Every month the world gets closer to maximizing efficiency while harnessing the power of the sun and wind to produce electricity. In this posting, we’ll explore some of the common misconceptions associated with Solar Power.

If you can think of a use for Solar Power, there is a strong chance it is in use or being developed. Solar Power is used in every state of the U.S. to warm water, provide power to signs, light walkways at night, provide power to operate homes and businesses, provide energy to pump water from wells, heat/cool the air, and even electrify fences for security — ouch!

Myth #1: Solar Power pollutes. Solar Power is not 100% clean/pure due to the use of some chemicals and toxic materials in the manufacturing of semiconductors. Let’s face it, how many materials made by humans really are perfect in that regard? But, it is a heck of a lot cleaner than fossil fuel sources.

You can sleep well at night knowing there are a number of regulations than monitor the process to maximize safety for all concerned. Companies producing Solar technology partner with independent agencies like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to ensure the products and materials go through rigorous safety testing.

Myth #2: Solar Power is expensive. In many cases, it is one of the more cost-effective choices for power delivery. You can reach a breakeven point with cost/benefit in about 8-10 short years. This also depends on your circumstances. Many folks have even gone “off the grid” and never have to rely on power companies for their electricity. Some even have a surplus and can put it back into the grid to help others. An added bonus…you may qualify for state and U.S. government programs that give you incentives and breaks too.

Myth #3: You have to place Solar Power units on the roof. It is common to place solar technology on rooftops as a logical solution. However, solar technology can be placed anywhere the sun shines. Many buildings even work solar technology into windows, artistic structures that receive sun inside, roofing tiles, awnings, trim, and the building material itself.

Myth #4: Solar Power can’t meet the electrical demands of a large town. It is possible to supply a large portion of the U.S. with Solar Power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Power resource in a 100-mile-square area of Nevada could supply the U.S. with all its electricity (about 800 gigawatts) using modestly efficient (10%) commercial PV modules. Imagine if all communities expanded their reliance on Solar Power.

Myth #5: Solar Power only works in areas that receive sun most of the time. Devices used to capture solar energy can work well in all 50 states. Yes, even on cloudy days solar energy still reaches the earth’s surface.  There are even Solar Energy storage systems that can store Solar Power for up to a month.

Myth #6: Solar Power is the new standard. As an industry, Solar Power is still in its infant stages of being the big power provider on the block. Even though we are decades away from that ticker tape parade, it’s gathering momentum and every year we get closer to that reality.

Myth #7: Solar panels don’t last that long. Manufacturers are always improving the lifecycle of Solar Power technology. Even though solar panels lose a nominal amount of capturing ability each year, they can still last beyond a manufacturer’s warranty (many offer as much as 25 years).

Myth #8: Solar Power is less reliable than conventional energy sources. Extensive research has proved that, in most cases, Solar Power is more reliable. It is not bound by infrastructure or network problems, consumption, or power outages.

Myth #9: Solar Power can’t reduce our carbon footprint. Solar Power emits zero emissions and greenhouse gases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy: if the Solar Industry were to grow 25% each year (as predicted), the U.S. will offset 10 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2027. That’s equal to the annual increase emitted by U.S. fossil fuel electricity generation. That’s even beyond carbon neutral and it would help the environment recover.

Myth #10: I need a southern exposure to use Solar Power. Solar panels can face south, east, west, and anywhere in between and still capture a decent amount of the sun’s energy.

Solvents, stains, household cleaners, and paints are just a few of the items that contribute to the health problems associated with poor indoor air quality. This article doesn’t focus on the myriad of things you can do to help with air quality. Rather, it gives kudos to no-VOC paint manufactures and a brief account of my experience. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. It sounds scary…and for good reason.

Indoor air quality is one of the top leading health risks (according to the EPA).

My wife, Laura, decided it was time for a new inspiring color in her den. So we headed over to the local home store to check out paints. One brand stood out to us — The Freshaire Choice. After doing a little research on the web, it looks to be the only no-VOC paint that contains zero VOCs in both the paint and the tint. It was neat to watch the friendly home store’s paint lady mix the paint.  She emptied the corresponding no-VOC powder packet to the base paint to achieve the desired color.

How does it look on the wall? It looks great and even seemed to dry a tad faster than traditional latex paints. It is important to mention that the paint also stayed mixed throughout the entire project. And, with no headaches…literally. Here are some other advantages of purchasing this paint:

• The paint is certified by the GEI (GREENGUARD Environmental Institute). This is a respected organization with the mission: “to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air”.
• The paint chips are made from recycled paper and can be recycled. We brought our samples back to the store and put them back on the shelf.
• 100% of the can is made from recycled material. The bottom of the can we have indicates #5 PP plastic (polypropylene).
• The label is made from 75% recycled fiber and printed with Soy ink.
• It comes with a lifetime warranty…you can’t beat that!

By the way, Laura’s color choice for her office was FA058 — Rushing Stream.

Rain Barrels come in a number of sizes but the 50 to 80-gallon sizes are popular. It is also common for folks to install more than one. Barrels are important vessels that help minimize our dependency on municipal water, reduce the impact on storm drains, and help save you money in the process.

In most cases, an individual’s home obtains water from the same source. Humans constantly flush drinkable water down the toilet (in addition to using it for other things, both inside and outside). That is a big deal when you realize that only 1% of the water on the planet is drinkable.

Your water and your money can evaporate quickly when you water your lawn or garden. As much as 20% of water is lost through evaporation when doing these activities. So, why not let Mother Nature do the watering for you. I am talking about soft water that plants just love to drink up. Yum.

How much rain can you capture? Lots.
1/4 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of usable roof = around 150 gallons.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to capture rain. In most cases, you don’t need a permit either. A decent Rain Barrel can cost you anywhere from $80-125. You also may want to prepare yourself for some minor installation and the cost of additional materials that can run you $5-$20 each depending on your needs (i.e., additional gutters, rain diverter, overflow kit, etc). Some folks see their return-on-investment in only a few months.

Still not ready to pour out the cash for this do-it-yourself project? I have had small success arranging a few 5-gallon buckets near my downspouts and collected enough water to give my plantings a decent drink a few days later. Tip: if you do this, be sure to use the water within a few days to prevent a mosquito hatch.

Last May a tornado tore through the Kansas town of Greensburg whipping part of the town off the map, literally. Overcoming tragedy through heartfelt actions, the community used the rebuild as an opportunity to “go green”.

The town is tapping into energy ideas like geothermal options, wind turbines, solar panels, and improved recycling programs. In addition, they are building better buildings too. Kudos to you Greensburg (and to all others that are building green). So, how does one know they are building to a green standard? By building to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDs Standards system – silly.

LEEDs is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This nationally recognized third party certification rating system creates standards for sustainable green building. Eco-minded projects like these have LEEDs standards seeded during a building’s design phase and carried all the way through the daily operations of the completed/occupied building.

There are four tiers: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Platinum is the highest. Each tier has certain requirements one has to meet. As you may have concluded, the requirements get tougher the higher you go.

What goes in to a rating can vary depending on the type of structure (new or existing building, developing neighborhoods, home, hospitals, retail, school, etc.). Some of the checkpoints you can expect to get rated on can include:

• Green design/architecture
• Construction methods/materials
• Landscaping choices
• Water management
• Energy and Atmosphere Management
• Indoor Quality (air quality, moisture control, space distribution, etc.)
• Location (proximity to community, transportation options, open space, etc.)
• Sustainability
• Owner and/or Tenant green awareness/education

Why you will make a difference: LEEDs certified homes contribute to a greener planet by reducing energy consumption, waste, and emissions while creating healthier living conditions for occupants. You can also get some extra money in your pocket through qualified incentives, allowances, and tax rebates while reducing utility bills. Think you have a project that fits? Consider the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDs certification. Read more about the program here.