Marathon Renewable Energy invited to attend energy audit training

The Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (WECC), the parent corporation behind Focus on Energy, typically only offers one Energy Auditor training course per year - usually in the spring. But this year, due to a push from the Feds, they decided to open up an additional session in the Fall - invitation-only.

We're proud to announce that Dan received his invitation this week and will be attending the training in October. Upon completion, he'll be qualified as an Energy Auditor in the State of Wisconsin - thus bringing an additional, much-requested service to our Central Wisconsin customers!

A New Solar PV Installer in Town

It's been a little lonely around here the past couple of weeks. That's because Dan's been out in Colorado, finishing up his photovoltaics training at Solar Energy International (SEI).

I just tried reaching him on his cell phone and couldn't get through, but according to the syllabus he should have just graduated as a certified PV installer about an hour ago.

Dan will be swinging through Kansas City to visit his mom on the way back up to Wisconsin. Bet she's proud of him!

Solar Power Flies High

No, we're not branching out into aviation. This has nothing to do with us, but it's so cool I just had to pass it on.

Last month Solar Impulse unveiled a prototype aircraft designed to fly day and night with zero emissions and no fossil fuel. The Solar Impulse HB-SIA has a wingspan as wide as a Boeing 747-400 but only weighs 3,500 lb. - about as much as a typical car. And it's powered entirely by the over 12,000 solar cells mounted on the wing.

They've scheduled several test flights during the second half of 2009.

We may not be flying solar business class any time soon, but it's exciting technology to follow. And it just goes to prove how powerful solar energy can be.

The Right Approach to Solar Space Heating

We've had a lot of people approach us lately about solar space heating.

Solar heating is a great idea. It’s good for the environment, effective if done right, safe, comfortable and can be extremely cost-effective over the lifetime of the system. It can even have a reasonably short payback, even at today’s prices.

But don’t try to knock high heat bills down with solar heat. Knock them down instead with air sealing, insulation, and better windows and doors.

Why? Because these measures are far more cost effective than putting in solar panels. In fact, every dollar spent on insulation, better doors, etc. will save you four dollars on a solar heating system. That’s because you can get away with a much smaller – and less expensive - solar installation when you have a more energy-efficient home to begin with. (It’s similar to making a car more aerodynamic so that you can put in a smaller, less expensive engine.) And the energy-saving measures will also cut down on the amount you spend on backup heat.

Pare down the amount of heat you're losing first, then let's talk about reducing heating bills with solar.

Energy Fair Attendance Highest Ever

If you don't see hordes of people in the 2009 Energy Fair photo at left, it's because I snapped it early in the day just before the hordes arrived. Believe me, for most of the weekend the scene was hopping!

I just got off the phone with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association's home office in Custer. They confirmed what we all expected - this year's Energy Fair attendance was the best ever. To be precise, the tally of attendees came to a grand total of 23,206 - about 5% more than last year's record-breaking number.

Congratulations to the MREA for an outstanding job of promoting renewable energy and sustainable living!

Microsoft Announces Free Energy Usage Application

The first step to saving energy is figuring out where you're losing it. Here's a new product that may help you do just that:

Microsoft Corp. recently announced Microsoft Hohm, an online application designed to enable consumers to better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving money. The beta application is available at no cost to anyone in the United States with an Internet connection and can be accessed directly by visiting http://www.microsoft-hohm.com.

Microsoft Hohm provides savings recommendations, which can range from placing new caulking on windows to removing air leaks to installing a programmable thermostat. These recommendations are reportedly tailored based on specific circumstances in the consumer's home including house features, usage patterns and appliances. If consumers don't provide their data, Microsoft Hohm will base its recommendations on local and national averages. According to the company, Microsoft Hohm will leverage the energy usage data and feedback from its users to refine and improve the accuracy and relevancy of recommendations.

Source: Clean Edge, Inc.

Too bad about the sales tax...

Well, looks like we'll have to wait another couple years for the sales tax exemption for solar and other renewable energy equipment. Governor Doyle went ahead and passed the bill.

You can't win 'em all!

Sales on renewable energy equipment are now slated to become tax exempt on July 1, 2011.