tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30791649945507396812024-02-21T00:28:35.613-08:00Ask Doug The Electrician!Do you have an electrical question? Renewable energy question? Ask Doug The Electrician! I bet I'll have an accurate answer for you! Ever wonder about how electricity gets to your home, and where it goes from there? Comments and conversation are always welcome. Welcome!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-48677164321468935892013-02-25T21:12:00.000-08:002013-02-25T21:14:40.608-08:00Douglas Doherty Electric & Solar Class A.1Wlecome back to Douglas Doherty Electric & Solar!
I am not sure if i have posted this information recently, but I figured it would benefit those of you who may be new or for those of you who have a short memory. Just kidding...
If you have any questions after reading this please feel free to email me with them! Enjoy.
Electricity generated by solar panels is referred to as PHOTOVOLTAIC energy. Its a long word and a bit tough to pronounce, so you will see it generally referred to as PV. Its kind of pronounced FOTO- VOLT- AEIC.
Q. What is a PV system?
A. PV technology produces electricity directly from electrons released by the interaction of sunlight with a solar panel made of a semiconductor material. Electrons or Power provided is now direct current (DC) electricity. The basic building block for a PV panel is known as a cell. Many cells put together are known as a module, and many modules assembled together form an array. A PV system will consist of an array of modules generating DC electricity, an inverter to change DC power into AC power, and sometimes battery storage back up with charge controller.
Q. What is an Inverter?
A. There are two kinds of electricity (power), DC and AC. Homes that are connected to utility power use AC electricity. Flashlights, small radios and automobiles use DC electricity. In order for you to be able to use solar to operate the appliances in your home, an inverter will convert PV power from DC to AC. Inverters can be further classified as units that use batteries (UPS) and those that use the utility grid as power storage (Grid-tied). Inverters are now required to possess meters that will indicate their performance and some manufacturer's supply remote display units that can be mounted inside the home. It is important to check on your inverter regularly to become acquainted with its operation and performance.
Q. How much electricity will a system produce?
A. The amount of power produced will depend upon how large the system is. In California the average residential customer purchases 6,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. There is enough sunshine falling upon on the average home to produce this and a system can be designed to offset all electrical needs. The cost to accomplish a 100% system may be prohibitive and sometimes it makes more sense to simply reduce or 'shave' your consumption. Some utilities use tiered rates when they charge for consumption which means that the more energy you use the higher is the cost per kilo-watt-hour. The most economically feasible size is usually between 50% and 75% of your annual household needs.
Q. What about blackouts?
A. A solar system using batteries for storage can "ride-out" utility blackouts. Batteries add significantly to the expense of a system while providing no payback, need weekly maintenance, are hazardous and will need replacing every five to ten years. For this reason most city dwellers are opting for a "grid-tie" system.
Q. What is a "grid-tie" PV system?
A. Today in California you may connect your solar system directly into the wires of your utility. Since the "Net Metering Law" allows you to do this you will actually be spinning your meter backwards when your system is generating more power than you are consuming. When you generate excess electricity (more power than you are using) it will enter the grid and be used by your neighbors. Your meter will tally the excess and give credit your account. After a year the excess credits are eliminated and you balance is adjusted back to zero again. In effect, if there are any unused energy credits at the end of the year, the utility received this solar power for free.
Q. What is Net Metering?
A. Because of the Net Energy Metering (NEM) law, Californians are allowed to "sell" clean solar generated electricity to the utility at the same price at which it was purchased. This is fundamental to the economics of generating your own power and has been instrumental in the development of Distributed Generation (DG) of power. Without Net Metering, the utility would, as it has in the past, sell energy to you at retail but buy any energy from you at wholesale pricing. This is a huge benefit to anybody owning the property now and in the future as there are only a limited of Net Metered systems being allowed in any utility's territory. The current statewide cap of 2.5% of any utility's customer base is will soon be reached and NEM systems will no longer be available. The comparison to the HOV yellow stickers awarded to buyers of qualified hybrid vehicles would apply here. Only 60,000 of these stickers were issued and cars with the privileges of the "fast lane" commute are worth more than even newer versions without the stickers.
Q. Just how big is a typical system?
A. Typical residential Solar PV systems range in size from fifty to six hundred square feet. A system composed of the very highest efficiency monocrystalline cells will produce 1kW per hour for every 60 square feet. Less efficient polycrystalline cells will require 90 to 130 square feet while thin-film systems need the largest area of all - sometimes as much as 300 square feet to generate 1 kilowatt.
Q. What is the California Energy Commission (CSI) Rebate Program
A. The State of California will assist you to buy a solar electric system. The California Public Utilities Commission will pay you a lump sum rebate up front or monthly for five years based upon the actual performance of the system. The amount of the lump sum rebate is calculated by using an online tool (http://www.csi-epbb.com/) created to take into account module and inverter efficiencies, tilt and orientation, shading and local weather to produce an Expected Performance Based Buy-down (EPBB). The rebate was administered by the California Energy Commission (it was called the Emerging Renewable Program or ERP) but the program was extended and altered on January 1, 2007 (it is now called the California Solar Initiative or CSI). In prior years the rebate had been as high as $4.50 a watt but was summarily reduced to $2.50 in 2007. As of June '09, the rebate level for Edison customers has dropped down to a maximum $1.90 per watt. The rebate paid is now reduced by the degree of shade measured on the panel's surface, the tilt and orientation as well as the inverter efficiency. On July 1, 2009, the rebate was again reduced by using newer performance ratings for solar panels that were mostly lower than in the past. Many other factors are involved in this complex calculation as well.
Q. How can I get information on the State's Rebate program?
A. You must be serviced by SCE, PG&E or SDG&E utilities to qualify for the state rebate. You may apply for the program yourself by going to their website, http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov . We can also provide the forms and do the necessary paperwork to make your reservation.
Q. Is there a program for residents of the City of Los Angeles?
A. The LADWP has a similar program for its customers. Information on this very successful program can be found on the web at http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp004171.jsp . We can prepare all of the forms and make the necessary submittals. LADWP is funding systems with a rebate starting at about $4.18 per watt as a lump sum payment and uses an online calculator ( http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/codes_algs/PVWATTS/) to assess its value using performance related variables (tilt, shading etc.) Glendale, Burbank, Riverside and Anaheim have their own solar programs each with varying rules and strategies.
Q. How much does a PV system cost?
A. As systems get larger, the cost per watt is lower. A two (2) kilowatt system may cost between $16,000 and $20,000 ($8.00 to $10.00 per watt), while a five (5) kilowatt system may be installed for as little as $35,000 ($ 7.00/watt). All of these prices are figured before the rebates or tax credits. The final cost may be as low as $2.50 per watt (or $12,500 for a 5 kW system) depending upon which incentives your utility may offer.
Q. Are there tax credits or any other incentives to go solar?
A. There is currently a federal tax credit of 30% for any qualifying residential or commercial solar system. This tax credit is slated to expire at the end of 2016. The Federal (MACRS) and State accelerated depreciation deductions can also significantly reduce the final cost of a system used for commercial applications.
Q. Will my property taxes go up if I install a solar energy system?
A. In California the value of your property may not be re-appraised by the County Assessor's Office for solar related property improvements, at this time.
Q. Are there any other incentives or programs available to help me afford a solar energy system?
A. It depends upon where you live. Some municipally owned utilities have established their own programs and some credit unions and banks have special loan rates. For a comprehensive list of incentives, rules and regulations affecting solar energy go to http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm?EE=0&RE=1.
Q. Why is there such a variation in prices?
A. Although any solar component that qualifies for the CEC rebate must meet certain minimum criteria, there are wide variations in the way PV modules are made and assembled. Some of the modules recently entering the American market are made in Asia and are less expensive than European or US brands. Also, the cost of installation varies upon whether or not you hire a contractor that uses employees or temporary labor and subcontracts the installation. If you use a firm with an established reputation, one that has employees, carries workman's compensation and liability insurance, you may pay a little more for "peace of mind." Frequently, a firm that has just recently entered the solar arena may offer discounts to gain market share or experience. The California Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Commission do not check the history or background of its participant "contractors" before listing them. As long as its state license is valid a company will be "approved." Although the solar equipment listed on its website is "approved," the CEC & the PUC in no way endorses any of the vendors on its list. The old rule, "Caveat Emptor," definitely applies when you select your installer and equipment.
Q. How much do I save?
A. The savings will depend on the size of your solar system and the amount of electricity you would normally have consumed. A 2kW PV system which is replacing electricity at 30 cents a kWh might save $1,125.00 per year (CEC Consumer Handbooks "Buying a Photovoltaic Solar Electric System," p.7 or "A Guide to Photovoltaic System Design", p. 8 and 9). Rates in California are increasing dramatically - so savings will also increase proportionally. The highest tier in Edison territory has reached 32 cents, not including state and local taxes.
Q. How long does it take for a PV system to pay for itself?
A. It is more instructive to think of solar as an investment that yields an annual return, much as a bank savings account provides interest. A solar PV system may generate savings that would equal an annual Return on Investment (ROI) of 7% to 15% per year at today's electric rates. These savings is not taxed as would be the interest earned from a bank savings account. Thus you would have to find a bank account or investment yielding 14% to 28% to equal the return on a solar electric system. No matter what ROI your system would generate, this is ultimately a choice about how you will be buying your power - not whether or not you will be paying for it!
There are PG& E rebates for : Cooling & Heating Equipment
Lighting
Seasonal
Appliances
Remodeling
Appliance Recycling
Tax credits are available up to 30 percent of the cost of the project (up to a maximum of $1,500 in 2009 and 2010 for existing homes*+) for:
Insulation, duct sealing and infiltration reduction
Energy-efficient windows and skylights
High efficiency central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps
High efficiency gas furnaces and boilers
High efficiency water heaters
To encourage customers to buy energy efficient products, ENERGY STAR partners occasionally sponsor special offers, such as sales tax exemptions or credits, or rebates on qualified products. Partners also occasionally sponsor recycling incentives for the proper disposal of old products. The search below is provided as a service to consumers to find such special offers or rebates where they exist, based on information that partners submit to ENERGY STAR.
Sponsor Special Offer/Rebate Products Dates
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
1-800-933-9555
Rebate - Mail-in Room Air Conditioners 01/01/2006 - 09/30/2009
Pacific Gas and Electric is offering a $50 for ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners. Go to the Web site for more information.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Rebate - Instant CFL Bulbs 01/01/2006 - 09/30/2009
To buy CFL bulbs at discounted prices, contact or visit your local lighting retailer to see if the discounted bulbs are available. Once at the store, look for products with PG&E orange stickers - these products have already been discounted in the purchase price so you receive the rebate automatically. No paperwork or application is needed.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
1-800-933-9555
Rebate - Mail-in Dishwashers 01/01/2007 - 09/30/2009
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is offering a $30 rebate for ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers with an Energy Factor of 0.65 to 0.67; and a $50 rebate for models with an Energy Factor of 0.68 or higher. Go to the Web site for more information, including a list of qualified models.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Rebate - Instant Light Fixtures 01/01/2008 - 09/30/2009
Instant incentive of $5 - $10 per interior or exterior fixture
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
800-299-7573
Rebate - Mail-in, Recycling Refrigerators & Freezers Ongoing
Pacific Gas & Electric, in conjunction with JACO Environmental, is offering a $35 to recycle old refrigerators and freezers. Visit the PG&E Web site or contact JACO at 800-299-7573 for more information.
GE Consumer & Industrial
Rebate - Mail-in Dishwashers, Refrigerators & Freezers 07/06/2009 - 09/27/2009
Purchase 2 or more eligible ENERGY STAR qualified GE Profile and/or GE Cafe appliances and receive a Visa prepaid card valued from $100 to $500 based on the number of products purchased. Purchases from Best Buy are not eligible for this promotion. For more details, please see www.geappliances.com/promos
Dacor (Distinctive Appliance Corp.)
Dollar Incentive: Other Refrigerators & Freezers 05/01/2009 - 12/31/2009
The Dacor Get It While It's Hot free product event offers consumers who purchase a qualifying Dacor package the opportunity to receive a free eligible reward appliance. This is a possible savings of up to $4,670. Examples of select ENERGY STAR® qualified products include the EPICURE 36" Freestanding Cabinet Depth Refrigerator. For more details, please see http://www.dacor.com/hot.aspx or call 1-800-793-0093 to find the Dacor dealer nearest you.
ASKO Appliances Inc.
Rebate - Mail-in Dishwashers 05/01/2009 - 12/31/2009
Purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified ASKO dishwasher before December 31, 2009 and receive a $100 mail-in rebate. This offer is limited to dishwasher models D5122XXL and D5223XXL purchased from an authorized retailer. Visit www.askousa.com or an authorized retailer for more details.
KitchenAid
Dollar Incentive: Other Dishwashers, Refrigerators & Freezers 07/06/2009 - 10/17/2009
The KitchenAid® brand Sweet Celebration escalating cash back event, starting July 6, 2009 and ending October 17, 2009, offers consumers who purchase select KitchenAid® brand appliances, the opportunity to be eligible to receive up to $500 in rebates by mail via a MasterCard Prepaid Card. Consumers who purchase packages of five select products can receive $500, and those purchasing four select products can receive $300. Consumers purchasing three select products are eligible to receive $200, and those purchasing two select products are eligible to receive a $100 MasterCard Prepaid Card. Examples of select ENERGY STAR® qualified products include the KitchenAid® KFC022French Door Bottom-Mount Refrigerator/Freezer, and the KitchenAid® KUDE70F Superba@ Series Dishwasher.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
800-933-955
Rebate - Mail-in High-Efficiency Gas Storage Ongoing
Pacific Gas & Electric is offering a $30 rebate for natural gas storage water heaters with an Energy Factor of 0.62 or higher. Unit must have storage tank of 30 gallons or more. Go to the Web site for more information.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
800-933-9555
Rebate - Mail-in Clothes Washers 01/01/2009 - 12/31/2009
Pacific Gas & Electric, in conjunction with water utilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, is offering rebates for energy-efficient clothes washers. The utilities are offering a $125 rebate ($35 from PG&E plus $90 from the participating water utility) for units with a Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 2.0 or higher and a Water Factor (WF) of 6.0 or lower; and a $200 rebate ($75 from PG&E plus $125 from the participating water utility) for units with a MEF of 2.2 or higher and a WF of 4.5 or lower. Customers must receive electricity service from PG&E and water service from a participating utility to receive the full rebate amount. Go to the Web site for more information, including a list of participating water utilities.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-17279471719574214062012-01-13T20:43:00.000-08:002012-01-13T20:43:47.405-08:002012 California Solar Energy Did You Know?Hello and welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! 2012 is here and back to work I go. I'm looking forward to installing the new technology and seeing how the systems are improving. I am very interested in the new installation techniques because I've got quite a few tips! After installing so many systems, you find ways to improve everything!
Thanks to recent majore price reductions in solar panels and other materials, more people will now be able to install solar. Whether you connect your solar energy to the grid, off grid, or you want a system for camping or your motorhome, its a great time to just do it. One panel or sixty, its so easy to interconnect you owe it to yourself to investigate. Email me anytime if you have any questions! Hurry....
Here's some more cool Solar Energy Information to think about...
California is the nation's renewable energy leader and with the latest large solar energy project, "the Sentinela solar power plant", should provide 275 MW of power, enough to power around 83,000 Californian homes. Once completed, these two new clean energy projects should provide 379 megawatts of power, enough to power more than 112,000 average American homes. They should also provide more than 500 construction jobs.
Quick and interesting facts related to solar energy.
One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.
One kilowatt-hour (kWh) equals the amount of electricity needed to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours.
A sunny location (like Los Angeles, California, US) receives an average of 5.5 hours of sunlight per day each year.
A cloudy location (like Hamburg, Germany) receives 2.5 hours per day of sunlight each year.
A 1 kilowatt peak solar system generates around 1,600 kilowatt hours per year in a sunny climate and about 750 kilowatt hours per year in a cloudy climate.
A solar energy system can provide electricity 24 hours a day when the solar electric modules are combined with batteries in one integrated energy system.
Solar modules produce electricity even on cloudy days, usually around 10-20% of the amount produced on sunny days.
The typical components of a solar home system include the solar module, an inverter, a battery, a charge controller (sometimes known as a regulator), conduit/circuitry, and support structure.
A typical silicon cell solar module will have a life in excess of 20 years
Monthly average residential consumption of electricity in the US in 2008 was 920 kilowatt hours. (Source: US DOE)
Monthly average residential electricity bill in the US in 2008 was $103.67. (Source: US DOE)
The module cost is around 30-35% of the total installed cost of a solar energy system.
Three key elements in a solar cell form the basis of its manufacturing technology. The first is the semiconductor, which absorbs light and converts it into electron-hole pairs. The second is the semiconductor junction, which separates the photo-generated carriers (electrons and holes), and the third is the contacts on the front and back of the cell that allow the current to flow to the external circuit.
Crystalline wafers are about 200 microns (a micron = one millionth of a meter) thick. In contrast, thin-film panels are made by vacuum depositing several layers of semi-conductor materials only a few microns thick. Silicon in its pure form (99.9999% pure for solar applications) is very expensive and makes up about 50% of the cost of crystalline panels vs. the semiconductor cost of about 2% in thin film panels. However, thin film panels are not as efficient as crystalline panels and therefore more thin film panels are required to generate the same amount of electricity. A thin film installation can take up to 40 percent more space (and land) to achieve the same total power output as a premium crystalline installation.
Thank you for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician! Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_hAAlIRJmeb9zDvVQquG2gulCbmrzT__4_AYFaTQDTsuKdeBoP6EpaEIVIZavAIuiwv9-YRtKYOmI1E0jaGskjUPz-zIJDawrB9VNIxReClyuaH67mb9mUMU1oLHaOfOzP0iADOBd0g/s1600/IMG_1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_hAAlIRJmeb9zDvVQquG2gulCbmrzT__4_AYFaTQDTsuKdeBoP6EpaEIVIZavAIuiwv9-YRtKYOmI1E0jaGskjUPz-zIJDawrB9VNIxReClyuaH67mb9mUMU1oLHaOfOzP0iADOBd0g/s200/IMG_1709.JPG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-85348256028923033692011-11-21T09:09:00.001-08:002011-11-21T09:16:52.957-08:00San Francisco commits to renewable energy!Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! I found this article yesterday and thought it was a big step for San Francisco, and a great opportunity for anyone interested in working in the renewable energy will now have a chance if they want. This should create more jobs for people in the coming future so start learning!
San Francisco government officials recently announced that they want their city to be powered 100% by renewable energy by 2020. This is quite a lofty goal indeed, but the announcement is not shocking for this environmentally conscious city. San Francisco and other Bay Area communities have become more focused on creating more renewable resources as the population grows. Solar energy through solar panels would provide a renewable and reliable source of energy.
The city government will start accepting bids to install solar panels on the city hall and Davies Symphony Hall rooftops. They also have plans to install solar panels on other city-owned buildings as well. But their initiative doesn’t stop with city buildings. Government officials say that city buildings are only the beginning, and that by the year 2020, they would like to see the entire city powered by solar energy.
The new push for solar power adoption is in line with the goals of California State renewable energy initiatives and San Francisco plans to pull their own weight. California is the 12th largest emitter of carbon in the entire world, but widespread use of solar energy in the state would reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses drastically.
Thanks for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician!
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-3139888757883128172011-11-18T20:26:00.000-08:002011-11-18T20:26:46.623-08:001,000,000th kilowatt reached in CaliforniaWelcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! <br />
You know that exciting moment when you watch your car's odometer turn from 99,999 to 100,000 miles? Last month, California's solar industry did something similar: it logged in the 1,000,000th kilowatt, officially hitting a gigawatt of clean, green capacity. California continues to lead the nation with its commitment to solar power.<br />
That was cpoied out of the November California State Incentive newsletter I receive. Extra cool to have been a part of those numbers personally! I hope to learn more and more about the other renewable energies as we proceed into the new year.... Boy this year went fast.<br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-26589037377731413562011-10-24T18:10:00.000-07:002011-10-24T18:10:45.092-07:00Third Technological Evolution?Thank you for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician! Its Monday, October 23,2011<br />
<br />
Ever wonder if your car could just run on electricity, and as long as you could get to an outlet you could go almost anywhere? How about driving and stopping over a specified area on the road and fully charging up your electric car, truck, or public transportation bus? ITS HERE! As a matter of a fact, most of the top car manufacturers already have began creating models for exactly that. Within the next few years you will begin to see more cars, actually, vehicles of all sorts on the roads. You will also see a huge number of charging stations all around your entire city infrastructure..... <br />
How about cell phone integration into your sun or seeing glasses? I myself am interested in the awesome lithium Ion battery technology as well as fuel cell technology. Wow! We are in for such great advances soon. I am very excited and just hope to be around to enjoy and work with them!<br />
Which leads me to think about a current, existing, major PROBLEM! <br />
The current electrical conducting/transportation system that provides electricity to you and your city 24/7 is quite old, and under extreme stress. EXTRA OLD conductors that are justifiably almost compromised, repaired, tapped into, re-installed, and most definitely, EXPANDED BEYOND YOUR BELIEF in the past 20-40 years! <br />
I have tried to take a guess as to how many miles of circuitry myself working for others and Douglas Doherty Electric & Solar has installed! An awesome amount for sure, which I am really proud of. Take that plus add every other electrical and general contractor out there's accumulated approximate totals and it easy to see whats up. <br />
Solar and other renewable energies have also been a huge part of the complete electrical structure. REMEMBER, all grid tied solar and renewable energy systems are ADDED to the existing complete electrical grid! All electrical needs run through those overhead wires, from a source to every single needed outlet, light, or electrical device.....<br />
2012 will be quite a year for energy and how humans control it in a much more compassionate, reasonable and extremely innovative way. It just has to. I really do not to write about the otherwise.....<br />
In conclusion, for today, I leave you with these thoughts of our immediate future, and hope you are SPARKED into coming up with the next revolutionary idea! Do it<br />
<br />
Thank you again for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-47523077070405633412011-10-03T23:10:00.000-07:002011-10-03T23:10:04.473-07:00Hold your drill with two hands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr18ZQM6P0FWEJU7hLVyVp-176V0eHRFPtHhnHn3FDRyygrqPTrI3qZH4SHXUHzXG7ocxElfCyxmE-_5gRysCMlCoM8qVsH9BwJFbQTrJELLrWQ88EC3lYS-nw_2vIc_AIQduVMble2s/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJr18ZQM6P0FWEJU7hLVyVp-176V0eHRFPtHhnHn3FDRyygrqPTrI3qZH4SHXUHzXG7ocxElfCyxmE-_5gRysCMlCoM8qVsH9BwJFbQTrJELLrWQ88EC3lYS-nw_2vIc_AIQduVMble2s/s320/IMG_3967.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! Happy Monday to everyone. So last week I needed to get a few wires through the bottom plate or mud sill of a residence. I began drilling and just didn't quite have the right body positioning so I stopped to reposition. Once I had my body in the right position I began drilling again. Once the motor kicked in it torqued the drill and it twisted in my hands, hitting my eye and cheek bone... Bummer. I had all my force against the drill in a forward position and not so much in the side to side. Man that got me good! I stayed in the same spot and finished drilling through and made sure it was adequate. Once my partner saw my face and the blood he asked if I was OK, I went inside to clean up real quick. A day later I had a sore black eye. <br />
So, my fellow friends who intend on drilling with your own drill motors, please remember to use two hands and don't put your face near the motor... Good advise!<br />
Till next time, thank you for stopping by!<br />
<br />
Doug<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-57505524466434952832011-08-25T14:25:00.000-07:002011-08-25T14:25:16.107-07:00HopeThank you for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician! I have had the unfortunate privilege of having the last two weeks off of work, so I have also been a little worried. This year has been very tough for everyone who I have spoken to, and it seems that most of the contracting business owners that I know have been hit about as hard as myself. I have never been in this position for so long, and hope something changes very soon. <br />
<br />
I will keep on looking out for others, and hopefully something comes in for us too. Have a great weekend all!<br />
Doug<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-60618959956037869522011-06-14T13:58:00.000-07:002011-06-14T13:58:30.320-07:00Great Day Walking In San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEWWThszLoETpYuORU_Q3kb90MaggcQ59Ef60Vnoa_WuiPhf9Zgp-sd4eFWiIdKft2sALmp0T7MgS6dB99GD3Hw_9KlRAod9SqCSmcHb0imdX_lJFLmavQ6ePdy8VEmzTZDo_eXN3sSY/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEWWThszLoETpYuORU_Q3kb90MaggcQ59Ef60Vnoa_WuiPhf9Zgp-sd4eFWiIdKft2sALmp0T7MgS6dB99GD3Hw_9KlRAod9SqCSmcHb0imdX_lJFLmavQ6ePdy8VEmzTZDo_eXN3sSY/s320/IMG_2486.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
I had a great day in San Francisco this past Monday June 13, 2011. The weather was perfect there, I was waiting for a city inspection around 1pm, but I got there a little early. I think I parked in my usual NO PARKING zone about 8:50am, and took off walking. I had an awesome "everything" bagel with cream cheese and showed the employee that they could save about $28 a month if they change out all of their halogen light bulbs. We shook hands and took off walking again while enjoying the extra good bagel. I continued to walk for about another hour or so, down Polk street then back up Broadway. Man, there sure are a lot of people there! Awesome.<br />
This picture was taken on top of a roof that I installed solar energy on just the week prior.<br />
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Thanks for reading Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-81384875862320220322011-06-05T14:44:00.000-07:002011-06-05T14:44:28.379-07:00Energy Conservation Code Upgrades For 2012Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician. I'm really interested in this Residential construction in California is to be at a Zero net energy by 2020, as per the "California Efficiency Strategic Plan" <a href="http://www.californiaenergyefficiency.com/docs/EEStrategicPlan.pdf"></a> <br />
For the meantime however, a current energy upgrade will be required for 2012. Homes and buildings are to achieve energy savings of 30% higher than the 2006 code. This upgrade is the biggest single-step efficiency increase in the history of the National Electrical Code! <br />
Homes and commercial buildings produce half of the United States greenhouse gasses and uses more than 75% of the power generated by power plants.<br />
This code upgrade did not require congressional action, and about 500 state, county and city building and fire code officials from all around the United States voted to upgrade the code.<br />
These changes will affect new construction and retrofits for homes, businesses, schools, churches and commercial buildings. Most of the changes impact heating and cooling loss, windows and skylights, insulation in walls, ceilings and foundations, water heating and distribution systems, and lighting efficiency. <br />
Stocks in green building companies may be something to keep an eye on too!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to ask any questions or post any comments.<br />
<br />
Ask Doug The ElectricianAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-86479490153420281512011-05-28T19:32:00.000-07:002011-05-28T19:32:16.825-07:00Sun, Solar and Free EnergyWelcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
Well since the sun has been peaking out lately, we have been busy advocating solar energy! In the last week, we have installed two small solar energy systems here in California. One was in Livermore and the other was in Milpitas. Kind of a cool thing, both projects were on the same Hayward fault line. No earthquakes though, so the days went without any shaking... <br />
Both projects were using the same solar panels, Canadian Solar 230 watt. We installed Enphase micro inverters under each panel on the roof so the DC power is converted to A/C power immediately! This eliminates generated power loss and the need for one single large inverter is gone. Enphase micro inverters are an excellent choice if your roof experiences some shading during the day. <br />
Two projects in one week was awesome! I hope to help out more and more people save money and begin producing their own electricity.<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk_lV41jXxXf_ZRfVvRqrPi7mAww-MfWq17crUPOkvzJOPxFhbifBQUwFOQ3mtmo8lkhlWm4JFRCcG_GlFQRvFWqiEK34RI4eOsFbl6c0ftu2H4YZ19FXsUqI6HSdUrz64U_ah-U8jjw/s1600/IMG_2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk_lV41jXxXf_ZRfVvRqrPi7mAww-MfWq17crUPOkvzJOPxFhbifBQUwFOQ3mtmo8lkhlWm4JFRCcG_GlFQRvFWqiEK34RI4eOsFbl6c0ftu2H4YZ19FXsUqI6HSdUrz64U_ah-U8jjw/s320/IMG_2301.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPaNQ9vMZLBf1EYI_-cxGJ48UQ25lFvijBoIfgo8HrBI6L-6Jv0EDKjtkDA37Q4J85SuE1P9di7pEamR93Wzv3DEzr_TDYv9z8WdapUUiPt9ECYkW2NkQtaXhiJEXTLAl1xSqNkAws04/s1600/IMG_2294.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPaNQ9vMZLBf1EYI_-cxGJ48UQ25lFvijBoIfgo8HrBI6L-6Jv0EDKjtkDA37Q4J85SuE1P9di7pEamR93Wzv3DEzr_TDYv9z8WdapUUiPt9ECYkW2NkQtaXhiJEXTLAl1xSqNkAws04/s320/IMG_2294.PNG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-6141598669388498052011-04-01T22:43:00.000-07:002011-04-01T22:43:19.685-07:00Same As Cash ProgramHello and happy Friday, April 1, 2011! Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! <br />
What a beautiful day today here in San Jose. Had to wash our truck and trailer so we look presentable tomorrow for our solar install. Yep, working on Saturday. No worries.<br />
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I would like to offer our newest financing option to homeowners called Same As Cash! 12 months no down payment and no interest after a initial ACH payment. <br />
Email or call if you have any questions!<br />
Thank you for reading my blog today!<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-63452264537320781002011-03-30T13:37:00.000-07:002011-03-30T13:37:07.429-07:00Solar Energy Systems Lower PricingWelcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician! Its March 30, 2011 and the Sun is finally out! Its actually in the upper 70's right now. Perfect California weather awaiting thousands of solar panels for electricity generation. Roof mounted systems are very common on both a main residence or a garage or barn, however, ground mounted systems and overhang/awning/carport systems are becoming popular as well. Whether you are going to tie into the utility, or want to have back-up battery supply, or just have a motor home, house boat or tent that needs power, I can help you.<br />
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I just finished up a small solar energy project yesterday in south San Francisco. I scheduled the and passed our city inspection as well, and left the customer with their utility meter spinning backwards! I had a great time installing the entire project and the customer was extra cool. My A/C conduit run was quite tricky, but turned out exactly what the customer wanted and I was satisfied as well. <br />
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I wanted to post this update today to just remind people about pricing for complete solar energy systems as well as single item purchases. I have gathered up a few suppliers of solar energy products around the United States with the absolute best pricing available, including delivery to your project. These suppliers stock the most optimum, latest technologically advanced equipment that produces what they say claim, and have the best warranty's available. I install mostly within the northern California region, including Santa Rosa and Napa down to Monterey. I will absolutely travel throughout California as well, but will charge for travel. Simply put, if you are interested in renewable energy or know someone who is, I would love to help out!<br />
Rebates are going to change drastically at the end of this year and there is no indication of another comparable system yet so you may want to jump in! <br />
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Thank you for reading Ask Doug The Electrician! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmlWKZAEfaUvcH-XUfpMzPlkj5M_MwEV0Q-5x_fzGuMLwbc1kPBqb-IhXmCPL0E8q3HwvI8gIkw-S0-kDd6d1Exf-PB20Y0rMftgHIPmITdQODShFG123nbBfcOQmNpWuUMWzG2I-IQo/s1600/IMG_1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmlWKZAEfaUvcH-XUfpMzPlkj5M_MwEV0Q-5x_fzGuMLwbc1kPBqb-IhXmCPL0E8q3HwvI8gIkw-S0-kDd6d1Exf-PB20Y0rMftgHIPmITdQODShFG123nbBfcOQmNpWuUMWzG2I-IQo/s320/IMG_1709.JPG" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-58585317092617859042011-01-21T19:53:00.000-08:002011-01-21T19:53:54.733-08:00Look what I can do! 2011 Service MenuThank you for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician! Happy new year to everyone. I hope that this year brings better opportunities to all. I definitely like hearing about how good business's are doing rather then seeing closed doors and empty parking lots. Working together and referring fellow small business friends and services you have used or know about will be greatly appreciated this year I'm sure. I have just attended a local small business referral group meeting last Thursday and have been since invited to join the group as a member. It will be a great part of our business this year, as I have already made a connection with a few of the members regarding my services. <br />
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SO, this year I am focusing on certain tactics to better both myself as well as build a more outstanding company. I am also continuing our charity work for those in need, and will search for other places my help can make a difference.<br />
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Now, with this opportunistic attitude I have written down most all of the services that I can provide. Writing these services down, I see that there are quite a lot but there are actual quite a few more. For the meantime, I'll leave out the technical service's. If you know anyone who needs any of these types of services, feel free to email or call for scheduling. Emergency service is available 24 hours a day.<br />
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We are a full service electrical and renewable energy solutions contracting business. Consultation, design/lighting design, plan engineering services, city permitting and planning services, service call troubleshooting, remodel specialists, main electrical service upgrade specialists, electrical code compliant home auditing services, home energy efficiency audit services, home or business gas/propane/natural gas/diesel powered alternate generation systems complete installations, complete photovoltaic/solar installations including all required rebate and incentive paperwork, solar/wind turbine/fuel cell supply's and accessories including outdoor camping power packages and full pallet solar panels, and of course an electrician you can ALWAYS call on even if its just a question!<br />
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Thank you for visiting Ask Doug The Electrician! [|B }~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-52212366968242866212010-03-24T14:53:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:53:29.605-07:00Photovoltaic, PV, Solar, its all great!Welcome to Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
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I was reading about photovoltaic systems today and found some interesting facts and information that you should be aware of.<br />
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Some Advantages of a Photovoltaic/Solar system:<br />
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No moving parts, minimal maintenance<br />
Safe and simple operation<br />
High dependability, durable and long life (30+ years)<br />
Scalable in output, from micro-watts to millions of watts (megawatts)<br />
Silent operation<br />
Maximum output coincident with peak utility power loads (summer time)<br />
No emissions, no pollution<br />
Portable, easy and fast to install anywhere<br />
Available everywhere there is sunlight.<br />
Ability to integrate attractively into existing and new buildings<br />
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The U.S. electricity demand was almost 4 trillion at watts (4 Terawatts or TW) and is growing at approximately 1.7% per year. Current projections place demand somewhere between 11 TW and 18 TW by 2050.<br />
Thanks again for checking out Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-76401878754537879712010-03-23T15:46:00.000-07:002010-03-23T15:46:51.362-07:00Surge ProtectorsHello again from Ask Doug The Electrician! I just worked on a project where we needed to install a dedicated circuit with an isolated ground for a home office. I though this info may help clear up a couple of grounding questions... Or, it could stir up a few more! No worries, let me know and I'll answer you with more info than you need!<br />
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A "proper" ground must measure 120 volts from power (hot) to ground, no less. Or, a ground impedance of less than one Ohm. 25 ohms or less is mandatory, otherwise a second ground rod should be installed at least 6' away. A "proper" ground must measure 120 volts from power (hot) to ground, no less. Or, a ground impedance of less than one Ohm. 25 ohms or less is mandatory, otherwise a second ground rod should be installed at least 6' away.<br />
I hope this helps a bit.<br />
Thanks again,<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-81539186056825798832010-02-24T17:37:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:37:47.295-08:00New Energy Solutions From Bloom EnergyWelcome to Ask Doug The Electrician! <br />
Check out Bloom Energy! This is another possible way to produce energy cleanly.<br />
Bloom Energy...A new fuel cell will promise. The system converts methane (or other hydrocarbons) into electricity by mixing it with oxygen and then passing the gas mixture through ceramic plates coated with proprietary inks at high temperatures. A U.S. patent filed in 2006 and granted to Bloom in 2009 seems to indicate "yttria stabilized zirconia". I'm not sure what this is but they are making clean energy with it.<br />
Thanks, <br />
<br />
Ask Doug The ElectricianAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-16100707557788723632010-01-06T11:47:00.000-08:002010-01-06T11:47:19.877-08:00The Sun and its energy on our planetWelcome to Ask Doug The Electrician! So here are a couple of cool facts to ponder on about energy consumption. Every six hours the sun bathes the lands of the earth in as much energy as the world consumes in a year. If we could just find a way to collect and distribute that energy our energy problems would be solved. Unfortunately, most of our energy consumption is in the places with the least sunshine.<br />
Solar is the lowest risk technology, with the lowest probability of doing more harm than good. Another way of capturing energy from the sun is called biomass. Biomass captures and stores the suns energy for later use, like bamboo. Biomass can be converted to denser forms like coal, or wood chips and shipped to where it is needed surprisingly economically. Bamboo has been known to grow as much as 48 inches in a 24-hour period and has been observed growing 39 inches per hour for brief periods! The plants can grow to full height in 3-4 months but die naturally on a six-year cycle.<br />
Some of the fuels possible from biomass are: Crude oil/biodiesel, LNG (biomethane), torrified wood pellets, ethanol, methanol, ammonia, wood pellets/chips, liquid hydrogen, and lithium ion batteries. There are more and more possibilities and the future will certainly be an awesome place if we continue on this great path.<br />
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Enjoy the day!<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-17894762739928461122010-01-04T14:57:00.000-08:002010-01-04T14:57:18.886-08:00Save ElectricityWelcome 2010! Welcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
Here's a way to start saving some precious money of yours. Its really easy, just take a look through your house and see what things you can unplug while it is not in use.<br />
Unplug any transformers that you are not using currently, and save electricity! While you are off at work making a couple of bucks, your electricity bill continues to stack up if you leave certain things plugged in. Telephones, shavers, and other types of chargers have a transformer (the black brick), that continues to consume energy while plugged in.<br />
Thanks again,<br />
Doug<br />
Ask Doug The ElectricianAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-12608222733334612772009-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:002009-12-30T14:07:09.116-08:00New Year's Eve Eve!!!Thanks for checking out Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
Happy New years Eve Eve to all!!! I hope that you take the time to reflect on the past year and become wiser from it. Even though some of us have had an unusually bad year, there are others who have had it so much worse, and still need help. I have seen so many people out on the streets lately that its unreal to me. I would like to help out people when I pass by, but I actually cannot help them out with something other than a hello or a conversation.<br />
Next year my wife and I have decided to volunteer in some ways to help out people who are in need. We are not exactly sure yet where we will be helping or how we will be helping but we will be helping in some way, the best we can. <br />
Next year will be awesome! Especially if you think and feel that it will be. <br />
“It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things” Theodore Roosevelt<br />
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Talk to you soon,<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-87668662855675265632009-12-07T17:50:00.000-08:002009-12-07T17:50:59.685-08:00Clean EnergyWelcome back to Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
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<br />
In 2002, California established its Renewable Portfolio Standard Program, with the goal of increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the state's electricity mix to 20% by 2017. 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report recommended accelerating that goal to 20% by 2010, and the 2004 Energy Report Update further recommended increasing the target to 33 percent by 2020. The state's Energy Action Plan supported this goal.<br />
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In 2006 under Senate Bill 107, California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) was created and codified the 20 percent goal. It is one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country. The RPS program requires electric utilities and provicders to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources by at least 1% of their retail sales annually, until they reach 20% by 2010.<br />
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On November 17, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-14-08 requiring that California utilities reach the 33% renewables goal by 2020.<br />
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Solar energy—power from the sun—is free, inexhaustible, and can be used to directly generate heat, lighting, and electricity. All the energy stored in Earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is matched by the energy from just 20 days of sunshine. Solar photovoltaic technology is one of the fastest growing energy sources worldwide.<br />
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No single solution can meet our society's future energy needs. The answer lies instead in a family of diverse energy technologies that share a common thread: they do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment. Renewable energy technologies tap into natural cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into usable forms.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-46231814102474416392009-12-02T19:21:00.000-08:002009-12-02T19:21:38.724-08:00Holiday Lights Installation This YearHello and welcome to Ask Doug The Electrician! <br />
I just wanted to let you know that we are installing holiday lights this and every year to come! We are also a distributer or ALL HOLIDAY LIGHTING now, so if you have any request's about any electrical issues, voltage issues or what types and pricing of any lighting, let me know!!!<br />
Happy Holidays to ALL!<br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-25623045830626302782009-11-27T14:34:00.000-08:002009-11-27T14:34:04.631-08:00Cool Solar InformationHappy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope that you are all able to have time to spend with the ones you love!<br />
Here is some cool information that you may have not heard about.<br />
Three key elements in a solar cell form the basis of their manufacturing technology. The first is the semiconductor, which absorbs light and converts it into electron-hole pairs. The second is the semiconductor junction, which separates the photo-generated carriers (electrons and holes), and the third is the contacts on the front and back of the cell that allow the current to flow to the external circuit. The two main categories of technology are defined by the choice of the semiconductor: either crystalline silicon in a wafer form or thin films of other materials.<br />
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Solar energy is dependent upon nuclear power. Solar Energy's nuclear power plant, though, is 93 million miles away.<br />
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An average crystalline silicon cell solar module has an efficiency of 15%, an average thin film cell solar module has an efficiency of 6%. Thin film manufacturing costs potentially are lower, though.<br />
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A Megawatt is 1,000,000 Watts; a Gigawatt is 1000 Megawatts.<br />
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The earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in a whole year.<br />
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Two billion people in the world have no access to electricity. For most of them, solar photovoltaics would be their cheapest electricity source, but they cannot afford it.<br />
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Crystalline Silicon cell technology forms about 90% of solar cell demand. The balance comes from thin film technologies.<br />
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Approximately 45% of the cost of a silicon cell solar module is driven by the cost of the silicon wafer, a further 35% is driven by the materials required to assemble the solar module.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-84745541887339991902009-11-22T10:11:00.000-08:002009-11-22T10:11:00.933-08:00Save Money Now! Power Save Product's in Stock!Hello all! Ask Doug The Electrician here! I just wanted to remind you about an immediate way to save money on your electricity bill AND increase the life expectancy of any motor driven appliance in your home or business. Our Power Save devices take about 1 hour only to install and as soon as it is turned on, its saving you electricity and money! The Power-Save unit's reduce the amount of power drawn from the utility by storing electricity otherwise lost from the motors in your home. The unit supplies this stored electricity back to your appliances, decreasing demand from the utility. Decreasing demand means less usage and lower electric bills! <br />
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Our Power-Save Solar Attic fan removes hot air from the attic keeping your home cooler while maximizing your air conditioner's efficiency. The solar powered fan draws no electricity from the utility and will cost you nothing to operate!<br />
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We also stock radiant barrier insulation. This is the insulation that is generally in you attic space helping keep the temperature in your home tolerable. In a test with standard R-19 insulation and the Power Save R-19 with radiant barrier, there is a difference of 59.3 degrees F between the two within a half hour. This difference is due to the Power-Save Radiant Barrier's ability to reflect radiant heat away from the insulation!Fiberglass re-inforced (perforated) aluminum foil insulation; Fire retardant; Reflects 95% of radiation heat Perforated aluminum foil radiant barrier to eliminating sweating; Use for attics, roof and walls ; Easily stapled into place in attic on ceiling joists or rafters, sealed with aluminum tape; Adhesion Good on clean and dry surface; No Discoloration Resistance Excellent resistance to water, water vapor, oxidation and weathering.<br />
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I hope this information helps you out! Thank you for stopping by Ask Doug The Electrician! Feel free to email anytime if you have any questions or concern.<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-9035844208774462632009-11-21T18:21:00.000-08:002009-11-21T18:21:19.410-08:00Solar Lowers Your Carbon FootprintHello again from Ask Doug The Electrician! Just a quick note, by going solar, you can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. Each solar kilowatt hour (kWh) offsets more than a pound of carbon dioxide (CO2).<br />
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For example, by installing a 4kw PV (photovoltaic) system, the average size for a California household, you can reduce your carbon emissions equal to driving more than 12,000 miles in an average passenger car, or equal to the amount of C02 absorbed by ~1 acre of trees.<br />
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Plus, solar systems are extremely reliable, able to produce clean energy from the sun for up to 25 years! There is quite a big difference in potentially changing the way we use electricity, so feel free to look into the possibilities of helping.<br />
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See you next time, thank you! <br />
Ask Doug The Electrician!<br />
DougAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079164994550739681.post-1698401184626107172009-11-19T15:51:00.000-08:002009-11-19T15:51:08.520-08:00OUGLAS DOHERTY ELECTRIC NOW INSTALLING RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE BAY AREAFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
ATTENTION BUSINESS EDITORS<br />
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RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR ALL BAY AREA HOMES, BUSINESSES AND VACATION HOMES<br />
November 20, 2009<br />
San Jose, California<br />
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Douglas Doherty Electric, a local residential niche electrician, is now providing renewable energy solutions for the local Bay Area. Recognizing the existing increasing demand for "On Grid" power supply, Douglas Doherty is taking a stand towards creating and installing innovative technology here and now, as a standard for our future. <br />
As a dealer of renewable energy materials, Douglas is able to offer optimum products, pricing and service. To include solar panels and accessories, fuel cell's, wind turbines, home surge protection devices, electrical panels and disconnect units. All consultation's, city permitting and federal incentive paperwork, and installations are completed by Douglas himself. <br />
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Please contact Douglas Doherty at 408.499.1307 for an appointment.<br />
doug@douglasdohertyelectric.com<br />
DouglasDohertyElectric.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02901224570437090095noreply@blogger.com0