The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects has stated that 1,231 MW of brand new electrical generating capacity came online in the USA in January 2013. Further in their “Energy Infrastructure Update” report, 100% of it came from solar, wind, and biomass sources. January 2013 further saw an increase of nearly three times compared to January 2012; when renewable energy generating capacity increased by 431 MW of additional output.
Wind power accounted for the largest share with 958 MW of new output provided. Photovoltaic solar came in second with 267 MW installed, while biomass accounted for 6 MW of new generating capacity. This is starkly contrasted by the utter lack of new generating capacity provided by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas, or even nuclear power resources.
To give a picture of where the USA’s operating generating capacity is at; renewable energy accounts for 15.6% of total US capacity. Hydro power tops the list with 8.5%, followed by wind at 5.1%, biomass at 1.29%, with solar and geothermal at 0.38% and 0.32% respectively.
Contrasting this with non-renewables, natural gas accounts for 42% of total US operating generating capacity while coal holds an entire 29% share. Nuclear power generates 9.2% while oil accounts for 3.5% of total operating generating capacity.
This is encouraging stuff. It is evidence that fast expansion of renewable energy sources in the USA can compete and eventually lead over less environmentally friendly sources of power generation in the future. It really is only the beginning of a new green economy. Check out our residential San Diego solar and commercial solar alliance today and be part of a new way forward.
We’re happy to say the reviews keep rolling in… and are only getting better. Here’s what Nicholas S. of San Diego had to say about our work:
“After researching the various solar companies in the area (and even having one so-called leader in the field fail to show), I settled on Stellar Solar. Their bid was competitive, the sales rep knowledgeable and courteous. The whole process was pain-free (except for paying for it obviously..;-), the installation was problem-free and everyone I spoke to at Stellar was very helpful. We’re now generating a whole lot of juice and I’m expecting an ROI of about 10 to 11 years, after which it’s all paid for!. I’d recommend them as a serious contender for your business if you plan on making the solar investment in your home.”
5/5
Once in a while we like to share the story of our customers and what they think of their new solar system. Check out what Bob W. from Ramona had to say:
“After having installed wind turbines and the resultant failure of the turbines to produce, I decided to remove them and just keep paying that high electric bill.
Then I heard STELLAR SOLARS commercial that guarenteed the electrcal output and savings from their solar system. Also, attractive lease plan made things very affordable. I then got their solar estimate and several others. It didn’t take long to figure out who was the best. Stellar had the best price and guarentee, also Dave Gertz proved to have the best knowledge and experience that put my mind at ease about the entire project. He even put up with my many questions that seemed endless.
Needless to say, I selected Stellar Solar to do the install. All went very well and an outstanding and clean installation was completed in short order. The technicians also were freindly and were glad to explain how things operate in a lay mans way. Not much I don’t know about solar now!
After completion in mid October my elec. bill dropped in 1/2., November 0 bill and December was about 23.00 due to a lot less sun . It should all even out in a years time to 0 dollar elec. bill due to overprduction in the 9 months of more sun power.
It is so nice to see those 0 dollar elec. bills.
Bob W.”
Here at Stellar we’ve always been big proponents of electric and hybrid vehicles; with many of our employees and customers driving and thriving on electric vehicles powered by the sun.
Vice President of Sales & Marketing Michael Powers drives the Nissan Leaf, the world’s strongest selling electric car. Take a look at Peder Norby; San Diego Planning Commisioner and a Stellar Solar customer. The Norby’s power their BMW Mini-E, ActiveE as well as his home with his 7.5kW solar system we installed. They save $4000 a year in home electricity cost as well as over $3000 in gasoline costs.
When you look at the economics, it’s no doubt that electric car sales have tripled in size from 2012 from 2011. According to Pike Research, the USA will have the biggest electric vehicle market by 2020; with 1.8 million electric cars on the road. Charging networks are increasing in top metropolitan areas in the United States, even including places like Texas; the 4th most popular place for favorable EV opinion. With attitudes, education and infrastructure on electric vehicles changing, we look forward to participating in the evolution towards environmentally friendly vehicles.
California homeowners and businesses installed 1,066 megawatts with the state’s $2.4 billion rebate program; the California Solar Initiative. This is slightly over 1 gigawatt of electricity- a higher amount of solar energy generated than many a state or even country.
The California Solar Initiative rebates decline over time and are currently only at 8% of the rebate’s size at the program’s beginning. Nonetheless, applications rise each year as solar gets more and more popular.
One gigawatt is about the output of one nuclear reactor or even two conventional power plants. Because of the program’s widespread success, California state officials say the program should obtain its goal of funding another 1,940 megawatts generated by 2016.
Check out this article for more information; you might notice the Bloomberg photo from our installation in Encinitas, CA.
Southern California’s Kern and Los Angeles counties are set to have the largest solar project in the world. At 579-megawatts, the development will be serving almost 1 million residents. It’s been reported that MidAmerican Energy Holdings, an electric utility owned by Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet’s group, for around $2 to $2.5 billion.
Construction finishes in 2015, employing about 650 workers and selling electricity to Southern California Edison. The project is a step in the right direction for California’s goal of 33% of electricity being renewable based by 2020.
California businesses and residents can easily be a part of the renewable shift. Our clients such as the Salk Institute have gone solar and are reaping the economic rewards whilst providing their facilities with clean, green energy. Home owners in California now have access to no-money down solar leasing that immediately saves you money as well as providing added-value to your home.
Once again the public is showing support for solar energy despite a year of perhaps negative political attention in 2012. According to Pike Research’s end of 2012 report, U.S. consumers back solar more than any other form of energy according to the survey results.
Solar power has a 69% favorable rating and the lowest percentage of unfavorable opinions at only 7%. This is encouraging for an industry that has had a turbulent year most notably in the demise of certain firms such as Solyndra.
Additionally compelling results included a higher favorability rating of solar among older respondents than younger consumers, particularly interesting due to the perceived youth enthusiasm of green energy and environmentally friendly concepts. This may partially be explained by the effectiveness of solar companies in painting solar primarily as an economical option that effectively pays for itself from a monetary standpoint.
If you’re a fan of this blog, chances are that you and many of your friends are fans of solar & green energy. If you’re looking for some holiday reading or are looking for a gift for your friends in the industry, be sure to check out some of the new solar books being talked about this season.
In “Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy — and Our Planet — from Dirty Energy” by Danny Kennedy you can find a new take on the case for going solar as well as a list of action plans and activities at the end of each chapter.
The 2nd book is “Clean Break: The Story of Germany’s Energy 
Transformation and What Americans Can Learn from It” by Osha Gray Davidson. The book is the story of how Germany embraced clean energy and the informative low-down on their hugely successful feed-in-tariff. It’s available on kindle for .99¢, quite the festive bargain.
Solar companies these days are taking one out of the Tupperware playbook. Often times, the best sales people are the often eager customers who are willing to share their positive experiences with friends and neighbors. Solar gatherings allow home owners to show off their new solar systems while installers have an opportunity to spread the word on the economic benefits of going green.
People are often excited to share how they managed to cut their electricity bills with green energy and will be keen to collect any referral fees offered by the companies. These Solar installers are also excited to share how going solar doesn’t necessarily have to limited to those with a large amount of discretionary capital. New programs such as solar leasing, which allows home owners to install a system on their home for no money down and a monthly lease payment typically around half their current electricity bill.
The San Diego Zoo has installed a steel reinforced solar canopy capable of generating 90 kW, enough to power 60 homes. The canopy is battery integrated and stores electricity overnight, even being able to power the local grid on demand. The project is part of the Zoo’s push towards environmentally friendly practices from efficient new buildings to recycling animal waste as fertilizer.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects has stated that 1,231 MW of brand new electrical generating capacity came online in the USA in January 2013. Further in their “Energy Infrastructure Update” report, 100% of it came from solar, wind, and biomass sources. January 2013 further saw an increase of nearly three times compared to January 2012; when renewable energy generating capacity increased by 431 MW of additional output.
Commercial Solar, Energy Policy, Residential Solar, San Diego Solar Power | February 21, 2013 | 
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