Watch Wed. March 28 – Skyward Solar Installation featured on WXII TV News 12 Mornings with Veronica White
Filed under Uncategorized
Skyward Installs at Tencarva Machinery in Greensboro 188kWh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2nd, 2012
SKYWARD SOLAR POWER, LLC
3109 Hillsborough Rd. Durham, NC 27705
— Announces 188kWSolar Installation at Tencarva Machinery- Greensboro, NC
A grid tied, roof mounted solar energy system put into service with Duke Energy February 2012 —
Skyward Solar Power Company, LLC of Durham, NC has completed the construction of another commercial grade solar energy system, this time in Greensboro, NC for the Tencarva Machinery Co.
“Installation of a system this size can recover nearly a half-a-million dollars in at-risk tax liability and will generate more than that in new revenue over the next 20 years from the clean electricity it produces. CFOs should be taking a closer look at solar energy systems” – Bruce Freeman (President – Skyward Solar Power Co., LLC)
Increasingly, forward thinking company’s like Tencarva, are turning to solar energy for a number of financial reasons, beyond protection against rising utility rates. Combined current tax credits and accelerated depreciation reduce the solar energy system’s price by more than 81%. Furthermore, the price of solar equipment has dropped significantly over the last few years, increasing the overall investment value and shortening the time for return on investment.
Skyward Solar Power’s installations are durable, reliable and engineered to produce power for decades. They seamlessly integrate power generation with payment from the utility company, without the need for on-site personnel. Duke and Progress Energy are currently offering contracts to purchase the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and the Clean Electricity for up to 20 years. This new revenue stream is protected by a 25 year equipment warranty, the true testament to the quality and longevity of today’s solar panels.
Skyward Solar Power installed the 188kW system at Tencarva featuring 784 American made SHARP solar panels. The array was completed in February with no interruption to the company’s day to day operations and required no penetrations into the roof. The entire system was constructed outside of the building leaving the roof unharmed and the employees’ daily routine unaffected. Skyward’s choice of strong brand name components and custom design is building the company’s rock solid reputation for quality, reliability, and long lifespan.
Solar energy systems like the one installed on the Tencarva roof deliver a guaranteed internal rate of return of 11% and the ROI is fast, as short as three to five years. Electricity is silently and cleanly generated every day, putting a large commercial roof to work for that business. In addition to the financial benefits, the marketing value is also significant. Solar demonstrates dramatically to the employees, customers, and community that their business is making a major effort and commitment as an advocate for a healthy environment and good corporate citizenship. Solar energy systems are empowering, and broadly create positive public opinions.
The Skyward Solar Power Company is a full-service solar installation company with a proven track record for quality installations. Skyward is dedicated to delivering a unique financial strategy to its customers, enabling their business to recover its at-risk tax dollars and create a new revenue stream, while generating clean power for a more sustainable planet.
A Skyward Solar Energy System
Tencarva Machinery Company
Greensboro, NC
Commissioned February 2012
188kW system
784 SHARP solar panels
243,000kWh generated per year estimated
Interconnection with Duke Energy
Brian Hill
Skyward Solar Power
919-294-9944
Filed under Uncategorized
Can the 25 year warranty get better?
What’s happening with solar panel/module warranties? Can they get even better?
There are so many high quality solar modules/panels to choose from today that it’s hard to go wrong in your selection. The gold standard for warranties is a 25 year power warranty broken out in year 10 and the year 25, or a linear power warranty guaranteeing power percentages over 25 years. On top of these power warranties are workmanship warranties typically for 5 years. Now we are seeing module/panel manufacturers upping the warranty ante. As an example, Chinese solar module manufacturer Jinko Solar Holding Company has their Quantum 1 module workmanship warranty listed now for 10 years and the power performance warranty is 90% performance for the first 12 years and 80% performance for the remaining 13 years. Canadian Solar, REC, and First Solar have all made similar extensions to their warranties. I expect other solar equipment manufacturers to follow suit.
These long and extended mechanical warranties and power warranties are a clear demonstration of the proven performance of the solar equipment and the manufacturers’ confidence in their robust power producing longevity. There are few products, and especially those that are electrical, where the purchaser/consumer is backed so solidly by the maker of the product. One more reason why solar is a good investment.
Nanoscale Solar Technology
As solar becomes ever more popular and more affordable, it is great to know that researchers are continuing to find ways to harness the power of the sun utilizing new technology. Researchers at McCormick have discovered a new material that absorbs a wider range of light wavelengths which may lead to more efficient solar panels.
The researchers utilized metal and silicon oxide, which on their own do not absorb light but when combined on the nanoscale trap a wide range of light. Thin, trapezoid shaped gratings were created which cause the light to be held longer within the material so more light is absorbed. Another positive feature is that light is collected from many angles. Thus, making the material more efficient throughout the day as the sun moves from east to west.
The drawback at this time is that the material only collects heat, but does not convert light into electricity. However, the technology and unique shape may be applied utilizing semiconducting materials to develop more efficient, lighter weight, and lower-cost solar electric cells.
For more information visit: http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/article_999.html
Filed under Solar Energy, Solar Power, Sustainable Energy, Uncategorized
Skyward’s B. Freeman featured in Forbes
Recently, Bruce Freeman of Skyward Solar Power Company was a feature blogger on Peter J Riley’s site at Forbes. (Thanks, Peter) His commentary on “Should Solar Stand on Its Own in the 21st Century” was featured on an additional 15 websites. View the original at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2011/11/01/should-solar-stand-on-its-own-in-the-21st-century/
Should Solar Stand on Its Own in the 21st Century
Solar has taken a hit lately in the media, and the opinion of some newspaper columnists is that solar technology deserves a stern dressing down. The negative stories written about Solyndra have put a smear on the entire solar industry. Solar, before the Solyndra debacle, enjoyed extremely positive press for its reliable and clean energy generation delivered amazingly by the sun every day. Solar enjoyed a rebirth at exactly the right time as a strong growth industry that provides good quality jobs and careers across the country. But then Solyndra collapsed and the solar goodwill suddenly was in flames. The columnists could have chosen to reveal that Solyndra, through no fault of its own, competed in a market that was about to be flooded by Chinese solar manufacturers, and we all know what that means – equipment becomes a commodity and commodity product pricing forces a rapid price decline.
In the solar module market equipment is priced by the watt. In 2009, when the Chinese made modules began flooding the market, Solyndra priced at over six dollars per watt for itsmodules. That’s expensive. They competed against modules being sold as low as almost two dollars per watt at that time. Solyndra’s challenge was to take their highly innovative and excellent technology and reduce its very expensive manufacturing costs to a price per watt that competed against the Chinese. It couldn’t be done. Their target price was to be under two dollars per watt before 2012. Even at this price per watt, Solyndra was still not competitive because the pricing of competing technologies continued to fall. Unfortunately, it appears there was mismanagement within Solyndra, but mismanagement does not over ride the market conditions in which they were forced to work.
This brings me to the columnists’ outrage of the $535 million government loan guarantee Solyndra received two years ago. Columnists and commentators have suggested that solar should not be propped up and that it should stand on its own merits. Well, how about all the other industries and Fortune 500 companies that receive government hand outs? In the early 1900s oil subsidies found their way into special government assistance and have never left. There are so many government subsidies extended to the oil industry you need to be a forensic accountant to be able to pull them out and understand them. A short list would be: tax incentives, tax credits, special deductions, exemptions, grants, loans, special below market royalties, R&D, and foreign competition protections. In one year alone, oil and gas will receive over $3.5 billion in subsidies and special treatment.
The agriculture industry benefits from government subsidies that are older still, dating back to the 1800s. This sector, for decades, receives as much as a whopping $30 billion every year not to mention $5 billion dollars per year in cash. Timber, another government subsidies old timer, is also in the billions of dollars per year. Even our biggest department store received $1 billion in special government favors. Coal, oil, gas, nuclear and ethanol receive over $12 billion a year in special government assistance. I would have expected that by the 21st century these industries wouldn’t need to be propped up by special government help. By comparison, what solar gets is a pittance. Run your finger down the Fortune 500 list and see for yourself who either always gets special government favors or who has at some time received government help. It’s a long list of hand outs received.
We, Americans, are very quick to dismiss what other countries achieve especially when it comes to science. This ivory tower position today shows we have our heads firmly stuck in the sand. While Europe, China, and Japan are competing against each other in the big race to transform their energy sectors, the USA may not even qualify for the event. Europe is on track to produce 20% of its energy from renewable sources and be carbon free by 2050 under its 20-20-20 plan – reduce 20% of its greenhouse emissions, reduce energy consumption by 20% and increase renewable energy by 20%. The USA, by comparison, is all about drill, baby drill, and dig, baby, dig. The USA’s backward attitude will guarantee that we will lose technological and production leadership to Europe, China, and Japan. China is easily the world’s leader in investing in renewable energy. Last year China invested $54 billion in private sector investments alone in renewable energy. Germany invested $41 billion in private sector renewable energy investments. The USA’s backward thinking has held us back and it will be one more race for which we fail to qualify. Solar was once the technological and manufacturing domain of the USA.
Without question solar technology has proved itself. Solar reliably produces power and the systems are engineered to last for decades. The power produced is clean and the systems require very little in operation and maintenance in comparison to most other forms of energy generation. The USA has an excellent solar resource that should be exploited to the maximum. Solar contributes to job growth, energy independence, and environmental sustainability. Solar has earned its place in the mix of renewable energy generation. The political hostility against the development of solar must stop. Solar has earned a national commitment to its growth. Today is the time for the USA to ramp up for the energy race and be the leader we should be.
Breaking news: All Americans love the sun!
From a letter sent to Bruce Freeman, President Skyward Solar Power, from Michael Rader SEIA.
Given the weather around most of the country (and the East Coast in particular), you may not be surprised to learn that solar energy is still pretty popular among Americans.
Just how popular may surprise you.
For the fourth consecutive year, the annual SCHOTT Solar Barometer survey showed that overwhelming majorities of Americans support greater development of solar energy in the United States. The key results from the poll are below:
• Nine out of ten respondents (89%) think it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.
• Solar energy is non-partisan: Independents (90%), Republicans (80%) and Democrats (94%) all agree that developing solar energy is important.
• Eight out of ten Americans (82%) believe that solar energy should receive the same level and type of support as fossil fuel industries have enjoyed for decades, and that the government should support solar manufacturing.
• A plurality (39%) would choose to prioritize solar if they were in charge of U.S. energy policy, more than natural gas (21%), wind (12%), nuclear (9%) or coal (3%).
• More than half of Americans (51%) would be more likely to buy a product if they knew it was made using solar energy.
Let’s be clear: it takes more than some dreary weather and a little early snow to make the sun this popular. These survey results show that Americans believe in the power of solar to provide a meaningful shift towards a clean energy future.
The U.S. is on the fast-track to becoming the largest solar energy market in the world with thousands of new jobs, tremendous potential energy savings for consumers and billions of dollars in new private investment. As you’ve surely seen, there has been plenty of consternation in the 24-hour news cycle about the fate of renewable energy – these results show that Americans aren’t buying it.
Given these numbers – which are consistent with the polls conducted the past three years – you might wonder why you don’t see more pro-solar policies coming out of Washington.
The short answer is: on solar energy issues, the public is way ahead of Washington and we need passionate advocates like you to help us get this message through
Click
here to read the SEIA release on the SCHOTT Solar Barometer or hereo read the full results (PDF) and help us spread the good solar word!
