USDE Solar Decathalon Kicks Off in Washington, DC

This Thursday, September 22, marks the kickoff of the 2011 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathalon in Washington, DC. The Solar Decathalon promotes awareness of the benefits of US and San Diego solar energy by allowing teams of college students to construct solar-powered houses. Dubbed “solar village,” the houses have been built in National Mall’s West Potomac Park.

In addition to bringing positive attention to the benefits of solar, the Solar Decathalon also promises to educate consumers on how they can potentially save money and energy by installing solar panels in their homes. Solar electricity, air heaters, water heaters, pool heaters and more are all a reality – and this event demonstrates how they can be used efficiently. Judges will grade the houses based on their use of solar power, energy performance and the house’s livability.

The students powering the event come from nineteen universities in five different countries, and their houses will be available for the public to see between 12:30 p.m. on September 22 and October 2. Judges will announce the winner on October 1. This event benefits the students as well – it gives them valuable experience working with solar energy and installation, and this project can help prepare them for a job in clean energy. The Obama administration’s focus on transitioning to solar and wind energy could create thousands of new jobs in alternative energy, and events like the Solar Decathalon help train students and foster excitement for solar power.

For more information on solar power, visit solar panels San Diego provider Solaire online.

Alamosa Solar Project Secures Financing to Power 6,500 Homes

The Alamosa Solar Generating Project, the world’s largest solar photovoltaic solar plant, has just received a $90.6 million loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy. This funding helps finance the project and ensure that construction at the plant can continue.

Located in southern Colorado, the Alamosa plant is expected to power over 6,500 homes with green and efficient solar energy. Nevada and Arizona solar panel company Amonix is supplying the solar panels and has put over $130 million toward the project. By converting 6,500 homes to solar power, it’s estimated that about 43,000 metric tons of carbon emissions could be avoided each year. This is an enormous amount of pollution – and a huge motivator for solar energy San Diego supporters to switch.

A home solar system can eliminate heating, gas or electric bills by replacing the system with panels on the roof of one’s home. The panels trap light energy and convert it to usable energy in the user’s own home, and the ability to store power means that the panels will still work at night. They will also continue to work in cold weather, provided they are kept free of snow.

With solar panels San Diego residents don’t necessarily have to pay the full amount of the panels plus installation; financing options from solar installation companies mean that most families can afford to switch to solar. At San Diego solar provider Solaire Energy Systems, home or business owners may qualify for a “same as cash” loan program or a number of unique leasing programs that require no up-front costs.

Financing a solar project doesn’t have to be an impossible dream. As the Alamosa solar plant continues to develop, we will continue to see more homes powered by solar power and a growing number of homeowners finding ways to start their own solar projects.