Hi Michael, Here is a way to help and give tools to all of us for getting more RE projects started. I have been pushing for the sell of US Treasury "Energy Independence Savings Bonds". Savings bonds are normally purchased in $25 increments. This gives a way for just about any American to tighten their belts just a bit by skipping a meal at McDonalds or Pizza Hut and buying a RE savings bond to support a project. I need help pushing this project, I've faxed and emailed many in Congress/Senate already. My email is ke6cvh@yahoo.com. Here is a copy of a fax sent to Nancy Pelosi yesterday:
27FEB09
Honorable Speaker of the House Congresswoman Pelosi,
I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service stationed overseas. I’m outlying an idea to assist and work with current plans for achieving energy independence. I urge you, as speaker of the house and the driving force to form the select committee on energy independence and global warming, consider for discussion and introduction into the house US Treasury Savings Bonds for Energy Independance.
In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to support troops. I am impressed with the patriotism and purpose of our greatest generation that accomplished so much.
Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports and assist with the complex problem of funding. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in the multi-hundred MW size capacity with molten salt energy storage in California, Arizona, and West Texas can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. There are plenty of suitable proposed wind turbine farms now around the nation to significantly increase our RE if funded. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by electricity provided by RE suppliers America would be in the forefront of world technology. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado Springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes, city bus systems, and government vehicles that can be converted to run from alternative energy sources and fuels. Jobs created would bolster the economy, lower trade deficit, and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects.
I contacted the US treasury department and was told that the marketing department for savings bonds closed several years ago. I was told there would be problems because savings bonds are at the federal level while the projects will be at the state and local level. I disagree and believe that these can easily be figured out in the way of grants to the state and local level using money from the bonds for those specific projects. I was told to check out auctions on the www.treasurydirect.gov website and found them to not apply to citizens wanting to buy savings bonds to support a cause such as energy independance. I was told by the treasury department to look into CREB (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds). I found CREB to be large scale funding that a citizen would not be able to participate in as a US Treasury Energy Independance Bond would provide. If given the tools to participate directly, the power of the citizens of the United States to help achieve energy independance could not be denied. Americans mean well and the Energy Independance Savings bond program will give citizens the power at their level to make it happen. If marketed through a web page, commercials, and to federal employees the word would get out and participation would spread like wildfire.
Mr. Paul Gipe, a resident of Bakersfield CA, an author of several books about wind energy, and recipient of multiple awards as a pioneer in the industry since the 1970's has put a letter I wrote to Senator Dorgan on this subject as well as an older letter I wrote on wind COOP in JAN07. These websites are:
Happy New Year. I am a friend of Dianna Brown's. Stopping by to say HI and hope you can help with petitions for PP and your district. It is so easy. Dianna is a part of the 100CLUB, just ask her how it is. I have sent in over 150 in the last 10 days. I am yet to meet one person who does not think we need to get off foreign oil fast! We just need to get out there and gather their names!
Please watch Boone's video if you have not seen it yet (link below) and see how far we have come. When will we ever have a chance like this again to become energy independant before we give this country away?
Our new Congress is sworn in less than 10 days from now - they must be told loudly and clearly that we demand action to reduce our dependance on foreign oil!
WE CAN DO THIS. We need your help. THERE IS NO INFLUENCE WITHOUT NUMBERS!
Thanks for the post, Mike. Hang in there. Happy Thanksgiving.
You know, I guess it's a day when we give thanks for our families and for all the stuff we have - followed by a day when the retailers want us to buy more stuff (to be thankful for next year peraps?)
At 10:19pm on November 21, 2008, Dianna Brown said…
Also, love your profile info! It is SOOOO about time. Unfortunately, the majority of "us" Americans seem to be reactionary and only focus on the problem when it affects us. I truly hope we have something going here that can be sustained!
At 10:18pm on November 21, 2008, Dianna Brown said…
Thanks for the comment! I really didn't want to start a big THING but it happened anyway! I'm dropping the issue and trying to refocus on POSITIVE items! We have so much to do and these distractions just get in the way! I agree, Luis seems like a good guy in general and I must say, he has refrained from being truly nasty! I guess I just expected more from one of our "leaders". Onward and upward!
Here is California RSD's response to your inquiry:
RE: REnu customer needs assistanceTuesday, October 7, 2008 1:48 PM
From: "Stephen Gates" Add sender to Contacts To: goldbug_17@yahoo.comHello Jack,
Nothing has happened with any of these accounts. The company is still working on funding sources. As soon as the funding is secured the corporate office will open and begin processing all of these FRAs. Until then they are still first inline and waiting.
Thanks,
Stephen Gates
(805) 455-8424
Mike,
I would like to add that the lastest update this weekend from the company is that due to the extension of the Investment Tax Credit for Renewables, which was a part of the Economic Stabilization Package that was just passed, the process of acquiring the funding to build the factory has been revitalized. The company plans to start the pilot project in California by the end of the year. I hope that you get your installation soon and that Citizenre can soon move ahead with a total rollout nationwide.
Thanks for your patience.
Jack Harrell
From: Jack Harrell [mailto:goldbug_17@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:14 AM
To: stephen@simplesunpower.com
Subject: REnu customer needs assistance
Stephen,
I received this message on the Pickens plan from a Citizenre customer that wants to know the status of his account. Can you respond to his inquiry?
At 11:43pm on October 6th, 2008, michael maldonado said…
Hey Jack, I filled the forms out on this a couple of months ago and mailed both copies but I still haven't heard anything else. How are things going with ReSolar? The rep that mailed me the form e-mailed me at first but now will not repond to any e-mail. Perhaps she quit? Anyway, If you find out anything let me know.
MIKE
Hi PP member,
Please checkout this website, as this is a Sun, Heat and Wind energy system in one, please give us your feedback as we try to improve it.
www.solarbotanic.com
Looking forward to hear from you
Alex
At 7:12pm on September 6, 2008, Jack Harrell said…
Mike,
I represent another company that plans to rent (lease) solar power systems to homeowners. It's called the REnU Residential Energy Unit. The systems sizes are up to 10Kw which you probably are already aware costs quite a bit of change if you have to purchase the system.
The company name is Citizenre and is a startup with plans to start installing approximately 1000 systems in a pilot phase by the end of this year in California. They are working on getting the funding to build a factory and start installations across the U.S. sometime in 2009.
The rental rate is based on what you are currently paying monthly on average for your electricity from your utility. You can lock that rate in for as long as 25 years. A system engineer will come to your home and size a system to best fit your energy needs and upon request evaluate your current usage and give you recommendations to conserve energy. The homeowner would then pay a security deposit of $500 to $1000 depending on the size of the system. The installation is grid connected and depends on the availability of net metering.
What the company is doing now is allowing homeowners to reserve a system by going to an Independent Associates web page and entering informtion about the home and it's energy usage. There is no obligation to pay now to reserve a system. The company plans to make installations on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you reserve the earlier your system will be installed.
Go to www.jointhesolution.com/affordable_energy for more information and to reserve a system. Or contact me via email at goldbug_17@yahoo.com if you have any questions. You can also reach me by phone at 252-264-2843
Jack Harrell
Citizenre Independent Associate
www.jointhesolution.com/affordable_energy
www.powur.com/affordable_energy
Classes teach solar power as clean, green career
Kelly Zito
Friday, August 15, 2008
After a recent layoff ended his 20-year construction career, Javier Hernandez turned to what appears to be one of the rare sunny spots in an otherwise murky economy. Literally.
This summer, amid soaring U.S. fuel prices and increasing worldwide focus on global warming, Hernandez, 63, took the kind of step presidential hopefuls, low-income advocates and Silicon Valley tech lords dream about: He enrolled in a solar panel installation class at San Jose City College.
"We are definitely destroying our planet, and if we destroy the planet, we're destroying ourselves," said Hernandez, who lives in Sunnyvale and considers himself an environmentalist. "Hopefully, I'm going to find a good job after I finish this course, and I can get more experience and eventually bring this technology to (Mexico)."
From a political and economic view, much has been made about "green-collar" jobs. They are "clean" and in the renewable energy arena, are not as likely to go overseas, and could bolster a country hemorrhaging industrial, blue-collar jobs, the argument goes.
But there remains a wide gap between the projected demand for solar, wind and geothermal energy and the expertise necessary to make, install and sell the systems.
That's where Hernandez's class comes in.
He and about 20 others took the second class in solar installation ever offered at San Jose City College. Two evenings a week, the group is learning their way around terms like "photovoltaic modules" (solar panels) and "power inverters" (which convert electricity from direct current to alternating current). During half-day lab classes on Saturdays, they get to design, put together and dismantle systems with their own hands. All for $20 per credit, or $80.
The new green-collar classes - some variations are offered at other community colleges around the Bay Area, such as Cabrillo College - grew out of talks that began two years ago between the education establishment and Silicon Valley's growing solar industry. Eventually, the group was named Solar Tech, and it set out several objectives. Along with streamlining the building permit, utility connection and state rebate systems, the group aimed at advanced training.
Filling the need Tom McCalmont is the chief executive of Solar Tech and founder of REgrid Power, a Campbell solar design and installation firm. According to a survey by the group, there are currently between 6,900 and 8,000 solar industry workers in the nine-county Bay Area - far short of the 20,000 to 40,000 projected to be needed over the next decade.
"That's a huge need," McCalmont said. "And the nice thing about these jobs is they are green-collar jobs - the types of stable, middle-class jobs that we haven't had in the Bay Area for a number of years now. We have low-paid service jobs or highly paid white-collar jobs."
Roughly speaking, a starting solar panel technician earns up to $19 per hour - about $40,000 per year. Within a couple of years, that can go up to as much as $35 per hour - or nearly $73,000 annually, McCalmont said. Classrooms have primarily focused on solar training because wind, geothermal energy and other sources aren't as widespread and have fewer local businesses.
Savings for home projects
Like Hernandez, Marc Fontana is pursuing solar technology as a second career. Fontana, 52, worked as a software support engineer for Hewlett-Packard for 26 years. After taking early retirement in 2005, Fontana has been getting educated about renewable energy. He also volunteers with a program that puts solar arrays on low-income homes. Eventually, he may become a solar system designer or a HERS rater - someone who uses technology like infrared sensors and blowers to evaluate the energy efficiency of homes and businesses. HERS stands for home energy rating system.
Recently, he installed a 2,500-watt solar system on his own house - another reason some take solar installation classes. Between generous rebates from his local utility, tax credits and savings from his own labor, the system cost him $2,500 - a tenth of the cost of a typical system.
"You won't find a lot of people who can do that because I did the installation myself and I took advantage of the best (local rebate) system in the state," he said.
Rebate deadlock
Though the popularity of renewable energy systems is expected to soar, there are some factors clamping down on the industry's recent growth.
Congress is deadlocked over whether to renew federal tax credits for wind and solar systems for homes and businesses. Though the credits - which max out at $2,000 for residential customers - have helped bolster the industry, they are set to expire at the end of this year. While the House has proposed funding the credits by ending tax subsidies for oil companies and closing a tax loophole for hedge fund managers, Republicans have rejected the ideas, arguing they are stealth tax increases.
As a result, it has been challenging for some recent local graduates to find jobs. Educators who hope to expand renewable energy training classes hope it's just a hiccup. But they are staying in close touch with the industry to tailor classes and curricula during troubled economic times.
"I don't want to flood the market with graduates who can't find jobs," said Kathy Werle, dean of applied sciences at San Jose City College. "Right now we're waiting to see if people get more state and federal incentives. If that happens, there will be growth. But if it doesn't happen... people won't be willing to spend $25,000 on solar systems for their homes."
First and foremost I would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting a plan that will change America's Economy, the “PickensPlan”. As Hispanics sometimes we are not involved with what's happening in our country’s economy for several reasons, one can be fear of not understanding correctly our National Language “English”, another can be lack of promotional Hispanic literature. But for those of us that are fluent in both the English and Spanish languages it is our duty to help those in need. Why not stand up and help our fellow Hispanics, so that in return they can support our goals.
My question to you is “What are You Going to Do?”
Please join me in the “Hispanics for Alternative Energy” group.
Sincerely,
Abdiel Mercado
Creator: Hispanics for Alternative Energy
Michael let's talk about this. It sounds like you are in a perfect time of your life. I’m 42 years old, a Marine Corps Vet (6 years), College Grad (Programming) and worked for the man 60 hours a week for 13 years. Now I work for myself from home. You can make it happen especially if you know a thing or two about computers.
For now let's get better acquainted the last thing I want to do is give you more work.
You can work 60 hours a week in your own business or for someone else and make 200K a year or better. But the 60 hours a week are never going to go away! My goal is to work 5 hours a week but to have 200 people in my network doing the something. That's 1000 hours a week! Regular thinking and traditional business models will never match those kinds of numbers and give me the free time I need to do other things.
That's why I pursue network marketing so passionately.
My goal has always been to build busy and popular sites and networking communities. The products we sell on them are a bonus. The real product is the traffic and members the site produces. Send me a good time for us to talk and I will call you. Do you use Skype?
Mike I was once a 60 hours a week guy working as a manager for a supermarket chain called PUBLIX. They’re a great company and I put in 13 hard years with them. My outlook on life had a turning moment in Flagstaff Arizona when after talking to a few travelers from Australia I realized that I would have to work 20 years to get one year off for myself in my current job. I took two weeks a year vacation. I found a great home business that allowed me to move to Virginia with my family. We live on a 25 acre estate in the mountains and work from home. Do you know anyone that wants to earn extra income with their home computer? No promises of millions but a clear way out of the 60 work week. You have a lot going for you with UPS, my brother works for FEDEX but like you he doesn’t have the free time he wants but a least you have a paying job. Let me know!
Michael,
TRANSPORTATION is the master key to basic survival, and the cornerstone of the economy. We all know that transportation presently depends on oil production, and oil production is peaking. We must focus first on transportation – it is the highest priority. The PickensPlan to transition vehicles to natural gas is a great start toward 100% energy independence, but is a stop-gap measure till we can transition to all electric transportation. Electric energy is strained without adding transportation demands; so we must drastically improve efficiency .
Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) is a patented technology where travel occurs without air friction or rolling resistance (like “Space Travel on Earth”); ETT can accomplish 50 times more transportation per kWh (or carbon credit) than electric cars or trains. ETT is silent, low cost, safe, faster than jets, and is electric so it can make maximum use of wind or PV power. I invite you to visit my page to learn more about ETT
I was in Malawi Africa last summer doing some mission work through our non profit; www.MalawiMission.org and have spent some time in Japan with the Marine Corps. I have a passion for volunteer work and our earth. I'm a web developer, graphic designer and build online businesses using network marketing techniques. My family and I are originally from Miami Florida but five years ago we moved to Floyd Virginia. It’s a very, very small rural town nestled on a plateau a top the Appalachian Mountains. We run a network marketing business from the house. We’re very excited about the Pickens Plan because we’re also members of one.org (U2 – Bono – World Hunger) and have personally seen the results of people banning together and influencing our government to act on worthy causes. The Internet has made it possible. Please keep in touch!
I joined the Pickens Plan a few weeks ago after learning about his movement. Last week I spent a few hours getting familiar with our community website and uploaded a few pictures. Thanks for the invite...
Hi Mike!
Please see this: An Open Letter to the President and the Congress of the United States;
Please sign this Petition...
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/STAY08/index.html
Michael maldonado's Comments
Comment Wall (28 comments)
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Join this Ning Network
27FEB09
Honorable Speaker of the House Congresswoman Pelosi,
I am an Electronic Technician Chief in the US Navy with 27 years service stationed overseas. I’m outlying an idea to assist and work with current plans for achieving energy independence. I urge you, as speaker of the house and the driving force to form the select committee on energy independence and global warming, consider for discussion and introduction into the house US Treasury Savings Bonds for Energy Independance.
In WWII America sold war bonds supporting the war effort. When young, my mother told me her primary school raised enough money through bonds to build a tank to support troops. I am impressed with the patriotism and purpose of our greatest generation that accomplished so much.
Selling energy bonds for RE (Renewable Energy) development would lower foreign oil imports and assist with the complex problem of funding. Bonds sold as “Energy S” could support new solar trough plants, “Energy W” to support wind farms, Energy “H” to support hydroelectric plants, Energy “T” to support RE transportation such as electric bullet train routes powered by RE, Energy "C" COOPS for small communities only needing a small quantity of turbines, and Energy “I” for needed infrastructure high voltage power lines to the RE site. Bonds will have the project name and include an artist’s perspective of the project and an American flag. President Obama had great success with the internet during his campaign. In a similar manner, using the internet, energy bonds could have a website listing current projects and an “electronic checkout” could purchase a bond $25 or higher. Simpler methods of payment such as “PAYPAL” and credit cards would be available and after an electronic purchase is complete a color print out of the bond is available with a follow up of the bond in the mail. The website would limit quantity of projects for each category until funding is complete. After a project becomes funded, a new project will be available. A tab on the site will show history and status of previous projects. Purchasers may take great pride in “collecting” and displaying bonds of various RE projects and participating at different levels of financial support. Solar trough plants in the multi-hundred MW size capacity with molten salt energy storage in California, Arizona, and West Texas can provide a major portion of electric needs. North Dakota has potential to support 1/3 of our nations electric needs in it’s class 4 wind zone areas. There are plenty of suitable proposed wind turbine farms now around the nation to significantly increase our RE if funded. Mid sized hydro-electric has not been used in America to it’s full potential. Following the example of our neighbor, Canada, it would provide a significant increase in percentage of electric production. Developing all three we could provide the majority of our electric and heating needs through renewable energy in a "New New Deal" fashion allowing natural gas for transportation as T. Boone Pickens is working for. Bullet train routes have proven a viable alternative to commercial domestic air service and when powered by electricity provided by RE suppliers America would be in the forefront of world technology. Example, I heard of discussion for a commuter train from Denver to Colorado Springs. Such a route built as a renewable energy project with charter requirement legally requiring to only purchase electricity from available renewable energy sources would be a model example. There are many train routes, city bus systems, and government vehicles that can be converted to run from alternative energy sources and fuels. Jobs created would bolster the economy, lower trade deficit, and strengthen national security. I would take great pride in print outs of bonds with graphics of each project I supported and many other Americans would also. The energy bonds could have tax breaks. BLM lands may be a viable place to start for some projects.
I contacted the US treasury department and was told that the marketing department for savings bonds closed several years ago. I was told there would be problems because savings bonds are at the federal level while the projects will be at the state and local level. I disagree and believe that these can easily be figured out in the way of grants to the state and local level using money from the bonds for those specific projects. I was told to check out auctions on the www.treasurydirect.gov website and found them to not apply to citizens wanting to buy savings bonds to support a cause such as energy independance. I was told by the treasury department to look into CREB (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds). I found CREB to be large scale funding that a citizen would not be able to participate in as a US Treasury Energy Independance Bond would provide. If given the tools to participate directly, the power of the citizens of the United States to help achieve energy independance could not be denied. Americans mean well and the Energy Independance Savings bond program will give citizens the power at their level to make it happen. If marketed through a web page, commercials, and to federal employees the word would get out and participation would spread like wildfire.
Mr. Paul Gipe, a resident of Bakersfield CA, an author of several books about wind energy, and recipient of multiple awards as a pioneer in the industry since the 1970's has put a letter I wrote to Senator Dorgan on this subject as well as an older letter I wrote on wind COOP in JAN07. These websites are:
http://www.wind-works.org/coopwind/RenewableEnergyBondsforEnergyIndependence.html
and
http://www.wind-works.org/articles/AmericanEnergyIndependencethroughCooperativeInvestmentinWindEnergy.html
Sincerely and very respectfully,
ETC(SW/AW) Mike Kendall USN
Mailing address: PSC 476, Box 879, FPO AP, 96322 USA
Telephone (803) 265-4756, Email: ke6cvh@yahoo.com
Happy New Year. I am a friend of Dianna Brown's. Stopping by to say HI and hope you can help with petitions for PP and your district. It is so easy. Dianna is a part of the 100CLUB, just ask her how it is. I have sent in over 150 in the last 10 days. I am yet to meet one person who does not think we need to get off foreign oil fast! We just need to get out there and gather their names!
Please watch Boone's video if you have not seen it yet (link below) and see how far we have come. When will we ever have a chance like this again to become energy independant before we give this country away?
Our new Congress is sworn in less than 10 days from now - they must be told loudly and clearly that we demand action to reduce our dependance on foreign oil!
WE CAN DO THIS. We need your help. THERE IS NO INFLUENCE WITHOUT NUMBERS!
Please watch the latest amazing "Boone Cam" recap:
http://media.pickensplan.com/downloads/PP/pollingsignupsheet.pdf
Please download the petition, get them filled in and fax them back fast. If all of us do this small thing we can build this effort to millions!
http://media.pickensplan.com/downloads/PP/pollingsignupsheet.pdf
Best and Happiest!
Kim
You know, I guess it's a day when we give thanks for our families and for all the stuff we have - followed by a day when the retailers want us to buy more stuff (to be thankful for next year peraps?)
Here is California RSD's response to your inquiry:
RE: REnu customer needs assistanceTuesday, October 7, 2008 1:48 PM
From: "Stephen Gates" Add sender to Contacts To: goldbug_17@yahoo.comHello Jack,
Nothing has happened with any of these accounts. The company is still working on funding sources. As soon as the funding is secured the corporate office will open and begin processing all of these FRAs. Until then they are still first inline and waiting.
Thanks,
Stephen Gates
(805) 455-8424
Mike,
I would like to add that the lastest update this weekend from the company is that due to the extension of the Investment Tax Credit for Renewables, which was a part of the Economic Stabilization Package that was just passed, the process of acquiring the funding to build the factory has been revitalized. The company plans to start the pilot project in California by the end of the year. I hope that you get your installation soon and that Citizenre can soon move ahead with a total rollout nationwide.
Thanks for your patience.
Jack Harrell
From: Jack Harrell [mailto:goldbug_17@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:14 AM
To: stephen@simplesunpower.com
Subject: REnu customer needs assistance
Stephen,
I received this message on the Pickens plan from a Citizenre customer that wants to know the status of his account. Can you respond to his inquiry?
At 11:43pm on October 6th, 2008, michael maldonado said…
Hey Jack, I filled the forms out on this a couple of months ago and mailed both copies but I still haven't heard anything else. How are things going with ReSolar? The rep that mailed me the form e-mailed me at first but now will not repond to any e-mail. Perhaps she quit? Anyway, If you find out anything let me know.
MIKE
Thanks
Jack Harrell
Citizenre Independent Associate
I sent an email to the Regional Sales Director in your area of California asking him to assist you. I hope you hear from him soon. If not let me know.
Jack Harrell
Citizenre Independent Associate
www.jointhesolution.com/affordable_energy
www.powur.com/affordable_energy
Please checkout this website, as this is a Sun, Heat and Wind energy system in one, please give us your feedback as we try to improve it.
www.solarbotanic.com
Looking forward to hear from you
Alex
I represent another company that plans to rent (lease) solar power systems to homeowners. It's called the REnU Residential Energy Unit. The systems sizes are up to 10Kw which you probably are already aware costs quite a bit of change if you have to purchase the system.
The company name is Citizenre and is a startup with plans to start installing approximately 1000 systems in a pilot phase by the end of this year in California. They are working on getting the funding to build a factory and start installations across the U.S. sometime in 2009.
The rental rate is based on what you are currently paying monthly on average for your electricity from your utility. You can lock that rate in for as long as 25 years. A system engineer will come to your home and size a system to best fit your energy needs and upon request evaluate your current usage and give you recommendations to conserve energy. The homeowner would then pay a security deposit of $500 to $1000 depending on the size of the system. The installation is grid connected and depends on the availability of net metering.
What the company is doing now is allowing homeowners to reserve a system by going to an Independent Associates web page and entering informtion about the home and it's energy usage. There is no obligation to pay now to reserve a system. The company plans to make installations on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you reserve the earlier your system will be installed.
Go to www.jointhesolution.com/affordable_energy for more information and to reserve a system. Or contact me via email at goldbug_17@yahoo.com if you have any questions. You can also reach me by phone at 252-264-2843
Jack Harrell
Citizenre Independent Associate
www.jointhesolution.com/affordable_energy
www.powur.com/affordable_energy
Kelly Zito
Friday, August 15, 2008
After a recent layoff ended his 20-year construction career, Javier Hernandez turned to what appears to be one of the rare sunny spots in an otherwise murky economy. Literally.
This summer, amid soaring U.S. fuel prices and increasing worldwide focus on global warming, Hernandez, 63, took the kind of step presidential hopefuls, low-income advocates and Silicon Valley tech lords dream about: He enrolled in a solar panel installation class at San Jose City College.
"We are definitely destroying our planet, and if we destroy the planet, we're destroying ourselves," said Hernandez, who lives in Sunnyvale and considers himself an environmentalist. "Hopefully, I'm going to find a good job after I finish this course, and I can get more experience and eventually bring this technology to (Mexico)."
From a political and economic view, much has been made about "green-collar" jobs. They are "clean" and in the renewable energy arena, are not as likely to go overseas, and could bolster a country hemorrhaging industrial, blue-collar jobs, the argument goes.
But there remains a wide gap between the projected demand for solar, wind and geothermal energy and the expertise necessary to make, install and sell the systems.
That's where Hernandez's class comes in.
He and about 20 others took the second class in solar installation ever offered at San Jose City College. Two evenings a week, the group is learning their way around terms like "photovoltaic modules" (solar panels) and "power inverters" (which convert electricity from direct current to alternating current). During half-day lab classes on Saturdays, they get to design, put together and dismantle systems with their own hands. All for $20 per credit, or $80.
The new green-collar classes - some variations are offered at other community colleges around the Bay Area, such as Cabrillo College - grew out of talks that began two years ago between the education establishment and Silicon Valley's growing solar industry. Eventually, the group was named Solar Tech, and it set out several objectives. Along with streamlining the building permit, utility connection and state rebate systems, the group aimed at advanced training.
Filling the need
Tom McCalmont is the chief executive of Solar Tech and founder of REgrid Power, a Campbell solar design and installation firm. According to a survey by the group, there are currently between 6,900 and 8,000 solar industry workers in the nine-county Bay Area - far short of the 20,000 to 40,000 projected to be needed over the next decade.
"That's a huge need," McCalmont said. "And the nice thing about these jobs is they are green-collar jobs - the types of stable, middle-class jobs that we haven't had in the Bay Area for a number of years now. We have low-paid service jobs or highly paid white-collar jobs."
Roughly speaking, a starting solar panel technician earns up to $19 per hour - about $40,000 per year. Within a couple of years, that can go up to as much as $35 per hour - or nearly $73,000 annually, McCalmont said. Classrooms have primarily focused on solar training because wind, geothermal energy and other sources aren't as widespread and have fewer local businesses.
Savings for home projects
Like Hernandez, Marc Fontana is pursuing solar technology as a second career. Fontana, 52, worked as a software support engineer for Hewlett-Packard for 26 years. After taking early retirement in 2005, Fontana has been getting educated about renewable energy. He also volunteers with a program that puts solar arrays on low-income homes. Eventually, he may become a solar system designer or a HERS rater - someone who uses technology like infrared sensors and blowers to evaluate the energy efficiency of homes and businesses. HERS stands for home energy rating system.
Recently, he installed a 2,500-watt solar system on his own house - another reason some take solar installation classes. Between generous rebates from his local utility, tax credits and savings from his own labor, the system cost him $2,500 - a tenth of the cost of a typical system.
"You won't find a lot of people who can do that because I did the installation myself and I took advantage of the best (local rebate) system in the state," he said.
Rebate deadlock
Though the popularity of renewable energy systems is expected to soar, there are some factors clamping down on the industry's recent growth.
Congress is deadlocked over whether to renew federal tax credits for wind and solar systems for homes and businesses. Though the credits - which max out at $2,000 for residential customers - have helped bolster the industry, they are set to expire at the end of this year. While the House has proposed funding the credits by ending tax subsidies for oil companies and closing a tax loophole for hedge fund managers, Republicans have rejected the ideas, arguing they are stealth tax increases.
As a result, it has been challenging for some recent local graduates to find jobs. Educators who hope to expand renewable energy training classes hope it's just a hiccup. But they are staying in close touch with the industry to tailor classes and curricula during troubled economic times.
"I don't want to flood the market with graduates who can't find jobs," said Kathy Werle, dean of applied sciences at San Jose City College. "Right now we're waiting to see if people get more state and federal incentives. If that happens, there will be growth. But if it doesn't happen... people won't be willing to spend $25,000 on solar systems for their homes."
- Kelly Zito kzito@sfchronicle.com
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/15/BA1C125J23.DTL
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/greenjobsnow
First and foremost I would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting a plan that will change America's Economy, the “PickensPlan”. As Hispanics sometimes we are not involved with what's happening in our country’s economy for several reasons, one can be fear of not understanding correctly our National Language “English”, another can be lack of promotional Hispanic literature. But for those of us that are fluent in both the English and Spanish languages it is our duty to help those in need. Why not stand up and help our fellow Hispanics, so that in return they can support our goals.
My question to you is “What are You Going to Do?”
Please join me in the “Hispanics for Alternative Energy” group.
Sincerely,
Abdiel Mercado
Creator: Hispanics for Alternative Energy
Thanks for the add --
We look forward to your comments on the ETT group
Michael let's talk about this. It sounds like you are in a perfect time of your life. I’m 42 years old, a Marine Corps Vet (6 years), College Grad (Programming) and worked for the man 60 hours a week for 13 years. Now I work for myself from home. You can make it happen especially if you know a thing or two about computers.
For now let's get better acquainted the last thing I want to do is give you more work.
You can work 60 hours a week in your own business or for someone else and make 200K a year or better. But the 60 hours a week are never going to go away! My goal is to work 5 hours a week but to have 200 people in my network doing the something. That's 1000 hours a week! Regular thinking and traditional business models will never match those kinds of numbers and give me the free time I need to do other things.
That's why I pursue network marketing so passionately.
My goal has always been to build busy and popular sites and networking communities. The products we sell on them are a bonus. The real product is the traffic and members the site produces. Send me a good time for us to talk and I will call you. Do you use Skype?
Mike I was once a 60 hours a week guy working as a manager for a supermarket chain called PUBLIX. They’re a great company and I put in 13 hard years with them. My outlook on life had a turning moment in Flagstaff Arizona when after talking to a few travelers from Australia I realized that I would have to work 20 years to get one year off for myself in my current job. I took two weeks a year vacation. I found a great home business that allowed me to move to Virginia with my family. We live on a 25 acre estate in the mountains and work from home. Do you know anyone that wants to earn extra income with their home computer? No promises of millions but a clear way out of the 60 work week. You have a lot going for you with UPS, my brother works for FEDEX but like you he doesn’t have the free time he wants but a least you have a paying job. Let me know!TRANSPORTATION is the master key to basic survival, and the cornerstone of the economy. We all know that transportation presently depends on oil production, and oil production is peaking. We must focus first on transportation – it is the highest priority. The PickensPlan to transition vehicles to natural gas is a great start toward 100% energy independence, but is a stop-gap measure till we can transition to all electric transportation. Electric energy is strained without adding transportation demands; so we must drastically improve efficiency .
Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) is a patented technology where travel occurs without air friction or rolling resistance (like “Space Travel on Earth”); ETT can accomplish 50 times more transportation per kWh (or carbon credit) than electric cars or trains. ETT is silent, low cost, safe, faster than jets, and is electric so it can make maximum use of wind or PV power. I invite you to visit my page to learn more about ETT
I'm a website developer and just launched a new site called:http://www.GreenEcoTools.com
http://www.KissTheEarthGreen.com
We're looking writers and products for our website.
Please see this: An Open Letter to the President and the Congress of the United States;
Please sign this Petition...
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/STAY08/index.html
Be well,
Bruce
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