Defend our Renewable Portfolio Standard
A coalition of conservative state legislators is trying to reverse decades of progress for solar. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) seeks to tear down state renewable energy mandates across the country. This should be a rallying cry for solar.Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) require utilities to incorporate a fraction of clean energy, like solar, into the […]
Solar Warranties: Peace of Mind
Solar Warranties: The Solar Panels and Inverters 10/20/12 One of the wonders of solar power is its ability to produce clean, reliable energy for over 25 years. There is comfort in knowing that you’ve made a smart decision that will pay for itself and produce clean energy into the next generation. However, how can you […]
Local Owners Use Solar Panels To Brew Beer
Local brewery owners are changing the way they do business. Some have decided to tap into solar energy and it’s saving them money down the line. Inside of the Civil Life Brewery in south city owner Jake Hafner is doing what he’s always wanted. To run his own business, he also wanted to make sure […]
Two Reasons Solar Transcends Politics: Jobs & Energy Diversification
Solar creates jobs: Solar job rate growth nationally over the last year by 6.8% Job rate growth otherwise nationally is only 0.7% Number of workers in the U.S. solar industry is greater than 100,000. Number of workers in the coal mining industry equals 79,500. Fossil fuels are high in emission and are imported from out […]
Solar vs. fossil fuels: Life Cycle Analysis
Many of us think solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, but don’t know exactly in what way or how much. To help sort out the real environmental impact of solar photovoltaics (PV), StraightUp Solar looked at the life cycle analysis of solar systems compared to fossil fuels. Once installed, solar panels […]
All or Nothing Does Not Apply to Solar
We don’t have to get all of our energy from solar power. We don’t have to solve all of our economic or environmental struggles with solar. And, we don’t have to spend all of our money or fill up our entire roof with solar. That’s the beauty of solar: We can make a choice to […]
Improved Solar Incentives for Commercial Projects!
In December 2010 the provision for bonus depreciation was amended and extended yet again by The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4853). Under these amendments, eligible property placed in service after September 8, 2010 and before January 1, 2012 qualifies for 100% first-year bonus depreciation. For 2012, bonus […]
StraightUp Solar Helps Local Firm Enjoy Solar Benefits
Solar Power a Bonus for St. Louis Firm ST. LOUIS • Aside from the environmental benefits, using the energy generated by the sun makes good business sense, says an executive of Walsh & Associates Inc., a local chemical distributor. Randall D. Lewis, the company’s operations director, said he expected the recent $500,000 installation of 416 solar […]
June 2010 – Walsh & Associates
With Missouri’s largest solar array, Walsh and Associates has made the forward looking commitment of installing a PV system to produce 100% of the company’s energy needs. This 100 kW commitment is pioneering the path for more local businesses to follow suit. Annual energy bills will go from $36,000 to $1,500! Special thanks for everyone who dedicated […]
Choices
Our electricity comes predominantly from coal. Most of us in Missouri and Illinois burn over 30 pounds of coal per day in our homes. Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) that we use is a pound of coal burnt. Imagine 30, 40, 50 pounds of coal delivered to your doorstep everyday. When we look at our electric bill […]
