A study out of Duke University summarized by the New York Times demonstrates that steadily-falling solar photovoltaic, or PV, costs have now fallen below the current construction and operating costs for large-scale Nuclear Reactors.  While solar PV material costs have dropped consistently at a rate of 10-20% per year, nuclear costs are rising significantly.

Residential buyers looking to save money on their utility bills while utilizing clean energy to reduce their environmental impact can take advantage of some significant incentives.  Not only have solar prices come down substantially in recent years, but Federal and State incentives bring solar costs in direct competition with utility rates.  Although with solar you are paying a larger amount up-front, after you have paid for the system (generally a 7-10 year payback), you then receive power at no cost for the life of the array, which today is 30 years or more.  With electrici

Radiance Solar completed a 3 kW install of SunPower panels on the first Nest Cottage in the community of Serenbe.  The system is expected to provide most of the home's electrical energy needs and includes a monitoring kiosk for visitors to actively view solar energy production.  

The SBA 504 Loan Program which has helped small business owners secure excellent financing for projects, is providing tremendous benefits to those able to add clean energy to the project.  The loans, which normally are capped at a loan amount of $1.5 million, continue to provide up to $4 million for those projects that will us at least 10% clean energy.

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SunPower announced on June 23rd that it has produced, in a full-scale factory setting, a silicon PV cell that can convert 24.2% of the sunlight that hits it into electricity.  This represents a record in the silicon PV manufacturing space, and continues SunPower's efficiency lead among manufacturers.  SunPower expects to have panels on the market by year end 2010 that can convert, at a cell level, with up to 23.4% efficiency.

In order to better identify hotels with environmental best practices and reduced impact to their visitors, Travelocity has recently created its new "Travel For Good" program.  Travelocity is beginning to see many customers look specifically for those hotels, inns and b&b's that are working to reduce their dirty energy usage, and are embracing efficiency and renewable energy.

Travelocity also has a LEED silver HQ and are working on greening all of their travel options.

Details on Travelocity's Program:

A new program called "Save and Sustain" is offereing subsidized, low-cost energy audits to commercial clients with the goal of improving the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing overall operating costs.  Any interested parties should contact Dallas Gamble at Green Summit Consulting for more information.

on June 4th of 2010, Governor Purdue signed into law House Bill 1069 (HB1069), which takes effect on 6/4 and makes a reservation possible for the Georgia State Tax Credit for 2011 and 2012.  At present, the funds are $2.5 million respectively for each year, and are fully available.  We predict that if a solar PV project is pursued in calendar year 2010, then the chances of securing a reservation spot in 2011 or 2012 are very good.  We can contact GEFA at any time on your behalf for the latest update.

Staples has announced the activiation of a new 1.1MW array developed by SunEdison.

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Duke Energy and SunPower have announced the completion of a new 1 Megawatt solar utility project in Shelby, North Carolina.  1MW of power is enough to power between 250-500 homes, and is a great example of the introduction of clean, renewable energy into a major utility’s portfolio here on the east coast.