NCSEA's Miriam Makhyoun and Randy Lucas will present at the World Renewable Energy Forum on May 16, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

Lucas is a CPA and the Principal Consultant of Lucas Tax + Energy Consulting in Charlotte, NC. He also serves as on the NCSEA Board of Directors. Miriam serves as the Solar and Renewable Energy Industry Specialist for NCSEA. They will discuss the "Evaluation of Incentives for Renewable Energy in Today's Market".  

The World Renewable Energy Forum 2012 includes over 200 sessions including presentations of technical papers, forum sessions and panel discussions. 

Lime Energy Co. has made a sponsorship agreement with Uncharted Play, the creators of sOccketTM, a portable source of clean, renewable energy designed to help families in need.


The sOccket is a durable soccer ball that harnesses the kinetic energy of the ball during normal game play and stores it for later power needs. After just 30 minutes of play, small electrical appliances, like an LED lamp, can be plugged into the sOccket for 3 hours of electricity. “Lime’s purpose is to build a clean energy future and this sponsorship aligns to our values as a company,” said John O’Rourke, Lime President and CEO. “The creators of sOccket have developed a renewable resource that taps into the global passion for the game of soccer and creates a lasting solution to the growing energy crisis.”

North Carolina churches are benefiting from sustainable practices. Earlier this month, more than 50 clergy, laity and community members gathered at United Church of Chapel Hill for the first Transition Congregation workshop in the nation.

The workshop is part of a larger, global initiative known as the Transition Town movement that aims to reduce local communities' dependency on oil and builds sustainability in the community.

The United Church of Chapel Hill and North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, a North Carolina Council of Churches' program that promotes renewable energy alternatives, co-sponsored the workshop.

Furthermore, several churches across the state have gone solar including the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, Temple Emmanuel in Greensboro, and the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat.

• Swedish retailer IKEA will install a solar panel array on the roof of its Charlotte store by next summer, The Charlotte Observer reported. The plan is part of IKEA's program to add solar panels to nine stores and one distribution center in the southern U.S. The Charlotte store, which opened in 2009, will support 4,214 solar panels that will generate an estimated 1,330,000 kilowatt hours a year, or the energy required to power about 114 average homes.
• Progress Energy and Duke Energy say a Chevy Volt or home charger were not to blame for an Iredell County house fire. Garland Cloer, Iredell County's chief deputy fire marshal, said it appears the fire did not start in the electric car. He wouldn't say more about the fire's origin, because investigators for several agencies and manufacturers are still examining the debris.
• Wilmington was one of two cities to receive the Susan M. Burgess Sustainability Award by the N.C. League of Municipalities. The city was recognized for numerous sustainability initiatives including fuel efficiency and energy efficiency projects.

UNC-TV's program "NC Now" highlighted three clean energy Hertford County businesses that are dedicated to improving the economy and ecology of North Carolina. The episode, which orginally aired on Oct. 31, 2011, features Wellons Energy Solutions, a project developer for biomass cogeneration facilities; SunPower, a provider of solar solutions; and Enviva LP, a manufacturer of processed biomass fuel.

The segment was part of the North Carolina Rising project which identifies and highlights the success stories of North Carolina's rural areas that once thrived on crops such as tobacco but are now transitioning into a new global economy. In August 2010 UNC-TV began a weekly series of reports on North Carolina Now, UNC-TV's flagship public affairs series. The reports feature unique economic development projects happening across the state and seek to raise awareness of effective revitalization efforts so that they might be replicated in other areas of the state and beyond.

Have you always wanted a first-hand look at an electric vehicle? Or maybe you just have to see one again?

Come to NCSEA's Making Energy Work Nov. 9 conference at the Raleigh Convention Center where you can become part of "The Electric Vehicle Experience." EVXP of Raleigh plans to showcase one of its electric vehicles at the day-long event.

The company rents "the world's most advanced electric cars to raise the green bar for luxury and entertainment in the Triangle." By attending the conference, you'll have the chance to learn more about the Tesla Roadster, a mid-engine, rear wheel drive, two passenger, two door, carbon fiber body automobile powered by 6,831 individual lithium ion batteries generating 375 volts. The ride takes you from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

North Carolina is leading the Southeast in the emerging clean energy economy. Below is a small sampling of what's happening across our state. Click below on each link to learn more about these recent innovations, announcements and advancements.  (And, remember to forward your announcements to amneris@energync.org if you would like your information posted on NCSEA's website and included in our eNews.)

North Carolina’s fourth annual sales tax holiday on Energy Star products runs Friday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov.6. During those days, certain Energy Star-qualifiedproducts that meet energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the Department of Energy are exempt from sales and use taxes.  

The Biltmore Estate announced plans to install 5,000 solar panels on six acres. The project will be completed over two months at a cost of $5.2 million.  It will be one of the largest solar arrays in North Carolina.

Gov. Bev Perdue recognized Appalachian State University students and faculty for their participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011 international competition. Perdue signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 28-Nov. 4 as Appalachian State University Solar Homestead Week.

North Carolina ranks ninth in the U.S. for additional installed PV capacity and eleventh for cumulative installed PV capacity, according to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010 report.

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council publishes the report each year. North Carolina ranked above Texas on the 2010 list. California came in first followed by New Jersey, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Florida. All of the top 10 states made the list, the report said, because of their state renewable portfolio or financial incentive programs.

On November 9, the NC Sustainable Energy Association will release its 2011 North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census detailing amongst other findings the number of jobs and businesses associated with our state’s clean energy sector. The Census and the annual report, now in its fourth year, is the only undertaking of its kind providing North Carolina businesses and industry stakeholders with the most comprehensive and up-to-date data. In 2010, the Census reported more than 12,500 jobs making it the third consecutive year that the clean energy sector experienced growth. 

RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina’s leading clean energy conference is just around the corner – space is limited so attendees are encouraged to register today!  The NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) will hold its annual “Making Energy Work” conference on Wednesday, November 9^th at the Raleigh Convention Center.  The conference is well-known for delivering unparalleled educational content, stimulating discussions and debates, and great networking opportunities for a wide range of attendees including the “novice” to energy industry experts to policymakers – everyone involved with our rapidly-developing clean energy economy.  For more information on the agenda and to register, please visit: http://energync.org/annualmeeting2011.