Atlantic City New Jersey

New Jersey’s Vineland Municipal Electric Utility ranks highest in the nation on a watts-per-customer basis a new study the Solar Energy Power Association. The utility provides 769 watts per customer for their 25,000 customers.

New Jersey is a pro-solar state with three out of it’s four utilities ranking in the top ten nationwide for the amount of electricity generated from installed solar units.

More details at New Jersey Spotlight.

New Jersey Recognized for Solar Power Installations

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Date: 2012-04-13, 8:59PM MDT
Reply to: jim@unitysolar.net

Need professional solar panel installer part time. This will be contract work anywhere in New Mexico. Installer will retain 100% of installation fee. Must be able to install complete solar system including wiring, inverters,charge regulators, etc. Need good references and work history. Reliability essential.

Installer can also quote large solar arrays, home and commercial solar systems on commission.

Contact jim@unitysolar.net

• Location: New Mexico
• Compensation: Contracted fee
• This is a part-time job.
• This is a contract job.

Jobs In Solar: Solar Panel Installer (New Mexico)

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Fortunate recipients of Habitat for Humanity homes in several parishes in Louisiana including Lafayette, are also getting solar panels installed on their rooftops. The local Habitat for Humanity has teamed up with Uptown Solar to provide the panels for several new residents.

Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director Melinda Taylor says they want to go beyond building simple homes and create durable homes. The average savings will be $470 a year for homes with solar installations. More of their homes qualify as Energy Star homes also.

Being located in Louisiana, the solar panels are built and attached to withstand hurricane winds up to 120 mph.

Check out the upgrade for Habitat for Humanity at The Advertiser.

and Uptown Solar.

Habitat for Humanity Homes Using Solar Panels

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Date: 2012-04-09, 10:38AM PDT
Reply to: brian.ciraenergy@gmail.com

Well established Roofing and Solar energy company is hiring for marketing help. Work where and near to where you live. Salary plus bonuses. Canvass to homeowners in select neighborhoods and inquire if they would like a free estimate on our services. Work between 12 to 20 hours a week while earning $12 per hour plus up to 15% commission of total commissions paid. Expect to earn $600 to $1000 per week!! Steady pay for steady performance…we want you to reach your earning potential and everyone wins. Perfect part-time work opportunity, afternoons, evenings and weekends.

** Must have transportation and be a self starter with a good personality. Call and ask for Brian Colunga at 714-490-1795 and email resume. Hiring Organization: Cira energy and Western Roofing Systems.

• Location: Fullerton, Brea, Anaheim, Orange, Placentia CA
• Compensation: 12/hr
• This is a part-time job.

Jobs In Solar: Neighborhood Walkers – Set Appointments (Fullerton, Brea, Anaheim, Orange CA)

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How to Work Out How Many Solar Panels You Need
By Alex A George

If you are interested in the idea of using free, environmental friendly energy to power your household, and you want to have a solar panel array installed, one of the most basic requirements you need to keep track of is the number of solar panels that you need.

There are many factors that would determine just how many you would need to use, and how many you will actually be able to buy. Some of these include the results of your energy consumption target calculations (how much energy your household appliances and devices need in order to function properly), the budget you have at your disposal and the type of solar panel you are using.

Also, depending on whether you are considering the purchase of a high-tech solar array or you’re thinking of building your own panels yourself out of cheaper materials, the prices may vary. Therefore, the number of solar panels you can put together in an array may be different, and their quality might also have to be assessed.

Calculating Energy Consumption

If you want to determine precisely how many solar panels you need, it is essential to measure the amount of energy that a solar panel can offer, and compare it with the value that you require. Considering that a normal household consumes about 8000 – 9000 kwh on a yearly basis, and the fact that a $300 solar panel of good quality can only provide about 100 – 200 watts of energy, the number of panels you need to power your entire home may be quite substantial.

Of course, depending on your needs, you might not always have to use up so much energy on a regular basis. Especially if you are an environmental enthusiast, and you know how to choose appliances that provide better functionality, while consuming less energy, you might actually be able to reduce that number to half, or even less.

Also, if you want to build your own solar panel, you might find that the manufacturing costs can effectively be reduced to under $200 for a standard 36 cell solar panel. Depending on the quality of your homemade solar array, you only need about 30 or 40 panels to provide enough power for your entire home.

This number may still be too large, but it can be reduced if you wish to use an additional type of energy, such as wind power. This can offer you more energy on cloudy and rainy days, when solar panels don’t operate as well, and reduce the need for panels to half or even less.

Use caution, as different types of solar cells will provide a varying amount of energy. You can calculate the energy output easily, however: after you build your DIY solar panel, measure the current and voltage it produces, and multiply them to obtain the watt value. As a result, a small, 6 ampere solar panel that produces 12 volts, for instance, will offer about 72 watts.

Now, such a weak solar panel may not provide you with too much energy, but the good news is that there are many inexpensive panels on the market that can offer two or more times as much power, and you don’t have to pay more than 300 to 400 dollars for one. A solar array made of 10 to 20 of these panels would, therefore, represent a viable option when it comes to powering a large number of low energy appliances or gadgets.

Different Solar Panel Types

The rate and efficiency with which solar cells are able to transform solar energy into electricity also plays a part in determining how many solar panels you will need.

In the case of panels using monocrystalline solar cells, for example, the amount of sunlight needed for generating a specific amount of energy is far less than in the case of thin film or polycrystalline cells.

In 2010, a company that produces high quality monocrystalline solar panels was able to break the world record for solar energy efficiency, producing solar cells that could transform more than 24 % of the sun’s rays into usable electrical power.

Some researchers even consider that, in a few years, it may be possible to create monocrystalline solar cells that are able to go beyond the 30 % or even the 40 % mark, significantly increasing the efficiency rating of these types of solar cells, and that of solar energy in general.

A good example of the energy efficiency that these solar panels can offer would be that a solar panel using a total of 36 monocrystalline cells can generally produce around 100 to 130 watts. This practically means that if you want to get 1 kw (1000 watts), you will need about 10 of these panels. Depending on the quality and brand of the panel, pricing can range between $3000 and $5000 for this plan.

In contrast with these results, technologies using polycrystalline cells are barely able to get close to the 20 % limit today, while thin film based technologies hardly provide about 15 to 17 % efficiency.

These numbers may conclude the technological superiority of monocrystalline PV cells, but they do not prove that the best decision is to buy such panels. It’s true that you will not need as many panels to reach a general output of about 1 to 3 kw in this case, but the problem is that the more monocrystalline solar panels you buy, the greater the price difference becomes.

You may also opt for less energy efficiency and a better pricing option in order to save money. In this regard, polycrystalline cells are far better, as they are not as weak as thin film-based technologies, and are somewhat less expensive than monocrystalline solar cells.

Budget Issues

Now, everyone is usually thinking about budget issues when it comes to buying or manufacturing a solar panel. DIY solar panels are obviously cheaper, however, the quality differences can be great, not to mention that you will need to put a lot of work into it, if you want your new panels to perform properly.

If you decide to buy a solar panel, on the other hand, you will already have all the numbers necessary regarding how many watts it produces, and how stable it is. By using some simple math, you can then calculate exactly how many of these devices you need in order to meet your energy target.

The main problem here is that there are many brands focusing on offering different types of solar panels based on a large number of different technologies. As a result, you may have a hard time choosing between them, and you will have to look around on numerous websites to find out what past buyers think about any particular product.

Most people would believe that about $3000 to $8000 would be enough for a viable solar panel array; however, the numbers might double depending on your needs and the technology you want to use. Fortunately, most manufacturers are already starting to develop better technologies that allow people to buy more efficient solar arrays at a considerably lower price.

You have to take all the options into account, however, and avoid clinging to some brands simply because they have a “catchier” marketing agenda. Ultimately, the numbers will show you everything you need to know, and you can make up your own mind regarding which types of panels you should buy, and how many of them you will need.

Summary

You will often find that the company you do business with may actually provide you with a viable plan when it comes to dealing with energy consumption and solar panel numbers. Based on your budget and the proficiency of the solar power array you require, they can often give you a precise estimate of how much energy you can get from your purchase.

Use caution, however, since various brands may at times come up with new technologies that are cheaper and more effective, and would make the designs of other companies seemingly obsolete. You might actually realize then that new opportunities can appear at every step of the way.

So, if you are thoroughly informed about the factors that determine the quality of the technology used for manufacturing panels, you will find that you are in a much better position to establish how many of them you need yourself, without having to worry about any unknown factors.

To find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy go to http://advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com

You’ll discover…

The facts about solar energy
Exactly how solar energy works
The price of installing solar energy
Solar energy for home and business
How to build a solar energy system
How to make a solar oven

…and lots more! The information is ideal for students learning about solar energy and home owners who are looking into installing solar panels in their home.

Please email any questions to mailto: Support

How Many Solar Panels Will You Need?

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If you have solar panels here’s a method to consider for increasing power:

Method for Increasing Power for Solar Panels

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Date: 2012-04-04, 2:38PM MST
Reply to: see below

REC Solar is a solar electric system integrator specializing in the design and installation of residential and commercial solar systems. Our vision is to make solar electricity a part of the mainstream energy supply. While still being a medium-sized employer, REC Solar is a market leader in the solar electric industry, experiencing growth rates in excess of 75%/year. By commercializing energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, we can contribute to a more secure and sustainable world.

Responsibilities include:

· Assembling the racking and solar array;
· Assembly of equipment along with properly sealing all roof penetrations;
· Trenching, concrete work and equipment assembly.

Basic Qualifications:

· Previous Solar Installation Experience required;
· Have full range of mobility in upper and lower body;
· Must have electrical and/or roofing experience;
· Ability to work in various positions, including, but not limited to, stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling and squatting for extended periods of time;
· Be able to lift, pull and push materials and equipment to complete assigned job tasks;
· Be able to lift 50 pounds of weight frequently throughout assigned workday;
· Attention to detail;
· A good driving record;
· Documentation skills;
· Professional appearance and client interaction;
· Construction related experience.

REC Solar conducts Drug Screening, Physicals and Background checks on final candidates.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

At REC Solar we consider the environmental impact of our business decisions whenever possible. To minimize paper waste, we request that all candidates send resumes via our website. APPLY ONLINE at http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=RECSOLAR&cws=1&rid=1524

• Location: Phoenix AZ
• Compensation: Depending on Experience

Jobs In Solar: Solar Lead Installer (Phoenix AZ)

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The company who was going to create one of the world’s largest solar thermal power plants as declared bankruptcy. The plant was to be located near Blythe California and provide solar electricity for 300,000 homes in east Riverside County. German owned Solar Trust of America filed for bankruptcy after missing 2 quarterly rent payments to the Bureau of Land Management totaling $1 million.

Oakland CA based Solar Trust has run out of cash and but does not want to lose the option to develop the solar plant in Blythe.  It has sought financing from other companies and claims it has a deal to get financial backing from another solar company. Solar Trust has informed the Bureau of Land Management that it wants to switch the solar technology for the plant from thermal to photovoltaic and would like the bureau to suspend it’s 3rd quarter rent payment.

The Blythe project will be on hold until the Bureau of Land Management receives money and reviews revised plans from Solar Trust or until another company submits their plans to lease the land and develop a solar plant.

More details at Forbes.

Solar Trust of America Files for Bankruptcy

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Date: 2012-03-29, 1:07PM EDT
Reply to: gg7z9-2929025268@job.craigslist.org

1st Light Energy, a national leader in solar energy, is looking for a highly motivated, men and women to join our street teams in Massachusetts. We are looking to fill this team with individuals who are not only able to generate high quality leads in their marketing efforts, but are also interested in joining a company where they can eventually develop into Outside Sales Representatives or Marketing Managers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Generate high quality leads by conducting face-to-face marketing efforts
• Always be positive and enthusiastic about 1st Light Energy services.
• Maintain required record keeping and reporting of all activities.
• Be courteous, neat, clean and in proper attire at all times.
• Provide feedback of canvassing results.

You should possess the following attributes:
• Great people skills, self-motivation and an outgoing personality
• Reliable transportation and lines of communication

Results Expected:
• Generate highly qualified leads that are ready to go solar.

Qualifications and Requirements:
• Excited about Sustainability and the environment
• Previous retail, direct sales or direct marketing experience preferrable.
• Extremely self-motivated and goal-oriented.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for long periods at a time.
• Reliable, professional appearance & punctual.
• Coachable with the ability to take constructive feedback.
• Upbeat and persuasive personality a must.

Compensation/Hours – Lead Generation/Canvassing: Hours 1p-7pm (Mon-Fri & Some “Money Days” or Saturdays) – $11 hourly wage plus $25/appointment incentive for appointment setting. It is not unusual for team members to set 3-5 appointments in a 6 hour day and make $800 to $1,000 per week!!

Send us a current resume and tell us why you are the perfect candidate. We are looking to hire immediately.

About Us:
1st Light Energy is a fast growing leader in the Solar Installation industry with operations, marketing and sales offices in California, New Jersey and Massachusetts. 1st Light Energy has been installing solar energy systems for over a decade.

• Location: Boston, MA Suburbs
• Compensation: Hourly + Commission/Incentive per Appointment + Weekly Incentives/Competitions
• This is a part-time job.

Jobs In Solar: Outside Renewable Energy Consultant (Boston Suburbs)

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New Energy for Life has created a platform for homeowners and commercial property owners to rent out their rooftops to solar providers in exchange for a deal on solar panels. For a one-time fee of $50 a homeowner can list their roof as available to rent to solar providers and can be contacted to contract an agreement. Anyone anywhere in the world can use this site it’s not just for North American visitors.

Three options are available to rooftop owners who want solar panels but also want to avoid the upfront costs. A solar installation company will contact you to discuss the best option for you and then get started with the process of installation.

The non-profit site also lets solar providers list their projects they would like to pursue and try to find homeowners and commercial properties who are agreeable to their terms.

Homeowners and commercial property owners should take the time to read the details in any contract or have your lawyer check out your contract before signing.

More at New Energy for Life.

Good idea to check out their FAQS Page.

Renting Rooftops in Exchange for Solar Panels

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