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2021 - The Year of the Tesla! PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Administrator   
Wednesday, 12 January 2022 10:25

A Tesla Model 3 Long Range was purchased in the first week of June 2021.
I took Amtrak to Newark, NJ., then an Uber to Paramus, NJ where the car
was ready to drive. Why NJ? If I picked it up in MA, which is the closest
delivery center, I would have had to pay two state sales taxes - one for
MA and then one in ME. NJ does not put a sales tax on cars that are
being registered out-of-state.

It now resides in our garage. 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 January 2022 10:41
 
2015 Report from Maine PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 02 January 2016 16:43

pv2015decAnd so 2015 comes to an end. What type of year has it been for power generation? We generated 4.443 MegaWatt/Hours of electricity from our 4,200 watt solar array - a record! The fall, which was abnormally warm and clear, put us over the top.

Winter has been fairly benign through January. The 'Monster' storm seen to our south headed out to sea and we were left with sunny skies and lows in the single digits at night and the mid-20s during the day for much of the month. Here's what our home looks like from our drone at 75' altitude.

A buddy and I are now in the aerial photography business - Maine HDTV. We have our FAA-required 333 exemption; I updated my 1996 pilot's license; got current in Single Engine Land by flying with a Certified Flight Instructor at our nearby municipal airport; and received my 3rd class aviation medical certificate. A somewhat time-consuming undertaking but required by FAA regulations in order to conduct commercial aerial photography in the National Airspace System. You can check out our video on Facebook.

Climate change is a real concern along the coast of Maine as the marine ecosystem is under stress. One of Maine's largest industries is fishing - primarily lobstering. According to an excellent series in the Portland Press Herald, marine organisms are retreating further eastward as the Gulf of Maine continues to warm. I recommend that you read this excellent series. While record catches are still the norm, local lobstermen testify that the tastey critters are moving into deeper water and further east along the coast - to find cooler water. Connecticut and Rhode Island have lost the majority of the lobster crop due to warmer ocean temperatures. This does not bode well for the future.

Solar living continues to offer comfort and savings. It's a blessing that our architect, Steven Strong, designed such a magnificent structure for us to enjoy, now and into the distance future.


Last Updated on Friday, 01 April 2016 18:59
 
Latest Energy News PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Administrator   
Wednesday, 15 August 2012 15:07

The accompanying 'widget' is being tested for reliability, accuracy and fairness. If it passes muster, I'll try to move it to one of the panels on my home page (if it fits).

Our energy choices are becoming more critical. My view is that to exclude one form over another in the short term is likely to increase energy prices and thus significantly affect world-wide living costs. While the industrialized world may be able to absorb those costs, the third world can not. One only needs to look at the unintended consequences of Ethanol (40% of US corn production is mandated to be refined into that fuel additive).

Keeping our eye on increasing the widespread use of renewable energy is a worthy and moral cause, but a single leap forward is not possible. Yes, push forward on alternatives but let's not 'cut off our nose to spite our face.' Fossil fuels still fuel our civilization.

Oil

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 August 2012 14:15
 
Our Solar Open House was a Success! PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 02 October 2010 17:57

The National Tour of Solar Homes was held on Saturday, October 2nd. It was a classic fall sunny day here in Maine - 65 degrees and our house was harvesting the sun at a record pace. The PV array generated 22 kWhrs of electricity and our solar thermal panels harvested 40,000 BTUs of heat energy.

Lots of good folks visited us. They either knew about solar, are using it, are about to build a new home or are just beginning to ask questions. The following video represents the comments of those who came to see and learn - they left impressed.

Thanks to those who made this open house such a rewarding experience - our visitors and NESEA, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, which pointed interested folks in our direction.

Last Updated on Saturday, 02 April 2011 05:28