Governor Perdue Visits SAS Solar Farm

On Thursday, Gov. Perdue toured the SAS Solar Farm in Cary, which was completed last December. The farm's 5,040 solar panels, which swivel to track the sun across the sky, generate 1 megawatt of electric power at peak and is projected to produce 1.7 million KWH per year and eliminate 1,600 tons of carbon emissions annually.

The solar field occupies 4.8 acres of land, which also serves as a pasture for Dorper Sheep; they are shorter than other breeds and therefore able to graze beneath the panels. You can see them in the background of the photo below.

Gov. Perdue also took this opportunity to announce reforms to strengthen NC's green economy. According to a press release by her office, her energy plan refocuses state energy policymaking, makes strategic investments in North Carolina’s green economy and increases green-collar workforce development. More specifically, the governor said she plans to use about $35 million in federal stimulus funds to improve work force training in higher education, boost grants and create loans for small businesses in emerging green energy fields. Funds will also be used to improve energy efficiency in businesses, homes and other buildings.

Duke Energy Acquires its First Wind Farm in Eastern U.S.

Duke Energy took another step in expanding its renewable energy portfolio with the announcement that it is acquiring a 70-megawatt wind power project in Pennsylvania – the company's first in the eastern U.S.

Duke Energy has more than 500 MW of wind-powered generation in operation – a figure that will rise to more than 700 MW by the end of 2009. The company has an additional 5,000 MW in potential wind energy development projects. To read the complete press release, visit Duke Energy online.

DSIRE Launches New Solar Website

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The new DSIRE SOLAR site still has all the features of the DSIRE site, including the interactive map, but now displays solar incentives only. Users can specify whether they want PV or solar thermal (or both) incentives when using the state-by-state map.

4th Annual Green Home Tour Starts Tomorrow!

The 4th Annual Green Home Tour will be held on April 25 & 26 and May 2 & 3. This free, self-guided tour will include 36 green homes in Wake, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Granville, and Alamance Counties.

All homes are enrolled in the green-building certification program administered by the Green Home Builders of the Triangle. Each entry is required to achieve sufficient goals in all of the green building program areas and must conform to at least the bronze level of green certification.

You can pick up a free tour book at a number of local outlets during the week before the tour. Otherwise, visit www.TriangleGreenHomeTour.com for more detailed information.

Water Leaks Cost Money

I know there are many of you out there who are constantly looking for ways to keep monthly water bills down, and help water rates to remain low. One of the most effective ways of accomplishing this is by checking periodically for leaks and repairing them ASAP. Here are a few stats to get you thinking about the cumulative effects of a leak...

Leaking Faucet @ 100 Drips/Minute = 350 Gallons/Month
Leaking Toilet @ 1/2 GPM = 21,600 Gallons/Month

According to the Principles and Practices of Water Supply Operations: Transmission and Distribution (3rd Edition, 2003), a leak that is a 1/4-inch in size will waste 14,952 Gallons/Day at 60PSI. This is the equivalent of 463,512 Gallons/Month! Even a small leak that is only a 1/16 of an inch in size will waste 360 Gallons/Day or 11,160 Gallons/Month. All of that water adds up quickly, so make every drop count.

Earth Day 2009 is April 22nd

In celebration of Earth Day 2009 (April 22), Amazon.com is launching a special Earth Day Savings promotion, where customers can save on organic groceries, home products, CFLs and more.

Amazon and ENERGY STAR will also host the Earth Day Sweepstakes. Five first-place winners will receive two ENERGY STAR-qualified powerhouses: a Toshiba laptop and a Brother multifunction printer. Fifteen second-place winners will receive the Brother printer. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter here by April 22, 2009. See Official Rules for details.

Triangle Green Home Tour Coming Soon!

The 4th Annual Green Home Tour has been expanded to two weekends in 2009: Apr 25-26 and May 2-3. This free, self-guided event will feature 36 entries in six counties.

As usual, the tour will allow you to examine a number of green building features in a wide variety of homes in all styles and price points -- ranging from Habitat and entry-level homes to luxury custom entries.

One of the entries is currently under construction at the Streets of Southpoint by Sun River Builders. This green-built home became open to the public this past Saturday, March 28, just one short week after construction began. To learn more, check out their website.