michelle's blog

What is a virtual office?

Many small businesses and large companies alike are turning to “virtual offices” and professional business centers in order to meet ever changing demands. A virtual office, such as those offered by Cloud Virtual Offices, is “a combination of off-site live communication and address services that allow users to reduce traditional office costs while maintaining business professionalism." A professional business center often provides business space and services on as as-needed basis.... read more

Last year, East Side Union High School District in San Jose, California joined forces with Chevron Energy Solutions (CES) to install solar panels on 6 school sites. The solar project's goal is threefold: 1) to save the struggling school district $7.6 million dollars over the next 5 years; 2) to prepare students for careers in the cleantech industry and spark student enthusiasm in science and the environment; and 3) to reduce the city's carbon emissions by 3,100 metric tons per year.

“Our schools will all benefit from these savings, especially in these tough economic times when they’re needed most,” said the Superintendent Dan Moser at that time. “Also, this project reduces our carbon footprint and allows us to incorporate solar into our teaching curriculum so our teachers and students can learn about renewable energy technologies firsthand.”... read more

Considering installing a photovoltaic (PV) system on your home but are wondering how long it will take? Not long at all!

Most PV systems are installed within a few days of installers starting work. It’s likely to take longer to get the installers there in the first place and to qualify for any solar rebates, credits, or incentives prior to installation of the system. If you’re planning on setting up a net metering system, it may also take the utility company a bit longer to set up a bidirectional electric meter.... read more

I've often wondered what happens to solar panels after their 25 year lifespan.  This guest post from Seth Berger at Clean Energy Authority explains.

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Solar power modules, much like electronics, contain a variety of potentially hazardous materials, and cannot be safely disposed of in landfills. Solar panels generally function for 20-25 years, so the majority of panels manufactured are still in use. However, in years to come, their disposal could become an issue. New companies like PV Recycling are therefore looking for ways to recycle or reuse these solar modules when they have reached the end of their lifespan.... read more

Now more than ever is the best time to install solar power on your home or building. As photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies continue to grow, the costs associated with  continue to drop. At the same time, the prices on your energy bill continue to go up because the prices on coal and natural-gas supplied power continue to increase. There are many other reasons to install solar now, here are just a few:... read more