Can I believe my eyes? 3 MW from only one shopping center in Wake County? I'm double-checking, but yes folks, Beaver Creek Commons in Apex has the capacity to generate 3 MW of electricity when you cover those puppies with pv. Ok, so here's my guess-timate for all Wake County: 100 MW (they've got a LOT of those large shopping centers!)... *grin*

Kickstarter project launched!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2033887281/solar-parking-lots-putting-the-lid-on-2329-lg-lots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbngYZ3B4BU&list=UUMXFYzI8dgZLiu0JMmVf7Xw

Tips for Being Green

Hi all!  I was working in Dreamweaver CC for class and came across these tips as part of the exercises we're doing. The text is Dreamweaver CC Digital Classroom so I thought to include mention.
Oh... note: the website is still up on the school's server, but I'll be working on it off and on for the next two months. If you happen to preview it, note that all the functionality might not be working as I experiment with different ideas and javascripts (Learning another language! A teacher once told me that for every word in a foreign language you learn each day you'll add a day onto your life. I just know that includes programming languages!)

At Home

• Wash clothes in cold water
• Hang clothes to dry
• Turn off lights in empty rooms
• Use motion sensors to turn lights on
• Plan driving errands to combine trips
• Walk more, drive less
• Install Compact Fluorescent lighting (CFL)
• Turn the thermostat down
• Unplug AC/DC adapters when batteries are charged
• Don’t use the dry cycle in the dishwasher
• Install proper installation
• Use reusable containers
• Pick up canned and dry goods once a week or a month
• Use glass and aluminium
• Take your shoes off to save the carpet
• Unplug unused appliances
• Make cold dinners
• Use Natural pesticides/fertilizers
• Buy rechargeable batteries
• Dispose of batteries properly
• Buy fruits and vegetables locally

At Work

• Use recycled paper.
• Print on both sides of the paper
• Turn your computer screen off when you leave your desk
• Use single-serving coffee makers
• Send electronic instead of paper documents
• Buy rechargeable batteries
• Provide ceramic coffee cups to employees
• Buy equipment and supplies made locally whenever possible
• Use motion sensors to turn lights on
• Join a carpool or take public transportation
• Turn the thermostat down
• Buy only Energy Star equipment and appliances
• Use email instead of fax or regular mail when possible
• Install water filters on water taps, eliminate bottled water
• Separate recyclable trash from garbage
• If you don’t turn your computer off, put it in stand-by when you leave
• Buy natural cleaning products

In the Community

• Carpool with neighbors to school or the shopping mall
• Put the leaf blowers away and get out the rakes
• Water early in the morning or after the sun sets
• Bring your own bags when shopping
• Don’t idle at the train station or in parking lots
• Create a community garden for herbs, fruits and vegetables
• Recycle dead branches and lawn waste as mulch
• Ask your local government to institute green policies
• Form walking/biking clubs
• Form a subscription club to swap newspapers and magazines
• Plant more trees
• BBQ with neighbors to use less propane/charcoal
• Cut grass less frequently or use a push mower
• Schedule garage sales on the same day
• Use reusable dishware for parties
• Plant indigenous trees and shrubs that need little water
• Use natural fertilizers and pesticides
• Collect rainwater in covered containers for plants and trees