All classes are sponsored by Tucson Water and taught at Pima County Cooperative Extension, 4210 N. Campbell Avenue in Tucson.

Date: Saturday, May 15th

Time: 8:30 am – 12:00 noon

All classes are sponsored by Tucson Water and taught at Pima County Cooperative Extension, 4210 N. Campbell Avenue in Tucson.

When: Wednesday, April 14th

Time: Noon – 2pm (Bring a lunch!)

However, in a surprising turn of events earlier this week, the House Government Committee voted 5-to-2 to approve a bill that will endanger these newly created solar jobs in Arizona, a state that has been one of the hardest hit by the current recession.

If Arizona House Bill 2701 (click link for full text HB 2701) is passed into law, it will endanger the solar energy industry in Arizona. In a nutshell, this bill suggests replacing Arizona’s current Renewable Energy Standard (RES), with one that would enable utilities to use nuclear (a non-renewable energy) and hydroelectric power (these dams cause enormous ecological damage) to meet the RES requirements. This will halt the development of renewable energy projects, and Arizona’s solar energy industry at risk.

Also, the bill is proposing a “double regulation” system, which means solar companies and utilities, would have to answer to two bodies of government, instead of one. This approach will not only be significantly more complicated, but it’s much more expensive. Who will pay for this increased expense? Well, increased cost to utilizes is often passed on to rate-payers.

Currently, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is in charge of regulation. However, HB 2701 is proposing the Arizona State Legislature also regulate solar companies and utilities. As a result, Arizona will have more government regulation of solar companies and utilities than any other state in the country. It seems a bit confusing that a state that is normally inclined to push for less government, is asking for more.

In case you hadn’t heard, the renewable energy is one of the most rapidly growing industries in our sun-drenched state. This bill will put thousands of current and future jobs in danger, just as the state is starting to pull itself back up from the blows of the recession. What’s more, HB 2701 would likely guarantee that our state will not be considered for billions in federal dollars, currently available to encourage growth in the renewable energy industry.

If you want to take action, please contact AZ Representative Debbie Lesko at dlesko@azleg.gov.

According to the report, coal emissions contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. and is responsible for increasing the incidence of major diseases already affecting large portions of the U.S. population.

Key findings:

* The respiratory system is seriously affected by air pollutants associated with coal combustion. Ailments include asthma, lung disease, lung cancer and infant mortality. They also adversely affect normal lung development in children.

* Cardiovascular effects include cardiovascular disease, such as blocked arteries that lead to heart attacks, and tissue death that leads to heart damage. Coal pollutants also contribute to irregular heartbeats and congestive heart failure.

* Studies show a correlation between coal-related pollutants and negative impact on the nervous system, such as stroke. Coal pollutants, primarily mercury, also cause a lifelong loss in intellectual capacity and a reduction in IQ.

* Even people who do not develop illnesses from coal pollutants will find their health and wellbeing impacted due to coal’s contribution to global warming. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which is a major contributor to climate change and it has extreme adverse effects on health and wellbeing worldwide, such as heat stroke, malaria, declining food production, scarce water supplies, social conflict and starvation.

These stark conclusions leave no room for doubt or delay. We feel the answer is in education and clean energy sources, like solar electricity. Every month 239,450 pounds of CO2 are not emitted into the atmosphere, thanks to TFS customers choosing to make the switch to solar. It’s numbers like those that reinforce the positive impact solar can have on our  environment and our community’s well being.

These homeowners chose to install a photovoltaic and solar hot water system to harness the energy of the sun, help reduce fossil fuel consumption, and to save money in the long run. What they like most about their new systems is the satisfaction of knowing they are using solar energy instead of letting it go to waste.

Investing in a solar electric system is like buying 30 years of electricity at a fixed rate, thereby reducing your exposure to rising utility rates. According to the US Energy Information Administration,  Arizona has the third highest utility rate in the western U.S. in 2009 (following California and Oregon).  And, as the prices of coal and natural gas increase, the utility provider will continue to pass the cost to you through future rate increases.  Solar provides long-term financial benefits by saving you money on electricity costs.

2. Increase the value of your home

Solar homes make their own electricity and therefore have lower operating costs than a comparable home without solar.  The cost of your solar electric system is often offset by the increased property value of homes that make their own electricity. According to the Appraisal Journal of the National Appraiser’s Association, a solar electric system may increase the value of your home by $20 for every $1 saved in annual utility expenses. Even though solar may increase the value of your home, AZ state law prohibits it from increasing your property taxes.

Also, solar  energy can be one of the best home improvements you make in terms of return on invested dollar. Even in a down economy, the U.S. DOE’s office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy stated that a home that produces it’s own electricity sells twice as fast as a home without solar. Lennar  Homes saw solar homes selling at a rate of 4.6 homes per month, while only 1.9 non-solar homes were being sold per month, during that same time period.

3. Solar is a Bright Investment

With an average return on investment (ROI) of 10%, you can diversify your investment portfolio with a wise, low-risk investment in solar electricity that pays better than CDs and is safer than the stock market. Also, the more utility rates increase the more your solar system will save you. To read more about individuals who are choosing to invest in solar over the stock market click here.

4.  Be good to Mother Nature & Future Generations

Help reduce global warming one rooftop at a time. Solar is a renewable, non-polluting energy source. When your home produces its own electricity, you reduce the amount of coal powered electricity you are pull from the utility grid. This means fewer emissions, less pollution, and cleaner environment. Coal and natural gas emissions directly contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming, which affect public health and our society’s future. When you go solar, you can feel good knowing that your household electricity consumption will not contribute to resource scarcity for future generations.

5. Worry Free

TFS provides a 10-year workmanship warrantee on all of our solar installations, and our solar panels come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warrantee. With no moving parts, solar electricity systems require no maintenance and are designed to operate for 30+ years.

Also, using electricity produced by your own solar electric system is like eating vegetables grown from your own garden. You have the peace of mind of knowing how your power is produced and where it comes from.

6. Solar keeps money and jobs close to home

When you make the decision to go solar it creates jobs and improves the economy. For every five homes that go solar, one new job is created in Tucson. Furthermore, by simply having the solar federal tax credits extended 8 years, the solar energy industry alone could provide almost half a million permanent jobs and $232 billion in investments!

7. Your mini power plant is more efficient than the grid

When there’s a mini power plant on your roof, you can stop wasting energy and money, because you are making energy right where you use it. Solar electricity is produced locally and reduces the need for new transmission infrastructure, huge mining operations, and fossil fuel resources from abroad.  According to the Energy Information Association, when electricity is transferred hundreds of miles through the grid and to your home 10% is just lost as heat. Furthermore, when fossil fuels are converted to electricity 67% of the energy is lost. Now that’s not efficient at all.

8. Solar has never been more affordable

With the combination of the $1000 AZ state tax credit, a 30% federal tax credit, and utility rebates that offer a cash rebate of up to 60%, the cost of your solar electric system is significantly reduced. It’s important to note that these tax credits will not last forever; the federal tax credit will expire in 2016, while the state tax credit will expire in 2012. Also, utility rebates are structured to decrease steadily over time. As the number of solar installations goes up, the generous utility rebates will go down. A word to the wise… financial incentives have never been better than they are right now.

9. Help reduce the negative health consequences of coal powered electricity.

Coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. According to a report published by Physicians for Social Responsibility, coal emissions directly contribute to four of the top five causes of mortality in the U.S. These include respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system illness as well as the hazardous impact of global climate change on health and wellbeing worldwide.

10. Be an inspiration

Being the first on your block to install a solar electric system will inspire your neighbors to make the switch to solar too.  Our customers realize that their efforts are part of a number of steps to a larger goal – living in harmony with our environment. We find that inspiration is a strong reason why many of our customers choose to install PV. They are very excited when they realize that going solar is easy and they can absolutely live in line with their values.

As part of our commitment to community outreach, TFS offers to sponsor an Open House after your system has been installed. We will provide refreshments, a tour of your system, and a presentation detailing many great aspects of your new solar PV system. Our customers enjoy having their system be a source of inspiration and education for their friends, family, and neighbors.

We’ve been hearing a lot of buzz in the media about ‘green jobs’ and many are wondering when we will start seeing an them pour into Tucson. However, when exactly this time will come, is still somewhat of a mystery. If we had to guess, it seems as though it will take a while to get the ball rolling in regard to the types of new programs the government will implement, the accompanying administrative details in addition to getting the ‘green’ companies that will be impacted up to speed as well.

However, the government is doing what they can to make the cost of solar affordable for homeowners. Both the federal government and the state offer tax credits. When you combine this with the generous utility rebates and the fact that Arizona gets more high intensity sun than any other state, solar starts to make a lot of financial sense for homeowners.

Although it looks like it may be a while before we start to see the government playing a large role in the creation of green collar jobs, we are seeing everyday homeowners making a big impact in their local economy. By deciding to go solar, this directly increases the number of local jobs in Tucson, and the potential for solar to create jobs is astounding. Unlike the coal industry, which relies on machines, solar relies on labor.  These include installation crews, engineers, salespeople, and administrative positions. As a leading solar installer in Southern Arizona, TFS was chosen to install 130 systems in 2009, and was fortunate to grow 100%, thus adding to creation of 14 green jobs in Tucson.

If 10% of Arizona homeowners decided to start receiving the benefits of a solar energy, it would create over 32,000 jobs! To put it another way, in order to create a new green collar job, it only requires that 5 homes go solar. When it comes to the issue of the creating local jobs we think there’s one very simple answer watch your utility expenses drop and help the green economy rise.

Our sun-drenched state earned an A for it’s net-metering policies, which is a nice improvement from the “B” grade it received in 2008. Net metering allows homeowners to earn credits on their utility bill for the excess electricity generated by their solar panels, which helps make going solar viable for many homeowners.

According to Jane Weissman, Executive Director of the Interstate renewable Energy Council, net metering helps to form the backbone of our nation’s rooftop solar markets and they create local jobs. She states, if unnecessary hurdles are removed and customers are fairly compensated for delivering clean electricity to the grid, U.S. homes and businesses can and do go solar.

We’re excited to see an increase in the number of policies supporting solar energy. The 13 states that received an A or B in net metering in 2007 more than doubled to 27 states in 2009! We’re hoping to see this upward trend continue in next years report.

There will be times of the year (e.g. during the spring and summer) when your solar electric system is pumping out more energy than your home is using. When this happens, the excess energy is sent back to the utility grid, and the utility company gives you a credit for the electricity it received.

For those times of the year, when your solar electricity system may not cover all of your energy needs (e.g. during the winter when there are shorter days, or when it’s cloudy for several days in a row), you will pull additional electricity from the utility grid. You don’t have to switch anything on, or keep track of anything.  No extra steps need to be taken on your part. This electricity you’re using from the grid is sent to your home exactly like it was prior to you installing solar.  You will never notice a difference between electricity produced by your solar panels or utility produced electricity.

At the end of the monthly billing cycle the utility company will check your meter to determine how much you owe (or don’t owe) them. Throughout the month the net meter has recorded the amount of excess energy you’ve sent back to the grid and how much energy you have pulled from the grid. If you sent more electricity back to the utility grid than you have received, a credit will appear on your bill that will be applied to your next month’s electricity usage. On the other hand, if you have pulled more electricity from the grid that you have sent back to it, you will owe the utility for the electricity that you used.

Now that you understand the concept of net metering, you still may be wondering why you wouldn’t want to install a system that provides more electricity than you need. After all, you can make money on the excess electricity that you send back to the grid, right? Unfortunately, in Arizona it doesn’t work quite like that.

Once a year at the end of the October billing cycle, TEP will send you a check for the balance of any excess energy you sold back to the grid. Although, it’s nice to receive a check, it’s not exactly ‘apples to apples’. The utility company pays you wholesale (about 3-4 cents per kWh) for your electricity even though you paid retail prices (about 8-10 cents per kWh) for the electricity when you used it. The result is a very small check that will not increase your return on investment faster than simply sizing your system to meet your household’s energy needs. An appropriately sized system is the best way to get the full financial benefits from your PV system, and the best return on investment.

In order to provide electricity, it requires water. On the other hand, if you want water, it will require electricity. Many don’t realize takes a tremendous amount of water it takes to create electricity, nor do they know that a great deal of electricity is needed to move water.  With the exception of wind and photovoltaic solar found on rooftops (more on this later), most power plants have a process that turns water into steam, which runs a generator that, in turn, produces electricity. This process comes with a hefty water price tag.

Researchers from Virginia Tech estimate that fossil fuel thermoelectric plants use between 8 -16 gallons of water to illuminate one 60-watt incandescent light bulb for 12 hours per day. When these numbers are taken over the duration of one year, this single light bulb consumes 3,000-6,300 gallons of water!

According to the Arizona Water Institute, different types of power plants require different amounts of water. In Arizona 785 gallons are used per megawatt-hour (gal/MWhr) for nuclear energy, and 548 gal/MWhr for Coal. However, less than 1gal/MWhr is used for large scale solar photovoltaic plants.

It’s important to note that not all power plants need to use water. When TFS installs photovoltaic solar panels at your home, school, office building, restaurant, or hotel — this mini power plant creates electricity without the use of water. This is one of the many reasons we at TFS are excited about the impact that widespread solar adoption can have on our community.