US Oil Production at Highest Level in History

We are taking a short break from our usual locally-themed news and observations because it is worth noting that US oil production has set another record.  Despite increasing support for renewable energy, and in seeming contrast to a steady stream of good news about increased renewable energy production, we are faced with the reality that oil production in the US is at the highest rate in history.  While we have seen a couple of drops in production in the last 20 years, the truth is that US oil production has been on a steady steep increase since the Obama administration.

There are a couple factors that might make this surprising to some.  As a whole, most Americans acknowledge the role of CO2 in climate change and recognize that we should be working to decrease our contribution to this issue.  It may also surprise some since it is politically popular for some candidates to claim their opponents are trying to kill the oil industry – evidence suggests otherwise.  All federal administrations have recently presided over significant oil production increases.

The issue is complicated by the fact that while the US is now the largest oil producer in the world, most of our oil is exported.  It is popular to complain about the price of gas, and it would seem contrary to the basic rules of economics that prices would rise as supply increases, however we see that demand for oil is growing at a much faster rate than the supply.  Some might suggest it is foolish to race to utilize and export this finite resource due to the pollution it creates when burned, and its utility as a resource to our country in the long run.  Apparently the people in a position to profit from this policy right now are successful implementing their plans into action.  Let us know what you think the graph below indicates about US energy policy.

These are large complex global issues, beyond the ability of your local solar company to understand or to have an effect.  The evidence that the underlying problems with our energy industry continue to worsen provides motivation for us to continue to help our clients craft their own personal energy policy.  For over 22 years we have been spreading the news that you can put solar on your roof, replace your gas furnace with an electric heating unit most likely a heat pump, improve your insulation, and get a bike and an electric vehicle so you don’t need to buy gasoline.  For an average homeowner on the Olympic Peninsula, it is possible to provide all of your own energy for your home and your transportation with roof top solar, while increasing the value of your home, and stopping your support for the domestic and global oil industry and its associated avarice and pollution.

If you are looking to craft your personal energy policy, now would be a good time for you to speak to us and put your own plans into action.

We just lost a pretty special brother in the WA Solar industry. Kirk was smart and industrious, and the times I spoke with him he was always consistent in his beliefs and efforts. He ran a very good company, and in spite of the challenges faced by everyone running a small contracting business, the thing that stands out was Kirk’s generousity with his time and perspective. He was very collaborative (this is actually characteristic of many of the businesses that have been installing solar for a long time in this state.) Condolences to family, friends, and employees.  We will miss Kirk greatly and we are very glad he was able to take the steps so South Sound Solar would continue, may it live long and prosper!

There is a brief write up here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/HPPHDYC2yxZDC6Pd/

Power Trip Energy Corp announces The Solarize Trail Crest program.  This program offers group discounts on solar PV arrays for your homes, along with bonuses, valid through August 30, 2024.

Group Discounts:

• 3% Discount: If three customers in Trail Crest sign up by Aug 30th.
• 5% Discount: If five or more customers sign up by Aug 30th.

Special Offers:

• Electric Yard Tools : All participants will receive a free electric mower or weed trimmer with the purchase of any solar array.  (RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 20 in. Walk Behind Self-Propelled Mower Bundle) or (40V HP Brushless 16 in. Cordless Carbon Fiber Shaft Attachment Capable String Trimmer with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger).
• EV Service Equipment: Customers who install a 10 kW or larger array will qualify for Enphase Level II charging equipment.

Installation Details:

• Installations will occur within six weeks of receiving your signed contract and deposit. We aim to perform installations back-to-back to maximize efficiency by working contiguously within the neighborhood.

Solar Home Tour:

• Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
• Locations: Power Trip Energy’s shop at 83 Denny Avenue, Port Townsend, and the home of an early solar installation within Trail Crest Community. For additional information on this Solar Home Tour, please visit Power Trip Energy Solar Home Tour

We are thrilled to bring you this offer and hope you seize this opportunity to join the Solarize Trail Crest program.

Note: Solarize Trail Crest is the current offering in a series dating back to 2010 that is an individual offering of Power Trip Energy Corp.  It is not supported by any government or non-profit subsidies, and the discounts are a function of the efficiencies attained through group purchasing and being able to schedule the installations in the most sensible manner.

8 KW Sunpower PV at Trail Crest, January 2024

Utilities will generally shut down power to an area during wildfires to help protect first responders and to prevent any downed lines from contributing to the spread of the fire.  PSE has expanded the scope of their preparation for such events by developing a protocol that may be utilized during extreme weather forecasts leading to potential wildfire conditions.  Policies like this are already in place in California and Oregon however this is new for Washington.  It provides guidelines for shutting power down before a fire starts.  With the planned outages, there would be advanced notice to help people plan for these possible events..

Apparently the wildfires that were started by power lines in Northern California, and the calamity in Lahaina have motivated forward-thinking utilities to plan ahead.

“This is a tool of last resort for us…making the very difficult decision to turn power off to make sure that community safety is number one.”

PSE is asking customers that rely on at-home medical equipment to update their accounts to add life support status.

https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2024/06/11/puget-sound-energy-power-shutoff-plan-for-wildfire-risk-in-kitsap/74019541007/

9 KW Sunpower Array – Port Townsend – December 2023

So often I see articles that I find frustrating because of incorrect information or lack of clarity.  In this case, I think Annie Midori Atherton has done an excellent job of speaking to multiple people involved in the clean energy transofrmation in our state and has put together a nice article.  https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/looking-to-make-an-energy-switch-heres-how-to-harness-the-power-of-the-sun/

You may need a Seattle Times subscription or to disable ad blockers in order to read this.

The key takeaways that I hope this article communicates to people are:

• Our nation and especially our state have set ambitious goals for clean energy and have made significant economic commitments to help homeowners install solar.  We will increase our energy generation while decreasing our carbon emissions.
• Solar works very well if you have a good sunny roof.  Our state’s Net Metering Law protects homeowners and makes certain they get the full value of all of the electricity they produce.
• While solar is not inexpensive, it is an investment in your house that significantly increases the home value immediately, while saving you money every month for decades to come.  It can be viewed as a hedge against rising energy costs.
• As the solar market has progressed from mainly early adopters to now mainstream interest, many new companies have entered Washington state and not all of them share the ethic that drove many of us long-timers in the industry to start our businesses.  Buyer beware!  If you feel pressured, if the company is pushing in-house financing, if they can’t tell you about the specific products they are proposing, or if you can’t pick up the phone and talk to the owner, or visit their office – those should all be red-flags that you may not get the best project you have in mind.  The best advice is to make sure you are dealing with a local company that has been around a long time, and that is a member of the Washington Solar Energy Industry Association.  There are criteria for membership that require integrity, and not all businesses that apply for membership meet those standards.

We hope you enjoy this article and are moved to positive action.  We would be happy to speak with you and apply our 22 years of solar installation experience to your home.

8.8 KW Sunpower, Port Angeles, WA 2022

On Earth Day a couple of weeks ago, President Biden announced funding results in regards to $7 billion in grants nationwide through the EPA’s Solar For All program, a part of 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act.  It makes a lot of sense to address inflation through energy policy because the more energy we can create without carbon-based fuel like coal and oil, the better off we will all be from both a pollution reduction and health standpoint, and also economically by avoiding being subject to the utility and oil industries’ capricious and self-serving pricing policies, which are inflationary.

Here in Washington, our state will receive $156 million in federal funds, which will be increased by $100 million of our own funds derived from the polution allowances that were part of our state’s Cap and Invest program in the 2023 Climate Commitment Act.  These funds will go mainly to four programs run by the Dept of Commerce.

• Grants for Low Income Homeowners – the guidelines or timing of these grants has not yet been announced – we will publicize as soon as we know
• Grants for Low Income Renters and Tribe Members to participate in Community Solar Arrays at no cost
• Owners of Multi-Family Buildings will be able to get no-interest, forgiveable loans for energy efficiency improvements and electrical upgrades, if solar is a part of the program and if the benefits go to the tenants.
• Additional partnership with Tribes to help expand solar for their members on their lands

It is forecast that these programs will result in solar on about 3000 additional homes.

These programs will not be aimed at our core clientele which is middle class homeowners.  These programs are for renters, low-income homeowners, tribal members, and landlords of multi-family buildings.  We are excited to see these markets being served by solar incentives.  These sectors have traditionally been passed over by the standard solar incentive mechanism, which has been tax credits.  There is still a 30% federal tax credit which will continue to be the main incentive mechanism encouraging solar installation for most homeowners.

This information was summarized in an article carried by the Peninsula Daily News, linked below.  Be sure to support your local newspaper!

Raincoast Farms, 12 KW Sunpower Array, Jefferson PUD Grid, Port Townsend, 2018

Federal funds will help thousands get solar power for free