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SunPluggers.com Share     Solar's popularity may be growing, but system owners still have issues with certain policies and regulations. A new report from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council brings some of the concerns to light. As the report notes, standards and policies for connecting to the grid and for net metering vary widely from state to state, and even in some cases from town to town. "The tradition among U.S. states of looking to other states for policy guidance is increasingly evident in these two areas because the issues are complex and technical," the report says. More
The changing face of PV and wind Electrical Contractor Magazine Share
Rather than installing PV systems as add-on units on the rooftops of many buildings, photovoltaic modules are now being built as part of the roofing or siding of a building. With all of this alternative power comes the realization that these wind generator and PV systems must be installed safely, so updated requirements are being added to the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC does not cover wind loading and fire resistance, but building codes and listing standards are requiring recognition of these issues. Areas with high-wind loads, such as coastal areas prone to hurricanes, and areas where tornadoes are prevalent, will require substantial construction methods when incorporating wind generators and PV. More Electrical safety in the workplace Processor Share
When energized equipment is approached with the proper safety measures, arc flashes and other potentially life-threatening incidents can be avoided. Although data center employees might be aware of the dangers, they also require demonstrated experience with energized equipment before moving forward. More
Using stimulus dollars to push energy innovation CNN Share
Government researchers and officials are hoping to use a relatively small amount of stimulus dollars to help find new ways for the nation to produce, consume and store energy. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, part of the Energy Department, was conceived during the George W. Bush administration but only got its first funding in the stimulus bill -- to the tune of $400 million. More Tools for evaluating FR garments IEN Share
For safety managers, electrical contractors, utilities, and virtually any industrial facility that may need to implement a flame-resistant garment program, help is on the way. KnowYourFR.com was recently launched to raise awareness of relevant characteristics of flame-resistant (FR) fabrics and garments prior to making a purchase. Central to the site is a video entitled Not All FR is Created Equal. The video covers many aspects involved in evaluating flame-resistant fabric durability, from testing protocols to after-wash performance and shrinkage control. The video does not mention any brand names and is informational rather than promotional. More
Survey shows gap between awareness and adoption of green lighting Sylvania Share
The Sylvania Socket Survey is the only nationwide measure of public attitudes about efficient lighting and awareness regarding the U.S. phase-out of inefficient incandescent light bulbs. The 2nd Annual Sylvania Socket Survey results reveal a paradox in Americans’ attitudes towards lighting - while 74 percent have switched to an energy-saving light bulb in the past year, the vast majority still don’t know about the impending federal phase-out of incandescent bulbs, starting in 2012 with the 100-watt bulb. While increasingly price sensitive, the majority of Americans have warmed up to the idea of eco-lighting and say they are likely to purchase a CFL, halogen or LED bulb in the future. More Australia blown away on renewable energy The Sydney Morning Herald Share
Renewable energy is the world's fastest-growing power source. It is already generating baseload electricity at utility scales. Large solar thermal plants with heat storage can dispatch power whether or not the sun is shining, and make handsome profits during demand peaks. Wind power is being installed at scales that dwarf Australian grid requirements. These and other clean-energy technologies are replacing coal on modern energy grids. While Australia continues to throw money at 19th century technologies, Spain, China, the U.S. and others are charging ahead with zero-emissions power generation, and creating export markets as they go. More
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