Finally! It looks like we might have a government that is realizing how vital renewable energy is to our country's long term health - financially and environmentally.

Here are some quotes of interest from President Obama's speech last night.

"We know that a country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy-efficient. We invented solar technology, but we've fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea."

Side note for those who do not know: In Germany, 47% of their energy comes from solar. Percentage-wise, they lead the world in the utilization of solar technology! Yet, solar was invented here in the United States! It's time we used our invention for our benefit.

More from President Obama's speech. (Note emphasis added by us.)

"Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nations supply of renewable energy in the three years. We've also made the largest investment in basic research funding in American history -- an investment that will spur not only new discoveries in energy, but breakthroughs in medicine and science and technology."

Now, that's excellent news for us all!

Returning to his speech:

"But to truly transform our economy, to protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy.
...(snip)...
And to support -- to support that innovation, we will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power, advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more efficient cars and trucks built right here in America."


We are excited for the potential this type of investment holds, and we looking forward to the positive changes in our local and regional communities and nationally, as well!

Russell Seifert will be speaking at 2009 Southeastern Lifecycle Construction Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, February 26 at 12:30pm.

This conference is sponsored by U.S. EPA Region 4,
Office of Pollution Prevention and Innovation.

Here is the description from their web site for the time slot: Green Technologies in the Southeast for Sustainable Design. Learn about the true costs of sustainable design and construction and realistic time frames for a return on the investment!

http://www.lifecycleconstruction.net/index.html

Mr. Seifert's specific topic is "Versatility with Solar Technologies".

Stop by and say "hello"!

Today, an article was posted on Energy News' web site about John Lushetsky who is the program manager for the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technology Program for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. While speaking at the University of Toledo, he said the following:

"To go from the 1 gigawatt of generation capacity that we have now [in the United States] to the 170 to 200 gigawatts called for by 2030 amounts to a 26 percent compounded annual growth rate over the next 20 years," John Lushetsky explained. "That's a higher sustained growth rate than any industry has ever been asked to do before."

If you'd like to read the entire story, you may do so by clicking here.

For immediate release - December 16, 2008

Local Business Owner Brings Solar, Renewable Energy to Georgia

     There’s a new business in town. Creative Solar USA of Canton, Georgia is bringing renewable energy to their clients in order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

     The company, which was founded in June 2008 by Russell Seifert, consults, designs and installs solar power, direct solar, solar thermal and wind power to homes, farms, businesses, educational institutions and government projects in the state of Georgia.

     “The state has very low utility rates, which will be rising at double-digits over the next seven to 15 years,” said Seifert, during his presentation at the Georgia Energy and Agriculture Division of Energy Innovation in Macon, Georgia, in December. “Georgia has one of the best renewable energy tax incentive programs in the country, and we have an opportunity to be a leader and set an example for other states to follow.”

     Seifert to spoke to representatives from state and federal agencies, including the agriculture liaison for Governor Sonny Perdue about the various applications that natural energy can be produced by the sun and wind without stripping natural resources, reducing dependence on overseas fuel resources, and creative and innovative ways that these energy systems can be utilized.

     “What is surprising is that some states in New England have been moving toward solar and wind at very aggressive rates,” said Seifert. “Here in Georgia, we have an average of 90 minutes of more peak sun time per day than they do, and we are not using this terrific, free resource. We have the ability to be proactive and get ahead of these rising costs and free ourselves from the dependence on foreign and carbon-producing fuels. The financial benefits extend beyond the ability utility savings by creating new jobs and helping to secure a solid foundation for Georgia’s growing economy.”

     Seifert started the company with a vision of balancing and reducing the above-average carbon imprint he helped to create in his former profession.

     For more information about Creative Solar USA, contact Mr. Seifert at (770)720–8998, or you may visit the company web site www.CreativeSolarUSA.com.

The article below discusses the positives of placing solar panels on your home.

http://www.solartoday-digital.org/solartoday/20081112/

This is the digital version of the magazine "Solar Today". To see the article "Real Estate Value of Solar Power", click on the "pages" link. Then, scroll down and click on page 78 which is the page at the very lower left hand portion of the page. The title of this page is "Energy-Saving Q&A's" with Ken Sheinkopf.