Photovoltaic electric systems are a growing link toward our national energy self- sufficiency. It is estimated that 40% of California's energy will by generated by PV solar by the year 2030, and both the State and Federal governments are subsidizing the installations of grid tied PV systems to increase their use. In addition to being clean, nonpolluting and renewable sources of energy, PV electric has a great deal in common with a commercial power plant, but on a smaller scale. These systems have a useful life of 30 years or more, so the quality of their initial installation is critical to their long- term operation. In addition, regular monitoring must occur to avoid power degradation and to keep the system properly maintained and functioning. Read more
Photovoltaic electrical power can become a major factor in keeping California energy independent and competitive and can reduce, if not eliminate the possibility of brown and blackouts during peak energy use.
For nearly 30 years no new significant energy generation systems have been constructed in California, but population has increased from 22 million to over 35 million. This increase has caused peak-time electricity brownouts and steadily rising prices for electricity. Without a significant change of direction, the future is bleak. Photovoltaic electric is that change! Read more
On Nov. 12, the county Planning Commission completed its landmark review and update of the county's 20-year-old Conservation and Open Space Element.
On Thursday, commissioners are going to meet once more to give the entire document a final once-over before voting to affirm the contents of the current draft and send it on to the Board of Supervisors.
The Planning Commission put much of great value into the update. The energy chapter alone, which formally makes distributed generation (also known as local power) into a county policy, has immense potential to shape the way we live for the next 20 years. Read more
BAKERSFIELD, CA - Sunday April 5th 2009 at approximately 4:15 P.M., a call was received by the Kern County Fire Department for a commercial structure fire at Target on Rosedale Highway in Bakersfield. Approximately 22 Kern County and Bakersfield City Firefighters responded to the incident.
Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with a large column of thick black smoke coming from the roof area of Target. A second alarm was requested upon arrival of the 1st crew on scene. The crew made an immediate contact with the store's manager to determine if all of the employees and customers had evacuated the building. Crews then entered the building and made a systematic search to confirm that employees and customers had evacuated. Read more
With the sun setting before 5 p.m., solar power may be the last thing on your mind these days.
But declining panel prices, a federal tax credit and a state rebate all make now a good time to at least investigate whether solar power might make sense for your home – and your budget.
"If you're thinking that you'd like to go solar within the next few years, right now is the time to do it," said Lynn Jurich, president and co-founder of SunRun, a San Francisco-based startup that provides solar financing for consumers who can't afford the upfront costs of buying their own solar systems. "Panels are on sale right now. There's a sweet spot where the state rebates are still relatively high, but the costs have come down." Read more
