Friday, November 22, 2013

“All of the Above” Tops Agenda at TEXAS RENEWABLES 2013


In the Lone Star State the need for a full constellation of energy choices was the top topic as NARENCO President Dennis Richter traveled to Texas in November to attend TEXAS RENEWABLES 2013.  Water, food and forestry were among the many energy-related issues addressed at the conference, which explored how new technology and policy are driving big change in the renewables sector. Managing the intermittency of renewables with promising storage and grid advancements, noted Richter, will help solar meet the growing demand for “all of the above” development strategies. For more about the conference proceedings, visit here.

Monday, October 28, 2013

First Year Anniversary of NARENCO Canopy Installation Finds Transit Station Running Clean with Rooftop Solar

With experts from NARENCO on the job, a partnership including UNC-Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) powered up a massive 1000-panel installation in November of 2012. One year later the 250 KW system successfully helps CATS provide five percent of electricity demand at its South Tryon Bus Maintenance Station. When NARENCO put the rooftop array in place, it relied on a design developed by a team of senior engineering students from UNC-Charlotte. So innovative was their work that CATS won a $1.0 million federal grant to launch the project. Review first-year results of solar energy output and related fossil-fuel offsets for the CATS project at this real-time dashboard.

It's A Winner: NARENCO Sponsors Top Pick as UrbanEden Takes First in Solar Decathlon "People's Choice" Competition

An innovative solar house two years in the making at UNC-Charlotte has won the 2013 “People’s Choice” award in the prestigious Solar Decathlon, a collegiate competition sponsored each year by the U.S. Department of Energy.  NARENCO President Dennis Richter served on the community steering committee for the project, known as UrbanEden. In providing technical and financial support to the student team, Richter was among the community leaders helping raise awareness of the team's work and funding needs.  Richter recently discussed UrbanEden and why it was important for NARENCO to be involved on WFAE’s Charlotte Talks.  To listen in, visit here.

NARENCO Backs November Flagship Conference as Silver Sponsor for 2013 Making Energy Work

North Carolina’s premier gathering of sustainable energy experts, 2013 Making Energy Work,  wrapped up on November 6 with fresh perspective on the latest developments affecting the future of the state's solar power sector.  Among the many issues addressed was the status of a new "template" to more predictably guide the launch of solar installations, and potential new markets opening for solar arrays to offset electricity demand from such major energy users as data centers and manufacturing facilities. As a Silver Sponsor, NARENCO was among the top-tier companies helping the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association bring together key policy, technical and finance leaders for this important two-day conference in Raleigh, NC. 

Monday, October 21, 2013

NARENCO President Dennis Richter Serves on Panel of Experts Discussing Solar Ordinances in NC

Pros and cons of a new model ordinance designed to more consistently guide permitting for solar projects was the topic as NARENCO President Dennis Richter provided essential industry perspective at a public forum held October 18 in Charlotte. For more about Richter’s views on how a model ordinance might impact North Carolina’s solar energy future, see coverage by the Charlotte Business Journal here.