Smith Electric Vehicles Launches Production of All-Electric Newton™ Step Van

Smith Electric Vehicles Launches Production of All-Electric Newton™ Step Van

T Bone Pickens Energy Plan For America

T Bone Pickens Energy Plan For America

“The country uses almost 20 million barrels (of oil) a day, and of the 20 million we import 12,” Pickens said. “Some of that oil comes from friendly sources such as Canada and Mexico, but you do have 5 million barrels from OPEC countries. So any fool can see that you’re paying for both sides of a war. And you don’t have to do it. So what is a quick solution to the problem? Get on your own resources. And we have plenty of resources in America. What is missing is leadership in America.”

The Pickens Plan is comprised of several steps that would comprehensively rearrange how America sources its energy needs.

Can We Survive Driverless Cars?

Can We Survive Driverless Cars?

The US Solar Market Looking Bright

The US Solar Market Looking Bright

Anyone installing solar panels, whether it’s on their home or as part of a large solar farm is eligible for a 30% federal grant towards this cost. This is very valuable – a domestic sized system can easily cost $15,000 or more, so it’s a generous move by the government. Critics of the scheme dislike how solar panels are still not an affordable choice for the poorest of families, but in certain states there are further subsidies available.

Additional help comes in the form of feed in tariff schemes, which pay the owner of solar panels extra money if they are connected to the national grid – the electricity the panels generate but isn’t used can be transferred into the grid for a different house to use. The first President to implement such a scheme was Carter in the 1970s, but it has really become popular for solar energy in more recent years, being introduced in California, Washington, Hawaii and Michigan at varying rates, although in 2010 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission deemed it illegal to implement tariffs above the market value of electricity due to the Federal Power Act which prohibits setting wholesale electricity rates. This does mean there is a theoretical cap on tariff rates, although hopefully an exception will be made soon to allow renewable energy to be encouraged on a large scale.

Use These Online Calculators to Lead a More Sustainable Life

Use These Online Calculators to Lead a More Sustainable Life

So you want to go green. But where do you start? Unless your sibling or significant other happens to be a green energy specialist or sustainable living expert, the path to true eco-friendliness and energy efficiency is difficult to take. Often times homeowners will simply spend money on perceived fixes because some TV talking head said so, while failing to address aspects of their lives that result in the most energy waste and ecological abuse. In fact, many people miss the easy fixes altogether due to obsessing over the big stuff.

While they won't replace the advice of a paid expert, free online calculators are great tools for getting you on the right track as far as greener living is concerned. Even just by bookmarking and using the following five calculators, you're sure to increase the likelihood of making changes that will equal real and noticeable results:

Green Homes Project Aims For 100% Solar Power

Green Homes Project Aims For 100% Solar Power

The solar panels SolarCity installs on SheaXero homes will generate clean, renewable energy that saves money and offsets electricity consumption. The homes will feature a suite of 11 energy-saving features, including energy-efficient Trane® HVAC systems, Jenn-Air® Energy Star® appliances, high-performance insulation and dual-pane, low-e windows.

“SheaXero homeowners can save thousands of dollars per year on energy costs,” said Rick Andreen, president of Shea Homes Active Lifestyle Communities. “Net-zero homes protect owners from the impact of electricity rate increases while safeguarding the environment for the next generation.”

Can Solar Be Competitive With Coal? New Study Examines

Can Solar Be Competitive With Coal? New Study Examines

The report, from researchers at MIT led by Tonio Buonassisi, a professor of mechanical engineering and manufacturing, identifies early-stage technologies that, if employed together, could reduce the cost of making solar panels to 52 cents per watt. Currently, the cost is over a dollar per watt. At 52 cents per watt, assuming similar cost reductions for installation and equipment such as inverters, solar power would cost six cents per kilowatt-hour in sunny areas of the U.S.—less than the average cost of electricity in the U.S. today. Solar power in sunny areas now costs roughly 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, although the cost can be sharply higher in small installations or in cloudy areas where solar installations generate less electricity.