Blog Feed: Go Solar Energy For Life

Have a Personal 10-Year Energy Independence Plan – Part 1 of 2

Published on 2012-05-24 06:01:53

I recommend having a personal 10-year energy independence plan. One important aspect of this 10-year plan would be to know that you don’t know what’s around the corner. There is a lot of research and development going on now around energy that we don’t know anything about, so, in 5 years, say, there could be [...] > read more

Deepwater Horizon – Lessons Learned

Published on 2012-05-03 06:58:00

  “It’s as if it never happened.”  Dr. Frank Alcock, Senior Fellow, Collins Center for Public Policy, referring to public opinion about drilling in the Gulf of Mexico two years after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon in April, 2010. The Deepwater Horizon explosion was the worst offshore oil spill in U. S. history: 11 [...] > read more

Energy Savings – How I Tripled My MPG!

Published on 2012-04-12 17:50:48

For years, I’ve worried that auto manufacturers have done nothing to make pickup trucks get better than 20 miles per gallon (MPG). At Fafco Solar, our technicians use Ford F150 pick up trucks and Ford Rangers. Outfitted with a cap and a rack they get only 12 to 15 mpg. When we’re busy, we have [...] > read more

RU a Solar Angel?

Published on 2012-03-16 07:31:31

RU a Solar Angel? A Solar Angel is a being who: Has passion for solar energy, Holds a vision in their heart of a world that works well, Quietly, and often invisibly, effects change toward their vision. You may not know it but you are surrounded by Solar Angels. They are everywhere. The more you [...] > read more

Solar Water Heater Proliferation around the World!

Published on 2012-03-02 15:13:54

Last December, the Earth Policy Institute shared how fast… …rooftop solar water heaters are being installed around the world! This is great news, and very inspiring for us in the USA, and even those here in Southwest Florida! Practically every home in the US has a water heater.  Water heaters work continuously to keep the [...] > read more

Coming Soon: Cars Being Powered by Solar Energy

Published on 2012-02-10 20:16:33

Last October, the Earth Policy Institute released a news release that stated the United States consumes more gasoline than the next 16 countries combined (among them are China, Japan, Russia, Germany, and Brazil. But one interesting fact stuck out… Since 2010 — US Gasoline Use Declined: A few interesting facts from the Earth Policy News [...] > read more

Light Your (reinvented) Fire

Published on 2012-01-27 09:23:23

“Imagine fuel without fear. No climate change. No oil spills, dead coal miners, dirty air, devastated lands, lost wildlife. No energy poverty. No oil-fed wars, tyrannies, or terrorists. Nothing to run out. Nothing to cut off. Nothing to worry about. Just energy abundance, benign and affordable, for all, for ever.” Wow! These are the opening [...] > read more

Solar & Renewable Energy Solutions Continue to Flourish!

Published on 2012-01-13 11:11:01

A Happy New Year to you, your family, and friends! I’m so happy to be doing what I’m passionate about, and being able to do it while we’re seeing such a great evolution with Solar & Renewable Energy solutions. The realization, adoption, and results generated from these solutions are simply mind-blowing. More energy can be [...] > read more

Let the Good Times Roll with Solar Power!

Published on 2011-12-21 10:52:39

In my June 3, 2009 blog post, titled “Changing My Mind on a Dime” – I talked about using the sun to power cars soon…. Well, guess what?  It’s here! Earlier this year, Ford, and Sunpower agreed to a partnership that will allow purchasers of Ford plug-in vehicles the ability to charge their cars. Sunpower’s [...] > read more

How Does Florida Rank in Solar PV?

Published on 2011-12-07 10:32:00

If you’re not sure what Solar PV is, be sure to read “What are solar photovoltaic systems?” on our FafcoSolar.com web site. Now, the big question is “How does Florida rank in Solar PV?” as compared to the rest of the US… Earlier this year, Solar Today released a chart showing by state, the: PV [...] > read more

Today’s Energy Landscape – What You Need To Know

Published on 2011-11-23 10:19:05

Every time I receive an update from the Rocky Mountain Institute, I find it very inspiring, and… …they seem to be on target all of the time. Recently, they published the 10 Facts About Our Energy Landscape, which are: The US burns 13 millions barrels of oil a day (half imported) at a cost of [...] > read more

Solar Skylights – A Beautiful Kitchen in Cape Coral

Published on 2011-11-10 10:39:58

Once I stepped inside, I knew… (Photo used with permission from Paul Shahriari – www.FLGreenHouse.com) …I’d found the most beautiful kitchen in the world! It was absolutely break taking – aside from its very functional design – the fact that it was flooded with natural daylight really took it over the top! Some light entered [...] > read more

Solar Jobs Remain Sunny Spot in the US

Published on 2011-10-28 10:14:21

Here is some good news concerning jobs… and I’m glad to be doing my part! The article reviews how the solar industry employed 100,237 people as of August 2011, which is 6.8 percent more than last year. I’ve hired two people so far this year and I’m looking to add a couple more before the [...] > read more

Solar Power – Is It Becoming The Norm in New Construction?

Published on 2011-10-11 11:38:38

I’m proud to have our first official guest blogger, Philip Reed, contributing to my blog.  Enjoy! It’s taken some time but we’re beginning to look at renewable sources of energy such as solar owner as the norm in new construction. “Solar power as the norm rather than the exception.” –Philip J Reed, Westwood College It’s [...] > read more

Solar Energy & Our Philosophy – “Do It Well”

Published on 2011-09-27 18:21:48

“If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” My Father – Ward J. Morrissey Jr, Founder of Fafco Solar These words, which I heard many times as a young child, formed the foundation of our high quality standards at Fafco Solar. Although, my father and I were 180 degree opposites, and didn’t see eye [...] > read more

Gulf Stream Power Concept becoming a reality!

Published on 2011-06-30 12:58:39

Back in November of last year… I made the bold statement that Florida could be energy independent, in part, by using the Gulf Stream to power the east coast of Florida. Well, today, you can learn more about how that will become a reality! Smart > read more

US Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon and more!

Published on 2011-06-16 08:54:41

Where are you going to be September 23 through October 2 of this year? Every two years, the U.S. Dept. of Energy holds a week-long event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. called the Solar Decathlon. This year, twenty university teams from arou > read more

FPL Solar Rebate – Save Money, Limited Time!

Published on 2011-06-03 06:59:11

If you have been waiting for a new rebate program to invest in solar, your time has come. Florida Power and Light, our state’s largest utility has just announced a NEW and Improved solar rebate program! Beginning June 21, Florida Power & Li > read more

Solar Energy Savings – How I Saved Over 70% in 1 Year!

Published on 2011-05-10 10:32:55

WOW!  17 dollars and 74 cents… That’s how much my Florida Power & Light (FPL) electrical bill was in March of this year… The amazing thing? Quite a while ago, I set a goal to save 10% per year on my electrical bill — work > read more

Are you using solar energy in Fort Myers?

Published on 2011-04-21 07:44:31

The thought came to me… (Special Thanks to Charly from Internet Services Group for this beautiful photo of McGregor Blvd in Fort Myers!) “I wonder how many people are using solar energy, in any way, here in Fort Myers?” I’m re > read more

Preventing an Environmental & Economic Collapse – Part 3

Published on 2011-03-24 22:05:07

As I mentioned, in my previous blog posts, I’m sharing the latest release from the Energy Policy Institute. It’s part of Lester Brown’s latest book, World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse. Here’s the final p > read more

Preventing an Environmental & Economic Collapse – Part 2

Published on 2011-03-10 21:58:13

As I mentioned, in my previous blog post, I’m sharing the latest release from the Energy Policy Institute. It’s part of Lester Brown’s latest book, World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse. Enjoy, -Dan ̵ > read more

Preventing an Environmental & Economic Collapse – Part 1

Published on 2011-02-28 21:43:45

Recently, the Earth Policy Institute published a ‘BY THE NUMBERS: Data Highlights from World on the Edge’ release, over this, and the next two blog posts… …I’m going to share it with you. I feel that is has very compelli > read more

Is the Time Right for a Personal Revolution?

Published on 2011-02-14 20:49:45

Are you tired of waiting for someone to solve the energy problem? If you’re like me, you might be ready to take matters into your own hands. But even though you feel ready, you might still be holding back a little. Well, if that’s the case, I sug > read more

Can BIOCHAR Help Florida Become Food (& Energy) Independent?

Published on 2011-02-01 15:26:39

I have a new love: backyard organic gardening… Since I’ve never done gardening before, I have everything to learn. My first goal has been to learn how to make good, healthy, sustainable dirt, which lead me to BIOCHAR. I first heard about > read more

Sustainable Future: The Green School in Bali

Published on 2011-01-04 09:30:24

Imagine learning in an environment that’s… …giving its students a relevant, holistic, green education in one of the most amazing environments on the planet (along with being completely off of the power grid!) That’s exactly wh > read more

Mesa Verde – Solar Energy Friends

Published on 2010-12-13 12:16:33

Whether its random kindness or hoping to discover something in common, it always feels good when a stranger asks, “Where ya from?” It happened, again, when Nancy and I were on vacation in Southwest Colorado. We were about half way into a tour of > read more

Florida Can Be Energy and Food Independent

Published on 2010-11-24 14:40:33

Here’s my thought for the Thanksgiving weekend… A very special thank you to Charly Caldwell for introducing me to Alan Maltz’s “Free Spirit” (above) — environmental consciousness through fine art, way to go! Florid > read more

Fossil Fuels – 300 Years of Growth in 5 Minutes

Published on 2010-11-15 20:50:28

Wow! I stumbled upon this video today… …and it really sums up how fossil fuels have powered human growth and ingenuity for centuries — all in 5 short minutes! Now that we’re reaching the end of cheap and abundant oil and coal > read more

Solar Power in Florida: Energy Officials Visit Suncoast

Published on 2010-11-11 17:47:30

Recently, Dominic Zito, our Sales Manager, was interviewed… …by ABC-7 about high-level energy officials from the Department of Energy coming to the Suncoast to meet with local officials talking about energy programs. Including those that > read more

Solar Power Expected to Double In US in 2010

Published on 2010-10-18 14:01:18

Over 27,000 people went to Solar Power International – a power conference & trade show in Los Angeles held last week, and there was good reason for excitement… The US Solar Electric Industry, including both solar photovoltaic (PV) and > read more

National Geographic – Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill – October 2010

Published on 2010-10-04 10:30:42

“There is more to the cost of oil than the ticking numbers at the fuel pump” was the editor… Image courtesy of National Geographic – Gulf Oil Spill Segment. …of National Geographic’s October 2010 Gulf Oil Spill seg > read more

Solar Photovoltaic System at Lee County Public Safety Building

Published on 2010-09-24 10:21:28

We’re very happy to announce… …we’ve been awarded a contract to install a 54kW solar electric (photovoltaic) system at the Lee County Public Safety Building. Even better? It’s at no cost to taxpayers! Our Solar Operation > read more

Energy Savings – What Actually Works…

Published on 2010-08-18 16:10:34

Here’s an interesting online article from TechCrunch.com’s Green Tech section about… …energy savings, and really understanding what’s effective. Have you implemented any energy saving solutions in your home or business? > read more