Article Title: Solar roofing tiles comes to tract housing

Excerpt: DRI Energy has developed roofing tiles with solar cells built in them.

Excerpt: The problem with installing solar electricity in these types of developments is that builders don't want to work solar panels and the racking systems, said Stephen Torres, chief operating officer at DRI Energy. "They don't do rack installs unless they have to," he said.

Excerpt: They start with standard terra-cotta colored s-tiles or flat concrete tiles and add a cavity to hold the wiring and solar cells which convert light to electricity. The added photovoltaic cells make their roofing tiles slightly thicker than tiles but are far less noticeable than adding flat panels, Torres said.

Article Title: Redding: Local News

Excerpt: Carr, his wife and their twin 4-year-old boys live most of the year off the power grid in the Mt. Shasta Forest subdivision about 12 miles northeast of McCloud. About 150 homes are tucked into the forested subdivision and more and more are being built. There are about 800 lots.

Article Title: ASU embarks on NSF grant for Nanotechnology Solar Energy Initiative

Excerpt: "Over the past decade, ASU has quietly reassembled one of the most comprehensive portfolios of solar-related research programs in the world," says Jonathan Fink, vice-president of ASU's Office of Research and Economic Affairs. "This new award is a prime example of ASU's interdisciplinary approach to solar research and uncovering new ways to better harness, create and utilize solar energy."

Excerpt: The ASU team's end result will attempt to create new solar energy technology platforms and attract the interest of future research partners. The NSF project is part of the agency's Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) award program, which recognizes and promotes interdisciplinary research between education and industry.

Article Title: Rebates make energy-efficient solar power attractive for homes and businesses: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Excerpt: Despite the high initial cost of installing a photovoltaic power system, Porretto and other proponents of solar power think demand for these products will expand in South Florida and other parts of the state as people become aware of rebates now available from the state, the potential savings as power bills continue to rise and the "green" benefits of solar power.

Excerpt: In June, Gov. Bush signed legislation designed to promote wider use of solar power and other renewable technologies. Following the lead of other states, like California and New Jersey, the Florida law provides rebates up to $20,000 for residents and up to $100,000 for businesses installing solar energy systems. Rebates come from a $2.5 million fund. In addition, the federal government offers up to $2,000 in tax credits for investments in new PV and solar water heating systems that meet IRS criteria.

Article Title: We need to press for sun power

Excerpt: Over the past decade, ASU has quietly reassembled one of the most comprehensive portfolios of solar-related research programs in the world. Complementary efforts are being made by the Arizona Corporation Commission and Department of Commerce. In fact, a committee of business, government and academic leaders convened by the Commerce Department will soon present Arizonans with a detailed solar energy roadmap. The plan will spell out the roles that various institutions can play to help make the state a solar powerhouse.

Excerpt: In the long-term, the most frightening aspects of our expanding fossil fuel use come from rising global temperatures. Here in the desert, the downside of such warming is clearly reflected in reduced comfort and higher electric bills. But people all over the world are realizing how dire the environmental, political and social consequences of unchecked burning of petroleum products will be on future generations Insufficient progress will be made toward these goals unless Arizona has policies in place to stimulate solar energy research, generation and delivery. Such policies should include:


• Creating market certainty through financial incentives that decrease as the size of the solar market increases.


• Authorizing the establishment of special facilities districts that reduce the financial and technical risks of incorporating solar technology for large numbers of individual home- and business-owners.


• And designating a funding source for university research on solar applications that will create business spin-offs and jobs.

Article Title: Solar energy mandates increase costs, do little else

Excerpt: Solar energy tax credits for utilities and commercial use have been available for some time. Then in 1996, the Arizona Corporation Commission decided to try its own experiment by mandating electric utilities that it regulates to gradually phase in alternative energy sources with an emphasis on solar.

Excerpt: But solar energy never has blossomed, as industry fans had long hoped, for widespread electricity generation. Despite billions of dollars in research, solar technology remains more cumbersome, unreliable and expensive than other alternatives to fossil fuels. Wind, geothermal, landfill gas — even nuclear power — all make more economic sense at this point.

Article Title: Pair of County Homes To Tout Solar Energy Benefits

Excerpt: Sponsored by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) and part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour that is going on throughout the country, tomorrow's event will allow people to observe solar panel installations, geothermal heat pumps and more simple energy efficient measures such as double thick walls and windows with special features.