 One of the biggest hurdles in achieving a circular economy is finding high-quality uses for recycled plastic materials. But, increasingly, some clothing companies are stepping up and making products with a high percentage of recycled content.
Baleaf recently sent me a promotional pair of athletic shorts so I could try out this innovative product. They feature recycled polyester made from plastic bottles and recycled nylon from fishing nets. Such products create a market for recycled items, increasing the demand for recycling services, thus closing the recycling loop. I often wonder how much of my plastic waste is actually made into new useful products, which is why making high-value goods with recycled content is critical in creating market incentives. I went for my first run in the athletic shorts this week, and I really like the soft feel of the fabric and the zippered pocket in the back waistline. Also, the shorts air dry quickly, so there is no need to put them in the dryer. The company recently launched the campaign, Baleaf in Sustainability, which runs until June 5. By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Writer Solar energy installations have skyrocketed in recent years; it’s likely there are some in your neighborhood. One of the reasons solar power has become so popular is the cost of solar systems has plummeted in the last decade or two. As a result, many more households can afford to install solar.
But just how much will a solar system cost? Many homeowners want to get a sense of the cost before having a solar company inspect their property or giving away their personal information online. Ballpark Solar System Cost According to Energy Sage, the average solar system costs about $2.77 per watt installed. This price covers labor, permitting, solar panels, the inverter, and other solar equipment, but prices may vary by the installer, solar panel location, and equipment. The size of your solar energy system will be determined by your total electricity usage, available space for installing solar panels, and budget. To determine how much electricity you use, review your electric bills for the past year or more. The average home needs about a 6 kilowatt (kW) solar system, which costs roughly $17,000 before incentives. If you can take advantage of the federal solar tax credit in 2022, you can receive a tax credit for 26% of the total system cost. If you install your system in 2023, then the solar tax credit is 22% of the total cost. Speak with a tax expert to ensure you can take advantage of the tax credit. By Sarah Lozanova, Renewable Energy Writer Some of the first utility-scale wind farms were installed in the early 2000s. Because the design life of a wind turbine is about 20 years, these turbines are reaching the end of their useful lives. Thus, it is time to either decommission or repower them. When these wind power projects were first installed, end-of-life wasn’t really a top concern, but this topic is getting more attention now.
Increasingly, people are thinking more about the decommissioning phase of renewable energy projects, and are wondering if wind power is really as green as it seems. On this point, there is good news. Wind turbines can be recycled, because the two primary materials are metal and cement, which are recyclable. However, wind turbines are getting bigger, so the volume of material inputs is increasing. It’s therefore critical to have adequate recycling infrastructure in place to process wind turbines. What are wind turbines made of? More than 80%t of the mass of wind turbines is made up of recyclable materials such as steel, iron, copper, and aluminum. Although it varies by model, wind turbines are 66%-79% steel, 11%-16% fiberglass, resin, or plastic, 5%-17% iron or cast iron, 1% copper, and 0-2% aluminum by weight, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Most metals are readily recyclable repeatedly and easy to make into new products. What parts of a wind turbine are recyclable? There are numerous parts to a wind turbine, and each has different recycling challenges and opportunities. Wind turbine towers Wind energy turbines typically consist of a tubular tower made of steel that supports other components, including the gearbox, generator, and blades. They are wider at the base and narrower higher up to save materials. Because these towers are so tall, they are manufactured into long sections to make them easier to transport. Thus, wind turbine towers are generally assembled on-site from several pieces and are hollow inside to reduce their weight and conserve resources. Read More on Wind Turbine Magazine... By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Marketing Writer If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. If you’ve been shopping for solar panels, you may have seen advertisements for free solar panels. This seems like an amazing offer because the upfront cost of a solar system can be more than $20,000 before incentives. Are these scams or are they the real deal? We’ll discuss whether these offers are too good to be true and explore some alternatives that might provide you better value in the long run.
Are Free Solar Panels Really Free? Offers for free solar actually involve leasing a solar system or entering into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a solar provider. If you read the fine print, you need to make ongoing payments, often for around twenty years. A solar lease involves renting the equipment and making monthly payments for its use. However, having solar panels will typically significantly reduce the home electric bills so the savings might cover the rent for the panels. Although solar leases might be a good opportunity for some households, the panels really aren’t free. By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Marketing Writer California leads the way in photovoltaic installations with over 32 MW of installed capacity, enough to power 9.6 million homes. The Golden State is serious about transitioning to renewable energy to phase out fossil fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions. In fact, the Golden State has numerous laws to make this happen, enabling unprecedented growth in the solar energy industry.
Because California has many building codes regarding solar energy, PV contracts need to be aware of these when conducting business in the state. Being knowledgeable about how these laws impact energy codes is critical for advising clients. What Is The California Solar Mandate? In 2018, California created a mandate that new single-family homes and multi-family dwellings up to three stories high must install solar panels. The California solar mandate took effect on January 1, 2020, and is part of California’s building codes. The mandate was created by the California Energy Commission (CEC), was unanimously approved 5 to 0 and is the first such mandate in the United States. Solar systems on new construction projects must have the capacity to provide all of the power needs on an annual basis. Because these properties haven’t been inhabited in the past, builders estimate the electricity needs of the home based on the climate zone and square footage. However, if the solar system includes battery storage systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall, Enphase Enpower, or LG Chem RESU, builders can reduce the size requirement of the solar system by up to 25%. In addition, when incorporating other energy-efficiency initiatives and demand-response measures, builders can reduce the size of the solar power system by 40% or more. Last year, the CEC also unanimously approved a change to the building codes to require many new commercial buildings to have solar panels and battery storage. This new commercial mandate will likely take effect on January 1, 2023. The commercial buildings included in this change include high-rise residential projects, hotels, offices, medical offices, health clinics, retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and civic spaces. The residential and commercial mandates will increase demand for rooftop solar and battery installations throughout the state, creating excellent opportunities for solar contractors. How Does The California Solar Mandate Impact Homeowners And Businesses? The solar mandate will affect solar installers and PV contractors. If conducting business in California, it is critical to understand what impact this will have on your customers. Residential Solar Clients The California Solar Mandate is already in effect for residential solar clients in single-family homes and multi-family housing three stories or less. Although residential new construction projects must have solar panels, existing homes are not usually required unless they are undergoing extensive updates. In the future, new homes will be required to have wiring that enables an easy transition from gas appliances and heating to all-electric and to be “solar-ready” to easily add solar storage capacity. Read more... By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Marketing Professional Technological advances continue to transform the solar energy industry. Today’s solar panels are significantly more efficient, producing more power in the same amount of space. Meanwhile, prices have fallen, reducing the cost of solar electricity.
But are some solar panels a better choice for homeowners? Which models and manufacturers are the most reliable and durable? Do some models create less pollution in the manufacturing process? Do panel manufacturers use recycled components or provide solar panel recycling options at the end of life? Let’s explore these critical issues in the pursuit of the best solar panels on the market. We compared the efficiency, warranty, environmental performance, and more for the following solar panel models in the comparison chart below. Because LG Electronics recently announced it would exit solar panel manufacturing, its products are not included.
Solar Energy Is a Dynamic Industry Despite the pandemic, the solar energy industry has been quite resilient. However, factory closures, tariffs, raw material shortages, and shipping bottlenecks sometimes create supply chain shortages and delays. Because solar panel technology continues to advance and evolve, the market is very dynamic. Manufacturers release new products as older models become obsolete. The cost of advanced solar batteries has been dropping as demand has surged. The most efficient solar panels on the market today will probably not seem so advanced in a decade as the technology matures. Solar Panel Considerations Efficiency Solar panel efficiency relates to how much available sunlight is converted into solar electricity. And the more efficient a solar panel is, the more electricity it generates in a given space. Thanks to technological advances, solar panels have become significantly more efficient in recent years. Solar panel efficiency becomes more critical when there are space constraints due to the size of your roof or property. Unfortunately, more efficient solar modules typically cost more. For installations with limited space, panel efficiency is an essential consideration. If space isn’t an issue, efficiency is less crucial. Long-Term Power Generation Like most other technological devices, solar panels degrade over time. They become less efficient in turning sunlight into electricity. The degree to which they degrade is significant because solar panels can last 30 years or more. Ideally, your solar system will still be generating plenty of energy a few decades from now, even if someone else owns the house. Solar panel manufacturers offer a power production guarantee to ensure a particular output level over a given time. For example, many solar panel manufacturers guarantee 90% production for 10 years and 80% for 25 years. Some manufacturers differentiate themselves by offering more robust warranties. For example, SunPower leads the industry by providing a 25-year performance guarantee of 92% or higher, depending on the model. The higher the value of the 25-year production warranty, the more power the panels will likely generate 25 years down the road. Read more... By Sarah Lozanova, Renewable Energy Writer Wind energy has soared in popularity in the last couple of decades. Today, 8.4% of the total electrical energy produced in the United States comes from wind power. With so many utility-scale wind turbines being installed, it is critical to consider the sustainability of the wind energy industry. That includes what happens to the wind turbines when they are decommissioned.
Wind turbines are made mainly of metal and can readily be recycled into high-value goods. However, the wind turbine blades are an exception. As a result, many wind turbine blades end up in landfills or are incinerated because they are costly to recycle. Unfortunately, the scale of this issue will increase dramatically worldwide as wind farms reach the end of their lifespan. Are there opportunities to repurpose wind turbine blades that create greater value to nearby communities? The Re-Wind Network is exploring that very question. It is a collaboration between researchers in the United States, Ireland, and Northern Ireland studying repurposing options for wind turbine blades in a variety of civil engineering projects. Repurposing Wind Turbine Blades Re-Wind’s fall 2021 design catalog contains a wide variety of footbridges, as well as poles for electrical distribution and transmission lines, cell phone towers, street lights, and signs. In addition, it features noise barriers for highways, bus shelters, glamping pods, and agricultural applications, such as cattle partitions and feed bunks. “We’re exploring the potential reuse of the blades across architecture and engineering,” said Larry Bank, a member of the Re-Wind team.“ Developing such methods can have a positive effect on air quality and water quality by decreasing a major source of non-biodegradable waste.” Although the design life of a wind turbine is about 20 to 30 years, the turbine blades are very durable and have a hollow core. In fact, they can be used for bridges that can last more than a century. Illustration of a Sample Turbine Blade Projects There are numerous successful examples of repurposing wind turbine blades for playgrounds in the Netherlands, bike shelters in Denmark, and stylish garden and street furniture. For example, the first pedestrian bridge was recently installed in western Poland after a battery of engineering tests. In County Cork, Ireland, wind turbine blades are used to make pedestrian bridges in a new greenway project. Other Possible Repurposing OptionsFurther research is needed to test and standardize the use of wind turbine blades in a variety of useful applications. The Re-Wind team is even examining the use of turbine blades for building affordable housing, especially for durable roofing materials. “One of the first things we looked at was cutting up these blades into pieces that could be given for free or for very low cost to individuals in economically deprived neighborhoods that could be using them for construction,” said Bank, This is particularly appealing in areas prone to extreme weather, yet blades were designed to withstand the elements. Read more... Image: “BladeBridge” supported by wind turbine blades on either side. Image courtesy of The Re-Wind Network ​By Sarah Lozanova, Clean Energy Writer In 2022, more EVs are available than ever before, including the Rivian R1T, the first all-electric pickup, and the Lucid Air, winner of the 2022 Motor Trend Car of the Year award. As EV sales increase, ownership is becoming more mainstream and widespread. Now, EV shoppers have many options, from simple sedans to luxury cars and powerful SUVs. If you're going to have a business installing EV Charging Stations, you should know about EVs. For instance, how far can one go? Many solar installers are also installing EV chargers as a way to upsell customers and provide a value add service. Many potential EV drivers are concerned about recharging their EV batteries on the go because it is harder to charge a car than fill up with gas. Although range anxiety may not be a direct concern of your customers, let’s explore this critical topic so you can help educate the masses. What Is An Electric Vehicle? Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have one or more electric motors to propel the vehicle and a battery pack to store energy. However, all-electric vehicles do not have an internal combustion engine and most have regenerative braking, which helps charge the battery when braking. Now, there are all-electric sedans, SUVs, CUVs, sports cars, and pick-ups available on the market. Both legacy automakers, such as BMW, Chevy, and Hyundai, make EVs, as well as American start-ups like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid Motors. Also, there are all-electric delivery vans and semis on the horizon. Read more... By Sarah Lozanova, Solar Writer Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the solar energy industry has been remarkably resilient. Rapid technology improvements, government incentives for solar panels, and the increasing competitiveness of solar energy storage batteries have helped boost clean energy deployment.
Although 2022 does seem like a very promising year for solar energy installations, there are some potential hurdles along the way. So, what should you expect for 2022, and how can you prepare? Identifying upcoming trends can help your company be adaptive to the changing business climate in 2022 and beyond. Solar Technology Will Continue To Improve Solar panels continue to become more efficient, enabling homes and businesses to produce more electricity in a limited space. Increasingly, solar PV panels are lighter weight, have a sleeker appearance and thinner profile, making them more visually appealing. In addition, solar shingles are becoming more widespread, and there are more available products than ever before. Despite these improvements, solar energy costs seem to be remaining relatively stable. In addition, many solar panel manufacturers are offering longer warranties than ever before, making solar a safer investment. Even liquid solar panels are being developed and show promise. Likewise, solar inverters are also advancing, helping to boost total solar system efficiency. These advancements are good news for solar contractors, and they are helpful to understand so you can explain them to potential customers. Additional Solar Applications Will Gain Popularity As solar energy technology advances, its use in a variety of products is becoming more widespread and affordable. For example, solar-powered LED streetlights cut energy bills and carbon emissions in many urban areas while protecting public safety and promoting energy efficiency. PV noise barriers along highways make nearby communities more livable while generating renewable energy. In addition, EV chargers are increasingly powered by solar panels. Expect to see photovoltaic solar applications expanding as new uses are found for solar power. Keeping current on these trends could potentially open up opportunities for new service offerings for your solar energy company. Read more... By Sarah Lozanova, Clean Energy Writer 2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for truck lovers as more truck manufacturers roll out their new electric models. In the third segment of our four-part series about new EVs in 2022, we’re exploring the soon-to-be burgeoning electric pickup truck market.
Pickup trucks are the lifeblood of the U.S. auto industry. In fact, Ford’s F-series has been the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 39 consecutive years, and pickups made up 20% of all new vehicle sales in 2020. Certainly, pickups have unmatched off-roading, towing, and hauling abilities and excellent ground clearance for snow. But with all these capabilities, pickups aren’t the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. For example, the 2021 F-150 gets between 15 and 25 miles per gallon, with hybrids on the higher end of the fuel economy spectrum. Going electric is certainly an excellent way to reduce emissions, but the new electric pickups coming out now also have some awe-inspiring qualities combined with long driving ranges. Ford F-150 Lightning Ford’s all-electric version of the popular full-size F-150 pickup should hit the market in spring 2022, with a starting price of $39,974. The standard electric pickup has a range of 230 miles and 426 horsepower. The extended-range version goes 300 miles on a charge, delivers 563 horsepower, and has a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. Both models feature a military-grade aluminum-alloy body, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, and can go from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds. The F-150 Lightning also has one of the most impressive frunks (front trunk) in the EV industry. One imposing new feature is Intelligent Backup Power, which can provide 9.6 kW of energy for use by a home, tools or appliances. During a power outage, it can power the home from the truck’s battery pack through the hardwired wall charger to the electrical panel. This sounds far cleaner and quieter than using a backup generator. The F-150 Lighting also features outlets in the cab, bed, and frunk to power electronics and appliances on the go. Read more... |