McDonald’s To Go Solar in Texas

Imagine if your fast food was made by the power of the sun – while we aren’t quite there yet, one major fast food giant is making major #solar strides. McDonald’s has recently opted to “go solar”, following the path of other big corporations. It has recently agreed to two power purchase contracts, through which renewable #energy generated by solar and wind projects in #Texas will be purchased.  

Long Term Solar Plans 

A spokesperson for McDonald’s described the agreement related to solar and wind power as large scale and long-term. And this solar plan isn’t far off in the future, as construction is expected to begin within the next few months. Combined energy produced from contribution to the solar and wind projects should come to roughly 380 megawatts.  

The energy generated by the wind and solar projects is not going to be directly routed to McDonald’s offices and restaurants; however, it is going to contribute to the total renewable energy which is available to the grid. According to a spokesperson for McDonald’s, the energy that is produced is going to be the equivalent of more than 2,500 restaurants in terms of electric power.  

McDonald’s and Wind & Solar Power 

In terms of the wind power, it will come from #Aviator Wind West (Coke County, Texas) and is expected to add up to 220 MW. Another company you are sure to be familiar with that is purchasing energy from Aviator Wind East is Facebook. The name of the solar project is a solar secret – it has not been revealed.  

Chief supply chain and sustainability officer at McDonald’s, Francesca DeBiase, discussed how the solar and wind projects in the U.S. are representative of the company’s efforts to address climate change. The wind and solar projects build on years of clean energy sourcing in European markets. 

McDonald’s has mentioned a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from administrative centers and restaurants by 2030 to the tune of 36 percent by 2030 (from a 2015 baseline). The corporation has also discussed a desire to cut emissions intensity for each metric ton of packaging and food by 31 percent by the year 2030 – again, compared to 2015. The Science Based Targets Initiative has approved these objectives. Going solar is a huge, admirable endeavor and working to benefit the planet in any way possible is worth talking about.  

The solar and wind investment being made by McDonald’s is going to generate roughly $200 million in terms of local tax revenue in the state of Texas. It is expected to provide approximately 600 short-term jobs in construction and other areas, too.  

Major Corporations, Major Solar Efforts  

Of course, McDonald’s is far from the only major corporation committed to going solar. Many other firms in the United States have signed clean energy deals in recent history. Those companies include Amazon, which recently announced new renewable energy projects, including one in Scotland. Microsoft is another company that signed a 15-year power purchase contract for energy produced by a North Carolina solar power facility.  

Clearly, McDonald’s isn’t the only major corporation going solar. But also worth mentioning is the fact that the solar/wind investment is part of its plan to make big overall improvements. Some of the other improvements being made relevant to the environment include eliminating foam and making efforts to lessen the environmental impact resulting from cups. The company has a platform called #Scale for Good, through which it is attempting to see all its guest packaging come from recycled sources by 2025.  

It is great to see companies with huge platforms making a “solar” difference for the planet. Going solar is just one step. There are many things companies and individuals can do to help our environment. Get ideas by staying on top of solar news and stay in the know. Think about efforts you can make in your community, whether that might entail using solar panels or even making the choice to use less plastic in day to day life.  

Sources: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/08/mcdonalds-signs-long-term-deals-for-texan-wind-and-solar-energy.html 

https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/mcdonalds-buys-some-renewable-energy 

Solar Power is Coming to Space, According to the Airforce

In the race to replace traditional #energy methods with #solar energy, the United States is setting its sights on space. The Airforce Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Albuquerque is currently working on a #space-based solar energy satellite. In collaboration with Northrop Grumman, an American global aerospace and defense technology company, the AFRL is aiming to create a satellite system that will gather #solar energy from space, convert it into radio frequencies, and channel it back down to Earth. The primary goal is that the space-based #solar power project will provide energy for remote military base operations. 

The project is known as the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstration and Research project, or SSPIDR, and will cost more than $100 million to create and launch. AFRL’s Space Vehicles Director, Colonel Eric Felt, told the Albuquerque Journal that “to ensure Department of Defense mission success, we must have the energy we need at the right place at the right time.”  

Major Tim Allen stated that the project is primarily to help replace convoy power deliveries used by troops. With the ability to send solar power from space to targeted areas, troops will no longer have to escort power convoys and are more likely to remain safe. The overall goal of the space-based solar system will be reliable, “wireless power transmission,” according to Allen.  

Details of the Space-Based Solar Array  

Developers of the AFRL space-based solar system are planning on creating a constellation of satellites with solar panels, spanning nearly 10,000-square meters across. The goal is that the solar energy gathered from the space structure can be targeted towards and electronically steered to specific locations. Rachel Delaney, the systems engineer for the space-based solar project, is currently working with a team to develop different demonstrations that will allow them to work out the details for a large-scale prototype.  

Some of the biggest challenges Delaney and her team will face involve combating thermal damages that the solar structure may incur, as well as supporting a mammoth solar array of this size in orbit.  

Increasing Interest in Space-Based Solar  

Beaming solar energy from space back to Earth is not a new concept. In fact, the idea of space-based solar energy production has been around since the 1960s. However, it has not been a technologically realistic nor cost-effective possibility until recently. Part of the AFRL’s challenge in moving forward with space-based solar energy will be to find out just how cost-effective such an idea will be. 

The good news is that with space-based solar energy, the solar panels can operate 24/7. According to Ali Hajimiri, an electrical engineering professor at the California Institute of Technology and director of their Space Solar Power Project, space-based solar has access to a constant power source. With no clouds, atmosphere, weather, or other obstructions, solar arrays in space can soak up the sun’s rays without interference or dependence on a day and night cycle. 

Space-Based Solar: The Solution to Earth’s Energy Crisis? 

Hajimiri, as well as other scientists and leaders that are pushing for space-based solar, are optimistic that we could test the first solar array in space within the next few years. Former NASA scientist, John Mankins, estimates that a space-based solar system could generate a constant flow of nearly 2,000 gigawatts of power. This is a massive upgrade in output compared to Earth’s largest solar production farm in Aswan, Egypt, which only produces 1.8 gigawatts of energy for the region. 

If scientists can find a way to build a successfully space-based solar energy system that is both cost-effective and efficient, we could see “virtually limitless and sustainable energy” provided to various markets and cities worldwide, according to Mankins. Mankins warns, however, that other problems, such as geopolitics, could hinder progress. 

Even though the AFRL space-based solar system will be used primarily for military operations, Delaney and Allen are hopeful that this solar project will be useful in the future for delivering solar energy to remote areas and other non-military communities around the world. Before long, we may just find that our energy on Earth is provided by space-based solar arrays floating in the atmosphere. 

Resources: 

https://www.abqjournal.com/1386648/afrl-looks-to-beam-solar-energy-from-space.html 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottsnowden/2019/03/12/solar-power-stations-in-space-could-supply-the-world-with-limitless-energy/ 

Climate Change: Thousands Invited to Participate in Citizens’ Assembly

#Climate change has become one hot topic. Many are standing their ground and demanding more action to combat the negative impact climate change is having on our planet. And now, letters are being sent to thousands of households – 30,000, to be more precise – across the UK urging people to take part in a citizens’ assembly on climate change.  

Did you know…following recommendations by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK became the first major economy to implement an objective of attaining net zero emissions by 2050. It is an admirable goal, but according to many, it’s too little too late.  

Climate Change: Citizens’ Assembly Details 

Once the aforementioned thousands of participants are selected to partake in the citizens’ assembly, the meeting will take place in 2020. The conclusion will end up being shared with Parliament.  

Cross party MPs set up this climate change focused initiative, and will explore what members of the public can do in an effort to reduce CO2. As previously mentioned, the government has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 2050 to net zero. But is this enough?  

Chair of the BEIS (otherwise known as Business, #Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee), #Rachel Reeves, mentioned how a clear roadmap would be required to attain the aforesaid goal. BEIS is one of six committees that commissioned the climate change assembly. Reeves mentioned the importance of public support for equitable solutions.  

It is clear that the people, government, and Parliament must work together to address the challenge of climate change. 

How were the invitees selected to attend Climate Assembly UK? The short answer is – at random. From the ones who respond, just 110 will be selected as a characteristic sample of the population. They will meet from late January over a time frame of four weekends in Birmingham. Discussions will include transportation issues relevant to climate change, as well as household energy usage, in addition to other topics.  

Climate Change: The Time to Act is Now 

#Extinction Rebellion is a name making waves in recent history, as they are becoming known for their protests. This is an environmental campaign group that is demanding a citizens’ assembly on climate change. The organization thinks a citizens’ climate change assembly is a good step, but they want to see carbon emissions cut to net zero earlier than 2050. #Linda Doyle, a spokesperson, discussed how waiting three decades to reach zero net carbon emissions is dangerous for people all across the globe. Doyle discussed how certain tipping points resulting from climate change are irreversible. It is critical that action is taken before irreparable damage occurs due to climate change.  

Public Support for Climate Change Action

#Friends of the Earth is an environmental group that has mentioned how citizens’ assemblies could play an important role when it comes to policy-making. And head of political affairs at Friends of the Earth (FOE), Dave Timms, mentioned how tackling the emergency surrounding climate change with the needed speed is going to necessitate adjustments to our infrastructure, economy and society – therefore, agreement among citizens is important. Timms discussed how there is already widespread support from the public for climate change action, but politicians need to get on board.  

Perhaps this is where citizens’ assemblies will come in. Citizens’ assemblies have been used in a number of countries. For instance, a panel of just under 100 people was established back in 2016 to examine topics such as abortion in Ireland. This notion just illustrates how these assemblies are utilized.  

Climate change is something that many people care about – and citizens’ assemblies might be yet another way to demonstrate that change is desired and needed. Clearly, these assemblies are used across the globe – could this be the next step in taking action to combat climate change? The UK – better yet, the entire planet, needs to explore how to end contributions to climate change. Citizens’ assemblies might be one such way to do this. The end goal is a healthier planet. Is this feasible? Keep following climate change stories to stay up-to-date on the latest events and happenings. There are climate change protests happening as this article is being written, and other efforts being made to fight for action on climate change. 

Are you on board? 

Sources: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50264797 

https://www.accountancydaily.co/mps-invite-30000-citizens-climate-change-assembly 

Canada’s Government is Being Sued by Youth Climate Change Activists

The Canadian government is currently being sued – all in the name of #climate change. In the #lawsuit La Rose v. Her Majesty the Queen, plaintiffs claim that the Canadian government’s actions to combat climate change have been “grossly insufficient” and the government has consistently failed to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets. The Queen of England, #Canada’s head of state, as well as Canada’s federal government, are being named the defendants in the case. The plaintiffs? All young Canadians ranging in age from 11 to 19 years old. 

The lawsuit makes further claims that the Canadian government contributes to and perpetuates Canada’s concerning greenhouse gas emissions levels. Thus, the government is ultimately responsible for the damaging effects of climate change that are being experienced by citizens in Canada. Noted environmental concerns in Canada related to climate change include increased flooding, more wildfire outbreaks, thawing permafrost, rising sea levels, and health issues related to poor air quality. 

Plaintiffs in the suit mention that the effects of climate change will negatively impact their generation most, incentivizing them to act by way of suing the federal government for their incriminating lack of action. The perceived apathy on behalf of the government to reach fossil fuel emissions goals to ease the burden of climate change is felt strongly among the plaintiffs. 

Sierra Robinson, a 17-year-old activist and plaintiff in the La Rose case, spoke to Inside Climate News stating that “our natural resources are at risk because of climate change, and as a young person my rights are being violated disproportionately compared to older generations.” She also mentioned that “the federal government is knowingly contributing to the climate crisis by continuing to support and promote fossil fuels and through that they are violating our charter rights.” 

Young Climate Change Activists Rising Up Around the Globe  

The Canadian lawsuit is similar to a lawsuit brought on by young climate activists here in the United States known as Juliana v. United States. Juliana is the first lawsuit to argue that there is a constitutional right for citizens to live in a healthy and safe environment.  

When the Juliana case was first filed in 2015, Obama and President Trump were initially named as defendants, along with entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of #Energy. While the President was eventually removed from the list of defendants, his department made numerous attempts to throw the climate change lawsuit out completely before it was eventually overturned to courts in Oregon earlier this year. For now, the Juliana case is currently on hold with no official decision one way or another regarding whether or not the case will go to trial. 

Plaintiffs in the Juliana case have mentioned that, due to their inability to vote due to their age, suing the government is the only way to have their voices heard when it comes to climate change concerns. Activists and plaintiffs in the La Rose case are echoing similar sentiments. 

Addressing Climate Change in Canada and Worldwide 

Ultimately, younger generations have every reason to be concerned about climate change and every right to have their anxieties recognized. There is no denying that as climate change worsens, the youngest citizens of the world will be most victimized. Without reaching greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and working to prevent climate change from accelerating, young citizens around the world will be left to deal with the potentially devastating environmental consequences of climate change once older generations are no longer around.  

It is a shame to think that our governments and other public entities may fail youth everywhere due to a lack of action, continued support of fossil fuels, and lack of concern for what our world may look like if climate change gets any worse. Although it is still too early to tell whether or not the La Rose case in Canada or the Juliana case in the United States will have any impact on these entities to enact real change, the rise of these lawsuits by youth climate change activists is indicative of the urgency felt by young citizens worldwide when it comes to this emergent crisis. 

Resources: 

https://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-youth-climate-trial-juliana-20190603-story.html 

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25102019/canada-children-climate-change-lawsuit-fossil-fuels-teens-youth-erosion-permafrost-wildfires 

Largest Planned Community Solar Program Could Be Coming to FL

A 1.5-gigawatt community #solar program got through an obstacle recently when #Florida Power & Light reached a settlement agreement with organizations that had brought up previous concerns regarding its structure.  

Walmart now stands behind the #solar program along with solar accessibility advocates, even though there were initial concerns about low-income customers and access to said program.  

#SolarTogether: An Inventive Program 

SolarTogether is the name of this community solar program. It still needs approval from state regulators but in accordance with #Florida Power & Light, the plan is to launch the program early next year.  

Florida Power & Light has created an innovative design in which 75 percent of the program’s capacity would be for governmental or commercial customers. The just over 372 megawatts left over would be for small businesses and residential customers.  

An escalating bill credit has been designed, too. Here is what this means to some: it is going to take years for the cost of subscribing to this program to be outweighed by its benefits. But we will get back to this point…  

Is SolarTogether the step needed for Florida to become a national solar #energy leader? According to executive director at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Stephen Smith, it is.  

Smith referred to SolarTogether as a major effort to increase solar deployment. NextEra Energy owns the utility, which set a goal in January to install 30 million solar panels over the next decade.  

When it comes to annual capacity additions for this year, FP&L is ranked just behind First Solar, as per Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables.  

New power plants would result from this community solar program. There would be 20 power plants at 74.5 megawatts apiece. Customers would have the option of subscribing in increments of 1-kilowatt. They would pay $6.76 per kilowatt as a subscription charge, and they would earn a credit beginning at 3.4 cents per kilowatt-hour. Unlike other subscriptions, this one could be moved to a new household, canceled or adjusted without a fee.  

Solar Perks: How Low-Income Customers Benefit 

37.5 megawatts have been set aside for low-income customers after push from groups such as Vote Solar. This seems to be a good move as wider access is needed in Florida and when it comes to community solar, it needs to be accessible to those who do not already have it. Moreover, unlike general subscribers needing to wait years to see economic benefits, the credit low-income subscribers will receive is going to outweigh the monthly charge from the get-go.  

And what about non-subscribers? The community solar program will benefit them, too. The expectation is that there will be $249 million in cost savings, some of which will go to customers.  

One challenge is that FP&L needs to make sure the solar program’s size can be met with comparable demand.  

It is estimated that the utility could serve roughly 74,500 customers if residential subscribers sign up for all of their average yearly usages. At this point in time, 100,000 small businesses and residential customers have signed up for updates on the solar program, so there certainly is interest.  

A Potential Setback 

Unfortunately, the solar program has a complex credit mechanism, as previously touched upon, and this is an issue for community solar overall. Its approval could be hindered because of this. Community solar can be complicated no matter how simple the design might be. When savings get complicated because of a dodgy subscription credit and things begin to get confusing, customer attainment becomes difficult. It is important that customers have a good experience when it comes to solar programs and FP&L’s community solar program just might need some work. 

Legislation has yet to be passed in Florida allowing an economical community solar market. Third-party developers realize that utilities primarily develop solar projects on their own. This does not mean things can’t change.  

Continue to follow solar news to stay in the know when it comes to solar demand and utilities such as FP&L. Customers are, in fact, demanding solar and this is a good step in the right direction. 

Sources:  

https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/community-solar-comes-to-the-sunshine-state-finally 

https://ift.tt/2WrmnS0#gref

 

 

Homeowners Can Increase Home Value with Solar Panels

2020 will be a big year when it comes to #solar power, especially for residents in California. In just a few short months, it will be mandatory for all new homes built in the state of California to include #solar panels. With this hallmark mandate on the horizon, many #homeowners in The Golden State and across the country are wondering how solar panels will affect home property values. Will solar panels payoff for both home buyers and sellers? 

Solar Home Statistics 

According to research conducted this past year by #Zillow, homes that have solar panels included typically sell for 4.1% more compared to their solar-lacking counterparts. For the average median-valued home, this percentage translates to an increase of roughly $9,300. For major coastal cities, such as San Fransisco, Los Angeles, and Orlando, solar-powered homes have seen a consistent 4% rise in their value. Solar-powered homes in New York City sell for even higher with a 5.4% increase, totaling to around $24,000 in increased value. 

To gather these statistics on solar premiums, Zillow compared homes that were listed and sold between March of 2018 and February of 2019. Observable attributes of the homes were also taken into consideration, including their ages, locations, as well as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and overall square footage. 

Good News for Sellers 

While many home sellers may be most concerned with interior renovations, such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling, investing in solar panels prior to selling may be a more worthy investment. As climate change becomes an ever-growing concern worldwide, it is worthwhile for sellers to consider installing solar panels as a means of ‘going green’ while increasing the value of their homes at the same time. 

Home Buyers Benefit, Too 

According to the Zillow Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, home buyers are becoming more concerned with #energy-efficient features. In fact, more than 80% of home buyers now consider solar panels and other energy-saving attributes to be among their top personal preferences when purchasing a home. 

A home outfitted with solar panels will ultimately save home buyers on their monthly utility costs, especially during the summer months. Evelyn Huang, chief customer experience officer for Sunrun, told CNBC that monthly savings is one of the top reasons why more and more homeowners are making the switch to solar and emphasizing its importance. Sunrun is the biggest solar installation company in the U.S. and competes directly with Tesla. According to Huang, “utility companies are needing more and more money to maintain, and they pass that cost to the homeowner.” Thus, the monthly cost that homeowners pay is becoming increasingly more unpredictable. With solar, homeowners can better gauge what to expect and what they will pay each month. 

According to Sunrun, the national average utility rate increases by around 3% per year. Solar customers, on the other hand, see a savings of around 10% to 40% on their utility bills, thanks to fixed prices inherent to solar panel kilowatt/hour plans. 

What About Homeowners that Lease Solar Panels? 

If homeowners decide to lease their solar panels through Sunrun, Tesla, or other solar production companies, they will need to consider how this decision might impact their home sale. Once the house is sold, the owner can decide to buy out the remaining lease or find buyers that are willing to take it over. There may also be financial or tax credit incentives that were available to the previous owner that may be unavailable to new owners. Depending on the lease agreement, homeowners will need to carefully consider how their solar panels might impact the selling process. 

Overall, homeowners can benefit in many ways from installing and utilizing solar panels, whether they lease them or purchase them outright. As our world continues to make the shift towards clean energy production, there is no doubt that more and more states and cities will authorize home solar production mandates. Homeowners that install solar panels will undoubtedly stay ahead of this trend, increase their property value, and appeal to the majority of prospective home buyers all at the same time.  

Resources: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/05/solar-power-can-boost-a-homes-value-in-these-10-states-the-most.html 

https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/ 

Three Major Cities and How Climate Change Will Impact Them By 2100

#Climate change is here and its effects can be seen today. Consider hurricanes such as Harvey and Maria, which caused major economic destruction and even death. Consider overflowing banks, flooding, melting ice and other warning signs that climate change is a real concern. Wildlife, economies, ecosystems, and human beings are all being impacted. Even the United Nations has issued warnings on climate change. But what is to come?  

Teen Vogue and Nexus Media partnered together to develop a timeline indicating how three major cities in the United States will be impacted by climate change by #2100. The places examined have climate susceptibilities and geographic concerns. They include #St. Louis, #Houston, and #San Francisco. Potential concerns surrounding climate change include hurricanes, rising sea levels, and extreme drought. Keep reading for a deeper analysis. 

Are the Climate Change Predictions Realistic?  

You might be wondering – how were these predictions made? The timeline put together has been the result of a dozen experts on climate change weighing in through interviews and scientific studies. And the insight is scary. This is why the climate change crisis must be addressed.  

One projection is that sea levels will rise by the year 2100. Another is that temperatures will continue to rise. It is frightening to think about how our planet will be impacted by climate change if we fail to take action. 

Climate Change and Houston, TX 

Let’s start with 2100 in Houston. Temperatures are anticipated to have warmed nearly 8 degrees Fahrenheit here. During warmer months, average temperatures could sit at 100 degrees. How will this impact day to day life? The economy could shrink by upwards of 6 percent. Here is what this means – it will be more difficult for workers, and the excessive heat could cause death. Sea levels could rise by up to six feet – and what about when water starts to make its way into town? What happens to chemical plants and oil refineries if they are flooded due to climate change? Toxic chemicals could be released as explosions could occur. Some of the city might remain safe, and people could flock to the parts that are safe, overwhelming resources.  

Climate Change and St. Louis, MO 

St. Louis is another city worth looking into, as temperatures could potentially go up 11 degrees Fahrenheit. In a city like this, summers will become intolerable and it will be too hot to be outside. Electric bills will rise – but if one can’t afford their increasing electric bill, heat stroke could occur. And let’s not forget the economy. Rising heat resulting from climate change could cause farms to see their yields cut. Speaking of the economy, the productivity of workers will suffer if it is too hot to work due to climate change. 

Climate Change and San Francisco, CA 

San Francisco could see temperatures increase by an average of 8 degrees Fahrenheit because of climate change. Snow might occur less frequently in the Sierra Nevada – mountain ranges with less snowfall will deprive the city of a water source. Meanwhile, seas could rise and places such as Hunters Point could see flooding. If sea levels rise, 13 million Americans could see their homes flooded. Residents would be forced to move to inland cities. Clearly, there are many potential problems that could occur in major cities in America by 2100 as a result of climate change.  

The threat of climate change is real. As Texas Tech University climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe communicated, “The future is not set in stone.” She mentioned how some change is inevitable but that the amount of change to be seen is going to depend on us and the decisions we make today to address climate change. She made a comparison regarding smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for years but not yet developing lung cancer.  

There are climate change protests taking place across the globe. #Extinction Rebellion is an anti-climate change group that spent the last couple of weeks in places such as Berlin and London. #Greta Thunberg has become a household name as she continues to bring millions of people together in the fight against climate change. Continue to follow the news regarding climate change and stay in the know to learn of any climate change protests happening in a city near you. 

Sources: 

https://qz.com/1727717/what-climate-change-will-do-to-three-major-american-cities-by-2100/ 

https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/10/extinction-rebellion-climate-change-protests-european-cities/