Page 36 – Everblue Training

Solar Technology: 5 Reasons To Invest In & Support Solar

As discussions about renewable energy heat up in the national discourse, many individuals are wondering about the benefits of solar technology to U.S. Energy Independence. Ultimately, there are several reasons why alternative energy solutions, like solar power, will greatly impact economic and ecological structures. Below are five specific reasons why solar power is an important investment:

1. Fossil Fuels Are Depleting: One of the fundamental reasons to invest in alternative energy solutions involves the reality of resource depletion. Finite natural resources, including oil and natural gas, will continue to decline in supply in the coming decades as demand increases among industrialized and emerging countries. Given the limited availability of these energy sources, it will be necessary at some point in the future to utilize new energy sources that are more sustainable. With solar technology continuing to decrease in price and photovoltaic (PV) system efficiency continuing to increase, investments in solar power today will help alleviate the economic, ecological, and societal problems that will arise from resource depletion.

2. Pollution Will Be Reduced: Current dominant sources of American energy, including coal and oil, are major contributors to pollution. Greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are consistently exhausted from current energy sources. Alternatively, the use of renewable energy will help reduce the emissions of harmful elements into the atmosphere. These are found to reduce air quality, visibility, and contribute to ozone depletion.

solar energy panels

3. Decrease Natural Resource Dependency: In the increasingly globalized economic world, demand for resources like oil has continually impacted the political and economic vitality of countries, including the United States. A dedicated alternative energy solution would allow for greater control over economic activity as energy production occurs domestically. In this sense, an alternative energy solution would provide greater energy, economic, and national security.

4. Consumer Demand Is Growing: According to a recent study by the Solar Energy Industries Association, Americans are fully in support of solar energy. The annual study has consistently shown that individuals across various political spectrums support solar energy: Republicans (84 percent), Democrats (98 percent), and Independents (95 percent). Specifically, the study concluded with the following attitudes:

92 percent of voters believe that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use more solar energy
85 percent of voters view solar energy favorably
78 percent of voters say government should support the growth of solar energy with financial incentives

5. Help Create New Jobs: As the renewable energy industry continues to expand with increased support among businesses, manufacturers, and consumers, there will inevitably be a stronger demand for skilled workers. Jobs in various fields, including construction, sales, and manufacturing, will continue to grow in demand, strengthening both the industry itself as well as the economy.

The reasons listed above demonstrate the importance that investing in solar technology will have on ecological and economic vitality. As the adoption of solar power continues to increase, it will be important to understand the significant reasons for investment. Everblue currently offers a variety of renewable energy courses including Solar PV Associate, Solar PV Installer, and Solar Sales training. These courses provide a comprehensive overview of the solar industry and will help prepare individuals for one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. For more information, please visit our courses, or call us at (800) 460-2575.

Thermal Imaging Enhances Energy Audits

Before a problem can be fixed, it must be properly diagnosed. Treating symptoms without investigating the cause can be a risky proposition. Just as a doctor wouldn’t treat pain without considering the whole person to diagnose the cause, an energy auditor must perform diagnostics based on the house as a system.

When evaluating a home’s performance and level of energy efficiency, a first line of defense is to determine where energy is being lost. It’s important to identify the “energy vampires” that are sucking energy from the home. Zeroing in on energy wasters can be the key to improving a home’s performance.

While not required for all energy audits, thermal imaging is one the most technologically advanced diagnostic tools available to the energy auditor.

What is Thermal Imaging? Thermal imaging, also called thermography, is the means by which infrared light is made visible to the human eye. Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than visible light. The highly specialized science of thermal imaging allows humans to see and interpret heat energy that could not otherwise be seen with the naked eye. To oversimplify, thermal imaging technology creates images to represent temperature variations.

uninsulated attic - regular photo & infrared image

What Can An IR Camera Detect? One of the myths surrounding thermal imaging is that the camera sees through walls. This is not the case. The image that is generated indicates breaks in the building’s thermal envelope, such as a hole in the roof, missing insulation, etc. Even without actual “x-ray vision,” an infrared camera has proven to be a useful tool in evaluating what is within the walls of a home.

Thermal images can indicate if a building needs insulation and where it should go, based on surface temperature variations.

Thermal imaging can be used to detect heat loss and air leakage in a building envelope. When possible, it may be used in conjunction with a blower door test that exaggerates the leakage of air through any defects in the building shell.

Underlying moisture and condensation in plumbing, HVAC systems, and roofing can be located. Because wet materials conduct heat faster than dry materials, thermography is effective at detecting troublesome water leaks and accumulation of moisture.

Abnormally hot electrical connections or energy leaks in electrical panels can be detected.

What Are The Benefits? Many problems begin with an increase in temperature, and the IR camera allows for early detection of these potential problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. Thermal imaging allows inspections to be conducted more efficiently, without disrupting any surfaces, equipment, or barriers.

Are you interested in energy auditing and the specialized equipment used to detect problems that impact home performance? Check out Everblue’s Energy Auditor courses, and learn more about using technology to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

New World Trade Center LEEDs the Way Toward Gold Certification

As the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks takes place this week, development on the new World Trade Center site continues to move forward, with rebuilding processes in perpetual motion. One World Trade Center, along with Towers 2, 3, and 4, are all being developed with the goal of achieving LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

New York City Skyline with One World Trade Center

The inclusion of sustainable features in the design of these buildings will not only ensure energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact but will also serve as an example of American ingenuity and progress toward the future. Planned features for the buildings include:

Outside views from more than 90 percent of occupied spaces (Environmental Quality Credit 8.2 – Daylight & View)
High-efficiency plumbing that will reduce water use by a minimum of 30 percent (Water Efficiency LEED Credit 3.2 – Water Use Reduction, 30% Reduction)
Low VOC paints (Materials & Resources LEED Credit 4.2 – Low Emitting Materials, Paints & Coatings)
Rainwater harvesting systems (Can be applied to numerous credits under the Water Efficiency credit category)
Preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles (Sustainable Sites LEED Credit 4.3 – Alternative Transportation, Low Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles)
The use of sustainably harvested wood (Materials & Resources LEED Credit 7 – Certified Wood)
Facilities for employees that choose to bike to work (Sustainable Sites Credit 4.2 – Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage & Changing Rooms)*
Renewable energy power sources (Several LEED credits under the Energy & Atmosphere credit category)*

*Applicable only to One World Trade Center

Once these buildings are completed, New York City will once again become a city that embraces progress and innovation, while simultaneously serving as a beacon of inspiration in the United States and the world. For more information about the rebuilding effort, visit the official World Trade Center website, which provides up-to-date images, videos, and news.

LEED Volume Program Reduces Costs & Saves Time

LEED Certification is an in-depth process that requires building owners and project managers to follow rigorous standards for green building and design. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a process that universally applied this detailed outline to more than one project? Enter the LEED Volume Program.

In the past, some organizations that worked hard to design and build green buildings opted not to pursue LEED Certification. They often used LEED credit categories as a checklist for developing a green building but found that the LEED Certification process was too costly and too reliant on paperwork.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has since created the LEED Volume Program, which is a smart solution for organizations planning to certify a large number of design and construction projects or existing buildings. According to the USGBC, this new program will dramatically reduce the costs associated with LEED Certification and still preserve the integrity of these well-known building standards.

The LEED Volume Program has three main goals, which include:

Preserve the integrity of the LEED Certification system,
Leverage uniformity in building design, construction, and management, and
Encourage building owners to integrate LEED practices and documentation into organization-wide practices.

Before this program was developed, building owners had to decide if the LEED Gold, LEED Silver, and LEED Platinum certifications added value to their projects or if constructing edifices to LEED standards was green and noble enough. It seems the USGBC has made the decision easy by streamlining the process.

Additional benefits of the LEED Volume Program include increased asset value, a demonstrated public commitment to environmental stewardship, important opportunities to benefit from financial incentives, and reduced operating costs through lower resource consumption.

To Get Started

Interested organizations must apply to be a part of the LEED Volume Program by completing an application and submitting supporting documentation to assess readiness and compatibility with program requirements. The application is available on the USGBC website.

Upon acceptance into the program, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) will review the submitted prototype and ensure that plans are technically accurate, consistently implemented, and safeguarded by robust quality assurance measures.

After the prototype has been approved by the GBCI, project managers may begin working on all the volume projects. They must work on the projects for a minimum of three months following this approval. The GBCI will conduct random audits of a percentage of volume projects to ensure continued compliance.

Who Will Benefit?

Since LEED Certification has become the recognized and accepted standard for green building, this LEED Volume Program is likely going to have a large impact. More and more retailers are pursuing LEED Certification in an effort to lower expenses associated with construction, operations, and maintenance, while also attempting to garner support from environmentally-minded consumers.

I suspect organizations like Kohl’s, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Lowe’s will all benefit from the LEED Volume Program. These nationwide retailers have constructed LEED certified stores in the past and may find this program to be an incentive to open more.

It looks as though there will be an explosion of projects seeking LEED Certification because of this program. Now is the time to be an accredited LEED AP! If you haven’t yet earned your accreditation, visit our LEED training page and find out how you can participate in the LEED Volume Program. Everblue also provides corporate training, so if you believe your organization could benefit from the LEED Volume Program, and you need knowledgeable LEED APs to manage the project, we can assist you with group training as well. We’re excited to see how many new projects will pop up as a result of this program!

How RESNET Differs from BPI

If you are working in the home performance industry, and you are interested in becoming a certified energy auditor, you have two choices: one is to become a RESNET HERS Rater and the other is to become a BPI Building Analyst (or some other BPI certification, which we will get into further in a moment).

Right now, RESNET and BPI are the only nationally recognized credentials for individuals who wish to become certified energy auditors. While other programs exist, it is RESNET and BPI battling to be the top credentialing standard for the industry.

In the next few months, the new Energy Auditor standard will be revealed. This standard will be the first one governed and managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The new Energy Auditor standard will be thrown into the RESNET/BPI mix as a standalone credential…check back with us as we discuss this development in greater detail.

Understanding RESNET

resnet-logo RESNET stands for Residential Energy Services Network. This organization regulates energy efficiency, primarily in new homes. A RESNET rating provides a relative energy use index called the HERS Index. HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. A rating of 100 on the HERS Index represents the energy use of a standard building, while a rating of 0 indicates a new building that uses no net purchased energy.

As discussed earlier, a certified RESNET energy auditor is called a HERS Rater. A HERS Rater is trained to do both home energy ratings and home energy audits. Home energy ratings generally apply to new home construction or major remodeling. This rating may qualify a home for the Energy Star Homes Designation. Home energy audits involve a prioritized list of improvements and a projected cost/benefit for each of the improvements. A HERS Rater directs customers to a qualified contractor to implement the improvements suggested in the audit.

To become a HERS Rater, one must take a two-hour, 50-question written exam and pass with a score of 80% or better. One must also complete five provisional ratings within one year of passing the exam. A RESNET training provider must supervise two of the ratings – in Everblue’s RESNET HERS Rater training, students will get the opportunity to achieve their two ratings. The last three ratings are “probationary.” These ratings must all be conducted within one year of passing the written exam, and all ratings performed by a HERS Rater are submitted to a RESNET affiliate for quality control and approval.

Understanding BPI

bpi logo BPI stands for Building Performance Institute. BPI is a non-profit organization that also regulates energy efficiency, though we like to note that the emphasis is more on retrofitting existing homes. A BPI Building Analyst is certified to conduct blower-door tests (which should be done both before and after upgrades), combustion appliance inspection and repair, air quality testing including carbon monoxide detection, duct testing and airflow testing. A BPI Building Analyst needs to re-certify every three years, either by re-taking the exams or by completing continuing education from a BPI affiliate.

A certified BPI Building Analyst energy auditor has passed both a written and field exam. The two-hour, 100-question, written exam requires a passing score of at least 70% while the two-hour field exam requires demonstrated competency with the energy audit process and equipment.

Conclusion

Put simply, both RESNET and BPI are home energy audit programs. RESNET is focused on new home construction, while BPI is focused on retrofitting existing homes. Each program has its idiosyncrasies unique to the organization that created the standards, but either way, these programs are the best we have for diagnosing energy efficiency issues and managing residential energy use.

Learn more about Everblue's BPI Building Analyst Training

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

Solar Energy Basics & Introduction to Technical Terms

Studies have shown that among all the clean energy occupations out there, jobs relating to solar and renewable energy have shown the steadiest incline. In the last 10 years, solar photovoltaic (PV) jobs have remained in the top 15 sectors of green jobs growth. This is why it’s so important to be aware of solar energy basics.

With so many positive statistics being thrown around, individuals wanting to participate in the green movement have looked to solar as their chance for success. But what is solar energy? I’m willing to bet most people would throw out a vague answer that goes something like this, “Solar energy comes from the sun. The sun gives us endless, or renewable, energy, and this helps us to lower our dependence on fossil fuels. We want to lower our dependence on fossil fuels because they are harmful to our environment.”

While that is a correct evaluation of solar energy and its purpose, many individuals still haven’t grasped how exactly the sun creates energy. They know they want to install solar panels, but they don’t particularly know what the solar panels do or how they work.

Before deciding that you want to become a solar panel installer, you should do some research about solar energy so you understand why certain tasks are necessary. Such basics are covered in Everblue’s Solar PV Associate training. In the meantime, let’s go over the basics of solar energy and define some of these terms, so you can make informed decisions concerning your future career.

Photons – tiny particles of light that come from the sun

Photovoltaic – pertains to the direct conversion of light into electricity (we will discuss this process in greater depth below)

Solar Panel or Photovoltaic Panel – connected assembly of solar cells

Solar Cell – electrical device made from silicon that converts the energy from light directly into electricity

Silicon – a chemical element with semiconducting properties. Silicon is one of the most common elements on Earth.

Semiconductor – a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow

Conductivity – the transfer of heat or electricity through a substance

Electron – a stable subatomic particle with a charge of negative electricity, found in all atoms and acting as the primary carrier of electricity in solids

Proton – a stable subatomic particle occurring in all atomic nuclei, with a positive electric charge equal in magnitude to that of an electron, but of opposite sign

Electricity – energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor.

Every minute, enough photons reach the Earth to power our energy needs for a whole year. It starts when photons hit photovoltaic panels that have been installed on a house. Each solar cell that makes up the panel has a positive and negative layer to it. An electric current is created when photons hit the cell and become absorbed. This energy causes the electrons to come free. The electrons flow out of the solar cell and move through a wire (conductor) connected to the house, thereby creating electricity. By combining solar cells and photovoltaic panels, we can produce enough electricity to power a house.

To learn more about solar energy, please visit Everblue’s Solar Training page.

NATE Certification Salary Expectations

If you’re an HVAC professional, you may be debating whether it is worth it for you to achieve a professional third-party certification. Let’s take a look at the general NATE Certification salary, and you can compare it to what you’re currently making!

Because HVAC work primarily focuses on the health and safety of citizens, education and experience are critical characteristics for any HVAC technician.

A technician who has pursued NATE Certification, therefore, demonstrates a serious commitment to the industry and will likely receive a greater salary than a regular HVAC technician.

Enhance Your HVAC Career Today

Most HVAC technicians earn between $40,000-$66,000 annually, depending on prior work experience and certifications achieved.

Those who have achieved NATE Certification typically receive salaries on the higher end of the scale, while those who do not pursue such a valued industry credential receive less.

The following chart from PayScale.com shows what you could be making as a NATE certified service technician:

nate certification salary

Research has shown that 88% of consumers prefer technicians who are certified.

It is becoming increasingly rare to see a technician without an HVAC certification, but there are still a few out there.

To stay competitive in the industry, and to reap the benefits of a higher salary, professionals should consider enrolling in Everblue’s HVAC training so they can achieve NATE Certification.

BPI vs. NATE Certification: Which is Right for HVAC Technicians

As an HVAC professional, are you not sure whether you should take HVAC training in the form of BPI vs. NATE Certification?

Let us briefly explain the similarities and differences between these two certifications, so you can get the specialized training you seek and also enhance your career.

What is BPI Certification?

BPI Affiliate Organization Logo BPI stands for Building Performance Institute and is a non-profit organization that prepares and recognizes home energy auditing professionals.

For over 25 years, BPI has been the nation’s premier certification and standard-setting organization for home performance professionals. Those seeking BPI Certification generally have backgrounds as HVAC contractors, home inspectors, general contractors, and insulation & weatherization contractors. By adding a BPI certification to their skill set, they are able to also add home energy auditing as a foot-in-the-door service to their primary business offering.

List of BPI Certifications

BPI offers several different credentials:

BPI Building Science Principles
BPI Building Analyst Technician
BPI Building Analyst Professional
BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage
BPI Air Leakage Control Installer
BPI AC/Heat Pump
BPI Heating Professional
BPI Manufacturing Housing
BPI Multifamily Building Analyst
BPI Multifamily Building Operator
HEP Energy Auditor
HEP Quality Control Inspector
HEP Crew Leader
HEP Retrofit Installer Technician
BPI Healthy Home Evaluator

BPI Certification Knowledge Areas

Fundamentally, the various BPI certifications focus on making existing homes more energy-efficient.

Certified BPI energy auditors are trained to offer home energy audits, which include a series of diagnostic tests throughout the home like the blower door & duct leakage test and combustion safety test. By the end of the home energy audit, the professional will provide a prioritized list of recommendations to the homeowner to help them improve the energy efficiency, safety, durability, and comfort of their home.

BPI Training & Study Prep

BPI relies on a network of affiliated organizations, called Test Centers, to administer BPI training as well as the certification exams. Everblue has been an approved BPI Test Center since 2010.

We offer BPI training and exams for the following credentials:

These are, by far, the most popular BPI certifications. All of our BPI training packages include the certification exams, so upon completing the course, students will have officially earned their BPI certification.

In addition, the “core” BPI certifications – Building Science Principles, Building Analyst Technician, and Building Analyst Professional – cover several of the same concepts (such as blower door testing), so we’ve created a combination package to help students earn multiple certifications more efficiently.

And finally, you may be wondering what the difference is between BPI and HEP. HEP stands for Home Energy Professional and is a program created by the U.S. Department of Energy in collaboration with BPI. The HEP credentials are designed to build on the BPI certifications and offer more advanced technical knowledge. Many new to this industry see the word “energy auditor” beside the HEP credential and think that they should start there – that is incorrect. A more appropriate starting place for an energy auditing career would be BPI Building Analyst, and then you would proceed to the HEP Energy Auditor Certification.

Benefits of BPI Certification

The single best value that BPI Certification adds is the ability for someone to start a new career in home energy auditing (or to add energy auditing to their existing trade business).

Specifically, additional benefits include:

Gaining new clients by expanding the business services
Growing the business by offering in-demand services like blower door testing (needed for state energy code compliance)
Rapidly expanding reach by qualifying for utility rebate programs that require BPI Certification

What is NATE Certification?

NATE Logo NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and is the nation’s largest non-profit organization recognizing certified HVACR professionals.

The NATE standards were developed by a committee of industry experts in 1997 and continue to evolve with the growing demands of the HVACR workforce.

List of NATE Certifications

NATE offers a series of certificates and full-blown certifications that align with work experience and specialties.

The Ready-to-Work and HVAC Support Technician certificates can be obtained after passing an online exam, but they do count as full NATE certifications. In other words, these certificates do not require renewal like the full certifications do.

To earn NATE Certification, a technician with 2+ years of experience must pass the NATE Core Exam as well as a Specialty exam in one or more of the installation or service specialty categories. The NATE tests are rigorous, multiple-choice, knowledge-based tests that validate a technician’s knowledge.

NATE Certification Knowledge Areas

Since all NATE-certified professionals must first pass the Core exam, all technicians have the same minimum understanding of:

Safety
Tools
Basic Construction
Basic Science
Achieving Desired Conditions
Taking Temperature and Humidity Measurements
Basic Electrical

The Installation category is comprised of four specialties:

Air Conditioning
Air Distribution
Air to Air Heat Pump
Gas Heating (Air)

The Service category is comprised of nine specialties:

Air Conditioning
Air Distribution
Commercial Refrigeration
Air to Air Heat Pump
Gas Heating (Air)
Hydronics Gas
Hydronics Oil
Light Commercial Refrigeration
Oil Heating (Air)

And finally, the highest level senior technician is called the HVAC Efficiency Analyst. This candidate has 5+ years of experience and must hold two NATE certifications in Service sector specialties.

Each specialty has its own exam and knowledge areas. These details are outlined in the Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (KATE) document for each certification.

NATE Training & Study Prep

Many people prepare for the NATE exams by attending a NATE-recognized class. At Everblue, we offer a NATE Certification training program to prepare for the NATE Core Service, NATE Air-to-Air Heat Pump, NATE Air Conditioning, and NATE Gas Furnace Service specialty certifications.

Due to the specialized knowledge needed for NATE Certification, HVAC installers, refrigeration technicians, maintenance technicians, superintendents, appliance technicians, pipefitters, service managers, and other HVAC-related occupations are encouraged to enroll in this training.

Benefits of NATE Certification

The single best value that NATE Certification adds is that it’s a uniform standard by which all HVACR professionals can be judged.

One might argue that NATE Certification surpasses the technical knowledge that a trade school or university degree could provide because NATE Certification requires work experience in addition to academic proficiency. In addition, one nationally-recognized, industry-supported certification takes the guesswork out of comparing two individuals. How would anyone know if an HVAC degree from ABC College is better or worse than an HVAC degree from XYZ College? NATE Certification is a straightforward representation of a professional’s background and education and makes them easily comparable to other job candidates.

Employers, contractors, consumers, manufacturers, distributors, and utilities can immediately gauge the competence and professionalism of a HVACR professional simply by seeing that they are NATE Certified.

Additional benefits include:

Increased productivity. NATE-certified technicians have the education and work experience to get the job done right the first time.
Fewer warranty returns. They have proven ability to correctly install and service HVACR systems.
Client savings. With correct installations, utilities and consumers save energy and money when operating at peak efficiency.
More referrals. With higher quality of work, NATE-certified technicians have better reputations, and people want to work with them.

For an HVAC company, NATE Certification makes good business sense. See our post on what happens when technicians do a poor job of HVAC Installation to further see the value that NATE Certification provides.

BPI Certification vs. NATE Certification

As you can see, there is a slight crossover of knowledge between these two HVAC certification programs.

BPI Certification uses HVAC knowledge and troubleshooting as a puzzle piece to solving a bigger home energy efficiency issue, whereas NATE Certification focuses exclusively on the technical installation skills and servicing of HVACR systems.

It’s possible for an HVACR professional to earn both certifications. In fact, that would be a very strong skill set. If you’re looking to become a true energy efficiency expert, you can pursue BPI Certification AND NATE Certification. It doesn’t have to be a question of BPI vs. NATE Certification after all. Both certifications are nationally recognized and will provide you with the tools to diagnose health and safety issues in the home.

LEED and BREEAM: Discussing the Similarities in the Midlands, UK

Hello, my name is Joan Mahon, and I teach the LEED training courses for Everblue. I recently visited the United Kingdom to teach a course and wanted to share some stories about my travels. Specifically, I enjoyed discussing the LEED and BREEAM standards with the students in my class.

I flew to London Heathrow and boarded the express train to Paddington Station, a train station built in the Victorian Era. The beautiful grille work is reminiscent of the Crystal Palace, and the station itself is the “home” of the Paddington Bear, a beloved children’s book. From Euston station I took a train north toward Glasgow and spent Halloween weekend in Lymm with my brother-in-law, Mark Tavelli. Mark works for URS and is the Deputy Engineering Director at Sellafield Ltd. This is a nuclear site in the Lake District of the UK on the Irish Sea. They are doing the important work of safely decommissioning the site. Previously, Mark was Director of Engineering for Washington Closure Hanford in the US.

Heathrow Express train Mark Tavelli, URS and Joan Mahon, Everblue in Chester, UK

Lymm is a quaint village in the Town of Warrington. We spent the afternoon watching the Rugby Club of Lymm emerge victorious in their match and then joined the mates in the clubhouse for celebratory good cheer. The next day we visited Chester, a Roman Garrison on the River Dee. We walked the Roman walls, had a wonderful lunch sourced from local farms and visited Chester Cathedral at twilight. With its Roman and Tudor architecture, Chester is an architectural wonder and a pedestrian-friendly walkable city.

Canals are a way of life in Great Britain classroom picture at the Forum Training center next to Thomas Vale Construction

November 1-2, 2011

Thomas Vale’s Business Development Manager, Sam Hollis was our host for the two day LEED Green Associate class held at the Forum Training Center, Stourport-on-Severn. Among the attendees were several BREEAM Assessors who are working with multi-national companies interested in LEED. Their knowledge and skill in green building was highly advanced. During the class, we discussed some of the similarities between the LEED and BREEAM standards. Our discussions were enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable as we learned together.

Sam Hollis, Thomas Vale Construction and Joan Mahon, Everblue Training Institute Traditional building in the UK 1622

Stourport-on-Severn is a scenic town located in an area known as the Midlands. This region is considered the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Less than 1km from the Forum Training Center was a Menzies Hotel with a full health club “The Waves” that serves the community. A visit to the Midlands was like a mini holiday.

LEED training was conducted by Everblue for BREEAM Assessors and other professional in the Midlands, UK

SolarCity Military Deal – More Than Solar Energy

Have you seen the latest news about SolarCity’s deal with the U.S. military to install solar on 160,000 military housing units?

SolarCity logo CNN reported that the deal is 100% privately financed (with federal backing) and that SolarCity will put up to 160,000 rooftop solar installations on top of privately-run military housing complexes at 124 military bases across 34 states.

That is an astounding number of installations! Consider that there were only 16,000 solar installations in the past year, so this deal alone is a ten-fold increase (although there was no mention of how long it would take to complete that many installations).

While the CNN report was light on details, here’s what this deal means for you, me, and America:

1 – Solar Jobs! 160,000 solar installations should mean 6,000 solar jobs, plus the manufacturing jobs and the ongoing maintenance jobs.

2 – Enhanced National Security: Did you know that each major military installation strives to be completely self-sufficient? This usually means having local power generation that can isolate a military base from the civilian grid in the event of a crisis (or other domestic emergency). By installing solar panels on the service member homes, this self-sufficiency requirement becomes a lot easier to manage! Additionally, if there is a domestic emergency, anything that can be done to reassure soldiers that their families are taken care of is a good thing and means that they will be more focused on the mission at hand.

3 – American Clean Energy Leadership: The volume of installations means that the American market for installed solar panels will likely remain #1 for years to come. This is very important because researchers, designers, manufacturers , distributors, innovators, etc. all want to be close to the action. If the action is happening in the U.S., then we have a better chance of keeping that stuff (vs having it all move to China). Hopefully, the deal has a “Buy American” clause in it. However, I would not hold my breath on that one.

4 – Reduced Solar Costs and Increase Installations (beyond the military): Solar panel installation costs have been dropping every year. As solar installers and companies get more experience, they become more efficient. This massive amount of installations will provide the industry with a very experienced solar installer base that should then be able to turn their experience (and lower costs) loose on the private market.

5 – Good for the environment: Obviously, this is good for the environment if we will be able to generate a few hundred megawatts of electricity from renewable energy instead of coal, gas, or nuclear power.

I am excited about this deal! This is smart government! Not small and not big government but smart government at work. As it stands right now, the federal government will not lay out any money for all of the above benefits (granted they are accepting risk by guaranteeing the loans). Good job to the military employees that put this deal together!

If you would like to learn more about solar check out our Solar PV Associate page or call us at (800) 460-2575.