#Solar Panel Cleaning Cost Sacramento
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legacyexpress · 3 months ago
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Sacramento Solar Company: A Leading Force Among Sacramento Solar Companies
As sustainability becomes a critical focus for cities across the United States, Sacramento is stepping up with its commitment to renewable energy. At the heart of this movement is the Sacramento Solar Company, a standout choice among Sacramento solar companies. With a reputation for quality and reliability, Sacramento Solar Company is transforming the energy landscape for homeowners and businesses alike.
Why Sacramento Solar Company Excels
Among Sacramento solar companies, Sacramento Solar Company distinguishes itself through its comprehensive service offerings and commitment to excellence. The company specializes in providing tailored solar solutions that cater to the unique needs of each client. Whether you are considering residential solar panels or large-scale commercial installations, Sacramento Solar Company delivers customized designs that maximize energy efficiency and cost savings.
One of the key reasons Sacramento Solar Company stands out is its focus on using high-quality solar products. The company partners with leading manufacturers to ensure that all solar panels and equipment meet rigorous standards of performance and durability. This commitment to top-tier products ensures that clients receive reliable, long-lasting solar solutions that contribute to significant savings on energy bills.
Advantages of Choosing Solar with Sacramento Solar Company
Sacramento’s abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for solar energy, and Sacramento Solar Company is perfectly positioned to leverage this natural resource. With an average of over 270 sunny days annually, Sacramento provides an excellent environment for solar power generation. By investing in solar panels from Sacramento Solar Company, residents and businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources, leading to lower utility costs and a reduced environmental impact.
Opting for solar energy through Sacramento Solar Company also supports broader environmental goals. The shift to clean, renewable energy helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly community. As Sacramento continues to grow, embracing solar energy is a crucial step towards building a greener future.
Customer Satisfaction and Support
Customer service is a cornerstone of Sacramento Solar Company’s success. From the initial consultation to the final installation, their team ensures a seamless and transparent process. The company’s experienced professionals are always available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide ongoing support. This commitment to exceptional customer service has helped Sacramento Solar Company earn a strong reputation among Sacramento solar companies.
Conclusion
In the growing field of solar energy, Sacramento Solar Company remains a leader among Sacramento solar companies. With its focus on quality, customized solutions, and outstanding customer service, the company offers a compelling choice for anyone looking to invest in solar power. By choosing Sacramento Solar Company, you’re not only making a smart financial decision but also contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Sacramento and beyond.
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panelpros · 3 years ago
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Warranties are an essential part of any solar panel installation as they minimize the risk of damage, faulty solar equipment, and poor performance of the solar panel systems.  Here is the detailed information on Find the Right Warranty for your Commercial Solar as shared by the experts of Panel Pros. We are the best Solar Panel Cleaning Company in Roseville. Solar Panel Cleaning Cost Sacramento is very low. Visit the website now.
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California’s epic heat wave is over. Here’s what we learned
Now that the heat wave is over, we can take some time to analyze what went wrong and how we can fix it. Many people in Los Angeles County are daily bus commuters, and for them, the hardships of waiting at a stop with no shade or bench seating in intense heat were very real. This needs to be fixed as public transit becomes increasingly relied upon throughout the region. As the climate continues to heat up, unhoused people are at an increased risk for injury and death during heat waves. Some activists wonder if the state of California will be forced to establish a legal right to housing or shelter as temperatures rise. And what about cooling centers? They’re often not super effective. L.A.'s dedicated cooling centers averaged just 21 people per center per day during the recent heat wave—not enough to make a dent. Summer Lin looks at why this is the case, and whether anything can be done about it moving forward. We Buy Homes Los Angeles CA Despite the fact that California was able to avoid power shortages — barely — the climate change affected the electric grid and other infrastructure. In Northern California, four cities prematurely switched off electricity due to a miscommunication with the state grid operator. Wildfire smoke and clouds from a tropical storm disrupted solar energy generation in parts of the state. Sacramento's Twitter data center went offline as a result of excessive heat.
Heat waves will be rank based on its severity
After enough of being afflicted by these heat waves originating from the climate, state officials are finally learning some lessons. According to a bill signed last week by Governor Gavin Newsom, California will become the first state to rank heat waves just like hurricanes in order of severity. The purpose is to assist local governments with taking action in protecting their most vulnerable citizens, as Hannah Fry and Phil Willon report for The Times. With this in mind, we must now focus on the future and ways to transition from climate-harming fossil fuels to clean energy. However, we cannot do so at the cost of blackouts or expensive energy bills—the solutions must also be designed with low-income families and people of color in mind. It's always a challenge to find the perfect balance, and that was the focus of a panel discussion I moderated last week at USC. The event was hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council. Several government officials were on the panel, including Marty Adams, the general manager of the L.A. Department of Water and Power; Stacey Crowley, the California Independent System Operator's vice president for operation and resources; Natasha Keefer, a Clean Power Alliance official in Los Angeles and Ventura counties; and Alice Reynolds, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. The representatives from two important renewable energy developers that rounded out the panel were Tom Buttgenbach, the CEO of 8minute Solar Energy, and Hunter Armistead, the chief development officer at Pattern Energy.
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seniorgrp · 2 years ago
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Are solar panels right for you? Find out here
Are you searching for solar installers near me? Let's first discuss solar panels. Solar energy is the cleanest, most abundant, and cheapest form of energy on our planet. It has been used to power homes and businesses for decades, but solar power has only recently become available in North America. Solar panels can harness the sun's rays and convert them into electricity, which can then be used to power homes or businesses. 
Solar panel prices have fallen dramatically over the past decade. These panels are now as affordable as conventional fossil fuel-powered electricity systems in many parts of the world. New technologies are also making it easier for homeowners to reduce their reliance on grid-supplied electricity by installing a solar system on their property.
What are the most common types of solar panels?
Solar panels are the most common type of renewable energy. They are used to generate electricity from sunlight, which can then be used by homes, businesses, and other organizations. Solar panels have been around for many years and have become more efficient in recent years. The technology is expected to continue improving as the cost of solar power keeps falling.
The most common types of solar panel systems include:
Monocrystalline panels: These are made from silicon wafers that are sliced into small pieces that look like CDs. The silicon is then laminated together with glue made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polyurethane resin to create a strong panel that's lightweight and flexible enough to be mounted on curved surfaces such as rooftops or walls. Monocrystalline panels are typically mounted on thin-film polycrystalline modules (TFPM).
Polycrystalline panels: Polycrystalline panels use amorphous silicon (a-Si), which is cheaper than monocrystalline panels but not as efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. They're often used in combination with traditional crystalline silicon technology
Is it a good choice to buy solar panels?
The solar panel is a good option to buy because it is a renewable energy source, which means that it will not pollute the environment. This type of power is produced by the sun, so it is free and clean. Solar panels have been growing in popularity over the last few years because they are becoming more affordable and reliable. If you are considering solar panels for your home or business, there are several things to consider before making your final decision. 
Here are some tips on how to choose the right solar panel system:
Know Your Requirements: Before you can start looking for the right solar panel system, you need to know what your needs will be. Do you want to provide enough energy for your entire house? Or will just a few rooms be sufficient? What about charging batteries for devices such as laptops or cell phones? Will you need extra power during peak hours? Do you intend to install multiple systems to share energy with others in your neighborhood or community? These questions can help narrow down your choices before making an investment decision.
Find out if Your Local Utility Company Offers Solar Power: If your local utility company offers solar power.
Senior Energy Group - Solar Provider in El Dorado Hills and Sacramento Areas
Phone: (530) 414-7366 Address: 4925 Robert J Matthews Pkwy #100C, El Dorado Hills, CA, 95762
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californiaflatroofs · 3 years ago
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Flat roof maintenance Sacramento
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California Flat Roofs
Flat roofs can be said as the most cost-friendly roofing system. The materials used in flat roofs are usually inexpensive and easy to construct. The flat roof insulation board costs around 80 cents per square foot.
It makes flat roof installation, as well as upkeep and maintenance, relatively economical. Because there is less danger involved in creating a flat roof, labor is less expensive. Flat roofs can be installed easily and their installation needs less time than regular roofing. Over the roof's lifetime, there are fewer damages and repair expenditures. Solar panels can be used in flat roofs easily which essentially saves power and make cleaning the roof easier. The second benefit is that the space may be used for other things. Instead of being placed on the ground, air conditioning units might be placed on the roof. Solar racking put on a level roof is less visible from the ground than racking installed on a sloping roof. You may create a living roof that serves as an outdoor lounge or grilling area, or you can grow a garden on the rooftop. The number of things you can do with a flat roof is practically unlimited. The flexibility of internal space can also be increased with flat roofs. If you require a large amount of internal space then flat roofs are the best for you. If you need Roofer Sacramento for Flat roof maintenance, Flat roof replacement, Flat roof restoration, or Flat roof repairs we have the best roofers to do it for you. Flat roofs are usually easier to reach than roofs that are slanted. They're easy to inspect from atop. When climbing on a roof, extreme caution and care should be exercised. Flat roofs are significantly safer and easy to inspect. When the building is tiny, flat roofs are significantly more stable than sloped roofs.They are cost-effective in the correct context, as long as they are properly maintained. Flat roofs take less time to install, so you may move in sooner. Re-roofing is a reasonably straightforward and quick process if repairs or replacements are required in the future. If you are searching for a Roofing service near me or a Roofer near me we can bet that no other roofing company can match us in terms of quality of the services as well as the pricing. We also have the Flat roof inspections Sacramento services where our experienced roofers will check your flat roof and suggest Flat roof restoration Sacramento, Flat roof maintenance Sacramento or Flat roof repairs Sacramento services.
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mhuie19ahsgov-blog · 6 years ago
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The 3 Ps Assessment: Parties, Political Interest Groups, and PACs
Republican Stance:
The Republicans believe that America should use all available forms of energy, whether it be coal, oil, nuclear power, or another source. They are very pro-coal, calling it an abundant and reliable resource that America should depend on for energy and the job market.
I do not agree with the Republican position. While I think that, in concept, letting America harness its full energetic potential would bring America great immediate success, I believe that we cannot mine all the coal and frack all the oil without doing serious future damage to the planet. While relying on coal and oil seems to be our only option at the moment, we at least need to work on finding alternative energy solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
Democratic Stance:
The Democrats wholly support alternative energy sources and strongly oppose the use of coal and oil. They want America to become the leading clean energy country in the world, and for 50% of America’s energy to come from alternative sources within a decade, no matter the economic cost.
I mostly agree with the Democratic position. I certainly agree with their stance on creating more alternative energy sources, and think that having 50% of America’s energy come from alternative sources in a decade is a noble goal to strive towards. However, I also think that we still must take into consideration the current population, and cannot throw too much money at environmental problems, especially if we do not know to where exactly the money is going.
Libertarian Stance:
In their Platform, the Libertarians do not directly address the issue of green energy. Instead, they focus on establishing their stance against the government controlling any source of energy. I would infer that, overall, the libertarians would prefer sources of alternative energy such as individually-owned solar panels to government-controlled oil, they might not see much of a difference between oil and government-controlled windmills.
I disagree with the Libertarian stance. To make a change large enough to save the environment, we must operate on a grand scale. Individuals alone cannot change their ways enough to stop the glaciers from melting. We need to use the government’s influence and money to create green energy sources and tell individuals to stop global warming as best they can on a person-to-person basis.
Green Party Stance:
One of the Green Party’s main concerns is establishing new forms of energy. They want to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, and at least 80% by 2030. Solar, wind, small scale hydro, ocean, and geothermal are the kinds of energy they want to use, as opposed to oil and coal, and they particularly stand against nuclear power.
While there’s a lot that I do like about the Green Party’s stance on alternative energy, they seem like a more extreme version of the Democrats, and I already had problems with how far the Democrats wanted to go. As I stated earlier, I think that the goal of 50% of energy being alternative in 2030 is great to strive for, but 80% seems unrealistic. Having 100% alternative energy by 2050 seems almost impossible to me. Additionally, I don’t think that nuclear energy is a horrible strategy that we must boycott-- sure, it’s expensive, and there have been some catastrophes, but all sources of alternative energy are expensive to establish, and compared to the overall number of nuclear power plants the percent of malfunctions isn’t that high. The number of birds killed by windmills over a long period of time or the potential damage to ocean ecosystems may be comparable to occasional nuclear damage.
Peace and Freedom Party Stance:
The Peace and Freedom party calls for the end of fossil fuel usage. They want to establish new energy sources, such as solar power, that will not pollute the environment, and also want to stop using nuclear energy.
The ideas that the Peace and Freedom party presents seem very good for the Earth’s climate. I support with their desire to establish nonpolluting sources of energy, and think that solar power could be a big part of reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels. Language such as “eliminate nuclear power plants” and “end fossil fuel dependence,” however, scare me, because of its strength. While the ideas presented appear beneficial, strong verbs create a malice lurking below the surface appeal. Additionally, although they set up many goals, they are very vague on how they mean to go about accomplishing them. I criticized other parties for the exact numerical statistics for where they hope America’s alternative energy will be decades in the future, but the specificity of their goals at least assured me that they had a plan.
Overall, I agree with the Democratic Party’s stance the most. This opinion does not surprise me, because my family is almost entirely composed of Democrats, and it resembles my score on the political alignment quiz. Because I support implementing alternative energy sources, I certainly oppose the Republican Party’s stance on maintaining oil and coal use, and the Liberal Party’s lack of information on their stance on climate change worries me. However, I also understand that change cannot-- and perhaps should not-- be immediate, as we want to ensure that those who currently work with fossil fuels stay working and that we don’t further destroy America’s already debt-ridden economy. Therefore, I prefer the Democrats over the Green Party or the Peace and Freedom Party, because the latter were a little too forceful and unrealistic with their beliefs. Because it is not a year in which a President can be elected, the Democratic Party does not yet have a candidate nominated, but I assume that I would vote for whoever the candidate turns out to be.
National Interest Group
Name: ConservAmerica
Position: ConservAmerica aims to use its non-partisan status to solve environmental issues in Congress, and inform the public about problems involving the Earth’s climate.
Beliefs: ConservAmerica believes that the United States should stop relying on Chinese energy sources, as they are harmful to the environment and America’s own energy development. They think that the best plan is to develop cleaner and safer methods of using nuclear and natural gas power, as well as supporting solar, wind, and other kinds of alternative energy on a smaller scale. They see climate change as a very dangerous and very real threat to the planet. They want the government to stop taxing alternative energy sources instead of taxing the sources and then giving them money in support. They oppose most current strategies of developing green energy, as they claim that they are harmful to America’s economy.
Legislation: This group supported the School Energy Efficiency Program of 2016, which identified how to help schools retroactively become more energy efficient. The Program was implemented alongside Pacific Gas & Electric, and the ConservAmerica website states that the program was intended to specifically help schools in low-income areas.
Location: The Group’s mailing address is in Sturgis, MI. The most recent meeting location, as stated on their Facebook page, is in Montana, and based on the mailing address, I assume that there are no meetups that I could reasonably attend any time soon.
Volunteer: I could not find any mention of volunteer opportunities on their website or their Facebook page.
Developments: ConservAmerica is very active to this day, holding meetings and supporting the Clean Capitalist Coalition. Their Facebook shows them supporting Republican candidates who were openly against climate change, which I found interesting, considering that their website said that they were non-partisan. They are conservative, however, and while they may not technically be affiliated with the Republicans, it would make sense that they would support those candidates.
State Interest Group
Name: Sierra Club
Position: The Sierra Club aims to preserve and restore California’s environment and its nature’s health, which includes developing new sources of alternative energy.
Beliefs: The Sierra Club wants to stop America’s dependence on “dirty” energy sources which require mining or drilling. They hope to stabilize America’s economy by relying on green energy sources, disconnecting the job market from the value of oil. They support reducing air pollution and lowering the cost of installing rooftop solar panels. They aim to create affordable methods of using alternative energy for all people, regardless of income. They oppose fracking for oil in California, where this state branch of the Sierra Club is located. 
Legislation: The Sierra Club supported Senate Bill 350, which mandated that by 2030, California must have reduced their greenhouse gases 40% below where they were in 1990, and by 2050, 80% below. This plan, inspired by Governor Brown, will cause California to rely more on alternative energy sources in the future.
Location: The group is located in Sacramento, CA. I could not where exactly they hold their regular meetings, but as they are a California-based interest group whose headquarters is in Sacramento, I imagine I could attend one of their meetings with minimal difficulty, provided I were a member of the club. They have a meeting on November 9-11 in San Luis Obispo, which I could possibly attend.
Volunteer: The Sierra Club provides many opportunities for volunteer work, which range from speaking at a public meeting about environmental issues, writing fact sheets about those issues, helping to elect environmentally conscious political candidates, and much more.
Developments: I think it’s interesting how big and old the Sierra Club is, and how much power they seem to have as a state interest group. For example, ConservAmerica, a national interest group, mentioned them on Twitter. They also cover a wide variety of environmental issues. Also, as opposed to ConservAmerica, they seem more partisan. Their twitter and website is full of notices telling people to vote, occasionally outwardly opposing Republlicans.
Both interest groups seem very well organized, having pleasing-looking and easily navigable websites with well thought-out statements. While both have successes in passing bills and laws, the Sierra Club certainly seems more powerful, and definitely more popular-- The Sierra Club’s twitter has well over twice ConservAmerica’s. ConservAmerica, following their name, targets conservatives, while the Sierra Club appears to target Democrats. ConservAmerica is supported by Nan Hayworth, a voting member of the House of Representatives, and Jimmy Glotfletly, the Executive Vice President of Clean Line Energy, to name a few supporters. The Sierra Club as a whole-- not just the California branch-- is supported by Fontana Sports, Epic Systems, and REI.
PAC
Name: Koch Industries, Inc. Political Action Committee (KOCHPAC).
Position: KOCHPAC represents Koch Industries, a petroleum refining and distributing company. As such, they endorse political candidates-- mostly Republicans-- who want to keep the oil industry alive and thriving.
Money: Their total receipt is $3,767,334. They have spent $3,754,267 of that, and currently have $1,602,378 on hand.
Budget: 98% of their money is spent on Republican candidates, and 2% on Democrats.
Donors: Some of KOCHPAC’s donations come from individuals who work at John Zink Company LLC, Georgia Pacific LLC, and Flint Hills Resources, LC, all of which are large manufacturing companies. Interestingly, John Zink and Flint Hills are both manufacturing-based companies who mention trying to be environmentally friendly. This means that, despite being an oil refining company, there are still individuals who remain somewhat environmentally conscious while donating to them. Many of the donors, additionally, are from the original Koch Industries, indicating that a large portion of the PAC’s success is strongly correlated to the success and motivation of those who work at Koch Industries.
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yesterdaysdreams · 4 years ago
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Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.
As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.
Conserving water and land
California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.
Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.
At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.
Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.
In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.
Climate-friendly power
Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.
Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.
These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.
We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.
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Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND
Benefits to the land
Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.
California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.
Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.
Clearing the air
By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.
Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.
Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.
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Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND
Bringing solar canals to California
While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.
Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.
It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.
California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.
About the Authors
Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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f4rmville · 4 years ago
Text
Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.
As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.
Conserving water and land
California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.
Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.
At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.
Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.
In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.
Climate-friendly power
Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.
Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.
These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.
We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.
Tumblr media
Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND
Benefits to the land
Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.
California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.
Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.
Clearing the air
By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.
Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.
Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.
Tumblr media
Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND
Bringing solar canals to California
While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.
Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.
It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.
California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.
About the Authors
Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
from https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz
0 notes
legacyexpress · 3 months ago
Text
Sacramento Solar Company: Leading the Way Among Sacramento Solar Companies
As the demand for renewable energy solutions grows, Sacramento is emerging as a key player in the solar industry. Central to this transformation is the Sacramento Solar Company, which has become a prominent name among Sacramento solar companies. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, Sacramento Solar Company is setting new standards in solar energy and making a significant impact on how residents and businesses power their lives.
Why Sacramento Solar Company is a Top Choice
When searching for Sacramento solar companies, Sacramento Solar Company consistently stands out due to its comprehensive and customer-focused approach. The company specializes in providing tailored solar solutions that address the unique energy needs of each client. Whether you're looking to install solar panels on a residential property or seeking commercial solar solutions, Sacramento Solar Company offers customized systems designed to optimize energy efficiency and savings.
The expertise of Sacramento Solar Company extends beyond mere installation. The company partners with leading solar product manufacturers to ensure that every component used in their systems meets high standards of quality and durability. This commitment to excellence translates into long-term reliability and performance, offering clients peace of mind and substantial energy cost savings over time.
Benefits of Choosing Solar Energy with Sacramento Solar Company
Sacramento’s sunny climate is a significant advantage for solar energy, and Sacramento Solar Company takes full advantage of this natural resource. With an average of over 270 sunny days per year, the region is ideally suited for solar power generation. By investing in solar panels through Sacramento Solar Company, homeowners and businesses can dramatically reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources, leading to lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
In addition to financial benefits, choosing solar energy with Sacramento Solar Company supports the broader goal of environmental sustainability. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use of clean energy, the company helps Sacramento move towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Exceptional Customer Service and Support
A standout feature of Sacramento Solar Company is its exceptional customer service. From the initial consultation to the completion of the installation, their team provides a smooth and transparent process. Their knowledgeable staff is always ready to answer questions, provide expert advice, and ensure that each solar system operates efficiently. This dedication to customer satisfaction has earned Sacramento Solar Company a strong reputation amongSacramento solar companies.
Conclusion
As the solar industry continues to expand, Sacramento Solar Company remains a leading force among Sacramento solar companies. Their expertise, high-quality products, and customer-centric approach make them an ideal choice for anyone looking to embrace solar energy. By choosing Sacramento Solar Company, you’re investing in a reliable and sustainable energy solution that benefits both your wallet and the environment.
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panelpros · 3 years ago
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Are you looking for Professional Solar Panel Cleaning Company in Roseville? Panel Pros offers the Best Solar Panel Cleaning Services in Sacramento and Roseville. They also provide solar panel inspection, and solar panel Cleaning Cost in Roseville is very affordable. Visit the Website now.
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clearefficiency · 2 years ago
Text
How Does Using a Solar Save Me Money?
Everyone wants to save money. And what better way than going solar? Unlike gas, solar doesn’t have fluctuating prices; it’s environmentally friendly and can make you money.
With solar panels on your roof, you’ll be able to reduce your energy bills by about 50% and pay in just seven years! Plus, because of advances in solar power technology, it’s now easy to go off the grid.
Why Use Solar Panels?
Reduce dependence on grid energy: You’ll be able to rely less on your local utility to keep the lights on (or warm in winter).
You are no longer waiting for wires to connect in the cold or planning when to turn off appliances for peak timesaving.
Increase the value of your home: The power generated by solar panels will increase your home’s value, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Save money: You can save between 50-75% on your energy bills year-round and pay for your solar panels in seven years. Regardless of where you live in the country, whether it’s cold or hot, sunny or cloudy, you’ll be able to save money with solar panels.
Reduce pollution: Solar power is clean, efficient, and renewable. It’s good for your environment, daily operations, and bank account.
Save on your taxes: Solar users receive a 30% reduction in taxation from the US government.
Go off-grid: Going off the grid is no longer a pipe dream. Using solar power to run your home is convenient and practical.
Be part of a cleaner energy future: Use clean, accessible, and renewable power with confidence, knowing that you’re helping other people and saving money simultaneously.
It’s a no-brainer. Solar panels check all the boxes; they are reliable, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient.
So why wait any longer?
Get Reliable Solar Services in Sacramento and the Surrounding 45-Mile Radius.
Clear Efficiency is a full-service solar panel installation company that’s been in business for over five years.
We love what we do, and our job is to help you with your solar needs, give you the best value for your dollar, and make it as easy as possible for you to go solar.
We also provide insulation, window, and door services.
Call us at 916-438-2532 for a free estimate for your solar needs.
The post How Does Using a Solar Save Me Money? first appeared on Clear Efficiency. Originally published here: https://www.clearefficiency.com/how-does-using-a-solar-save-me-money/
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the-breakfast-chub · 4 years ago
Text
Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.
As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.
Conserving water and land
California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.
Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.
At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.
Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.
In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.
Climate-friendly power
Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.
Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.
These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.
We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.
Tumblr media
Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND
Benefits to the land
Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.
California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.
Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.
Clearing the air
By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.
Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.
Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.
Tumblr media
Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND
Bringing solar canals to California
While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.
Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.
It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.
California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.
About the Authors
Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
from https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz
0 notes
solarliving · 4 years ago
Text
Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.
As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.
Conserving water and land
California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.
Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.
At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.
Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.
In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.
Climate-friendly power
Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.
Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.
These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.
We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.
Tumblr media
Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND
Benefits to the land
Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.
California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.
Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.
Clearing the air
By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.
Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.
Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.
Tumblr media
Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND
Bringing solar canals to California
While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.
Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.
It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.
California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.
About the Authors
Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
from Renewable Energy World https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz via Solar Energy Marketing Blog
0 notes
brewedsunlight · 4 years ago
Text
Installing solar panels over California’s canals could yield water, land, air and climate payoffs
By Roger Bales, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, University of California, Santa Cruz
Climate change and water scarcity are front and center in the western U.S. The region’s climate is warming, a severe multi-year drought is underway and groundwater supplies are being overpumped in many locations.
Western states are pursuing many strategies to adapt to these stresses and prepare for the future. These include measures to promote renewable energy development, conserve water, and manage natural and working lands more sustainably.
As engineers working on climate-smart solutions, we’ve found an easy win-win for both water and climate in California with what we call the “solar canal solution.” About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million Californians and 5.7 million acres of farmland across the state. Covering these canals with solar panels would reduce evaporation of precious water – one of California’s most critical resources – and help meet the state’s renewable energy goals, while also saving money.
Conserving water and land
California is prone to drought, and water is a constant concern. Now, the changing climate is bringing hotter, drier weather.
Severe droughts over the past 10 to 30 years dried up wells, caused officials to implement water restrictions and fueled massive wildfires. As of mid-April 2021, the entire state was officially experiencing drought conditions.
At the same time, California has ambitious conservation goals. The state has a mandate to reduce groundwater pumping while maintaining reliable supplies to farms, cities, wildlife and ecosystems. As part of a broad climate change initiative, in October 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Natural Resources Agency to spearhead efforts to conserve 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030.
Most of California’s rain and snow falls north of Sacramento during the winter, while 80% of its water use occurs in Southern California, mostly in summer. That’s why canals snake across the state – it’s the largest such system in the world. We estimate that about 1%-2% of the water they carry is lost to evaporation under the hot California sun.
In a recent study, we showed that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation. That’s enough to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or meet the residential water needs of more than 2 million people. By concentrating solar installations on land that is already being used, instead of building them on undeveloped land, this approach would help California meet its sustainable management goals for both water and land resources.
Climate-friendly power
Shading California’s canals with solar panels would generate substantial amounts of electricity. Our estimates show that it could provide some 13 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity, which is about half of the new sources the state needs to add to meet its clean electricity goals: 60% from carbon-free sources by 2030 and 100% renewable by 2045.
Installing solar panels over the canals makes both systems more efficient. The solar panels would reduce evaporation from the canals, especially during hot California summers. And because water heats up more slowly than land, the canal water flowing beneath the panels could cool them by 10 degrees F, boosting production of electricity by up to 3%.
These panels could also generate electricity locally in many parts of California, lowering both transmission losses and costs for consumers. Combining solar power with battery storage can help build microgrids in rural areas and underserved communities, making the power system more efficient and resilient. This would mitigate the risk of power losses due to extreme weather, human error and wildfires.
We estimate that the cost to span canals with solar panels is higher than building ground-mounted systems. But when we added in some of the co-benefits, such as avoided land costs, water savings, aquatic weed mitigation and enhanced PV efficiency, we found that solar canals were a better investment and provided electricity that cost less over the life of the solar installations.
Tumblr media
Solar panels installed over canals increase the efficiency of both systems. Brandi McKuin, CC BY-ND
Benefits to the land
Solar canals are about much more than just generating renewable energy and saving water. Building these long, thin solar arrays could prevent more than 80,000 acres of farmland or natural habitat from being converted for solar farms.
California grows food for an ever-increasing global population and produces more than 50% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables that U.S. consumers eat. However, up to 50% of new renewable energy capacity to meet decarbonization goals could be sited in agricultural areas, including large swaths of prime farmland.
Solar canal installations will also protect wildlife, ecosystems and culturally important land. Large-scale solar developments can result in habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, which can harm threatened species such as the Mojave Desert tortoise.
They also can harm desert scrub plant communities, including plants that are culturally important to indigenous tribes. As an example, construction of the Genesis Solar Energy Center in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts in 2012-2014 destroyed trails and burial sites and damaged important cultural artifacts, spurring protracted legal conflict.
Clearing the air
By generating clean electricity, solar canals can improve air quality – a serious problem in central California, which has some of the dirtiest air in the U.S. Solar electricity could help retire particulate-spewing diesel engines that pump water through California’s agricultural valleys. It also could help charge growing numbers of electric light- and heavy-duty vehicles that move people and goods around the state.
Yet another benefit would be curbing aquatic weeds that choke canals. In India, where developers have been building solar canals since 2014, shade from the panels limits growth of weeds that block drains and restrict water flow.
Fighting these weeds with herbicide and mechanical equipment is expensive, and herbicides threaten human health and the environment. For large, 100-foot-wide canals in California, we estimate that shading canals would save about US$40,000 per mile. Statewide, savings could reach $69 million per year.
Tumblr media
Artist rendering of a solar canal system for California. Solar Aquagrid LLC, CC BY-ND
Bringing solar canals to California
While India has built solar arrays over canals and the U.S. is developing floating solar projects, California lacks prototypes to study locally.
Discussions are underway for both large and small demonstration projects in the Central Valley and Southern California. Building prototypes would help operators, developers and regulators refine designs, assess environmental impacts, measure project costs and benefits, and evaluate how these systems perform. With more data, planners can map out strategies for extending solar canals statewide, and potentially across the West.
It will take a dozen or more partners to plan, fund and carry out a solar canal project in California. Public-private partnerships will likely include federal, state and local government agencies, project developers and university researchers.
California’s aging power infrastructure has contributed to catastrophic wildfires and multi-day outages. Building smart solar developments on canals and other disturbed land can make power and water infrastructure more resilient while saving water, reducing costs and helping to fight climate change. We believe it’s a model that should be considered across the country – and the planet.
About the Authors
Roger Bales is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced. Brandi McKuin is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
from Renewable Energy World https://ift.tt/3aYwjuz
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traviszkdp752-blog · 5 years ago
Text
Distinctions Between Galvalume As Well As Galvanized In Metal RoofingEnglert, Inc
Corrugated metal roofing systems are normally priced likewise to asphalt shingles, yet they can be anticipated to last regarding twice as long. No Rusting/Corroding-- One of the most significant selling points of an aluminum roof is the truth that it doesn't have red rust as well as rust is typically very little as it ages.
How long does a metal roof last?
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It will cost around $9 to $12 per sq. foot installed for a standing Helpful resources seam metal roof. For example, if you have 1,500 square feet, the average cost of installation is $8 per square foot - it will cost you $12,000 to install the metal roof. There are low-end shingles that can be installed on top of the old roof.
Preventing Metal Roofing Issues.
Sealant or butyl tape between the two pieces of steel can damage the capillary draw however otherwise Click for more info utilized appropriately can actually make leaks worse than if none had actually been utilized whatsoever. Go with light weight aluminum rather than steel if you want rust-free durability.
Can you put steel roofing over asphalt?
They need to be removed, plus the deck requires to be examined prior to a metal roofing is put on. Upkeep is really a non-issue with metal roofing systems, as far as the shade is worried.
Types of Steel Roof Products - Cons & pros.
As a building materials item provider, Sheffield Metals is devoted to staying in conformity with COVID-19 suggestions.
A real standing seam system makes use of the hidden fastener technique of setup, indicating the fasteners and also clips are hidden underneath the surface area as well as not noticeable to the naked eye.
In fact, a premium Kynar 500 white steel roofing is Energy Star rated and also identified as a Cool Roof covering by the Cool Roof covering score council.
Lightweight Strength-- Light weight aluminum sheet steel is really lightweight and also simple for a contractor to create as well as mount.
Checking in the area suggests that Galvalume roof can last as long as 60 years with no extreme signs of corrosion.
If it passes the standard, roofing category is figured out by the UL test standard 2218; roof material is thought about to have effect resistance. Roof covering products are rated from one to four, with 4 being the very best or greatest rating. It could amaze you that the case metal roofs are much more noisier than asphalt tiles is made by mistaken individuals that do not understand much about steel roofs. In fact, lots of make their reductions concerning metal roof coverings based on the basic reality that the roof is constructed out of metal. Opportunities are they visualize the fabulous barn or ranch roof that makes a terrific noise in hefty rain and hailstorms.
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We service the roofing and house renovation demands of the Sacramento area. Joints where 2 items of steel roofing over lap each various other commonly leak because of a condition called capillary draw. When water can actually travel up hill between 2 securely joined items of metal, Vein Attract is.
To attain one of the most energy effectiveness and to make your residence greener, you can likewise take into consideration installing photovoltaic solar panels in addition to your standing seam metal roofing. PV Photovoltaic panel can be easily incorporated with standing joint steel roofs, without jeopardizing your roofing's beautiful appearances or architectural stability. Stainless steel, Galvalume, titanium, aluminum, copper, zinc, and also other exotic metals have a natural unique color that sets them apart, and also can create a special and lovely seek your residence.
If a great deal of birds determine to poop on your roofing system eventually, you can clean with a yard hose pipe the next day if you like. I most definitely wish to opt for a light shade roofing, perhaps also white. I do not desire Find more info anything creamy gold yet considering a light-medium grey.
Sealers under trims such as metal ridge caps and also Z flashings, around roof changes, counter flashings, reglets, as well as pitch pans will certainly all need to be "topped off" once in a while as they use. Other types silicone caulkings might not adhere to the paint on the roofing panel and trims. Metal roof undergoes a day-to-day expansion - tightening cycle and also if any kind of sealants are to last they must have the ability to continue to be flexible and also stretch with steel without breaking their seal. Roofing screws are accountable for the majority of leaks on steel roofs.
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magzoso-tech · 5 years ago
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New Post has been published on https://magzoso.com/tech/how-to-harness-solar-energy-for-good-and-profit/
How to Harness Solar Energy for Good and Profit
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Your business can be successful and sustainable without installing a single panel.
December 18, 2019 6 min read
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When you consider the benefits inherent to using solar power — monetary savings, environmental sustainability and a better reputation — it’s really no surprise that massive corporations like Amazon and Target have gone all in on installing solar panels. But while business leaders across the board say solar energy is top of mind, many companies don’t think it’s feasible to install panels for many reasons, including affordability, lack of control over a commercial property or limited roof access. A 2015 NREL and DOE report projected that nearly 50 percent of consumers and businesses were unable to host their own photovoltaic systems, the fancy term for how power is generated from the sun. But thanks to a new development, companies are no longer limited to using clean energy they host themselves and can make use of solar energy without installing a single panel. 
This advancement is known as community solar. It’s essentially a solar power plant whose electricity is shared by multiple households, companies or institutions. Sometimes called a solar garden or a shared renewable-energy plant, community solar offers the benefits of renewable energy to businesses of all sizes, regardless of roof access. You no longer need to be a Target or Amazon to make use of this energy source; being a more sustainable, profitable and reputable company is well within your reach, and we’ve broken down how below.
Related: Job Opportunities in Solar
Setting the Stage for Community Solar
At its essence, community solar systems are large batches of solar panels located on public or jointly owned private property. Sometimes, you purchase individual solar panels that are then installed for your own use; in other cases, you simply buy a set amount of energy production every month. In these instances, the solar panels are shared by many community subscribers who receive credit on their electricity bills for their share of the power that’s produced. While community systems are simple in concept, there are actually several models with different rules and offerings to cater to all kinds of businesses. Here are some of the most common ones:
Utility-Sponsored Model: Under the utility-sponsored model, utility companies give consumers the option to purchase renewable energy from a shared facility. The utility company owns the energy and sells or leases shares to consumers who then purchase an amount of electricity at a fixed rate for a contracted period. Since the periods can be months or years long, the model offers protection from rising rates for grid electricity as it becomes more popular. This option is usually best for small and local businesses because subscription is typically limited to a specific distribution area. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): SolarShares Program is a good example. 
On-Bill Crediting Model:Residents and businesses can invest in portions of a local solar facility and receive credit on their electricity bills for the power they produce. Credits may be in the form of kilowatt-hour offsets or monetary credits on the bill. The rate of energy fluctuates by location according to various states’s laws and regulations. Large-scale companies that have more available capital may find this option attractive. Colorado’s Clean Bill Energy LLC is one example.
Special Purpose Entity (SPE) Model:The SPE model allows individual consumers or companies to enter into a business project to develop a community solar facility. Under this model, participants design, construct and own the community solar facility and then work with a utility company to allocate benefits to its subscribers. Two examples include the Clean Energy Collective and University Park Solar.  
Nonprofit “Buy a Brick” Model:Led by a charitable nonprofit, this model allows donors to contribute money to a shared renewable-energy installation for companies to use in underserved communities. Grid Alternatives is one example.
Solar Shines a Light on the Gold for Businesses
Picking the right solar model could mean reducing the cost of your energy bills between 30-50 percent. In 2017, the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) calculated that the top 10 private companies have garnered massive savings of around $47 million using solar, and if the systems operate for another 20 years, they could save nearly a billion dollars. 
It’s not all about profitability, though. Investing in community solar helps businesses achieve added value through adherence to sustainability goals and, ultimately, community investment. As Nielsen reports, consumers want to work with companies who are sustainable and environmentally responsible, while an additional 90 percent of CEOs say that sustainability is a differentiating factor in their company’s success. It’s one reason why major companies like Walmart have developed sustainability strategies and goals, including solar energy. The notion that all companies should aggressively promote and communicate their energy and climate strategies by implementing clean-energy solutions like solar has become increasingly popular for consumers and investors alike. 
Research from the Harvard Business Review notes that “good environmental stewardship protects a company’s social license to operate, but also drives sales to customers trying to manage their own climate impacts.” As companies invest in community solar, they become a part of a larger movement for sustainability, environmental protection and even long-term job growth. Using community solar provides opportunities for companies to support low-income communities through cleaner energy initiatives while fostering partnerships with solar energy companies who help promote cleaner infrastructure. 
For example, ConEd’s Brooklyn-Queens Neighborhood Program not only helped reduce utility rates, but also allowed the company to defer a $1.2 billion infrastructure investment, which saved ratepayers money and was therefore reinvested into the community. By investing more into the local economy, companies can build better reputations and support their communities in sustainable ways. 
Related: Surging on Solar for a Brighter Future
Solar Powers the Future of Business
According to the SEIA, there are currently 43 states with at least one functioning community-solar project. Additionally, the organization reports that over the next several years, the United States’s community-solar market will account for up to 3 gigawatts of energy to the grid. To put that into perspective, just a single megawatt of solar energy powers 164 homes, so 3 gigawatts has the ability to power nearly half a million homes. The 2017 Solar Means Business Report shows that across the United States, 2.5 gigawatts of solar capacity now powers more than 4,000 companies, showing its potential to successfully power businesses across the nation.
Despite President Trump’s solar tariffs, U.S. solar power is booming, and the future of solar as a corporate power supply seems inevitable. As the world reaches a global climate crisis, community solar finally offers a way for businesses without rooftop access to take meaningful steps toward a stronger reputation, a more profitable bottom line and a more sustainable future.
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