"Making Energy Work in the Southeast" Panels Available Online

Panels from Solar 2011, Hosted by ASES and NCSEA

In May, the National Solar Conference, America’s leading conference on the emerging trends, technology, and opportunities shaping the new energy economy, met for the first time in Raleigh, NC.  This year marked the 40^th anniversary of the event and the conference introduced over 3,800 attendees to the leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs moving the industry forward.   NCSEA co-sponsored the conference, and organized nine panels related specifically to clean energy issues in the Southeast.  These panels were designed to offer information and education from industry experts on issues across all sectors of the market to encourage the growth of the clean energy economy.  If you missed the National Solar Conference, or want a refresher on the Southeast Panel issues discussed, we have posted the presentations and associated summaries on our website.   If you live, own a business, work for local governments or the military in the Southeast, don’t miss this valuable information.

Takes Place July 18 – 21: Register Today!

NCSEA is proud to be a supporting sponsor of Plug-In 2011.  Nowhere else will you have a more complete, more open and more direct dialogue concerning the future of plug-in hybrid and electric transportation than at the Plug-In 2011 Conference & Exposition, taking place at the Raleigh Convention Center, July 18-21.  

 Go to www.plugin2011.com to learn more and register today!.

Maintenance Shows of America Brings The 2011 Carolina Industrial & Facility Maintenance Show to Charlotte

Maintenance Shows of America is proud to announce  the  4th  annual Carolina Industrial and Facility Maintenance Show and Conference (CI-FM 2011) will be held at their new location,  the  Metrolina TradeShow Expo in Charlotte, NC on October 26 & 27 2011.  NCSEA is a supporting sponsor of this conference and we encourage you to check out this event which promises to be insightful and informative.  If you have a specific industry expertise and would be interested in speaking, please go to http://maintenanceshows.com/call-for-speakers.html.  Once they receive your information, someone will contact you.

What’s the next big technology in solar energy?  German engineering giant Siemens is banking on high concentrating photovoltaics (HCPV), which uses lenses to focus sunlight onto small, ultra-efficient solar cells.  And, Durham-based Semprius has become their newest partner in advancing this innovation.  Siemens has acquired a 16% stake in Semprius and will act as a strategic investor to help develop this innovative technology to market maturity.

North Carolina is leading the Southeast in the emerging clean energy economy and our state's valuable sustainable energy businesses, local community leaders and organizations, educational institutions, and others are ready and eager to start new projects to make us a national leader. Below are just a few of the recent major announcements and innovations from across our state. (Click below to read more about each project.)

Last week, the NC Utilities Commission conducted hearings on Duke Energy's progress toward complying with our state's Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) law - and specifically the solar set aside. Attendees, including NCSEA's staff, were stunned by their testimony. And, in a second blow to NC's clean energy industry and consumers this week, our utilities finally convinced legislative leadership to not take up the Solar Jobs Bill (HB495/SB473) and the Energy Independence & Job Creation Bill (SB694). These much-needed bills would have retained jobs, created up to 8,300 new jobs across North Carolina by 2015, and allowed a reasonable amount of market competition.

Alicia Ravetto, NCSEA member, and former Board member, has been elected a Fellow of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) in recognition of her valued service in advancing the cause of solar energy.  Alicia has worked tirelessly for many years to promote more sustainable building practices and believes education is critical to impact the way buildings are designed and built today.

Click here to learn more.

North Carolina’s oldest fishing pier in the Outer Banks reopened on Saturday, May 21 after being severely damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003.  The new Jennette’s Pier at Nags Head is loaded with state-of-the-art clean energy technology and innovative design with its 16,000 square foot, LEED certified, facility.

Most prominent are the three wind turbines (10kW each) that spin gracefully above the Pier’s wooden deck. At maximum output, the turbines are capable of fulfilling nearly half the facility’s electric needs. In addition, one of the Pier’s shade pavilions is covered in photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity, which is stored in a battery bank until needed to power Pier lights at night.

Free workshops to provide training on North Carolina’s new energy conservation code and the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings, will be held around North Carolina in June. These presentations will provide the current NC energy code requirements and will include critical information for builders and designers, along with mechanical, insulation and other contractors. Workshops will be held in Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greenville, Asheville, Fayetteville and Greensboro on June 2 - June 21.

RALEIGH, NC – North Carolinians overwhelmingly support the increased use of clean energy sources like solar or wind energy, according to poll results released today by the NC Sustainable Energy Association.  A recent statewide public opinion survey conducted by Fallon Research found that 83.8 percent of likely general election voters think state leaders and elected officials in North Carolina should seek more alternative or renewable energy sources in order to provide consumers and businesses with electricity.

The poll, conducted April 27-29, 2011, surveyed 800 North Carolina residents (landline and cellular phone numbers) on their support or opposition to a number of energy related questions.  The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points.  Fallon Research is a polling and communications firm that has previously worked with numerous groups in North Carolina, including the NC Realtors Association and NC Home Builders Association, in addition to political candidates and independent expenditure groups across 35 US states.