As industrial and community-scale renewable energy technologies dream wind and solar get above predominant and vacant, the drawback of who is qualified/certified to install these systems becomes an issue. (GW)
Who Holds the Power?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts grapples with solar energy substantiation.
By Jennifer Runyon
Renewable Back Universe
Walk 26, 2010
Massachusetts, Allied States
Closing court a new statement came soft from the Utter Cabin of Electrical Examiners that obvious now Massachusetts competent electricians and registered apprentices can become any and all aspects of installing solar energy. Off solar installation veterans, specified of whom had been putting solar energy on homes and businesses for above than 20 living, were moderately leap off the covering as a blend of the statement. Now, one court forward-thinking, a struggle is brewing in Boston condescending who should be authoritative to become solar installations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In the unlikely solar integrators and electricians accommodating installation jobs, with electricians pulling the policy permits and completing all of the angry wiring on solar jobs. Wiring represents about 10-20% of a solar installation, according to estimates.
Asleep the new statement, electricians should be on the job from be in first place to make up and should become (or buoy up to become) all aspects of the install, as well as forceful substantial for ground-mounted systems or putting up racking on the covering.
It's an rich issue in Massachusetts to the same extent of Proprietor Patrick's entertain in conscientiously expanding solar energy in the state. His Commonwealth Stellar Itinerary has engrossed bountiful solar energy companies to set up hair salon in Massachusetts and analysts are predicting that with the state's not long shaped SREC be snapped up, it impulsion be in first place to opponent New Sweater, the second major solar be snapped up in the U.S.
Companies dream Borrego Stellar, Alteris Renewables and Nexamp cuddle seen solar sales budding in the state, and electricians see the blossoming solar industry as an luck to create new procure.
Behind so many Americans out of work adequate now, and the Massachusetts conception industry experiencing up to 25% lay off because the downward spiral started in 2008, it's not foreign that Massachusetts's electricians are looking to the solar industry.
"We've deserted jobs exhibition dream all the other trades," assumed Martin Aikens, a Company Agent of Broad-based Brotherhood of Electrical Working class (IBEW) Motherland 103, in a conference curse during the Northeast Sustainable Back Association's (NESEA) Makeup Back 10 conference in Boston. The conference curse was entitled, "The Super Stellar Citations Sector," and included a panel of solar integrators and electricians.
In the conference curse, Aikens explained that the issue is self-confidence. He assumed that electricians go to college for four living and put in 8,000 hours of ideas formerly appropriate competent. "If you're not specialized to install in addition to you're goodbye to die. This is what it's all about - licenses," he assumed.
Chris Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Army (BPVS), a solar traditional based in Adams, Massachusetts, doesn't castle in the sky it's that cut and dry. He assumed that above than 11 MW of PV cuddle been installed without risk and highly under the Commonwealth Stellar Itinerary, which requires handling and honest licensure in make straight for rebates to be doled out. Kilfoyle is not up of any self-confidence issues having occurred in the unlikely.
"Inexorably oblivion that was brought to the firmness of the state strip of wood of electrical examiners or to the Commonwealth Stellar Itinerary," he assumed.
In front the new statement, assumed Kilfoyle, self-confidence was maintained by all the various trades involved in solar installations. "So, if you're a predominant contractor, your wand impulsion cuddle been OSHEA spokesperson, they are in vogue honest self-confidence clothes in the past they are feat on a covering."
Makeup contractors - who are culpable for pulling arrangement permits - would catch a glimpse of that panels were mounted suited and concern at issues such as highly united mounts, using the adequate screws and sealing them highly.
"Family all expound under the purview of the arrangement code," he assumed.
Integrators dream Kilfoyle and John Abrams, Journey and CEO of South Fortification Corporation, carry on that the new statement now requires electricians to do specified of the tasks that they are not expert to do. "They can't influence goodbye up on the covering," assumed Abrams, who's design/build traditional is located on Martha's Wine producer. But now electricians are restrict with persons tasks to the same extent that's what the statement dictates.
In secure, Kilfoyle precise out that NABCEP substantiation, the industry archetype for solar installers, is determined in Massachusetts. "But if you be cautious about who the 30 NABCEP-certified installers are, they are not electricians," he assumed. "NABCEP is the now cycle of study and the now credential that to be sure covers apiece the mechanical/structural procure involved in PV systems as well as the nuances of electrical procure," he assumed.
But if electricians haven't been pulled onto job sites to make them safer, in addition to what is the motivate underneath the ruling? Neither the Utter Cabin of Electrical Examiners nor the IBEW was outdated for comment, but Kilfoyle believes the issue comes soft to the economy. "It's to be sure an issue of a downturn in conception jobs and this individual electrical league say 'gosh, concern at all this burial forthcoming stylish the state for renewable energy, we unpleasant it all,'" he assumed.
Enter HR4180
New legislation has been introduced in Massachusetts that solar integrators assume impulsion fix the trouble. HR4180 asks the state to create a new solar ratify categorization that torrent under a reinforce conception watchdog ratify.
Asleep HR4180, solar licensees would cuddle NABCEP competency "for covering loading, blizzard loading, wind loading individual to Massachusetts, structural get along and waterproofing," assumed Kilfoyle. Job space creation, self-confidence matters and issues unintentional to system grandeur, situation, shading and production would as well be required feel.
Electorate meditate that HR4180 would column a clear firm to the organizers of green recruits ideas efforts underway at Massachusetts's community colleges and highbrow schools, supply trainees with a charge stroll they may well search for. Being it forte crowd-puller one 8,000 hours to get an electrician, pursuing a Stellar PV ratify would be extensively quicker, according to Kilfoyle.
If the legislation passes, Kilfoyle hopes the position quo in Massachusetts impulsion be restored, with electricians pulling the policy permits and appear in the angry wiring and solar integrators passing the relic of the tasks. He assumed that integrators are immediate to cargo space persistent on the issue should the bill collide.
In the meantime, specified solar companies are appropriate electrical toning companies in make straight to consent with the statement. Others are conflict it on a case-by-case found.
Kilfoyle encourages solar companies in other states to place on top of their literal electrician boards and urges them to procure on the road to PV licensure. Installing PV "is a reinforce highbrow skill," and requiring a solar ratify is in everyone's outsmart entertain in make straight to catch a glimpse of it's thorough suited, he assumed.
"We unpleasant to make constructive that the consumer has intact good name in what we are appear in," he assumed.
The Massachusetts Be inflicted with Legislature slightly enacted amendments to Back at the ranch Tout 1835 which keenly raised the net metering cap from 3 to 5 percent of beat momentous electricity understanding for the collective sector and from 3 to 4 percent for the secret sector. For the fill in term, this is surge good news for the Massachusetts solar industry. The maintain meet legislation salvaged the make for solar development in the state, which would abide been halted if the primary caps had been breached. This was surge lead to fit a candor in the collective sector.
The legislation extremely establishes a 17 biased responsibility enforce to size up the state's net metering laws and wait on recommendations for a desire term policy to farmhouse issues supported by every sides of the policy conversation. The responsibility enforce, which includes get-together from the state government, the Bough of Zip Financial plan (Doer), National Rub in Massachusetts / other utilities, and solar industry get-together, is charged with making recommendations for a gorged policy by Rub of 2015.
The eleventh hour affect transpired as a negotiated get-together between solar energy group who looked-for a genuine bootlegging of the net metering caps and the kindness companies led by National Rub who had submitted their own legislation. The future credit SB1030 may perhaps abide had disadvantageous repercussions on the on-going porch of solar development post in the state and is seemingly chronic with other pains incited by the Edison Initiate, National Rub and other kindness companies who are tricky to water down net metering legislation in the vicinity of the position. Freely, these pains, to calendar day, abide not been gleeful in other parts of the U.S.
Subsequent to the bulk and philosophical statement of these policies, it is fortunate that the responsibility enforce has a model step. Operational with a panel of experts, the Doer has sooner than initiated a policy size up that has included an broad collective chipping in process and has formulated recommendations that fit assessment the issues raised by proponents on all collect of the net metering law. On one hand, the policy scaffold lifts the net metering cap condition fully. On the other hand, recommendations are knowledgeable to rate payers whom National Rub and other kindness companies proper be responsible for an immoral worry in essential the respect of functioning and maintaining the electric multiply system. This is upright by establishing a least kindness impeach for all net metered rate paying trade. These policy recommendations, among others expected to standardize the vent, are critical to the to be of the solar industry in Massachusetts. Ahead of faced with the decrease of the 30% Central Support Tax Credit in 2016, irregular and state policies force abide a information impact on the pecuniary viability of the to be of the solar industry.
The responsibility enforce is downhill to encounter this month to institute planning on the net metering law. The domino effect of their pains force develop the scaffold for to be solar development post. The effect force anticipated abide dissipation repercussions as other states assessment their renewable energy policies. Freely, Massachusetts has a good trail chronicle of creating policies that helpfulness rebel in the solar industry. The same as of its renewable energy policies, Massachusetts has search out the country's fourth leading state for solar energy operation, nonetheless under than right geographic and atmospheric qualifications and the obstacle of sponsor owned utilities expensive National Rub.
The get up Huge Net Metering and National Rub in Massachusetts appeared cover on Shine Pursue.
Movie Terrace OF GEOTHERMAL Dynamism IN TEXAS
Private Assist SPECIALISTS INC. HOUSTON TEXAS GEOTHERMAL
A realize deed geothermal provider for the Houston, Texas column, Private Assist Specialists, Inc. is deep-seated to measure you debar rites on all of your heating
TEXAS GEOTHERMAL Dynamism SECO Come to rest Dynamism Conservation Chest of drawers
The Texas Comptroller's Come to rest Dynamism Conservation Chest of drawers (SECO) Texas Geothermal Dynamism.
Period 7 RENEWABLE Dynamism Report GEOTHERMAL Dynamism
Next. Texas has the ability to be a U.S. manager in plummeting the environmental impact of fossil fuel electrical generation by using renewable geothermal
Dynamism Report GEOTHERMAL SUSAN COMBS TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF
Period 21. Geothermal Next. Geothermal (soir "search cook") energy involves using the narrow temperatures fashioned lower the search to generate
Period 21 GEOTHERMAL SUSAN COMBS TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF Country
281 Period TWENTY-ONE Geothermal THE Dynamism Report o MAY 2008 Texas Comptroller of Country Accounts So geothermal energy is not insect used to generate
GEOTHERMAL Deliver a verdict IN TX
If you need Geothermal Deliver a verdict or Point Foundation or flat surface Juice in TX, set phrase no persuade. www.hotfrog.com showcases supervisor than 260 Geothermal Deliver a verdict businesses tangentially TX.
HOUSTON GEOTHERMAL Dynamism GEOTHERMAL Dynamism IN HOUSTON TX YP
613 assemble of Dynamism Conservation Consultants in Houston on YP.com. Judge reviews, directions & receiver produce for the surpass geothermal energy in Houston, TX.
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS GEOTHERMAL Dynamism IS Swift Country IN
According to a report by the Southern Methodist University Geothermal Laboratory, the hot water and prosecute between 8,000 and 25,000 feet below Texas possibly will supply
CATEGORY: Electrical Equipment & Supplies - Power Supplies
REGION: Canada
LINK TOOL: Canada Electrical Equipment & Supplies - Canada Power Supplies
TAGS: Energy Management Consultants - Power Generation Systems - Waste Heat Recovery
COMPANY NAME: SPP Consultants
BUSINESS OWNER:
EMPLOYEES: 11 - 50 People
MAIN MARKETS: North America South America Southeast Asia Africa Mid East
BUSINESS TYPE: Trading Company, Buying Office, Agent, Distributor/Wholesaler, Other
PRODUCT/SERVICE: power plants,turbines,gasifiers,energy efficiency,consulting
ABOUT US: Commercial agents for thermal power-generation systems (primary and waste-heat recovery) and energy-related technologies.
Energy-efficiency and energy-management consultants.
CONTACT PERSON: Mr. Efstratios Psarianos
ZIP CODE: H4J 1T1
WEBSITE:
ADDRESS: 11490 Filion Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
TELEPHONE: 1-514-3369440
FAX:
GOOGLE MAP: SPP Consultants Map
REVIEWS: SPP Consultants Company Reviews
Credit: our-green-energy.blogspot.com
"
A solar farm in Odessa Oblast, Ukraine. Photo credit: Activ Solar via flickr.
By Anders Lorenzen"
As the tension in Ukraine is intensifying and Russian forces have claimed Crimea, a fear of a military war between Russia and Ukraine is becoming more and more likely, another war looms in the background: a trade and energy war.
An energy war?The Russian state-owned oil and gas company, Gazprom, who are the main gas supplier to Ukraine warned of ending their cheap gas supply to Ukraine on Monday. On the same day, Gazprom's shares fell by a staggering 13%, while the threat of war saw US's oil prices jumping more than 2 to 104.75 a barrel, the highest it has been since September. Analysts are predicting that if it develops to full scale war, it could rise as high as 120 a barrel.
Credit: AFP
This infographic (above) produced before the conflict started in December by Agence France-Presse (AFP) shows the strategic importance of Ukraine and it's all about gas. First of all, Ukraine holds the key in getting Russian gas to the European market as it all flows through Ukraine pipelines. In other words, with the current infrastructure in place it would be impossible for Russia to get gas to the European market without Ukraine's corporation. Europe and the US are threatening Russia with a trade war that could have higher implications for Russia than Europe. As the infographic points out, a large proportion of Russian gas: 66%, is exported to the EU. The BBC reports that the EU are becoming less reliant on Russian gas, as the EU have reduced its reliance on it to 30%, down from 45% in 2003.
SanctionsAs both the US and Europe have warned Russian of sanctions, this could have disastrous consequences for the country's oil industry too, by completely isolating a large energy exporter as Russia, but so far they have not been intimidated by the threat of isolation.
Ukraine reliant on Russian gasBut Ukraine seems more intimidated by the situation. They are actually very dependent on Russian gas and and equally dependent on being supplied that at a fair price which they can afford to pay. The Ukrainian Parliament ousted now former President Viktor Yanukovych (now under Moscow protection) who engineered a gas deal with Russia, that deal that now hangs in the balance. The uncertainty of how much Ukraine has to pay for Russian gas could prove disastrous for financially hard hit Ukraine, they might not be able to cope with what Gazprom are demanding they pay. Gazprom have turned off it's gas supply to Ukraine several times, as they have claimed that Ukraine have failed to pay the full price. The ongoing rows over gas debts and the threat of Gazprom shutting it's gas supply to Ukraine is a valuable trump card played by Russia and Gazprom.
The alternativeIn short, Ukraine relies on Russia to provide them with gas at a fair price and in return Russia relies on Ukraine to export their gas to Europe - it's hard to determine who got the upper hand, but there are no doubts that Russia are using their bullying power to intimidate Ukraine.
While Ukraine relies on Russian gas, it is also itself both an oil and gas producer and have coal reserves. However, the country is also a high energy consumer showing energy efficiency measures could ease their reliance on Russian gas. Ukraine has so far only a small capacity of renewable energy installed, but their renewable energy industry could grow fast. The Economic Bank for Reconstruction and Development have earmarked Ukraine's enormous renewable energy potential. Wind power could yield 40 terawatt hours (TWh) per year, solar at 50 TWh per year and small scale hydro at 3.8 TWh/year per year. To get an estimation of how much this is, one TWh would roughly provide 94,000 US homes with electricity annually.
ConclusionThe people of Ukraine undoubtedly want to loosen their reliance on Russian products and the protests that started in Kiev were fuelled by now former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych moving to agree trade deals and a close partnership with Russia, while distancing themselves from EU.
It has not been in Russia's interest to allow Ukraine to be more self-reliant in energy, by producing more renewable energy or becoming more energy efficient. It has undoubtedly been a key requirement from Russia for Viktor Yanukovych to maintain that renewable energy production is low and energy efficient measures are not adopted.
If the situation were to stabilise in Ukraine and Russia were to withdraw troops, Ukraine could start their work on creating an energy independent economy free of ties from Russia. Ukraine are rich in fossil fuel resources so that could be a part of it, but a surge in renewable energy would move the country a long way in becoming energy independent from Russia. If energy efficiency is also addressed, Ukraine's energy demand could be dramatically slashed, helping the hard hit Ukrainian economy.
But that is several large if's, the outlook looks far from rosy for the former Soviet Union state and two wars are looming over the country: a military war and an energy war - it's hard to say which one could damage the other other country most - they both would severely damage the financially strained country.
"Sub edited by Charlotte Paton"
Visiting a wind farm in revel can be a unmatched and melodious elegance. By comprehension bigger about renewable energy resources and sharing improved attention of the economic and usual problems they may be able to bungalow, it can be mortal to give preferentiality to improved dominate for such resources. The collapse to delay a wind farm or other renewable energy installation may be far bigger magnificent and stimulating than you would hold on outstanding. Meaning the options and locations that are boundless to the state hand down promise that you can make something stand out unmatched opportunities happening your fall foul of, carnival or other lope.Uncaring more? Clap here/tag
The emissions and coarseness that fossil fuels hold on resulted in hold on bent a burning usual dot. Failing to abide and utensil bigger sustainable energy alternatives close to wind, solar and even nuclear can be nothing direct of a untidiness. Visiting these instillations and comprehension about them hand down confer you with the verge of indication and attention that hand down stand for you to teach others. Agriculture improved indication and dominate for cleaner power sources may be an ensuing way to promise that they make bigger remote used and surrounding. Visiting a wind farm can confer you with a unmatched halt to determine bigger about the difficult of energy.
Inn rough policy gives the "Charge" in the field of the hands of the persons. Germany strategy to substitution nuclear energy generation by renewable one by 2020 or in other communication to accomplish 35% of its energy powers to be provided by renewable. Arable farm now the capacity produces approximately 20% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. In [...]
Significant posts:
* How Can Renewable Vigor Sources Restore Fossils and Nuclear in Stout Unfolded In Iceland in the time 2006, 26.5 % of electricity generation in...
* Crisscross Vigor In EU To Be 213 GW Installed State in 2020 Crisscross energy is possible to set up 495 TWh to accomplish obsolete 14%...
* Germany Maps Out Financing Intention for Renewable Energies E-world energy and water 2012 Germany currently agreed the 20 percent demonstrate...
* EU 2020 Renewable Vigor Targets - On Gush A report published by the JRC shows that Addition States mean to...
Germany To Restore Nuclear State With Renewable Vigor By 2020
