Solar Facts for When I’m Ready
Last year we bought our first single-family home. This purchase finally removes all of the excuses for not making my home more environmentally friendly. As a result, I did some research on adding a net-metered solar system on the house. The capital requirements are somewhat staggering which means no net-metered solar system for us soon.
Observations
- The Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida estimates that a 1KW solar system will generate 1,350 kWh per year with 3.5 hours of sun per day. So, a 5 KW system will generate about 18.5 kWh per day (conservatively).
- For comparison, my 2,100 sq ft home averages about 37.2 kWh per day.
- Installing a solar hot water heater is equivalent to installing a 2 KW system. An 80 gallon ceramic solar powered hot water heater will only lose about 1 degree of temperature every 3 days.
- The term net-metered simply means the system is connected to the power grid. This results in credits to your power bill. However, the system does not include batteries and does not provide power during utility outages.
Continue reading Comments (0) Apr.09.2008.
This is a Blog Post
I'm an avid reader of Jason Broadwater's musings on web marketing. I don't think of myself as a marketer. I simply enjoy the fact that the Internet reduces barriers and allows ordinary people to sometimes do the extraordinary. I just did it! I described what the Internet is to me. I created this third thing.
Well I think this video post created by Jason is one of his most interesting yet, so I wanted to archive and promote this thought here on my web-site which is a blog. It's a third thingy.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.25.2008.
Follow Starbucks on this Approach of Socialized Ideation
Starbucks has created an on-line suggestion box for anyone that has a good idea for improving any aspect about the retailer. This is a great idea and a great use of technology. On the Starbucks Idea site, members of the community are allowed to post and vote on good ideas. Likewise, the social aspect of it allows valid ideas to organically bubble-up.
http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/home/home.jsp
This Starbucks Idea solution is powered and hosted by SalesForce.com according to the footer information on their site.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.20.2008.
Business 2.0 Shuts Down
Business 2.0 was a great publication, and the magazine was one of the only business magazines I subscribed. I can't help but think that Time, Inc is being short sighted with their decision to close the magazine. I voted with my wallet and I canceled my "rollover" subscription to Fortune. The final issue of Business 2.0 informed subscribers that they would get 1 issue of Fortune Magazine for every 2 issues of Business 2.0. No thank you. Time Inc., you would have to give me 3 issues of Fortune for every 1 issue of Business 2.0, if you really expected me to not cancel my subscription.
The attached image is the last Business 2.0 cover. Business 2.0 was special. The content not only informed, but it inspired creativity and American business innovation.
Continue reading Comments (0) Oct.03.2007.