Visit us on the web for product and project information!
For grid-tied power systems, www.grid-tie.com
Solar water pumping:  www.PVsolarpumps.com
Non-electric gas appliances, www.LPappliances.com
Efficient and DC appliances, www.eco-fridge.com
And our main page at www.oasismontana.com

Fall-September, 2011 Newsletter Index:

• Greetings From Our Solar Powered Office
• Deep Creek Solar Project: currently Teton County's largest grid-tie solar array
• Deck Monitoring System
• Back-up Power for your refrigerator
• Pricing - Solar Modules, Gas Appliances, Controllers and Regulators
• H20 Facts
• Kill-A-Watt Meter and Pricing
• The Importance of Water and Water Pumping
• The New Outback Power Mate3 Monitor
• Bergey's XL.1 Wind Generator
• Military Grade Wind Turbines
• Orphans to Ambassadors
• Solar Patios and Car Ports
• Renewable Energy News
• Quoteable Quotes 
  
  

DECK Monitoring
You’ve decided to make the investment and put some solar up on your home’s roof. If you are like most people, you hate the thought of spending your hard earned dollars on something and not even knowing for sure what it’s doing up there. Is it on? Is that once immature spruce now beginning to lay its shadow on the array? Is it doing what it is supposed to be doing? Or, perhaps you wish that you could more easily share your exciting addition and your move to a more sustainable lifestyle with friends, family or even your child’s school.
 
DECK Monitoring out of Portland Oregon has been offering those of us who need this information an elegant solution. Their system has the ability to monitor system production right down to the string level of a system and places that information on a secure user-friendly website. For us that means we have the ability to see right down in the depths of your power system to make sure it is properly functioning. If there are any abnormalities we will be notified immediately by an email so that we can take corrective
actions.  For you this means peace of mind knowing your system is
producing power for you safely and efficiently.

In addition to performance monitoring, their hardware will communicate directly with your inverters so that any warnings or errors will be reported to your installer promptly—thereby allowing us to preemptively correct any possible problems .
DECK also offers a professional grade weather station that includes wind, air temp, cell temp, humidity and insolation instruments that also have the ability to upload all of its data to your website. With this weather installation both you and your installer can look back and see if indeed your system was producing the power it should have given the weather conditions.

Whether your PV system is on a home, business or school, you will have the added benefit of using your custom website as an educational tool. It’s a great conversation piece at the office or a science teacher’s dream lesson come true. . .spread the news of the future!
 

Energy Information Administration Report Undercounts Subsidies to Coal, Oil, Natural Gas and Nuclear Energy:
Union of Concerned Scientists, August 3, 2011 http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/EIA-Underreports-Subsidies-0550.html
The Energy Information Administration’s latest report on federal energy subsidies underreported direct and indirect federal subsidies to the nuclear and fossil fuel industries, creating an inflated view of the subsidies that benefit renewable energy and efficiency programs. The problem with the EIA’s methodology stems from the fact that the agency adopted a “snapshot” approach to measuring subsidies by only looking at a single year: 2010. By doing that, the agency failed to count the massive federal subsidies that the fossil fuel and nuclear industries have enjoyed for decades—benefits they presumably will continue to receive unless Congress acts to limit them. Conversely, relatively new subsidies for wind and other renewables will only last for a finite period—10 years—after those facilities begin operation.

BACK UP POWER FOR YOUR REFRIGERATOR (or, what do you need to run when the lights go out?) Our DC refrigerators and freezers by Sundanzer are among the most efficient DC appliances available. They will run off of a 12Vor 24V battery bank, and their low power requirements won’t break the bank when it comes to a DC system to run them. A system to power the DCR225 (their 8 cu.ft. freezer) at an ambient temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit might entail the following: a 180W solar module, charge controller, wire runs, solar module mounting bracket, four 6V golf cart batteries, battery cables, and the freezer itself for a total cost of right around $2800, before freight.
These refrigerators and freezers are now available converted for AC use (and they are still quite efficient) at a cost of $125, done at the factory; you can still operate it as needed off of DC, but once the conversion is done, it's primary power source will be AC. (and then you would need an inverter in addition to the components listed, above). The basic DC system works where there is 5+ hours of full sun, and provide 3 days of back-up power.                                                      Above:  Sundanzer DC Freezer
 

Kill-A-Watt Meter: This electricity detector and monitor can educate you about your monthly electric bill and help you save a lot of money. You can now be a ’detective’ and ascertain what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Simply plug in the Kill-A-Watt meter, connect your appliances to it and Kill-a-Watt will assess how efficient it really is, showing you the instantaneous power used, and also cumulative energy or kilowatt-hours used.

Kill-a-Watt, with an easy-to-read LCD display, will count consumption by the kilowatt-hour, same as your local utility. With the help of Kill-a-Watt you can figure out your electrical expenses by the day, week, month or year on a given device. Kill-a-Watt can check the quality of your power by monitoring Voltage, Line Frequency, and Power Factor. Still just $29.
Now you'll know if it is time to install a power strip on your entertainment center instead of feeding those ghosts loads while you are sleeping or away from home. Or, is that laptop really cheaper to power than a desktop PC? And how much power does that HD TV use?

Operating Voltage: 115VAC                       Max Voltage: 125VAC
Max Current: 15A                                       Max Power: 1875W
Dimensions: 5 1/8” x 1 5/8” x 2 3/8”
Still $29 plus shipping.

Oasis Montana welcomes our newest sales technician, Larry Keogh: with a long term addiction to energy production and conservation, having been initially trained on military generators in 1971 and “fooling around” with PV since the mid 1980’s, Larry obtained an AAS in Energy Technology from the University of Montana, College of Technology in May of 2010.   Formally educated in solar, wind, wave, tidal, coal, hydro, geothermal, other energies and storage, and coupled with decades of life experience in electrical work, and being a long term “energy conservation nut”, Larry has the tools and experience to help you gain the edge on sustainable energy for your home or business power project.

OUTBACK POWER’S NEW MATE3 MONITOR

For battery based systems: The new MATE3 system display and controller from Outback Power expands the capabilities of the old MATE by providing data logging, internet viewing of the data, and improved tactical buttons for easier programming and monitoring. Also, the ability to insert an SD (memory) card allows for easier system upgrades and expanded data logging possibilities. The hard and soft buttons are easier to distinguish from each other and there is a control wheel for establishing set points.

An example of one issue many users have with the old MATE is that it requires simultaneously “double pushing” the two buttons on the left side of the mate to get back to the main screen but if you don’t press them just right (common for people with big fingers!) then you get sent to another screen which could cause the user to input the wrong set points. The MATE 3 eliminates this problem with the much easier-to-use hard and soft keys.

By allowing data logging, the MATE 3 is no longer just a place to adjust set points and carry out an equalization of your batteries. Using graphs to display the history of the batteries state of charge from the systems different charging sources as well as how much power was used and back fed to the grid (for their grid tie inverters) the MATE 3 expands the owner’s knowledge of how their system is performing. This knowledge is beneficial because it helps the owner understand how to manage the system properly. Also, because it is on-line it will be easier for the system installers and Outback tech support to help troubleshoot problems a customer may have or double check the set points for the system, ultimately maximizing the health of the batteries and increasing the overall lifespan for the battery bank. A built-in clock and calendar function enables timer-based programming of inverter and charger operation. This permits you to set the system to work with time-of-day power rates or to limit a generator’s run time to a specific time period of the day or week. All of your settings are stored in permanent memory to eliminate the need to reprogram in the event of a system shutdown or battery replacement. The MATE3 is an Internet enabled device — simply connecting to the Internet will allow full remote system monitoring via an easy-to-use web interface.

With these new upgrades Outback Power brings a new MATE to the market that many of us have been wanting for years. Because off-grid systems require the owner to be more interactive with the system than grid-tie systems do, the MATE3 is a good investment for the Outback owner. The more an off-grid owner monitors their system and understands it the happier they will be with the system. Since the MATE3 is easier to use and understand, it is easier for the owner to interactive with a system and be able to see if they are living within their system’s capabilities which leads to improved load management and longer battery life for them as well.

Coming soon….Bergey’s XL.1 wind generator to be available in 48V.

For years, the popular and hardy XL.1 wind generator was only available in 24V; by late summer these American-designed one kilowatt wind turbines will be available as a 48V battery charging model. Performance information:
Start-up wind speed: 6.7 mph Cut-in wind speed: 5.6 mph
Rated power: 1000 watts Top end output: 1300 watts
Rated wind speed: 24.6 mph Rated rotor speed: 490 RPM
Furling wind speed: 29 mph Max design wind speed: 120 mph
Rotor diameter: 8.2 ft. Net weight: 75 lbs. (shipping weight 95 lbs)
Gearbox: Direct Drive Overspeed protection: Autofurl

Other features include electric brake, 60A dump load, timed battery equalization, watt meter display mode, and a solar controller that can accept up to 30A of PV. Tubular tower kits are available in 60, 80 and 100 ft. heights. Visit the manufacturer’s web page at www.bergey.com or call us for more information on these battery charging units.

Prices for the wind turbine, controller and tower kit generally run between $5500 to $8500, depending on site specifics.

www.orphanstoambassadors.org is a non-profit organization that works to help orphans by education, fighting poverty, promoting sustainable and environmentally benevolent technologies to give children a safer, cleaner and brighter future. Jake Gentry (at center, below left) has used PV equipment from Oasis Montana to provide potable water and electricity for the orphanage and school. Kudos to our friends and their great work!

The older children are taught the basics of solar power and help do the installations. The picture at the far right says it all!

“If you can’t sell them sun power, sell them shade…..” Solar patios and car ports are becoming more popular, where a sunny location can provide much-needed shade and power. The solar porch (pictures to the left and right) has a dozen solar modules, making clean energy for our customers in Reno, NV.

 

Renewable Energy and Alternative News Bites:

University Researchers Say 100% Renewable Energy Indeed Possible: In a paper published in "Energy Policy," Mark Jacobson (professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University) and Mark Delucchi (University of California-Davis) assess the costs, technology and material requirements to convert our society to renewable energy. They conclude that the world can be powered by renewable energy in 20-40 years - using technology available right now. All new energy generation could be renewable by 2030, and all pre-existing energy production could be converted to renewables by 2050.  http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/22215 for this article.

...Green Jobs are Real: German & American Solar Industry both employ more people than U.S. steel production. Read the facts at http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/06/green-jobs-are-real-german-and-american-solar-industry-both-employ-more-people-than-u-s-steel-production?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-June21-2011

...Wind Power Subsidies Don't Compare to Fossil Fuel & Nuclear Subsidies: http://cleantechnica.com/2011/06/20/wind-power-subsidies-dont-compare-to-fossil-fuel-nuclear-subsidies.  The short story on subsidies: * only taking some hidden coal subsidies out of the picture, coal would be 2-3 times more expensive than wind (and that's if wind got absolutely no subsidies!); * nuclear energy received as much in subsidies each year from 1950-1990 as wind had received in total up to 2007, $3.75 billion; * big oil got more money in tax breaks in 2011 alone ($4 billion) than the wind industry had received in total up to 2007 ($3.75 billion), and it is expected to get $77 billion more by 2021. Without subsidies, electricity prices would be: * Wind Power: 6-7 cents/kWh * Nuclear Power: 11-20+ cents/kWh * Coal Power: 9-32+ cents/kWh

...Apartment Complex to Be Powered Entirely by Renewables—check this out: http://www.gizmag.com/renewable-energy-development-in-denmark/19248/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=6297683929-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

...Report Finds Renewable’s Growth Is Beginning to Outpace Coal, Nuclear: http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.8264  The installed capacity of wind and solar power grew faster than that of any other power technology, according to a recent analysis of the global power plant market released by Greenpeace International. In addition, renewable energy reached its biggest market share in 2010, providing enough capacity to supply electricity to the equivalent of one-third of Europe. The report also highlights how renewable energy plants accounted for more than a quarter (26%) of all new power plants added to the worldwide electricity grid over the past decade, compared to nuclear power stations, which represented 2% of new installations in the same period. The report shows that while the global wind industry added approximately 35,000 MW of capacity in 2010 alone, it took the global nuclear industry from 2000 to 2010 to achieve this. During the same period, new coal installations went into decline in every country except China.

...All 50 States See Record Temperature Highs in July: http://www.firstenercastfinancial.com/news/story/44171-all-50-states-see-record-highs-july-  According to data from the U.S. National Climatic Data Center, the July heat wave, lasting weeks in some cities, the entire month in others, affected nearly 200 million people in the United States at some point. Preliminary data show that 2,712 high-temperature records were either tied or broken in July, compared with 1,444 last year. At least one weather station in all 50 states set or tied a daily high temperature record at some point during July. The city of Morehead, Minnesota had the dubious distinction as the hottest place on Earth for a day. On July 19, the heat index there was 134 F. In the U.S. the heat wave has claimed over 700 lives and hospitalized thousands.

...Renewable Energy Reaches a Milestone as Domestic U.S. Production Surpasses That of Nuclear Power and Closes in on Oil: http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly

...Green Jobs Outnumber Fossil Fuel Jobs -- and Are Growing Steadily:
GreenBiz.com by Matthew Wheeland, July 13, 2011, http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/07/13/green-jobs-outnumber-fossil-fuel-jobs-and-are-growing-steadily?utm_source=GreenBuzz&utm_campaign=b49a3f538b-GreenBuzz-2011-07-13&utm_medium=email

and Time Magazine, by Bryan Walsh, July 13, 2011 http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2011/07/13/a-new-report-counts-up-green-jobs%E2%80%94and-theyre-not-what-you-think/ 

...A new report, "Sizing the Clean Economy," published by The Brookings Institute and Battelle, offers what they bill as a first-ever look at current green jobs figures. There are about 2.7 million jobs that fall under the report's definition of green jobs, and they span a wide range of industries and sectors, from public transit to organic food and farming to smart grid. That's more workers than are currently in the fossil-fuel industry. The clean economy is manufacturing and export intensive. Roughly 26 percent of all clean economy jobs lie in manufacturing establishments, compared to just 9 percent in the broader economy. The clean economy offers more opportunities and better pay for low- and middle-skilled workers than the national economy as a whole. The clean economy permeates all of the nation's metropolitan areas, but it manifests itself in varied configurations.

More US Corn Being Used for Ethanol Than Anything Else:

Wall Street, by Paul Ausick, July 13, 2011

http://247wallst.com/2011/07/13/more-us-corn-for-ethanol-than-anything-else-adm-vlo-peix-gpre 

More than 40% of this year’s US corn harvest, about 5.05 billion bushels, is expected to be used to produce ethanol. That surpasses an estimated 5 billion bushels that will be used for livestock feed. This is the first time more corn has been used to produce ethanol than to feed cattle, pigs, and chickens. Corn prices are about 90% higher than they were a year ago amid demand from ethanol producers. But demand for corn has also risen world-wide, as developing countries continue economic growth and demand for meat by consumers also grows. How much of the price of corn is attributable to the US-mandated demand for ethanol is certainly arguable.

...Electric Vehicles are One-Tenth to Half the Cost to 'Fuel' Compared With Conventional Gas-Powered Vehicles:

PRNewswire, July 12, 2011

http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=20703922 

Under current utility electric vehicle tariffs, it is always cheaper to recharge an EV than to fuel a conventional gas-powered vehicle, according to a new study released by Northeast Group, LLC. The study benchmarked and analyzed the first wave of EV-specific tariffs launched by electric utilities across the United States. In the most likely EV charging scenarios, costs were approximately one-tenth to half the costs of fueling a conventional vehicle with gasoline. The study, "United States Smart Grid: Utility Electric Vehicle Tariffs," includes a benchmark of the EV tariffs of ten different utilities in six different US states. The cost analysis looked specifically at "fueling" expenses, and did not consider other operating costs of vehicles.

...Why we have to get off coal
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-07-29/opinion/bloomberg.brune.coal_1_coal-fired-power-clean-sources-clean-energy?_s=PM:OPINION

...Sunwize to distribute AC solar modules
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sunwize-to-distribute-auo-solar-modules-including-new-inverter-integrated-ac-module-2011-08-22?reflink=MW_news_stmp

(By the way, folks, we are a Sunwize dealer, so if you have a project that can utilize these new AC modules, give us a jingle!)
 

QUOTABLE QUOTES: Don’t go ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. - -H. Whitman
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To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one’s self, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived- -that is to have succeeded. - - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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The stone age didn’t end because they ran out of stones. It ended because they started using their brains. - -Johnny Alonso
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Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - - Albert Einstein
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What a country chooses to save is what a country chooses to say about itself. - - Mollie Beattie, late Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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Real intelligence is like a river; the deeper it is, the less noise it makes. - - Barbara Delinsky
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I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts...and beer. - - Abraham Lincoln
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A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  - - James Dent
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Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, ripening fields lush-bright with promise; summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn. - - Michelle L. Thieme