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FROM FALL TO WINTER

With fall quickly fading and the cold weather deepening, our
attention turns to winter preparations. November brought
Thanksgiving and gratefulness, and for solar installers
everywhere but the southwest, that's the start of our winter
season. November was weirdly ideal for installing with almost
spring type weather across our region but now we have to be
prepared for the severity of winter-and winter will be here soon
enough. We have installed systems in Northern IL in the dead of
winter (Peoria Dec 20-22) and Champaign (Jan 27-29) before.
Both times it was bitter cold but nothing beats the Central Iowa
system we worked on where it was 9 degrees in the sun. Of course
nothing compares to the solar company I was talking to at a
conference who installed in Alaska where they had to heat the
wire to get it to bend.

Many systems end up getting installed at the end of the year (or
ordered then) as people decide they want to take advantage of
the 30% Federal tax credit so it is a time we end up hustling a
lot and dealing with the weather.

Dealing with the weather is a regular occurrence when we are
doing winter scheduling. For example, we did put up a pole and
run the trench now for a pole mount system before it gets too
wet so that when we have free time and the equipment (system is
scheduled to be installed end of December) we can finish the
install without the mud and/or freezing conditions.

Any southwest solar companies want help in the winter? I think
our crew would love to come to a sunny location.

What are some things you do to prepare for winter?

WINTER ENERGY SAVING TIPS

This winter, save money and stay warm. Keep your energy bill and
your pollution output low this winter by taking a whole-house
approach to heating.

* During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades
on your south facing windows open during the day to allow the
sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the
chill you may feel from cold windows.
* Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when home.
* By resetting your programmable thermostat from 72 degrees
to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (for instance, while no one
is home or while everyone is tucked in bed) you can cut your
heating bill by up to 10 percent.
* Weatherize your home-caulk and weatherstrip any doors and
windows that leak air.
* Properly maintain and clean heating equipment.
* Replace furnace filters regularly.
* Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and
basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the
levels recommended for your area.

FEATURED PRODUCT:
High Lifter Water-Powered Water Pump

This is one if the hottest selling items we have to offer at AES
- and for good reason! This pump gives folks in rural settings
another opportunity to cut out the energy middle-men! It
harnesses the natural pressure built by piping water down hill
to supply the "energy" necessary to pump water up hill to a tank
or pond. In other words: the High Lifter can pump water up to
1,000 vertical feet and can deliver up to 1,500 gallons per day
— with NO fuel source!

All you need in order to take advantage of this revolutionary
pump is between a 30 and 140 foot fall from the source of water
to where the pump is installed and a flow of as little as 1
quart per minute! If you think you've got an application for
the High Lifter, give us a call and we'll see if it will work
for you!

Product Highlights:

* Quiet
* Self starting
* Light weight [6 lbs.]
* Owner installed and maintained
* Completely rebuildable
* Capable of 1100 foot lift with a 140 foot fall.
* Can deliver up to 1500 gallons per day.
* Works on as little as one quart of water a minute.

teaching a solar install class at the federal prison, installed a residential system and started weekly staff meetings equals a productive week

can't believe how low the price of solar has gotten and how many people are hustling us to get it in by the end of the year for a tax credit

help design 4 Green Tech degrees @Lakeland Community College Mattoon IL & Solar power the music stage @BlueGrass Green Expo Lex Ky =my week

is an addict.Daily he uses.His addiction,like yours,is fossil fuels.He's working to kick the habit.Don't bother
telling him it's impossible.

Carbondale, IL Federal Building's 100kw I worked on turned on this am & given a certificate of recognition by the Mayor this eve.Great day!

just deleted 24,385 emails in my spam folder. Hope your email wasn't in there.

3 PV systems producing & a fourth wired up this week. Now Solar Tour & this eve to Solar power the Art & Wine Fest's latin music.Sun rest

is tired but it does take a lot of energy to install solar, especially for the federal government

L'Shanah Tova. Happy 5771 New Year to everyone. Let's get Energized!

Happy Labor day weekend. We solar powered Hero Fest's music yesterday. We Are set up @DuQuoin State Fair @Conservation Village.Enjoy energy

is at the DuQuoin State fair showcasing our Solar Training Trailer at IL DNR's Conservation Village. Next to oil and natural gas education.

Solar Bill of Rights http://ow.ly/1dpCK
Make the Declaration of the Solar Bill of Rights Check this video outhttp://ping.fm/MkDkI

is near Asheville NC to speak & exhibit at the Southern Energy & Environment Expo www.seeexpo.com Lots of solar displays

is an addict. Daily he uses. His addiction, like yours, is fossil fuels. He's going to work hard to kick the habit. www.IamanOilAddict.org

had a meeting to solar power Carbondale Downtown Art & Wine Fest October 2 (Tour of Solar day and the beginning of Energy Awareness month).

I am glad we worked on my electric car today. Figured out what was wrong. just needs a new set of batteries and new brakes.

I am glad we worked on my electric car today. Figured out what was wrong. Now it just needs a new set of batteries and new brakes.

enjoys seeing over 100 large wind generators spinning on the horizon

is off to the Illinois State Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair. Our solar trailer joins lots of vendors & workshops

loves going to sleep listening to the wind generator howl even if it means a storm is coming

is in Iowa.Woke up@4am to drive an hour to start a solar install @6am.finished the PV system 5 pm. good crew, good solar power, good night

is getting training at The Midwest Renewable Energy Association for the Dept of Energy's Solar Training Network. http://ping.fm/q8xRz

I just got back from 2 days of intensive climate science update with The Climate Project and the Alliance for Climate Protection. Gore presented a new slideshow, with even more compelling evidence of warming (as if that is needed) plus much more in the way of solutions. Now it's up to each of us to craft the slideshow we'll present.

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I am one of 676 people from all over the world being trained in the solutions presentation by Al Gore right now in Nashville

solar powering music stage Sat then Nashville to get retrained by Al Gore & The Climate Project for a Solutions based Climate presentation

is celebrating 11 years of biz w/11% off @Midwest Renewable Energy Fair in WI this weekend. Have a vanload of 10 driving there now w/more coming later

http://ping.fm/W61tB

"We must all work together if we're going to cure our nation of this addiction," Palmer said. "The sad fact is, the United States has been running on bullshit for decades."

BP; "We know you aren't angry enough to stop driving your cars." http://ping.fm/wnpvD
funny & short video

is administering the NABCEP (a nationwide test) to my students as a final for my two week PV course

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association holding an Energy Fair June 17-20 in Custer, WI. For those interested in attending we will be offering the opportunity to carpool which will save on gas and provide a more energy efficient way to travel. So please contact us if you are interested in riding along 618 893 1717

funny how we demonize BP-they're meeting OUR demands & had an accident just as any other oil company could. It is OUR fault as a society for putting up with & using non-renewable energy.

Gross National Happiness developed as indicator that measures quality of life or social progress in holistic www.grossnationalhappiness.org/

Celebrating 11 years Saturday as we solar power the music at Art & Wine fest http://ping.fm/aXzW8 Mention this for a prize.

had 100 quarts of fresh Amish strawberries in the car today. So tasty & now the car smells as heaven should......

thinks the single most powerful positive word is SILENT since it can be rearranged to be LISTEN....When we LISTEN, we Should be SILENT

wishes all of the mothers especially Mother Earth a Happy Mother's Day and a great year knowing you have good, kind, well intentioned kids!

Repower America supporters joined hip hop legend DJ Biz Markie to record a clean energy remix
http://ping.fm/zAzPc

US emissions of main greenhouse gas fell a record 7% in 2009 due to the recession & efficient use of fuels http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6445XD20100505

US emissions of main greenhouse gas fell a record 7% in 2009 due to the recession & efficient use of fuels http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6445XD20100505

thinks it is ironic to drive the gas guzzling big rig 8 hours to teach a clean renewable energy design & install class for two weeks in Rockford IL

read The Secret Garden (again) in honor of Arbor Day.

Today is 24th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident.Put in a CFL,save enough energy to shut down 40 nuclear power plants. Energy efficiency!

a 19 hour day starting at 447 am Sunday which included solar power booth at St Louis Earth Day torrential rain & wind good help salsa dance

booked a two week Intermediate Design & Install course at Rock Valley Community College in Rockford begin May 3rd. Cya @StL Earth Day Sunday

is powering an Off the Grid solar powered music stage for Earth Day w/ SIUC Eco-Dogs & Southern Sustainability

is trying to participate in International Car Free Day. how about you?

had my fruit trees came in & friends today coming to help plant them(pawpaw,elder berry,asian pear,cherry,persimmon,blueberry, raspberry) & also planting marigolds, tomatoes, herbs, onions. Fruits instead of a front yard is my plan.

I think of Easter, I think of Spring. Spring I think renewal.Renewal I think clean, renewable energy. So wishing you Happy Renewable Energy!

stayed up to almost midnight to write at blog entry about our governor and solar http://ping.fm/oNAd9

is glad to be under Natural sunlight instead of under the extra bright lights of the convention center, best for us & for power production

is at the Green Fest Indy show powering the stage with solar power all weekend. Powered the Mayor Gregory Ballard of Indianapolis' sustainability speech.

Reminder about tomorrow: 8:30pm is Earth Hour. We're also hoping to hear about more businesses joining in this year by turning off all non-essential lighting!

is off to Indianapolis to power the Green Fest Indy with our solar trailer www.greenfestindy.com

This guy and his father in law built a hobbit house in Wales. They say they built it to be mindful of the environment and to live closer to nature, but obviously they built it in order to live more like hobbits in Lord of the Rings.

The house is nestled into a hillside. Stone and mud (and magic) were the basic construction materials. Water pipes in by gravity feed from a nearby spring. They use a compost toilet--so that's how hobbits do their business. Their refrigerator is cooled by air coming in from the underground foundations. Wonderful pictures: http://ping.fm/8u7J4

is ready for the Solar Knowledge for Beginners class all day this coming Saturday.

will be having a booth at the http://ping.fm/QuRaL expo in St. Louis on Sunday