Catrin Einhorn reported from the grasslands north of Flagstaff, Ariz. | New York Times | February 11, 2024
The Planet Needs Solar Power. Can We Build It Without Harming Nature?
Today’s decisions about how and where to set up new energy projects will reverberate for generations.
On September 7, 2023, Habitat 2020 (the Habitat Committee of ECOS) and several other organizations submitted a comment letter on the Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch Project.
Photo by Sean Nealon, Oregon State University
New French law will blanket parking lots with solar panels
French parking lots could soon generate as much electricity as 10 nuclear power plants, after a law is expected to win final passage on Tuesday requiring canopies of solar panels to be built atop all substantial lots in the country.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/02/06/france-solar-parking-lots/
Combining solar panels and lamb grazing increases land productivity, study finds
Land productivity could be greatly increased by combining sheep grazing and solar energy production on the same land, according to new research by Oregon State University scientists.
Wrangling over renewables: Counties push back on Newsom administration usurping local control
“It’s a humongous task,” said Siva Gunda, vice chair of the California Energy Commission. “We’ve had 100 years to build the grid the way it is today and we’re redoing it in the next 20 years. At least we have a plan. We are digging ourselves out of a hole.”
https://calmatters.org/environment/2022/08/renewable-energy-california-counties/
GRID Alternatives in partnership with the Honnold Foundation need your help to bring solar to disadvantaged communities. Founded by world-renowned rock climber Alex Honnold, The Honnold Foundation continues to be inspired by GRID’s commitment to sustainable energy and social equity, their job training program, and their proven model for building community engagement. Come volunteer with GRID on a day installation to bring the benefits of renewable energy to a local family! Click here for the flyer.
GRID Alternatives is a licensed electrical and solar contractor CL#867533 that has worked with hundreds of homeowners statewide.
GRID Alternatives is a non-profit organization that makes renewable energy technology and training accessible to underserved communities.
Step 1: Gather 5-6 of your classmates or friends
Step 2: Reach out to GRID to set up an orientation and secure your installation day.
Step 3: Volunteer on a one day installation (Lunch provided) and workshop to learn how your time helped a family in your local community!
Contact: Tommy Minor, Workforce and Volunteerism 916.620.9807 / tminor[at]gridalterantives[dot]org
GRID ALTERNATIVES | North Valley | 1417 N. Market Blvd. Suite 3 Sacramento, CA 95834 | www.gridalternatives.org
Congratulations to ECOS Member organization Mutual Housing California for being the first multi-family affordable rental development in the nation to receive the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Homes certification. California Housing Partnership Corporation’s (CHPC) Green Rental Home Energy Efficiency Network released a case study that highlights Mutual Housing’s success in designing Spring Lake, a 62-unit development for farmworkers in Woodland.
Spring Lake produces as much energy as they use, and has reached between 36.5% and 40.8% above 2008 Title 24 energy requirements. The property received $5.5 million in permanent funding from the USDA by committing to Zero Net Efficiency.
Mailing address: PO Box 1526, Sacramento, CA 95812
Email: office [at] ecosacramento [dot] net
909 12th St., Suite 203, Sacramento, CA 95814