For Free Details on Solarize The Triangle Tier 8 Group Pricing Sign Up OnLine By September 30, 2023

The regionwide group-buying program Solarize the Triangle has entered another tier of lower prices based on additional property owners in the Triangle purchasing new renewable energy systems.

Last week, the community-based campaign entered Tier 8 of the progressively lower-priced tier levels. The program enables residents and businesses to save on the ordinary cost of solar energy and battery power through combined buying with others within 12 communities in the Triangle. The more residents and business owners who contract for solar installations through the program, the more savings accrue for all participants.

Interested property owners can visit solarizethetriangle.com to find out more about the program. The deadline to sign up at no cost is September 30, 2023. All residential solar and battery contracts must be completed by December 31, 2023. A separate deadline for commercial/non-profit contract completions is February 28, 2024.

Federal income tax credits of 30 percent make this form of clean energy even more affordable. Residents can enroll free of charge and without obligation prior to September 30th to ensure access to the lowest-price tier is achieved. Rebates provide participants with the same final price regardless of when a contract is completed before the final deadline later this year.

Once these installations are activated, over 670,000 lbs. of CO2 in the Triangle region will be avoided annually. That is the equivalent of 670,133 miles driven in a year by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.

Solarize the Triangle is a campaign developed via the Central Pines Regional Council. Communities involved include: Chatham County, City of Raleigh, Durham County, City of Durham, Town of Cary, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough, Town of Carrboro, Town of Apex, Town of Morrisville, Orange County and the Town of Holly Springs. Lowering the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing, reducing contractor acquisition costs, and transferring those savings to residential and commercial residents is the objective of the 2023 campaign, which resumed this spring.

Helping to facilitate the program on behalf of the members is the Central Pines Regional Council and Solar CrowdSource. For the program’s second year, the installer selected through a rigorous vetting process remains Yes Solar Solutions, a Cary-based, fully-licensed NC general contractor with more than 1,600 projects installed.

Solarize the Triangle Virtual Information Session on June 27, 2023

Building on the impact and success of its 2022 Solarize campaign, the Triangle Sustainability Partnership, a local government coalition, is offering an opportunity for local residents and businesses to purchase solar energy at discounted group rates in 2023.

Solarize the Triangle is a community-based group-purchasing program for solar energy, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies. Through this unique campaign, residents and businesses can save on the ordinary cost of a system through combined purchasing with others in the Triangle plus the availability of a federal tax credit.

Join a virtual information session on Tuesday, June 27 6:30-8:00 p.m. to learn more. The presentation will cover the group purchase discount program, how to take advantage of the incentives, benefits of the program, and how to enroll. Individuals may register for the information session on Zoom or visit the Facebook event.

Solarize campaigns are driven by the net effect of buying together during a single, defined period. Based on a tiered “bulk” purchasing concept, the more who contract for their solar installations through the program, the more savings accrue to all participating property owners.

Through the 2022 campaign, more than 180 home and business owners ultimately signed contracts to purchase renewable energy systems for their properties, yielding 2.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of annual energy production, more than $300,000 in annual utility bill savings, and nearly $6 million in new clean energy development locally.

Interested residents and businesses should sign up for a free evaluation at solarizethetriangle.com. The deadline to enroll is September 30, 2023. All residential solar and battery contracts must be completed by December 31, 2023. A separate deadline for commercial/non-profit contract completions is February 28, 2024.

In addition to Chatham County, other participating Triangle communities include: City of Raleigh, Durham County, City of Durham, Town of Cary, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough, Town of Carrboro, Town of Apex, Town of Morrisville, Orange County, and the Town of Holly Springs.

The Triangle J Council of Governments and Solar Crowdsource are facilitating the launch of Solarize the Triangle with this array of partnering local governments and selected installer, Yes Solar Solutions.

North Carolina Solar Installers Settlement with Duke Energy Approved by NC Utilities Commission

North Carolina Solar Installers Settlement with Duke Energy Approved by NC Utilities Commission

A rate modification for solar customers in North Carolina was recently approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). This has an impact on people living in North Carolina who want to use the utility grid that Duke Energy manages for what is essentially a form of energy storage, which is done through a process [...]  To read the whole article, use the blue title link under the photo.

 

Celebrating Solarize The Triangle's 2023 Success

 

Solarize the Triangle HOA Zoom Webinar, Wednesday January 18, 2023

Solarize the Triangle HOA Webinar

Description: Join to learn about how to navigate solar and your HOA.

The panelists for this HOA webinar consist of Don Moreland of Solar Crowdsource, Matt Abele, Director of Communications for the NC Sustainability Association, Jen Sligar, the chair of an HOA in Cary, Ron Madl, the head of the Sustainability Committee at Carolina Preserve, a neighborhood in Cary, the Sales Team from Yes Solar Solutions, and James Galvin of Thurman, Wilson, Boutwell & Galvin, PA.

Registration Required (Free)

Time: 06:30 PM Eastern DST

Fearrington Village Green Scene Meeting Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Do you know a fellow resident here in Fearrington who had a monthly electric bill of ZERO this past Summer ? Or another monthly electric bill of $ 7.00 ?

Well, I do know of such a person.  And he is coming to our Green Scene meeting next Wednesday, in the large room at The Gathering Place, at 11:00 AM, to explain how he accomplished that feat.

And he will be accompanied by a few other Fearringtonians who are also knowledgeable about how many of us can consider taking the steps necessary toward possibly achieving similar results.

While that presentation will be the "main event" on our agenda    -   there will also be a variety of other environmental items of interest as well.

So, mark your calendar   -   and feel free to bring a friend.

Jason Welsch, Moderator
The Fearrington Green Scene
914-806-4852 ( Cell Phone )

Chatham County to Participate in Solarize the Triangle

Chatham County will join 10 communities as the Triangle Sustainability Partnership will publicly launch its regionwide community-based group-buying program on August 10, 2022. The public is invited to a free event at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Individuals will learn more about solar-energy options for local residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Solarize the Triangle is a unique campaign which allows residents and businesses to save on the cost of a system through combined purchasing with others in the Triangle plus the availability of a federal tax credit.

“Chatham County is proud to participate in the Solarize the Triangle Campaign,” said Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne. “By making it easier for our homeowners and businesses to go solar, the campaign supports our goal of promoting clean, renewable energy, making Chatham County one of the coolest places to live in North Carolina and in America.”

The launch celebration will feature:

• Representatives from the Partnership that developed and support Solarize the Triangle
• Experts in solar energy from the locally selected installer company chosen via competitive bidding
• Live music and painting by Little Red Birds. A portion of proceeds from the evening’s event art-auction sales will be dedicated to supporting solar energy for qualified low-income families
• Details about the benefits of solar energy and battery storage, and
• How one can enroll for a free solar-energy assessment of their residence or place of business through Solarize the Triangle.

Solarize the Triangle is a community-based group-purchasing program for solar energy, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies. The initiative is designed to serve residents, businesses, and nonprofits to become more resilient, reduce energy expenses, and save on the cost of renewable-energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services.

Solarize campaigns are driven by community group purchasing. Based on a tiered “bulk” purchasing concept, the more local residents and business owners who contract for their solar installations through the program, the more savings accrue to all participating property owners.

Joining Chatham County, other participating Triangle communities include: City of Durham, City of Raleigh, Durham County, Town of Cary, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough, Town of Carrboro, Town of Apex, Town of Morrisville, and Orange County. The Triangle J Council of Governments and Solar CrowdSource are facilitating the launch of Solarize the Triangle with Triangle local governments.

In addition to participating in Solarize the Triangle, Chatham County has received a designation as a SolSmart Gold community. The SolSmart program recognizes local governments that are friendly to solar development and have made focused efforts to simplify the process of installing solar panels. The Gold level designation is the highest the program offers. Both participating in the Solarize the Triangle program and achieving the SolSmart Gold designation contribute to Chatham County’s Comprehensive Plan goal of becoming a carbon neutral county by reducing the amount of energy generated using fossil fuels.

Following the community celebration on August 10th, Solarize the Triangle organizers will schedule and offer a series of clean-energy education and outreach events with a goal of increasing participation through a better understanding of rooftop solar components, suitability assessment considerations, and contract provisions.

All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by November 30, 2023.

Solarize the Triangle is already accepting advance registrations for the upcoming campaign. Interested residents may go to solarizethetriangle.com to learn more about the program and sign up in advance of the launch to be first in line for a free evaluation.

Triangle Expands Electric Vehicle Corridor

From the Newsletter of the Triangle J Council of Governments

n May of 2022, TJCOG/TCC staff submitted a nomination to the Federal Highway Administration for their sixth round of priority electric vehicle corridor designations, asking for the inclusion of US-70 from Hillsborough to Smithfield. Staff received several letters of support from our member governments along US-70. On July 7th, FHWA approved the nomination making US-70 the newest EV corridor in our region. While I-40 and I-85 were designated as EV corridors in previous rounds, there was a substantial gap present between Durham and Raleigh. US-70's designation fills this gap, gives more of our member governments access to a priority corridor, and connects our region in a way that makes it much more desirable for electric vehicle drivers.

The designation now gives the area along US-70 prioritization for funding under the upcoming National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. North Carolina expects to receive up to $109 million to build out EV infrastructure along its approved corridors. More information on the NEVI Program can be found here.

In addition to funding opportunities for new infrastructure, this designation will encourage EV drivers to stop along the corridor to charge their vehicles. This creates economic development opportunities for the communities along the corridor. It is expected that NCDOT will add signage to all NC EV corridors in the coming years, letting drivers know which roadways are reliable corridors for those using electric vehicles.

Unique Wind Powered Dry Toilet Installation Does Not Require Water to Work

 

A sanitary installation which does not require either water, or evacuation to work. 

Not only the water is saved, but this system is completely isolated from the environment and can’t contaminate the groundwater. 

The excrements are dried up in the conveyor and the urine as well as the humidity evaporate into the atmosphere. The system was designed to handle normal amounts of urine. In fact it assists with the removal of odors due to the additional ventilation it causes because of evaporation. The excrements dry by being transformed into a kind of compost and represent between 5 and 10 % of their initial mass. If more voluminous objects such as cans of drink, layers or other objects are accidentally dropped into the tank, the system will not be blocked; nonetheless, it is recommended that such objects not be added to the system.

The system is manufactured in the Collectivity of St. Martin in the French West Indies and uses a natural biological process to transform the waste into a kind of dehydrated and odourless compost. For more information, see the schematic just below and visit the product website (or click on the banner above).

A SunwinD Eco San toilet is housed inside this attractive beachfront tropical shack at a popular public beach located in a beautiful nature park on Pinel Island just offshore from the Island Collectivity of St. Martin.

Solar Installers Say Duke Energy Plan Would Hurt Rooftop Business

March 11, 2022. Click the green headline to hear and read the story broadcast by WUNC-FM 91.5

A group of North Carolina solar installers is challenging Duke Energy's proposal to change the way rooftop solar owners are paid for electricity. They say it would hurt business and hamper the state's climate change efforts. The 15 companies spelled out their objections in a letter Thursday to Gov.

Current Solar panel owners would also lose important energy credits from their Duke Emergy electric bills.

Shared Solar Program w/Duke Energy Progress -- You Don't Need to Own Solar Panels to Benefit from Solar Power!

NC Shared Solar - Duke Energy

Amid Pandemic, U.S. Renewable Power Sources Have Topped Coal for 40 Days

Amid pandemic, U.S. renewable power sources have topped coal for 40 days

(Reuters) - Electricity generated by renewable sources like solar, wind and hydro has exceeded coal-fired power in the United States for a record 40 straight days, according to a report based on U.S. government data released on Monday.

State And Local Leaders Set Climate Goals, But Can We Meet Them?

State And Local Leaders Set Climate Goals, But Can We Meet Them?

With the federal government's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, state and local governments in North Carolina have set their own ambitious goals for addressing climate change. Now, they're puzzling over how to carry out the big changes needed to reach those goals - such as switching to electric vehicles and shifting to more renewable energy.

Duke's Energy Policy: The Plan, Criticism, and Future of Energy in North Carolina

WRAL-TV ON THE RECORD, January 25, 2020 / Focused on an issue that affects every single North Carolinian, energy. How we get it, how we pay for it and how reliable it will be in the future. Duke Energy recently announced a new climate strategy. Among our guests are Vice President of Duke's Energy Policy, Diane Denton, to discuss the plan, the criticism and the future of energy in North Carolina. Followed by Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Gudrun Thompson and Dr. Drew Shindell (Climate Scientist, Duke University) who reinforce the stance that Duke Energy needs to stop building fracked ("natural") gas power plants and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Dr. Shindell makes the case that solar paired with battery storage is environmentally and economically better than gas.

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Careful Measurement of Environmental Trends and Progress Provides a Foundation for Effective Policymaking

Welcome

Careful measurement of environmental trends and progress provides a foundation for effective policymaking. The 2018 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranks 180 countries on 24 performance indicators across ten issue categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality. These metrics provide a gauge at a national scale of how close countries are to established environmental policy goals.

US Citizens Science Association to Meet In Raleigh, NC March 13-17, 2019: Assessments of Next Giant Leaps for Earth & Mankind

CitSci2019 Conference Information - Citizen Science Association

Join us March 13-19th in Raleigh, NC - the City of Oaks - to connect with other leaders and learners from many backgrounds. We deepen our own work as we share our diverse perspectives and practices - no matter what we investigate or what we call our efforts.

Duke Energy Should Boost Its Solar Rebates (Opinion)

A bigger rebate pool would increase home solar power in NC | Raleigh News & Observer

Many homeowner want solar power, but delay after Duke Energy rebates run out

Explore the North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalitions Website

North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition - North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition

Organizing & Advocating For 100% Clean, Renewable Energy & Green Jobs For North Carolina The North Carolina Climate Solutions Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non profit that was created to advance resolutions across NC counties and municipalities to adopt 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Worldwide Are Growing at an Accelerating Pace This Year

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accelerate Like a 'Speeding Freight Train' in 2018

Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd: , our email newsletter. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are growing at an accelerating pace this year, researchers said Wednesday, putting the world on track to face some of the most severe consequences of global warming sooner than expected.

The World Needs to Quit Coal. Why Is It So Hard?

The World Needs to Quit Coal. Why Is It So Hard?

Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd: , our email newsletter. HANOI, Vietnam - Coal, the fuel that powered the industrial age, has led the planet to the brink of catastrophic climate change.