At CAM Solar’s headquarters city of San Antonio, green buildings abound. The stewards of Port San Antonio—an 1,800-acre industrial park that once housed the decidedly less-green Kelly Air Force Base—regularly tout their environmental milestones as they transform old, deficient military structures into models of green efficiency.

CAM Solar has its share of corporate success stories. Case studies can be found here, including an ambitious project undertaken for Hewlett Packard in the town of Hockley, Texas. In January 2010, CAM Solar was selected to design the company’s 215-kW installation intended for the company’s data center. The large-scale commercial solar installation was engineered to encompass ground mounting of 980 Schuco 220-watt modules to a Unirac U-LA mounting structure. CAM Solar was charged with every aspect of the project—from design to completion, working with local utility Centerpoint Energy for the final grid interconnection step.

The commercial installation was completed in merely 10 weeks, exceeding client expectations given the limited space at the site. Another tailored construction detail centered on the use of DECK monitoring for live output data to be displayed in the lobby at Hewlett Packard to illustrate solar energy’s value to members of the public. To ensure security in light of the public display, the output data was integrated into the controls of the facility’s software instead of using a third-party, web-based software platform.

Another happy corporate client—one that is quintessentially Texan—can be found in St. Hedwig, Texas. The namesake owner of the Terry Schmid Cattle Ranch there wanted to take advantage of incentives offered by the non-profit Solar San Antonio organization in order to go green. Limited installation space yielded the first challenge but was overcome with construction of a new, custom-built barn to accommodate power needs—a “barn” that actually houses an 11.6 kW system powering the site.

As Texas recovers from last year’s severe drought—one of the driest periods in state history—the construction’s timing at the ranch couldn’t have been better. The commercial solar systems not only provided the needed juice to run the 25-acre ranch but also powered the irrigation well that is also the primary drinking source for cattle.

CAM Solar is currently uploading pictures detailing specific solar panel installation for potential customers to gauge their needs. Stay tuned!

Statistics indicate demand for solar electric energy has been growing at an average rate of 30% per year in the past two decades. The industry has seen a drop in costs coupled with ever-more efficient technology, which has helped fuel that growth. One research group reports that in 2009, the photovoltaic (PV) solar industry generated $38.5 billion in revenues worldwide—including the sale of solar modules and related equipment and solar systems installation. By 2014, researchers foresee worldwide growth in the PV market to reach $96.8 billion. What’s more, PV installations grew to 7.3 GW in 2009—a 20% jump from the preceding year.

The bankruptcy last summer of California-based Solyndra has become a political football, given the use of its taxpayer-backed loan. But its failure is attributable to its inner workings rather than its product line, and does not reflect the success of the industry in general. Media reports indicate the firm simply did not have big enough commercial customers for its already high-priced solar panels. As a result, company officials were unable to create economies of scale that would’ve ensured the firm’s success.

To focus on the failure of one firm is to ignore the winning employment record of the solar industry as a whole, which now employs more workers than both the steel and coal industries. Industry observers lament the taint of scandal some have ascribed to the entire industry in the wake of Solyndra’s failure, because solar energy is a prime source for the creation of high-paying jobs.

One need only look at current solar industry news headlines for evidence of an industry-wide success story: “Solar industry reports record third-quarter growth,” blared a November 2011 Los Angeles Times headline. According to the report, the 449 megawatts of power installed in the U.S. in the third quarter are more than installations in all of 2009.

The total installed megawatts of power were implemented throughout the U.S. among myriad projects ranging in size from residential systems to utility-scale structures, as the report detailed. The record third quarter represented a 140% increase over the comparable period last year, according to the report. Stated another way, the number of last year’s domestic solar installations passed the 1,000-megawatt mark—more than the 887 megawatts completed in all of 2010.

The failure of a single firm does not define an industry. A more accurate assessment of the industry should be viewed through the prism of success stories, as evidenced by the 3,600 U.S. Treasury Department grants for more than 20,000 solar projects totaling $1.5 billion awarded thus far in 47 states.

While such growth represents a hot new trend, CAM Solar can be viewed as an early success story, with steady growth since its 1980 inception. We continue to preach the gospel of solar energy, as exemplified by the Solar PV classes taught by our CEO at local colleges. In light of CAM Solar’s success in particular and the industry’s in general, the unfortunate failure of a single firm should not eclipse the bright future of the solar industry as a whole.

Solar energy questions are common among consumers. Although the technology is not a new one, there are still individuals who are unsure of its effectiveness. Scientists and researchers have been using the sun to generate energy since the early 1800s. In the United States, Henry Willsie constructed two separate plants in California. Willsie was able to generate enough power each day to run his plant during the night. Despite his success, the two plants eventually closed. During the 1950s, improvements were made in solar energy products. A solar-heating system that used water was placed in a commercial building for the first time as the sole source for interior heat, which was quite the accomplishment. During this time, the first solar cells were made available to consumers, as well.

NASA took solar power to the next level. Scientists used solar energy in all aspects of the space program during the 1960s. It did not take long to learn solar energy was a great way to produce clean, renewable energy within our own planet, as well as outer space. However, it was not until the next decade that worldwide attention was focused on solar energy. The energy crisis of the early 1970s brought fear and frustration to millions of consumers. The solar age began to grow by leaps and bounds after the fuel crisis; by the end of that decade, there were more than 100 manufacturers in the United States. It became critically clear that a new energy source was needed and quickly

Traditional energy methods were failing mostly due to short supplies causing the cost of fuel to skyrocket. Anyone who grew up during the mid-1970s will remember waiting in line for gas.  Today, it is more important than ever to continue the research and development of solar power. Luckily, for consumers, the Internet can help you learn about solar energy and how it can be put to use to run everyday items like dishwashers, refrigerators and furnaces. Every passing decade, more and more research is being done into how to make solar power more affordable and available to the open market. Every state now has solar energy system installers who are professional and knowledgeable concerning solar panel installation for both residential and commercial use.

Harnessing the power of the sun is easier than ever before. Perhaps one of the best features is the ability to lower your carbon footprint. If you use fewer resources, you leave less of an impact on our environment and our planet. For those who are eager to be greener, there could be nothing better than using solar power. Perhaps the easiest way to learn about solar energy is by using it. With the right placement and the right amount of solar modules, a home or business can go completely off-the-grid.

The process is simple. Solar panels placed on a roof or the ground are connected to an inverter. This inverter is connected to the existing electrical meter. Once in place, you can begin to produce you own electricity, which will save money on every electrical bill. With enough power, individuals are even capable of selling any extra energy directly back to the electrical company.

There is no better time to learn about solar energy especially with the rising prices that consumers are faced with on a daily basis.  Soon, you will learn solar energy is perhaps the best hope for our future generations. Protect your home or business from power failures with the installation of a solar energy system today.

Solar energy is not a new technology. Solar power was discovered in 1830 by Edmund Bequerel. Since that time, scientists have known that certain materials produce energy when exposed to light. The depletion of the natural energy resources of our planet continues to dwindle. Luckily for consumers today, solar power is now being utilized worldwide.

Consumers who want to save money on electrical bills appreciate the fact that, with the addition of a solar energy panel or panels, utility bills are significantly lowered. In some cases, solar panels or photovoltaic solar modules will support or replace a traditional electrical system.

A photovoltaic module consists of numerous solar cells that are electrically connected and set within a frame. Each module is designed to supply a certain amount of electricity. Light is key; the amount of light that each module receives directly affects current strength. Multiple modules wired together in an array will achieve more current, resulting in more electricity produced. The direct current electricity that photovoltaic solar cells produce can be connected in series or parallel arrangements, which results in the ability to produce any current and voltage combination.

Grid-tied solar electric systems allow individuals and business owners the ability to purge any extra energy produced back to the electric company. The first step is to contact the electric company locally and inquire if they participate in such a program. In most cases, large cities are ready to accept extra energy. The electrical meter will run normally when you are buying electricity; however, the same meter will run backward when you are selling or producing extra energy.

In general, grid-tied solar electric systems will make a significant impact on electrical bills and energy usage. An energy shortage can be devastating, but solar energy panels installed beforehand will keep your home or business prepared. For best results, smart consumers will contact a reputable solar systems installer.

Solar power is utilized all around the globe. Photovoltaic solar energy generation offers a renewable energy source that uses semiconductors within solar panels to produce direct current electricity. Each solar panel consists of numerous solar cells; these cells contain a photovoltaic material such as a mono- or polycrystalline. Once installed, solar panels will capture solar energy and transform that energy into direct current electricity. This electricity is a renewable power source that can produce energy for years with just routine maintenance. Solarized energy systems can be tied into the power grid. A grid-tied system allows individuals to send extra energy produced to the utility company to earn credit on a per-watt basis.

Photovoltaic solar energy generation supports residential, commercial and industrial installations worldwide. Industry leaders recognize the advent of future energy shortages. Businesses can protect themselves from future catastrophes while saving money in real time right now. There’s an ever-growing concern for how to receive electrical power at an affordable price. Of course, the answer is to produce that energy yourself with photovoltaic solar energy generation. Once you provide your own energy, you can greatly reduce your spending on electricity. As global energy resources continue to diminish, solar energy is the best energy source for the future. Consumers have already realized that solar energy is the key to powering the planet.

Photovoltaic solar energy systems are affordable to install and easily maintained. Commercial photovoltaic systems aid businesses significantly, even in the first month after installation, so businesses will benefit from the money saved from grueling utility bills. Installations may be grounded or mounted on the roof or the side of a building. Whether your company is small, large, or even in a somewhat crowded environment, there is an energy-saving solar option available for you.

So what is the cost of installing solar panels at a home? Each case is different, so cost estimates are hard to achieve without specific residential data. But generally speaking, a 5kW system may end up costing as little as $10,000, paying for itself over a period of ten years.

One of the more accurate formulas for determining cost can be found at the Solar Power Authority website (solarpowerauthority.com) where a calculator and quote tool can be found. Calculations take into account a number of factors, starting with kW-per-hour cost. The website for the non-profit group Solar San Antonio, which advocates affordable renewable energy, also offers an online method of getting three free solar quotes and choosing an installer.

Not to be left behind, CAM Solar offers our own online estimating service. A link on our page allows a user to secure a free estimate and then schedule a consultation, also at no cost.

In estimating cost, some factors are unpredictable and add yet another degree of difficulty in calculating cost. A hypothetical calculation assumes steady electric rates, but these could very well fluctuate as fuel and infrastructure costs rise. Still, now is an ideal time to embark on a renewable energy installation as the cost of solar panels continues to drop, which is making solar power systems for homes more affordable every day.

The local utility’s unique ownership by the city—where officials continually push for affordable renewable energy opportunities—yields yet another advantage. CPS Energy offers ways of securing a variety of rebates and federal tax credits for solar photovoltaic and solar water heating systems.

In terms of rebates, the utility offers tiered incentives ranging from $1.65 to $2.50 per AC watt based on the calculated expected performance of the system. Solar projects are rebated up to $200,000 of the total project cost on residential and commercial installations.

For those hoping to first dip a toe in to test the waters, CPS Energy even offers rebates for solar water heater installation. Water heating represents one of the biggest residential energy users, and a solar water heater can cut heating costs in half with the estimated number of KwH saved annually multiplied by a rate of $0.60. Customers can secure rebates of up to $2,000 under this program.

Still unconvinced? CAM Solar offers real-world residential client case studies that exhaustively detail the elements that went into the installation of some of our residential systems. An example in Bulverde details installation challenges that emerged from the rocky terrain intended as the site for solar array installation. In a more urban setting, a San Antonio case study details the greater aesthetic considerations in installing a residential system there.

Its reliability and environment-friendly nature are two main attributes of solar energy that have encouraged many consumers to take the plunge. It’s good for the environment, and as the cost of installing solar panels decreases, it’s good for your pocketbook too!

The city is home to Solar San Antonio, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) advocacy and resource center promoting sustainable and affordable renewable energy applications. Through community education and outreach, the group’s members seek to decrease energy costs, not just in San Antonio, but South Texas as a whole.

San Antonio recently made headlines with the announcement of a 400-megawatt solar project to be built locally—twice as large as any solar farm currently running in the entire world. Expected to spur hundreds of jobs, the project dramatically illustrates the growing popularity of solar energy.

The city’s efforts to promote renewable energy were officially recognized in 2008, when San Antonio was designated as a Solar America City by the U.S. Department of Energy. With its sustainability focus, the city is dubbed the “Solar Power Capital of Texas,” given that it’s the home of the largest photovoltaic (PV) array in the entire state.

Even before being recognized as a Solar America City, San Antonio had distinguished itself with total installed public and private PV capacity exceeding 500 kW.  One key project is the 10-kW PV facility located at the Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) that was built in 2003. The project was developed jointly by the ITC, the University of Texas at San Antonio, the city, and Solar San Antonio. CPS Energy, the city-owned utility, funded the project.

The utility itself has a long record of promoting solar energy, forging partnerships with like-minded local organizations such as Solar San Antonio and the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy. In 2007, CPS Energy launched a solar PV rebate program.

Evidence of the city’s solar power commitment can be seen throughout the city in smaller ways, including in the park lighting, traffic signs and bus stop lighting that all utilize solar energy. On a grander scale, the city also is home to the largest solar hot water facility in the state of Texas inside the Bexar County Adult Jail Annex complete with a 20,000-gallon storage tank. Another big project is the 180 kW PV system at Fort Sam Houston.

CAM Solar has specialized in clean solar electricity since 1980, and over the years we’ve witnessed a growing local interest in affordable renewable energy. But while we could be considered something of a pioneer in the solar field, few beat Solar San Antonio founder and chairman Bill Sinkin. On May 12, 2012, the same day as his 99^th birthday, the non-profit group is will stage its annual fundraising luncheon. The event is scheduled to take place at the Pearl Stable at the Historic Pearl Brewery, 312 Pearl Parkway, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The growing solar energy trend in San Antonio is a welcome development—but CAM Solar has quietly been here from the very beginning.

For centuries, people have been finding ways to gather power from the sun. The ancient Romans put glass and mica in their southern-facing doors to harness the sun’s warmth. In 1861, August Mouchout created a steam engine fueled by the sun. And in 1953, Bell Laboratories developed the precursor to the modern solar cell. In recent years, the need to “go green” and promotion of sustainable infrastructure has increased the interest in solar energy technology .
We decided to create a visualization marking the growth of use of solar energy in the United States while showing the decrease in the cost to implement this technology. We started out by looking at the cost per watt, including installation. In 1998, installing 1 watt of solar power would cost you $10.80. That dropped $3.30 over the next ten years, down to $7.50 in 2009 – about a 30% decrease in cost!

Next we looked at the total of solar-produced energy in the United States. The US saw more than three-fold growth in energy generation from 2000 to 2009, moving from slightly under 1,000 megawatts to just over 3,500 megawatts. To give you a better understanding of the amounts we are talking about here, the average toaster would use 30-45 watts, a 40” LCD flat-screen TV uses around 195 watts an hour, and the average American household uses roughly 14,000 kWh (kilowatts/hour) annually.

Next we looked at the whole nation to see which states were producing the most solar energy. We found that the growth here is also large, moving from just 4 states (California, New Jersey, Colorado, and Nevada) in 2007, to 15 states (the original four, plus Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii) in 2010.

Combining these bits of data gave us a better understanding of where US solar energy has been and the rate at which it is growing–we hope it does the same for you!

How We Made the Visualization

The idea behind using moss to create this data visualization was to give it some life while also tying it directly to the sun. Originally inspired by the moss graffiti we had seen on the internet, we were going to grow the moss in the shapes of the states and graphs using a mixture of yogurt, beer, and sugar, but the Michigan weather did not permit us to do so (definitely something to try again this spring). We were still interested in using moss as the medium for this project, though, so we decided to harvest some from a springin one of our employees’ backyards and try to shape the moss ourselves. After digging up the moss, we washed out as much of the dirt as we could to avoid staining the infographic poster. Next we dried the moss, cutting as much of the remaining dirt and excess root structure away as possible. Once dried, the moss was molded into the shapes and sizes we needed to fill the graphs and maps. Our plan is to see how long we can sustain the moss; the glue we used to attach it to the paper doesn’t seem to be having an adverse effect, but only time will tell how long we can keep it alive. We’re spritzing it with water from time to time, and keeping the visualization board in a shady spot in our office.

Hopefully next spring we can try again to grow some moss naturally, but until then we have something green in our office reminding us of the sun’s amazingpower and what we can do to be more energy-responsible.

Moss In the Wild

Drying the Moss

Printed Template

2010 United States

Trimming Moss

Moss Hawaii

Heavens no. As sure as the sun is in the sky, the future of solar energy remains bright. According to a report by the International Energy Agency, solar power is set to provide nearly one-fourth of the world’s electricity supplies by 2050. In its 2010 report, the IEA predicts that 11% of total power supplies will be derived from solar panels on residential and office structures with an equal percentage provided by central solar power stations.

A global push to eliminate carbon emissions portends more future growth for solar’s clean electricity. As the global carbon footprint continues to reduce in size, the industry’s current 0.5 percent share of total electricity supply is sure to grow exponentially in the coming decades.

Reductions in solar panel costs also bode well for the industry. As solar panels grow in popularity, so does their price: Since 2009, the cost of solar panels has dropped by a whopping 70 percent. Dictating price is the per-wattage hour cost of equipment and given that criterion the cost of operating solar panels purchased in bulk last year hovered around $1 per watt with steady drops in recent years.

The plummeting price of polysilicon—more formally known as polycrystalline silicon—also is seen as a factor for overall lowered solar power costs. By industry reckonings, a full 25% of a photovoltaic (PV) panel’s cost is rooted in the price of polysilicon, an element that is the main component in the manufacture of solar cells.

The world’s second most abundant element, polysilicon has dropped steadily in price over the years, with further drops expected through 2012. In light of the element’s price free-fall, some industry analysts predict the average price for solar modules containing polysilicon could drop as low as 70 cents per watt, making solar power an extremely affordable renewable energy source.

As supply costs continue to drop and its popularity increases, the future of solar energy is truly, well, bright.

Consider reliability: Naturally, the effectiveness of wind turbines to produce electricity is contingent on strong and steady winds to meet generating capacity. What’s more, turbines typically have to be installed free of obstruction and at certain heights to ensure optimal efficiency. Photovoltaic panels, on the other hand, are capable of harnessing energy from the more reliable solar presence at just about any angle with little consideration to height placements.

To extend the boxing metaphor, in this example, height poses no advantage. Ideal output for wind turbines requires installation at heights of at least 100 feet, further complicating their implementation. Some municipal ordinances limit structure heights, yielding another limitation to wind power. Power harnessed from wind also is often compromised by turbulence—a non-factor with energy derived from solar power.

The one advantage wind power has is cost, with installation of turbines lower than that of photovoltaic arrays. But wind power’s disadvantages—for example, its turbines pose hazards for avian life and are usually quite noisy—often trump its lower cost among consumers. By contrast, solar power hums along with nary a sound and panels are easily added to existing structures, thus eliminating the need to find space, as with turbines.

Increasingly, when it comes to pitting wind vs. solar power, more municipalities are placing their bets on solar. Officials at the town of Duxbury near Boston decided to shelve their plans for a wind turbine after weighing the advantages of solar energy. In addition to projected long-term cost savings, another reason the town decided to go solar was the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) factor: Nearby residents balked at the potential for lowered property values as a result of living in close proximity to a turbine, hiring an attorney to further articulate their point.

Solar projects abound in CAM Solar’s home turf of Texas, further illustrating solar power’s increasing popularity over wind power. In the town of Hockley, just outside Houston, CAM Solar designed a 215 kW system for the Hewlett Packard data center in January 2010.  Further northeast in Hopkins County, CAM Solar installed the electrical integration of a 188 kW solar system for the regional civic center. Increasingly, we are also seeing more residential customers eager to capitalize on inducements set forth by the city’s Solar San Antonio effort to promote solar use.

The wind vs. solar power matchup is one where consumers must carefully consider their bets. But with its diet of reliable sunshine, solar energy may very well be ahead in points.