Hey, check out this story from the NPR Science Friday website: Biofuels (broadcast Friday, February 8th, 2008). I think a podcast is available, too. Like I said, I LOVE algae…
–Refined gOil
After seeing how interested in alternative energy I had become, my mother graciously accepted my suggestion that she have a solar estimate done for her home in Los Angeles (which I am currently housesitting). I was thrilled! I contacted several different companies to arrange for an estimate.
This is where I ran into trouble. As the interest in solar electricity grows, an increasing burden falls upon the same few companies do consultations, evaluations and installations. Solar power captures the imagination of many because of its promise of low (or no) cost energy and a maximum return on the investment. Apparently what most prospective users don’t realize is just how great the outset cost is. Two companies were hesitant to even send a consultant — I received an almost ominous email from one of the companies warning me of the large cost to set up the system, and then going into great detail about numbers and percentages.
Ultimately, of the three companies that I contacted, SunPower was the only one that openly offered to send a consultant, and took the time to be in touch with me by phone on several occasions. SunPower works directly in concert with an installation company — so that there’s supposedly no confusion about warrantees or maintenance responsibility (this is what I was told; the proof will of course be in the pudding) — and they offer their own maximum efficiency all-black PV cell design.
I’m not plugging SunPower for any reason other than they’re the only company of the three I contacted that I felt was responsive and customer-friendly. The technician who came to do the free on-site evaluation was definitely hyping it. But SunPower seems to have the experience and history to back it up. Besides high profile commercial installations, they have many many private installations under their belt as well. In addition to solar technology, they also offer thermal heating options for swimming pools.
The one thing that bugs me: Advanced Solar Electric (responsible for much of the solar electricity used by the City of Santa Monica, including the solar ferris wheel on the SM pier), the installation company working for SunPower, is not mentioned anywhere that I can find on SunPower’s website or the literature that I was given. However, Advanced Solar Electric does reference SunPower as their “Premier Dealer” on their own website.
I would recommend SunPower for Southern California residents interested in taking the next step — at least as a starting point.
–Refined gOil
In the spring of 2007, the Energy Rush TV traveling video crew descending on the iconic headquarters of Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. The reason for our visit was the Cascadia Conference at Microsoft’s corporate conference center.
A sizable display of alternative vehicles was lined up outside the facility, and an impressive group of speakers was scheduled to enlighten the gathered masses. Our team was able to interview a number of interesting attendees, some for the first – but certainly not last – time.
I feel sort of silly that I haven’t posted this link yet, but I believe it’s one of the first things that comes up when you Google search “Biodiesel” anyway: The National Biodiesel Board.
It’s the go-to site for everything Biodiesel.
–Refined gOil
