Tel: (845) 626-2627   Home   Contact  
Sun Volt

Sun Volt Solar

earth, the final frontier

Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

TechCity Solar

30 Oct 07 | General

I live near Kingston, NY. Just north of Kingston is a huge office complex called “TechCity” which is a former IBM computer manufacturing plant. The plant closed about 15 years ago during a consolidation. This left something like 2 million square feet of prime hardened office space vacant in northern Ulster County.

About 10 years ago, the plant and property was purchased by, Alan Ginsburg, a New York City real estate developer. Since then about 800,000 square feet of office space has been rented and there are several big clients in the office complex. All of this is good for the economy of Ulster County and the nearby City of Kingston.

When it was announced that they were opening The Solar Energy Consortium in TechCity, I found this very interesting. The SEC is described by US congressional representative Maurice Hinchey (D-New Paltz) the venture as a “not-for-profit solar consortium driven by industry – in collaboration with public, private, academic, environmental, labor and economic development partners – with the goal of creating fully integrated solar-powered systems that will revolutionize the way in which New Yorkers and all Americans receive their energy.” It is expected that venture will employ 300-500 people.

I am not sure how that will effect the ordinary solar installer, but it is good to know that something like that is coming to the area.

Tags: , ,

30 Oct 07 | General | Comments (0)

Homepower Magazine

22 Sep 07 | Commentary, General, Training

I received my first issue of Homepower Magazine in the mail last Saturday. I am not disappointed. This issue had lots of good information on photovoltaics and renewable energy installations in the Northeast.

Homepower Magazine cover

Many people feel that since the Northeast is not in the sun belt, solar power will be a poor investment. They could not be more wrong. Our cost for electricity is around 14.9 cents per kWh. This is one of the more expensive rates in the US. Even though we typically get less insolation than areas in the south and southwest, the fact that our electricity rates are much higher than most makes solar a good investment.

There is also a great article on how photovoltiacs are made and what is being done to make them more efficient and less expensive. If, for example, renewable energy received the same subsidies that oil or coal received, the prices would be about half of what they are today. Make you wonder, doesn’t it. Also, the fact that more and more renewable energy manufacturing is coming on line, will drive prices down eventually anyway.

I am very pleased with Homepower Magazine and recommend it to anyone interested in renewable energy.

Here is a list of all the articles in this issue:

  1. Affordable Solar
  2. Efficiency Details
  3. Cashing in
  4. Sunshine states
  5. plug-in hybrids
  6. PV parts
  7. Buyers guide
  8. Pump primer
  9. REview
  10. Solar savings
  11. System monitoring

The there are the regular departments such as:

  1. From us to You
  2. Ask the Experts
  3. Mailbox
  4. Code Corner
  5. Independent Power Providers
  6. Power Politics
  7. Word power
  8. Home and heart
  9. RE happenings
  10. Marketplace
  11. Installers directory
  12. Advertisers index
  13. RE people

Overall a very good trade publication for anyone in the RE business, whether just getting started or a veteran of many years.

Tags: , , ,

22 Sep 07 | Commentary, General, Training | Comments (0)

Why I want to start my own solar business

30 Jun 07 | General

I feel very strongly that we are either the solution to our energy problems or the perpetuator of them. We can either continue to burn fossil fuels and cause environmental damage or we can change to renewable energy. We can either continue our addiction to middle east oil, or we can kick the habit once and for all.

small-wind-turbine.jpg This blog is going to chronicle the start up of a Alternative Energy business in upstate New York. I plan to discuss what training is needed, the quality, cost and value of the training received, and where it occurred. I also want to detail things like a business plan, marketing, loans, tools, and what ever else will be required. I do not know if this endeavor will succeed or fail, but I am gambling a lot on the outcome, so no matter what, it will be interesting.

The types of business and installations I am looking for are solar electric (photovoltaic) solar thermal (domestic hot water and space heating), geothermal, possibly wind power and micro hydro power provided if I can get the training and certification for that type of work.

I have also started an Alternative Energy Wiki as a part of this site where others can contribute knowledge.

mafate_marla_solar_panel.jpg

Tags:

30 Jun 07 | General | Comments (4)

Getting Started

29 Jun 07 | General

I suppose the hardest thing about any project is actually getting started. Starting a new business is a daunting task for those who have not done it before. I am currently employed as a broadcast engineer for a group of local radio stations. That job pays the bills, and that is about it. I suppose I could say there are some things that I still find interesting, but those are few and far between. At the end of the day, there is nothing that I can look back on and say “I feel glad I got out of bed today.”

That is why I feel that I must leave my current job and start out new. That is more than a little scary. I have full benefits at the old company, health, dental, vacation, sick time and so on. Not only for me, but for my family as well. My wife is not working, so I am the sole provider. Basically I provide food and shelter and the every day needs for four people. I am under no illusions that this will be easy or stress free, but I feel that if I stay at my current job I will slowly wither away into a small nub of a person, hanging on by my finger nails until retirement, grateful for what ever table scraps the big wigs throw my way. That is no way to live so I would rather try and fail than sit on the bench and think about what might be.

To that end, I have begun to investigate what I will need to get started in this business. There are several training courses that look interesting, from photovoltaic installation, solar thermal and one of particular interest called “Starting a solar business.” Of course, all this costs money, which is not currently in great supply. I suppose what I need is the belief that I can carry this through and be successful thereby making the training a good investment.

I will let you know how this internal argument plays out.

Tags:

29 Jun 07 | General | Comments (0)
Next Posts »