Happenings & Thoughts in the life of Da Energy Mon

2011-08-03T18:25:00.001-07:00

Hot enough for ..............?

2011-04-26T06:39:00.001-07:00

Has been driving my 1974 electric car through all this monsoon flooding we have been having. It is strange to be floating quietly through the storm's downpour

2011-04-25T19:13:00.001-07:00

Went to a Map your Neighborhood disaster preparedness presentation at City Hall and due to tornado warning had to go to the basement

2011-04-24T19:18:00.001-07:00

Does something, writes it on a list and then crosses it out. Much more positive than a never done To Do list

2011-02-08T14:59:00.001-08:00

likes the three great new interns helping us get energized

2010-12-12T12:45:00.001-08:00

This is the text version of our newsletter.
To view the full (HTML) version online, please go here:
http://www.mygreenlist.com/display.php?M=2417383&C=221783432456ee3423b636b2286bb060&S=5141&L=1479&N=3315

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.

2010-11-18T09:16:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-03T16:59:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-20T10:21:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-10-05T18:52:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-10-03T10:57:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-02T08:38:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-30T04:27:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-09T15:48:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-05T06:26:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-01T17:25:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-24T05:36:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-19T18:06:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-18T11:09:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-16T20:04:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-12T20:02:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-08-12T19:59:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-08-09T14:03:00.001-07:00

enjoys seeing over 100 large wind generators spinning on the horizon

2010-08-05T21:40:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-27T19:20:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-24T18:54:00.001-07:00

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

2010-07-22T07:03:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-30T06:36:00.001-07:00

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.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTimeï¿½ 6.5 or higher is required.

2010-06-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-25T20:00:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-17T08:13:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-07T17:42:00.001-07:00

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."

2010-06-06T05:40:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-05T13:02:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-03T19:07:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-25T19:40:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-05-23T12:58:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-20T19:22:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-20T19:19:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-12T09:10:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-09T19:37:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-05-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-07T11:33:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-07T11:31:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-02T16:32:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-30T10:28:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-26T17:28:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-26T08:20:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-23T13:54:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-22T10:01:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-19T14:02:00.001-07:00

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

2010-04-18T04:32:00.001-07:00

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.

2010-04-04T08:05:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-30T21:27:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-26T16:27:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-26T16:23:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-03-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-10T01:09:00.001-08:00

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

2010-03-02T08:03:00.001-08:00

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

2010-02-27T06:46:00.001-08:00

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

Moved my blog

2009-04-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

I have moved my blog to our company site to make it more official. http://advancedenergysolution.com/dablogmon/

Stay turned for exciting things as we start our 11th year in business installing renewable energy.

Green Stores

2008-11-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

As I have been traveling around I have been visiting "Green Stores" which range from personal/lifestyle items (clothing, water bottles, utensils, books, videos, bags, latest selection of organic cotton and hemp apparel, bedding, rugs, home furnishings, gifts, housewares, books, art from recycled materials, locally produced artisanal soaps, candles, stationary from recycled paper and more in addition to recycling bins, composting supplies, rain barrels) to green building supply stores (paint, stains, sealers, cleaners, countertops, tile, insulation, toilets, sheet goods, tubular skylights, flooring, landscaping) but none of them really focus' on energy or lifestyle changes.

My personal opinion on green: there is a craze going through the mainstream right now which is spreading awareness of Sustainability. While I believe that the growing consciousness of ecological and social sustainability is completely necessary in today's world, I also think that some of this craze is missing the point- we are still buying junk, only now they are organic or sustainable; we are still far too dependent on automobiles, only now we are buying fuel-efficient SUV's; we are still buying products shipped from countries far across the globe, only now we check to see if they are fair-trade, ...in short, I believe we need to focus on buying less, consuming less, and producing what we can with local materials. This is the green I support.

A list of some of the green stores I have visited in the last 2 weeks are in St Louis, Cincinnati, Lexington & Louisville Ky, and Champaign IL.

I hope to open up a sustainable energy general store soon.

Heartland Tour of Solar

2008-10-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, October 4th from 10am to 4pm Southern Illinois people opened up their places to showcase solar energy & energy efficient technologies, even two off-the-grid homes! The tour is mostly on the Southern Illinois wine trail through the beauty of the National Forest.

It was a very beautiful cool but sunny fall day that reminds you of why someone would live in Southern Illinois.

We had people drive from as far as 2 hours away (Springfield, St Louis area and Mt Vernon). Two TV crews (WSIL 3 and KFVS 12 both had good coverage)came out and there was a detailed article in the Southern Illinoisan that had directions to most of the places on the tour.

Renewable Energy tops 10% in the USA

2008-10-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

Just in time for October or "Energy Awareness Month".

According to the latest "Monthly Energy Review" issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy accounted for more than 10 percent of the domestically-produced energy used in the United States in the first half of 2008.

For the period January, 1 to June 30, 2008, the United States consumed 50.673 quadrillion Btus (quads) of energy. Of that amount, 34.162 quads was from domestic sources and 16.511 quads was imported. Domestically-produced renewable energy (biomass/biofuels, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) totaled 3.606 quads, an amount equal to 10.56% of U.S. energy consumption that is domestically-produced.

This share is only slightly less than nuclear power's 11.98% contribution. And while consumption of nuclear power dropped to 4.091 quads, down from 4.119 quads during the first half of 2008, compared to the same period for 2007, renewable energy's share increased by 5% to 3.606 quads, up from 3.439 quads.

To read the full report go to http://www.eia.doe.gov/mer/

Cyclists Committed to a Cooler Climate

2008-09-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Wanted:

Cyclists Committed to a Cooler Climate

Aur 'Da Energy Mon, Keally, Lucy, Treesong
Keally & Lucy's blog about their visit to Treesong & I

Article in the Daily Egyptian about Keally & Lucy

This blog http://rideforaride.blogspot.com/ is where two UWC graduates, Keally Cieslik and Lucy Richards, record their adventure as they ride to Washington, DC. They plan to motivate and inspire others to join the fun next year in the Trek to Reenergize America. Believe us. If they can do it, you can too. Both Keally and Lucy ended up physically meeting at my place in Carbondale after Lucy biked from Colorado and Keally rode her bike from Madison.

Lucy Richards is the wandering nomad organizer for the Trek to Re-Energize America currently riding from Colorado to D.C. to spread the word on the Trek which will take place next summer.

http://www.trektoreenergize.org/

End the Dominance of Dirty Fuels

The Trek to Reenergize America is a call to action. In summer of 2009, riders from around the country will cycle to Washington, DC drawing media attention and grassroots support as they ride. In Washington, riders and supporters will rally together, demanding immediate action on climate change from the new administration.

About The Trek

We're running out of time. We need strong, immediate action from the new administration. The Trek To Re-Energize America was conceived of as a means to enact that change, to empower citizens to take action and push our leaders to make decisive steps to move our great country out of the old dirty energy economy and into a clean energy economy, spurring green job growth, changing our wasteful habits and reestablishing the United States as a leader and pioneer in the global economy.

2008-09-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished doing three presentations of The Climate Project 'Inconvenient Truth' in Alton, Belleville, and Peoria with the Illinois Environmental Council.

See the press release below.

Environment Illinois Teams with IEC for Global Warming Forums in Belleville and Peoria; Emphasis on Energy Efficiency and Legislative Solutions

Chicago, Ill. – Environment Illinois, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy group, will join the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC), a legislative watchdog for the state’s environmental community, for two town hall meetings at the end of August that are part of a statewide series of free public forums on global warming sponsored by IEC.

The latest climate change town hall meetings, which run from 6-7:30 p.m., will take place Aug. 27 at the Southwestern Illinois College’s PSOP building in Belleville; and Aug. 28 at the Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights. Aur J. Beck, an energy efficiency and renewable energy installer who is a global warming expert, will headline both meetings.

Beck operates Advanced Energy Solutions in Carbondale and is a founder and board member of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association and the Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future. He is also a speaker trained by The Climate Project, the nonprofit, nonpartisan project founded by former Vice President Al Gore, who will discuss climate change’s impact on Illinois and alternative energy solutions that will help solve the problem.

Other speakers at the public forums include IEC Executive Director Jonathan Goldman who will outline global warming legislation and Environment Illinois Staff Attorney Brian Granahan who will discuss energy efficiency. The programs will also include representatives and information from local environmental groups that will co-host the events.

The Belleville and Peoria town hall meetings are the third and fourth in a statewide series of global warming public forums that debuted in Decatur June 24 and continues in Alton Aug. 12. A Carbondale event originally set for Aug. 26 has been postponed until Sept. 16.

The public forums convene local residents, elected officials and community groups to discuss how soaring gas prices and asthma rates as well as shifting gardening zones are related to climate change and how to address these problems. Legislative solutions including the Global Warming Response Act (SB2220/HB5254) and Illinois Clean Cars Act (HB 3424/SB 2238) will be presented, and local legislators will be invited to participate.

“We face a host of problems related to global warming, but most people haven’t made the connection,” said Goldman. “These public forums will help everyone better understand the links and how we can begin to change things with good legislation and prudent, long-term solutions.”

One solution is increased energy efficiency—getting more out of the energy we already generate, according to Granahan. The generation of electricity continues to be the greatest contributor to global warming, with the amount of this pollution produced by electricity up 80% in Illinois since 1990.

“Energy efficiency is the cleanest and most cost-effective means for addressing growing energy demand and its environmental impact,” said Granahan. “Demand for energy in Illinois has risen approximately 2% per year since 1990. Swift action is imperative, and increased energy efficiency is the solution we can get online and operating most quickly.”

A recent report by Architecture 2030, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group based in Santa Fe, found that increasing building efficiency in order to gain one quad of energy -- roughly 1% of our nation’s total consumption -- would cost $42.1 billion. At the same time, the report indicated that achieving this increase through new coal plants would cost three times as much ($122 billion) and at least five times ($222 billion) as much through new nuclear plants.

“With our economic growth stagnant, energy costs rising and families struggling to meet utility bills, it’s vital that Illinois take advantage of such a cost-effective solution as building efficiency,” said Granahan.

The Belleville and Peoria forums are also the third and fourth in a series of summer town hall events on energy efficiency sponsored by Environment Illinois, a non-profit environmental advocacy group with over 20,000 members statewide. This series began with an event in Bloomington on July 29 and includes a public meeting in Carbondale on August 26.

For more information about IEC’s global warming town hall series, call 217-544-5954 or visit www.ilenviro.org. For more information about Environment Illinois’ series, call 312-291-0696 or visit www.environmentillinois.org

My "New" Electric Car

2008-09-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

So at the IL Renewable Energy Fair I bought an electric car at the silent auction. It is a 1974 Subaru front wheel drive.

Although it was parked running it sat for a few years and the batteries are completely done for. I haven't had time to replace them yet and am excited for the joy of driving around town.

It is a "unique" color; kind of a blend of 70s green and vomit and grass otherwise renamed by me as being Electric Green. Definitely an interesting looking car even without the electric part.

It is great looking out my window at it. Since I normally ride my bike around town I didn't think I really needed an around town car but I am finding myself driving a lot lately; needing to pick up this or that. I really NEED to find the time to work on the Electric Eel (that is what I have named it so far).

Electric Eel; ugly & shocking but fast & efficient.

Southern Energy & Environmental Expo (SEE Expo) Fletcher, NC

2008-08-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here at the Southern Energy & Environmental Expo (SEE Expo) in Fletcher, NC near Asheville where I am working on signing up new installers for our G2ReSq (Green Geek Squad). I think G2ReSq stands for Green squared=RE (Renewable Energy) + S quantified but I haven't decided what S is? What is S? What is the meaning of S? Sexy or Solar or Sustainability or Special or Stupendous or Super or......

North Carolina has great incentives for RE and the kind that I like, production based incentives. With production based incentives there is a much better chance that both the installer & homeowner will make sure the system is always producing to its maximum output.

Just had an informal jaw session with a bunch of contracters on the Draft of NC's Registered Photovoltaic & Thermal Contractor requirements. As I just got a request on working on such a program for MO and I have been thinking of implementing such a program in IL this will help. Many states are requiring NABCEP (N. American Board of Certified Energy Professionals) certification to get state rebates.

On my way back to IL tomorrow I am going to stop by the Big Frog Mountain energy store and see if I can get or add any ideas to our business plan of opening a chain of energy stores. I would like to go see the Charlotte Energy Solutions store but need to get back to IL for the board meeting of the Southern IL Center for a Sustainable Future (Southern Sustainability or SICSF) so will visit at a later date.