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Interesting Technology Updates -Click on a title below

  • - A radical idea to get a high-renewable electric grid

    This is an interesting approach to optaining very high penetration of renewables such as photovoltaics and wind.  At present most large installations operate under Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) wherein the economics are based on a sell all output at predetermined prices. This contrasts with standalone systems wherein the system size Read More
  • - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification

    - Breakthrough Batteries Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Battery Storage Costs Drop Dramatically, Making Way to a New Era. A recent Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) report continues to confirm that clean electrification through batteries is advancing at impressive rates. Very interesting report: Breakthrough Batteries- Powering the Era of Clean Electrification Read More
  • - Interesting Technology

    An assortment of links to interesting information   Semiconductor Nanowires Could Double the Efficiency of Silicon Solar Cells A p/n semiconductor junction is not the only way of converting sunshine into useful electrical energy.  Light consists of a flow of photons of various energy levels (colors).  See this article-Solar Cells.  Nanowires Read More
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General News

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Interesting Videos

Biden administration announces goal of 5 million homes

The Department of Energy on November 5, 2021 announced a target of the equivalent of five million homes powered by community solar energy by 2025.

The target would save $1 billion and contribute to administration goals of fully renewable electricity by 2035, according to the department.

“Community solar is one of the most powerful tools we have to provide affordable solar energy to all American households, regardless of whether they own a home or have a roof suitable for solar panels,” Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement. “Achieving these ambitious targets will lead to meaningful energy cost savings, create jobs in these communities, and make our clean energy transition more equitable.”

Read more at THE HILL

The Build Back Better plan for renewables-2021

On OCTOBER 28, 2021 President Biden Announced the Build Back Better Framework. This will have a major impact on Renewable Energy and sustainability. Some of the major components are:

  • The largest effort to combat climate change in American history. The framework will cut greenhouse gas pollution by well over one gigaton in 2030, reduce consumer energy costs, give our kids cleaner air and water, create hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs, and advance environmental justice by investing in a 21st century clean energy economy – from buildings, transportation, industry, electricity, and agriculture to climate smart practices across our lands and waters.

 

  • Ensure clean energy technology – from wind turbine blades to solar panels to electric cars – will be built in the United States with American made steel and other materials, creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs here at home. The Build Back Better legislation will target incentives to grow domestic supply chains in solar, wind, and other critical industries in communities on the frontlines of the energy transition. In addition, the framework will boost the competitiveness of existing industries, like steel, cement, and aluminum, through grants, loans, tax credits, and procurement to drive capital investment in the decarbonization and revitalization of American manufacturing.

 

  • Advance environmental justice through a new Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator that will invest in projects around the country, while delivering 40% of the benefits of investment to disadvantaged communities, as part of the President’s Justice40 initiative. The framework will also fund port electrification; facilitate the deployment of cleaner transit, buses, and trucks; and support critical community capacity building, including grants to environmental justice communities. In addition, the framework will create a new Civilian Climate Corps – with over 300,000 members that look like America. This diverse new workforce will conserve our public lands, bolster community resilience, and address the changing climate, all while putting good-paying union jobs within reach for more Americans.

The full document is available on the Whitehouse,gov website

Scottsdale Proposes Adoption of new Energy and Green Construction Code

In alignment with Scottsdale’s overall building code updates, the city is preparing to adopt the 2021 edition of the International Green Construction Code (IECC) and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). These updated codes will replace the currently adopted 2015 editions.

The IECC addresses residential and commercial energy efficiency on several fronts including cost savings, reduced energy usage, conservation of natural resources and the impact of energy usage on the environment. Key changes to the 2021 IECC improve efficiency by 11.1 percent and reduce greenhouse gases by 10.7 percent over the 2015 IECC. These changes include new provisions that increase efficiency and encourage greater flexibility in design and construction. Amendments include electric vehicle charging infrastructure for new homes, apartments and hotels to support future EV charging demand. The IgCC is applicable to new commercial buildings and contains measures to help mitigate heat island effect, reduce water waste, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, support renewables, improve indoor environmental health and lower the impact on natural resources.

The updated codes are planned to be presented to City Council for adoption in the first quarter of next year. The IECC and IgCC have already received support from the Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Council and is currently being reviewed by the Building Advisory Board.
 

Contact: Anthony Floyd, green building program manager, City of Scottsdale, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 480-312-4202.

Solar-friendly US infrastructure bill inches forward as it passes House

The US House passed the Moving Forward Act, H. R. 2, on July 1, 2020. The US$1.5 trillion infrastructure support bill includes a raft of measures in support of America’s clean economy. The bill proposes to extend the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) scheme to 2025. Major resistance is expected in the Senate.

More details on this bill are at: Solar-friendly US infrastructure bill inches forward as it passes House

Additional coverage: House Democrats Spell Out Climate, Clean Energy Priorities in Sweeping Plan

Update August 4th: 07/20/2020 Senate Received in the Senate.  No action since.  Call your Senators!

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  • Welcome to the Arizona Solar Center

     This is your source for solar and renewable energy information in Arizona. Explore various technologies, including photovoltaics, solar water heating, solar architecture, solar cooking and wind power. Keep up to date on the latest industry news. Follow relevant lectures, expositions and tours. Whether you are a homeowner looking to become more energy efficient, a student learning the science behind the technologies or an industry professional, you will find valuable information here.
  • About The Arizona Solar Center

    About The Arizona Solar Center Arizona Solar Center Mission- The mission of the Arizona Solar Center is to enhance the utilization of renewable energy, educate Arizona's residents on solar technology developments, support commerce and industry in the development of solar and other sustainable technologies and coordinate these efforts throughout the state of Arizona. About the Arizona Solar Center- The Arizona Solar Center (AzSC) provides a broad-based understanding of solar energy, especially as it pertains to Arizona. Registered Read More
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