Electric Energy T&D - Index

Electric Energy T&D - EE Magazine March / April 2009 - Index

hydroelectric system the utility assures an
efficient and reliable supply of electricity
in support of the province’s development.
Thanks to this outstanding system, British
Columbians enjoy some of the lowest
electricity rates in North America.
circle 22 on reader Service card
SolarCity’s ‘Think Half’ Promotion Can
Make Solar Power Twice as Affordable
Offer Combines Discount, Government Incentives and
Utility Rebates to Provide Solar System Installations
at Net Cost Up to 50 Percent Below 2008 Retail Value
foster city, ca – SolarCity®, a national leader
in solar power system design, financing,
installation, monitoring and related services,
is offering a promotion that, when combined
with government incentives and utility
rebates, can allow homeowners to pay a net
cost for a solar system installation up to fifty
percent less1 than the typical full retail price
in 008. SolarCity’s “Think Half” promotion
incorporates an introductory discount for
sleek, recyclable thin-film solar modules from
First Solar (www.firstsolar.com) in SolarCity’s
service areas in California and Arizona. The
promotion lasts until March 31, 009, and
marks the first time First Solar’s advanced
thin-film technology, known for delivering the
lowest manufacturing cost in the industry, is
widely available for the residential market.
First Solar modules deliver superior
performance in variable light and high
temperature, and achieve the lowest
environmental footprint of any photovoltaic
technology on a lifecycle basis. Residential
customers prize the slender, frameless
black modules for their striking, reflectiveglass
aesthetic. First Solar also provides a
comprehensive collection and recycling
program for its modules at the end of their
useful lives.
“Increasing solar’s return-on-investment,
and improving solar system aesthetics are
consistently the two greatest priorities for
our customers, and this promotion addresses
both,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO.
“Solar power systems continue to be among
the safest, most predictable investments
homeowners can make in the current
economic climate.”
Homeowners interested in “Think Half”
can contact SolarCity 1-888-SOL-CITY or
www.solarcity.com to arrange a free, noobligation
solar consultation. Interested
Arizona homeowners can learn more about
the promotion and rebates at:
http://www.solarcity.com/campaigns/2009/
ads/halfoff/arizona.aspx
California homeowners can view additional
information on the promotion here:
http://www.solarcity.com/campaigns/2009/
ads/halfoff/default.aspx
circle 23 on reader Service card
New Energy-Saving Products from GE
Louisville, ky – The U.S. Department
of Energy and the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency have awarded GE
Consumer & Industrial the ENERGY STAR®
Sustained Excellence award for the fourth
straight year. Also this marks the sixth year
GE has been acknowledged as an ENERGY
STAR Partner of the Year. These awards
recognize GE’s tremendous efforts to create
high-performance household appliance and
lighting products that help reduce energy
spending and protect the environment.
In 008, the number of ENERGY STAR
qualified appliance base models was up
6.5% from the previous year for a total of
563 models. In fact, 54% of the GE appliance
products are ENERGY STAR qualified. The
number of ENERGY STAR qualified lighting
models grew in 008 to a total of 71. The
majority, 99.3%, of the 008 GE compact
fluorescent lamp sales were ENERGY STAR
qualified models.
“The ENERGY STAR awards represent
achievements the Department of Energy is
proud to recognize as they represent notable
progress or sustained excellence in working
to secure our energy future,” explained
Richard H. Karney, DOE ENERGY STAR
Program Manager. “In 009, our partners
receiving these awards demonstrated superb
commitment to advancing the adoption of
energy efficient products and addressing our
environmental challenges,” he continued.
GE has been an active supporter of the
ENERGY STAR program through a variety
8 I March-April 2009 Issue
of methods, including broad consumer and
customer education, participation in national
and regional ENERGY STAR events, and the
promotion of ENERGY STAR products to
consumers and homebuilders.
New Energy-Saving Products from GE:
GE has introduced the world’s first truly
incandescent-shaped Energy Smart® cfL
bulb. Miniaturized electronics developed
by GE Consumer & Industrial engineers
and scientists are the enabling technology
of a new covered GE Energy Smart compact
fluorescent light (CFL) bulb featuring the
GE Spiral® CFL inside the glass bulb. With
this new CFL-a design achievement that GE
has protected with more than a dozen U.S.
patent applications-the electronics fit in
the neck of the bulb. The result is a profile
that’s practically identical to a standard
incandescent light bulb. GE anticipates its
new 15-watt incandescent-shaped covered
Energy Smart® CFL will appeal to people
that want the energy savings and long-life
performance of a GE Energy Smart® Spiral®
CFL with the appearance, size and fit of a
traditional incandescent bulb.
In April 008, GE was proud to introduce two
innovative water heaters that were the first to
meet new 009 ENERGY STAR requirements.
GE was one of the key participants in the
criteria-development process and urged the
DOE to adopt aggressive standards for high–
efficiency ENERGY STAR water heaters. The
GE Tankless Gas Water Heater, currently
available, and the GE Hybrid Electric water
Heater, available later this year, represent the
latest in a series of GE appliances designed
to help energy efficiency in the home.
The innovative new GE Hybrid Electric Water
Heater is designed to provide the same hot
water homeowners are accustomed to, but
requires only about half the energy to produce
it. For example, based on the same standard
tank water heater that uses approximately
4800 kWh per year, the new GE Hybrid
Electric Water Heater is designed to:
• Use less than half of that energy – or
about 300 kWh per year – a savings of
approximately 500 kWh per year
• Save approximately $ 50 per year—based
on 10 cents per kWh.