - maybe better since many of the participants came from Broward or points north. Miami's indigenous solar industry being small enough to count on one hand. Getting these code issues straightened out could change that.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Miami-Dade looking to fix Building Code for solar - industry input needed
A bit of local news of big interest to our local solar energy companies sent in by by an alert reader with the Miami-Dade County Sustainability Office:
To recap:
Who: The Building Code Compliance Offices in Miami-Dade and Broward
What: First of several meetings to see how they can make it easier to put solar on your home and business.
Where: 140 West Flagler, Miami - 16th Floor conference room
When: 10:00 AM
And I have at least 1 reader!
The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office (BCCO) has been working with Broward County counterparts on issues related to the installation of alternative energy devices - primarily solar energy products - in residential and commercial structures.
A joint Broward/Miami-Dade Boards of Rules and Appeals (BORA) Sub-Committee meeting will be held on February 9, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues with industry representatives to see what recommendations (both administrative and legislative) can streamline future renewable energy projects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Recommendations from the joint Sub-Committee must, ultimately, be endorsed by both respective Boards.
The meeting will be held at 140 West Flagler Street in the BCCO 16th floor conference room.
Subsequent meetings will alternate between Broward and Dade venues until all issues have been resolved. Questions may be directed to Miami-Dade BORA Secretary, Yvonne Bell. Her office number is (305) 375-2047 or Yvonne@miamidade.gov.
To recap:
Who: The Building Code Compliance Offices in Miami-Dade and Broward
What: First of several meetings to see how they can make it easier to put solar on your home and business.
Where: 140 West Flagler, Miami - 16th Floor conference room
When: 10:00 AM
And I have at least 1 reader!
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