Facts About Solar - 2011

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:30:36 -0400

MYTH #1: Solar products are all made in China. FACT: The U.S. was a significant net exporter of solar products in 2010, including to China. Total U.S. exports of solar energy products was $5.6 billion, with net exports totaling $2 billion. Of the $6 billion in direct value created by U.S. solar installations in 2010, more than $4.4 billion, or 75 percent of the value, accrued to the United States.

MYTH #2: There are no jobs created by the solar industry FACT: Today, the solar industry employs more than 100,000 Americans, double the amount of solar workers in 2009. They work at more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority being small businesses, in all 50 states. The industry grew by 69 percent in the past year, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy.

MYTH #3: Solar only works in states like California. FACT: Our regional weather has been documented for decades. Professionals can forecast how much solar will be produced month by month, year by year. Solar energy works in all 50 states. Germany has more installed solar capacity than any other country and it receives roughly the same amount of sunshine as Alaska. In fact, more PV was installed on commercial buildings in New Jersey than in California during the 2nd quarter of 2011.

MYTH #4: Solar energy needs a technological revolution to go mainstream. FACT: Solar technologies available today already provide enough electricity to power 630,000 American homes. Solar panel prices have fallen 30 percent in the past year and a half. No scientific breakthroughs are required for solar energy to power America. Solar is ready and available today; it only needs smart and consistent policy to thrive.

MYTH #5: The market for solar energy is very small. FACT: The U.S. solar energy market is big and growing fast. In 2010 alone, $6 billion worth of finished solar energy systems were installed in the U.S. The U.S. solar energy market grew 69 percent in the second quarter of 2011, helping aid our economic recovery. Many analysts project that the U.S. will become the largest solar market in the world in the next few years.

MYTH #6: Solar energy is too expensive for widespread usage. FACT: Solar energy is already cost effective in many locations across America. The price of solar modules has dropped 30 percent since the beginning of 2010 as the industry scales up and companies innovate with new products and manufacturing techniques. Also, new financing options allow homeowners and businesses to start saving money on their utility bills as soon as they turn on their solar systems.

MYTH #7: If solar power really worked, it wouldn't need government support. FACT: The U.S. decided decades ago to support energy sources since energy drives our economy. Every major energy source and technology has benefited from federal government R&D support and incentives of various types. This is true of the oil, natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and biofuels industries—all of which continue to receive government support today.

Lake Ridge Academy Installs 105kW Solar Array Along the Ohio Turnpike

Tue, 6 Sep 2011 18:08:47 -0400

North Ridgeville, OH - Lake Ridge Academy has enjoyed their first month of harnessing the sun's energy to power their school in North Ridgeville. The ground mounted solar array is a 105 kW installation with a 2 kW two-axis tracking array. The total solar production will offset much of the power consumed by the independent co-educational college preparatory school that serves children k-12.

The Lake Ridge Academy administration, lead by President Carol Klimas, made a commitment to support this project. The school engaged in a solar services agreement with Cleveland-based investment entity Solar Action, LLC to own and operate the solar array. Solar Action, LLC will own and operate the system selling Lake Ridge Academy all of the solar generated power for a rate that will be less than standard utility rates.

The solar array is a visible symbol of the school's commitment to sustainability. Lake Ridge Academy’s science and math departments will utilize the information obtained by the array's performance to supplement their lesson plans. Lake Ridge Academy science teacher, Mr. Andy Wright states, "I am very excited by the possibilities that the new solar arrays will afford to my AP Environmental Science class and our Green Society, to examine real time data of energy collection. I plan on creating activities and a lab based on analyzing our electricity production, payback times, and savings to the school."

Cleveland-based Bold Alternatives designed and installed the solar array using hardware from Ohio-based Preformed Line Products, as well as labor from the local community.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Lake Ridge Academy to bring this project to fruition,” said Rob Martens, president of Bold Alternatives.

Bold Alternatives is a NABCEP certified solar PV installer located in Cleveland, OH and is a veteran owned small business.

Village of Valley View Celebrates Energy Independence This Year

Mon, 4 Jul 2011 21:45:18 -0400

The Village of Valley View Ohio has put itself on a course toward energy independence. After installing a waste oil burner in their service garage and adopting many energy saving practices, the village is now home to a 103kW solar PV system that will power their state of the art community recreation center. Read More....

DDC Clinic Installs Solar Energy to Help Power Amish Children's Hospital

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:10:51 -0400

Middlefield, OH - DDC Clinic is enjoying their first month of harnessing the sun's energy to power their building in Middlefield. Their new 53kW solar array includes more than 220 modules and will generate 65% of the electricity used by the clinic.

DDC Clinic serves children with special needs caused by rare genetic disorders. They moved into the 10,000 ft sq. state of the art building in October, 2009. The building was designed and constructed using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System and was certified LEED Gold. Adding the solar array was a natural expansion of their sustainable business practices.

DDC Board of Trustees made a commitment to support this project. Trustee Chuck Fowler states, “The additional savings derived from the reduced energy expense will allow valuable resources to be directed at patient care and patient-oriented research.”

DDC Clinic utilized a solar services agreement with Cleveland-based GoSol LLC to install the solar array. Go Sol LLC will own and operate the system selling all of the solar generated power to the DDC for a rate that will always be less than standard utility rates.

Cleveland-based Bold Alternatives designed and installed the solar array using hardware from Ohio-based Preformed Line Products, and some helping hands from the local Amish community.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with DDC Clinic and trustees, Middlefield Village and Geauga County to bring this project to fruition,” said Rob Martens, president of Bold Alternatives.

Villers Electric, also of Middlefield, completed the electrical work necessary to accommodate the solar installation.

Bold Alternatives is a NABCEP certified solar PV installer located in Cleveland, OH and is a veteran owned small business.

Himes Residence Goes Solar

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:29:50 -0400

The Himes Family noticed something funny with their electric meter today. It starting turning backwards. After months of planning, their new solar electric system was installed and harnessing the sun's energy to power their beautiful Shaker Heights home. The 4,100 Watt roof mounted solar array produces so much electricity during sunny days that the extra electricity flows out onto the grid spinning their meter backwards.

Annette & Brett Himes have always been curious about adding some sort of alternative energy to their home. Last year they saw an opportunity while attending the summer benefit for The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. They bid on a silent auction item and won a solar site assessment that had been donated by a local solar installer, Bold Alternatives. After performing a shading analysis at their home, Rob Martens, of Bold Alternatives, produced a detailed feasibility analysis that showed exact costs, incentives and payback benefits for differently sized systems. The detailed design that the Himes selected was enthusiastically approved by the Architectural Board of Review. As soon as the weather allowed working on the roof, the system was installed and is expected to produce energy for the next 30+ years.

“We love to see systems like this in Shaker," said Rob Martens. "Annette and Brett are taking advantage of free clean solar resources to power their home. If you're interested in these sorts of things, and I am, after just two weeks, their system has offset an amount of CO2 equal to planting three trees. Each year, as power bills climb, we have been installing more and more systems like this. Homes and businesses in our area are really starting to take advantage of the rugged, reliable solar technology that is available.”

Bold Alternatives is a veteran owned, NABCEP certified solar PV installation business located in Cleveland, OH. Its owner, Rob Martens, was born and raised in Shaker Heights until he moved to California with the US Navy. After moving up and down the coast with the Navy, then with the Lincoln Electric Company, Rob and his family returned to Shaker Heights where he started Bold Alternatives.

Jones Residence Welcomes $0 Electric Bill

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:19:49 -0400

After installing an 11kW Solar PV array at their home, Tom and Diane Jones are now 100% powered by the sun. During the day, the Jones solar array captures energy from the sun. If they use less energy than their system produces, the meter spins backwards, feeding the grid and reducing the load on the power lines feeding the neighborhood. At night, they use energy from the grid, as normal. After 4 weeks of operation, the Jones received their first electric bill... $0.00

Bold Alternatives Featured on Fox 8 News in the Morning

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:25:58 -0500

Bold Alternatives’ Project Manager, Roger Depenti, and owner, Rob Martens, were featured on Fox 8 News in the morning. We had a short chat with Stefani Schaefer and really enjoyed being on the set with the entire Fox 8 crew. A lot of fun!!

Solar Energy Celebrated in Cleveland

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:51:28 -0500

Cleveland, Ohio - Bold Alternatives was invited to discuss the benefits of solar and present ways that the City of Cleveland and its residents can install rugged reliable solar electric systems. Mayor Frank Jackson spent his time with Bold Alternatives focusing on how active citizens can choose to install solar on their homes and businesses. The sun was shining and though it was mid-january in Cleveland, it was a good solar day.
As a trusted resource for local governments, Bold Alternatives consults with counties, cities, and townships to design and enact policies that encourage safe, rugged and reliable solar energy solutions. In addition to these consulting services, Bold Alternatives has a track record of installing rugged, reliable solar PV systems in NE Ohio, systems that reduce our need to burn fossil fuels, systems that prove that our nation can be partially powered by clean renewable resources.