July 21, 2010 –

WASHINGTON – Colorado Congressman Jared Polis, D-Colo., has introduced a bill to spark investment in small scale “distributed generation” solar projects across the U.S. and encourage long-term job growth in the solar industry.

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, D-Calif. is the bill’s co-sponsor.

H.R. 5763, the Solar Expansion of Distributed Generation Exponentially Act, would provide a two-year 20 percent increase to the current Investment Tax Credit for small solar systems (under 20 kilowatts).

Polis and Sanchez estimate their bill would create 83,000 new jobs in the manufacturing and installation sectors of the solar market.

They said the bill would add a projected additional 1,000 megawatts of new solar and more than $6 billion in new private investment, without the expensive infrastructure investments that accompany new centralized power sources.

“New solar power has been mostly confined to states like Colorado with solar-friendly regulations or large-scale projects that require expensive transmission infrastructure,” Polis said. “Solar could and should be an easy choice for every household or small business; every empty rooftop is a wasted opportunity.”

Jim Woolsey, former director of the CIA, will speak on renewable energy, distributing electricity from multiple locations and feed-in tariff policies from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, in room 235 at the University Memorial Center on the CU Boulder campus.

A panel discussion will follow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, at the same location.

Admission is $15 for the presentation Wednesday night and $50 for the workshop on Thursday. Lunch is provided.

An R.S.V.P. for both events is required at www.CommunityInPower.com.

Gov. Bill Ritter today completed a triumphant and historic legislative session by signing a final package of bills that solidifies Colorado’s standing as a national leader in the New Energy Economy. Gov. Ritter visited the Veterans Green Jobs workforce training facility in Denver for the signing ceremony.

Accompanied by lawmakers, business owners and clean-energy pioneers, Gov. Ritter praised the strong partnerships and innovative projects that are making Colorado a hub for the New Energy Economy. He thanked lawmakers for helping to push through 16 ambitious bills during this legislative session that are taking Colorado’s energy work to new frontiers.

“Since taking office in 2007, we have charged forward with a bold and ambitious agenda to make Colorado a national leader in the New Energy Economy,” Gov. Ritter said. “In less than four years, we have passed nearly 60 New Energy Economy bills that are sowing the seeds for a vibrant and sustainable future. We are creating jobs, attracting companies, reducing energy consumption and advancing high-tech projects that will continue to bear fruit for decades to come.

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BOSS: Building On-Site Seminar Series

Tour the Balsam Project. A new carbon neutral home on a hill in the heart of downtown Boulder, where functionality, meets style, meets sustainability. The Balsam project is partially powered by a Bella Energy solar pv system.

Register through the BGBG August 31, 2010 5:30 PM – 08:30 PM

The application due date for the Solar Homes Tour is June 4th, 2010! If you’re a solar homeowner and would like to submit your home to be on this year’s solar home tour please visit: http://www.conservationcenter.org/energy/tour.html

This year, the CRC has teamed up with CRES to promote a Front Range weekend of Solar & Green Homes Tours!

Save these dates!

Friday, June 4, Home Applications Due
Tuesday, September 21, CRES’ Solar Seminar at NREL, Golden
Wednesday, September 22, CRC & BGBG’s Building On Site Seminar, Boulder
Saturday, September 25, CRES’ Denver Area Solar & Green Homes Tour
Sunday, September 26, CRC’s Boulder County Solar & Green Homes Tour
Tuesday, September 28, CRES’ Solar Seminar at CRES’ building, Denver
Wednesday, September 29, CRC’s Solar Seminar at CRC’s building, Boulder
For sponsorship information, please email sandelman@conservationcenter.org.

Read about Boulder County Solar Week 2009 and the history of this event.

Join Hunter Lovins at the Boulder Chamber to learn how sustainability can solve the energy crisis while also saving your business money.

7:30 am-9:00 am APRIL 13 2010 at The Boulder Chamber: 2440 Pearl Street Boulder, CO 80302

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From the Denver Post: Unity Church of Boulder will not only be offsetting close to all of its energy use with a new solar panel array, but will have enough power left over to sell back to its utility provider.

During the past six months, the congregation raised $100,000 though donations and fundraisers to buy 233 solar panels that will be installed on the church’s roof next week.

More than 40 panels will be engraved with the names of people who donated $1,000 or more to the project.

“We want to be light bearers that share the light with God,” said Jack Groverland, the church’s senior minister. “When we think of light, we think of solar, so this is a very beautiful project to align ourselves with.”
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From the Denver Business Journal - Xcel Energy Inc. on Monday said electricity bills for its Colorado customers will rise, collectively, about $52.7 million for the second quarter of 2010 to cover higher natural gas costs to fuel power plants and buying more power on the wholesale market.

Residential and small-business customer bills are expected to rise about 8 percent, the utility said.
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DENVER – The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today approved seasonal tiered electric rates for Xcel Energy in which residential customers will pay more for higher usage during peak summer months and less during other non-peak times.
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Louisville, CO, March. 3, 2010 – The future is looking bright for students at Kent Denver School, thanks to one of the largest prep school solar energy arrays in the nation.  Colorado-based Bella Energy and international solar provider Conergy partnered to provide the school with a fully engineered and financed solar energy solution.  
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