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intention is to
keep the e-newsletter short, interesting, and locally
based. If you have suggestions on how to improve, please
let us know. |
Solar News
Highlights
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California's PG&E to
begin work on 800 Megawatts of solar in two
photovoltaic 'solar farms' believed to be the world's
two largest photovoltaic solar farms to
date. The US Department
of Energy will invest up to $24 million in 2008 and
beyond to develop solar energy products aimed to
accelerate solar PV systems in the United
States. Solar panels get an eco-facelift with
a new backing sheet that combines cotton and castor bean
resin to create Bio-Backing. The environmentally
friendly bio-backing will cost around 25-50% less and
has yet to hit the
market. |
Energy
Tip
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Cold Water
Wash it!
Whenever possible, try washing
your clothes in cold water. Since about 90% of energy
use in your washing machine goes toward heating the
water, you can easily save 'loads' of energy just while
doing your laundry! Purchase a cold water detergent and
dry your clothes in the sunshine to watch your energy
savings begin.
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Your
Solar Community News, Aug. '08
Independent Energy Systems
Joins Forces
with Real Goods
Solar!
Independent
Energy Systems has just joined forces with Real
Goods Solar, Inc. to create an exciting new
solar partnership, bringing together leadership,
sustainability, and unmatched experience in the
solar energy industry.
The local focus of
Independent Energy Systems will remain
intact. We will continue our longstanding
commitment to supporting our community and
bringing quality solar energy systems to the
Monterey Bay area. The acquisition by Real Goods
Solar will also provide enhanced benefits for our
employees, such as retirement plans and
alternative medicine options.
Founder Bob Evans and
co-founder Joel Kauffman feel that partnering with
Real Goods is a positive change which will
provide financial stability for the company to
grow and flourish, while allowing us to maintain
our core values of sustainability. The merger will
also allow us to expand our product offering and
better serve our community by spreading solar
energy and energy efficiency more
rapidly.
"Real Goods is the
original solar company, has a powerful brand and a
philosophy that is very compatible with ours. I am
excited that we will continue to be a local
company with a strong connection to the Santa Cruz
community and with new capabilities bolstered by
Real Goods' 30-year history," said Bob
Evans.
Real
Goods received the Corporate Conscience Award
and was also recognized with the Rodale Award for
Environmental Education for three years running.
John Schaeffer,
founder and CEO of Real Goods, sold the first
solar panels in the U.S. in 1978 and went
on to build a company consistently honored and
awarded for its ethical and environmental business
standards, turning his personal commitment to
right livelihood into company policy by pioneering
the concept of a socially conscious and
environmentally responsible business.
Also
founded by Real Goods is the Solar
Living Institute in Hopland, CA, a non-profit
organization that promotes sustainable living
through inspirational environmental education.
Their many Workshops, annual Sol Fest
celebration, intern programs, Solar
Living Center, organic farm, and biodiesel
fueling station are a model for public education.
We are proud to be assoicated with the Solar
Living Institute.
All of us at Independent
Energy Systems are excited about joining forces
with Real Goods Solar. We are now a sustainable
lifestyle company with offerings in all aspects of
living green.
We value your business, your
referrals and most of all our continuing
friendship. Please
don't hesitate to call us if you have any
questions or concerns.
Read the
Real Goods
Story...
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Vote Yes on California
Proposition 7!
Proposition 7, the Solar
and Clean Energy Act of 2008, will be on
the November 4th ballot, so make sure to Vote YES
on Proposition 7 to support clean
energy.  A few facts
about the Yes on
Proposition 7
Campaign:
- Requires all California utilites to meet
renewable energy production standards that will
put us on the path to energy independence.
Utilities will be required to produce
electricity from solar and clean energy
resources in the following percentages: 20% by
2010; 40% by 2020; and 50% by
2025.
- Replaces 1/2 of fossil fuel-based
electricity generation in California with clean
energy technologies such as solar, geothermal,
wind, biomass, and small hydro, eliminating 150
million tons of greenhouse gas
emissions.
- All utilities will be required to comply
with renewable energy laws.
- Creates 371,000 new construction jobs. Solar
electric generates between 160% and 720% more
jobs than a natural gas fired plant.
- The California Energy Commission will
designate Solar and Clean Energy Zones,
primarily in the desert, to jump start the
construction of solar and clean energy renewable
power plants.
- Proposition 7 is strongly suppported by
California voters with 75% voting YES on the
initial
ballot.
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Join the Growing Solar Community™
In order to "grow
our local solar community," we invite our friends
to make
a referral to other community members about
the benefits of going solar. For each referral
that results in a new solar installation, we will
contribute $250 into the Growing Solar Fund™. This
Fund will be used for charitable projects that the
Growing Solar Community™ chooses to
support. | |
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