Solar Costs Drop as Conventional Energy Prices Continue to Rise

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29 at 9 a.m. EDT

CONTACT: Amneris Solano, (919) 832-7601 Ext. 117 or amneris@energync.org

RALEIGH, NC — Solar power has the potential to hedge rising electricity costs, according to a study by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA). The 32-page report, “Levelized Cost of Solar Photovoltaics in North…

Wall Framer/Truss Fabricator:

This individual is responsible for the cut-out and assembly of wall panels, roof and floor trusses for prefabricated homes.  Successful candidates will succeed in a team environment and place personal emphasis on safety and quality.  This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent.  Candidates should have strong communication skills, proven understanding of basic mathematics, and be physically able to lift 50 pounds.  Previous…

The US Government alone spends more than $350 billion annually for various products and services, yet each year, thousands of contracts bypass small businesses that do not know about or understand how the government buys.

Opportunities is your chance to learn how you can tap into this lucrative market. It is a regional biennial "reverse" trade show that allows small businesses the opportunity to meet contracting officers from over 50 federal, state, and local government agencies and…

Deadline: 4/1/12

Agency: The Gloeckner Foundation

Program: Applicant Driven Grants

Description:  The Gloeckner Foundation awards grants for research and educational projects in floriculture and in the supporting and allied fields, such as agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, entomology, molecular biology, plant breeding, plant pathology, and plant physiology related to floriculture. The proposed research and…

ATLANTA – Six organizations in North Carolina were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Energy Star Leaders that improved the energy efficiency of their building portfolios by 20 percent or more. Nationally, EPA’s Energy Star program helped 90 leading organizations achieve President Obama’s goal by providing them with a proven energy management strategy, which includes a focus on ongoing performance measurement and whole-building…

Big Blue's long had a fascination with the tiny, and now IBM scientists have for the first time been able to measure how charge is distributed within a single molecule.

The discovery could make it possible to image the charge distribution within functional molecular devices, with implications for solar…

NCSEA News

BOONE – The increasing price of diesel fuel, the need to reduce carbon emissions, and the high cost for railway electrification require alternatives to diesel and electric trains. The long-term solution to these challenges is the development of hydrogen-based propulsion system for railways.

In partnership with Appalachian State University’s Energy Center, the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education will host the…

The Harvard Business Review looks at smart marketing for green products: "When you target customers, it helps to know if they're "dark green", "light green" or "basic brown" in their attitudes, but, with so many green issues, products, and labels out there, it may be more relevant to your branding and communications to understand their personal green interests."  Continue reading...

Strata Solar has filed applications with N.C. regulators to build two more 5-megawatt solar farms in the Charlotte region — its second in Lincoln County and its third in Cleveland County.

The Lincoln County project will be in North Brook on 121 acres at N.C. Highway 27 and Hebron Church Road. The installation, called Vale Farm, should be producing energy by the end of the year, Strata says in a filing with the N.C. Utilities Commission.

It will be a companion to the…

The North Carolina Energy Office is re-opening the ENERGY STAR® Appliance Rebate and Replacement program for North Carolina residents who recycle and replace an existing appliance with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliance purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Purchases must be completed at a North Carolina retail location.

Consumers may go online or call a special telephone number to start the application process to receive their rebate. The link to the N.C. ENERGY STAR Appliance…

Self-Help Credit Union is offering $15 million in low-interest loans for energy-efficiency projects in Charlotte and other cities. Over 50 economic developers, energy professionals and others attended the Feb. 16 launch of the program in Charlotte. The event was part of NCSEA's Clean Energy Connections educational series. NCSEA spoke with Melissa Malkin-Weber, Green Initiatives Manager at Self-Help Credit Union, about the…

In two weeks, Henderson County commissioners could approve amendments to the county’s Land Development Code that would allow solar energy generation facilities, or solar farms, to operate throughout the county. Read more here.

 Biofuel facility in Southport, NC installs solar power and hybrid windmills

WILMINGTON, NC, February 14, 2012 – Alganomics, LLC, Southport, NC based leader in culturing algae for biomass, installed in cooperation with the region’s leading solar company, Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC, a photovoltaic solar system to offset energy used during the process of culturing algae for biofuel. With the aim to add new alternative energy sources to…

From WTOE/WKYK:

Mitchell County Commissioners have unanimously approved a resolution seeking a community development block grant for a solar panel assembly facility in the county.

Full article here.

The WNC Regional Air Quality Agency is accepting nominations for its annual Clean Air Excellence Awards, which will recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who’ve made valuable contributions to Buncombe County’s air quality. To make a nomination, complete the application form at www.wncairquality.org/awards.htm. Awards will focus on voluntary efforts such as energy-efficiency…

EPA Releases Document on Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations

EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program has released a final version of Energy Efficiency in Local Government Operations: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs (PDF) (72 pp, 5.3 MB). This guide describes how…

Hendersonville Installs Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Unveiling Planned for 11 AM, February 8, at corner of 4th Ave and Church St

HENDERSONVILLE, NC, February 6, 2012— The City of Hendersonville is excited to announce it has recently installed the first two electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots in Henderson County. The charging…

The City of Hendersonville is excited to announce it has recently installed the first two electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots in Henderson County. The charging stations are located in the Dogwood Parking lot at the corner of Church St and 4th Avenue in downtown Hendersonville. The official ribbon cutting for the new charging stations will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 11 AM.

For more…