Segro, Johnny August
Segro, Johnny August Sep 14, 1943 - May 3, 2020 Johnny August Segro, 76, of Englewood, FL, died on May 3, 2020. Funeral arrangements .....
Smothers, Lawrence J.
Smothers, Lawrence J. Nov 17, 1944 - Apr 30, 2020 Lawrence J. Smothers, 76, of Sarasota, FL, died on Apr 30, 2020. Funeral arrangements .....
Stephens, George
Stephens, George May 20, 1953 - Apr 30, 2020 George L. Stephens, 66, Palmetto, Fl., died April 30, 2020. George was born and raised .....
Strom, Jeannine Carl "Lilly"
Strom, Jeannine "Lilly" Carl Oct 13, 1941 - Apr 27, 2020 Jeannine "Lilly" Carol Strom passed away on April 27, 2020 at the age .....
Tanner, Donald
Tanner, Donald May 10, 1938 - May 8, 2020 Donald Tanner, 81, of Punta Gorda, FL, died on May 8, 2020. Funeral arrangements by: .....
Unger, Jason
Unger, Jason Feb 4, 1983 - May 5, 2020 Jason Unger, 37, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, died on May 5, 2020. Funeral arrangements by: .....
Wall, Kenneth E.
Wall, Kenneth E. Jun 13, 1928 - May 4, 2020 Kenneth E. Wall, 91, of Englewood, Florida passed away Monday, May 4, 2020 at .....
Burlington Free Press: Fired after raising concerns about unsafe conditions, UPS whistleblower gets her job back
Burlington Free Press: Fired after raising concerns about unsafe conditions, UPS whistleblower gets her job back. “Marge Harvey got her job back. Harvey, a 33-year veteran driver for UPS in St. Johnsbury, was fired on April 10 after pushing management on unsafe conditions at her workplace, including no personal protective equipment, no soap in the … Continue reading Burlington Free Press: Fired after raising concerns about unsafe conditions, UPS whistleblower gets her job back
BuzzFeed News: Grubhub Collected Record Fees From Restaurants Struggling To Stay Alive During The Pandemic
BuzzFeed News: Grubhub Collected Record Fees From Restaurants Struggling To Stay Alive During The Pandemic. “Restaurant owners have long complained that fees charged by ordering platforms like Grubhub, often ranging from 15% to 30%, make orders less profitable, and sometimes unprofitable — but businesses have no choice but to use them if they want to … Continue reading BuzzFeed News: Grubhub Collected Record Fees From Restaurants Struggling To Stay Alive During The Pandemic
BuzzFeed News: The J.Crew Bankruptcy Has Exposed A Hard Truth About The Influencer Economy
BuzzFeed News: The J.Crew Bankruptcy Has Exposed A Hard Truth About The Influencer Economy. “The news this week that the parent company of beloved preppy brand J.Crew and its hip millennial sister, Madewell, had filed for bankruptcy led to an outpouring of sadness from fans across social media. It also led to a stark revelation … Continue reading BuzzFeed News: The J.Crew Bankruptcy Has Exposed A Hard Truth About The Influencer Economy
‘Finally, a virus got me.’ Scientist who fought Ebola and HIV reflects on facing death from COVID-19 (Science Magazine)
Science Magazine: ‘Finally, a virus got me.’ Scientist who fought Ebola and HIV reflects on facing death from COVID-19. “Virologist Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, fell ill with COVID-19 in mid-March. He spent a week in a hospital and has been recovering at his home in London since. … Continue reading ‘Finally, a virus got me.’ Scientist who fought Ebola and HIV reflects on facing death from COVID-19 (Science Magazine)
Dallas News: A Dallas blogger’s images of parked planes show just how far the airline industry has fallen
Dallas News: A Dallas blogger’s images of parked planes show just how far the airline industry has fallen. “Andy Luten usually takes pictures of planes in the air, taking off or landing. But in the depths of the COVID-19 downturn, the 37-year-old financial software consultant in Dallas wanted to put his hobby to work showing … Continue reading Dallas News: A Dallas blogger’s images of parked planes show just how far the airline industry has fallen
Wicklow People: New website aims to beat lockdown boredom
Wicklow People: New website aims to beat lockdown boredom. “A student from Wicklow town has built and programmed a website to help people cope with boredom during Covid-19 lockdown. The website… created by Jack Kennedy features music, youtube videos, movies, TV shows, documentaries, articles, and Wikipedia rabbit holes that are deemed interesting and entertaining. The … Continue reading Wicklow People: New website aims to beat lockdown boredom
Channel 3000: 72 got COVID-19 after being at large event
Channel 3000: 72 got COVID-19 after being at large event. “More than 70 people who tested positive for the coronavirus since an April 24 rally at the Wisconsin state Capitol indicated they had attended a large gathering, but the state Department of Health Services cant’ say if they were at the rally because it is … Continue reading Channel 3000: 72 got COVID-19 after being at large event
Washington Post: In the early days of the pandemic, the U.S. government turned down an offer to manufacture millions of N95 masks in America
Washington Post: In the early days of the pandemic, the U.S. government turned down an offer to manufacture millions of N95 masks in America. “It was Jan. 22, a day after the first case of covid-19 was detected in the United States, and orders were pouring into Michael Bowen’s company outside Fort Worth, some from … Continue reading Washington Post: In the early days of the pandemic, the U.S. government turned down an offer to manufacture millions of N95 masks in America
Vice: The Ghanaian Pallbearers Lean Into Their Role as Pandemic Grim Reapers
Vice: The Ghanaian Pallbearers Lean Into Their Role as Pandemic Grim Reapers. “The Ghanaian pallbearers have become the most explicit cultural icons of this pandemic. They are cultural icons of death and dying. In a new video, they warn you to stay inside, lest you wish to dance with them in death.”
Jerusalem Post: Meet the 107-year-old woman who survived the coronavirus and Spanish flu
Jerusalem Post: Meet the 107-year-old woman who survived the coronavirus and Spanish flu. “After Marilee Shapiro Asher was admitted to the hospital in mid-April sick with COVID-19, her daughter got a call from the doctor telling her she ought to get down there right away. Her mother likely had only 12 hours to live. ‘Well, … Continue reading Jerusalem Post: Meet the 107-year-old woman who survived the coronavirus and Spanish flu
‘We have to test more people’: Wisconsin expands coronavirus testing for African American, Latino and tribal communities (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: ‘We have to test more people’: Wisconsin expands coronavirus testing for African American, Latino and tribal communities. “All African Americans, Latinos and tribal community members in Wisconsin will have access to free COVID-19 testing under a plan announced Thursday by Gov. Tony Evers. Evers’ plan is an effort to combat the staggering … Continue reading ‘We have to test more people’: Wisconsin expands coronavirus testing for African American, Latino and tribal communities (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Institute of Cancer Research: Scientists bring together world’s coronavirus research in ‘intelligent’ online database
Institute of Cancer Research: Scientists bring together world’s coronavirus research in ‘intelligent’ online database. “Scientists have created a dynamic database driven by artificial intelligence which is collecting together the world’s research on coronavirus in a single online space. The new resource will make freely available vast amounts of data on the biology and treatment of … Continue reading Institute of Cancer Research: Scientists bring together world’s coronavirus research in ‘intelligent’ online database
California Literary Review: What coronavirus costs to the Italian cultural heritage.
California Literary Review: What coronavirus costs to the Italian cultural heritage.. “Given that Italy’s is generally considered the world’s richest cultural heritage, maintenance of its historic monuments and museum, with exhibits dating from the early Neolithic era through today’s avantgarde, is costly. But with international tourism virtually at the end for an indefinite period because … Continue reading California Literary Review: What coronavirus costs to the Italian cultural heritage.
New York Times: One-Third of All U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Are Nursing Home Residents or Workers
New York Times: One-Third of All U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Are Nursing Home Residents or Workers. “At least 25,600 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for older adults in the United States, according to a New York Times database. The virus so far has infected more … Continue reading New York Times: One-Third of All U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Are Nursing Home Residents or Workers
Miami Herald: Florida’s lax oversight of nursing homes spills over from one deadly crisis to the next
Miami Herald: Florida’s lax oversight of nursing homes spills over from one deadly crisis to the next. “Florida’s solution for one potential crisis — the failure of nearly 100 elder-care facilities to comply with the state’s emergency power law, even as hurricane season approaches — is to allow the homes to pack all their residents … Continue reading Miami Herald: Florida’s lax oversight of nursing homes spills over from one deadly crisis to the next
Battleship - 7 May 2020 - Flickr
Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong, 2019
A new addition to the "Stacked: Hong Kong" urban architecture series
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stay up-to date by following me on:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
www.peterstewartphotography.com
For image licensing or print enquiries, please contact me at: info@peterstewartphotography.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dawn of Another Day - 4 May 2020 - Flickr
I've gone to this particular photographic well before, having posted a couple of other shots of my morning shoot with the Cormorant Fishermen on the Li River in Guilin China. Not super original, but still among my favorites both for the fascinating subject and exotic landscape and because it was a magical morning and one of my favorite all time photographic experiences. Here the first sunrise tones are just reflecting low on the river backlighting the fisherman.
This was a bit of a crazy adventure, and definitely took me outside of my comfort zone. At the tail end of a working trip to China I had saved a day before my midnight flight back to the US. I was originally considering a side trip to see Wulingyuan National Park with its famous "Avatar"-like Karsts, but after some research realized that a) this would be more than a one day undertaking, and b) that there was an equal if not better Karst environment around Guilin and much more accessible.
I'd arranged for a local guide to pick me up early in the morning and drive me to meet with the Cormorant fisherman before dawn, so after just a couple hours of sleep I was up again and heading out in to the back country up river with a little bit of apprehension. While I've never felt in any physical danger in China, there are still plenty of scams and people ready to take your money and/or things, and it isn't that hard to find yourself suddenly in uncomfortable circumstances (been there, done that!). However, I'd booked the guide through a reputable company and figured the risk was minimal.
Indeed, we arrived at a small fishing village after a longish drive without any hiccups at all. The humid tropical smells hit me immediately and woke me up. Morning is my favorite time under normal circumstances, and on this day I was very excited; every sense really felt alive, and I was thoroughly engaged and in the moment. The surroundings were exotic, the skies just beginning to reveal the cloud structure in the early morning darkness and I could see a lot of cloud but not an unbroken gloom. I was introduced to the fisherman and he paddled us out to a little dock and then floated off on his bamboo raft and lit his small lantern. Later, once the dawn broke fully he took out his net and set his cormorants to work, demonstrating this ancient working relationship between these wonderful birds and their handlers.
After a couple of hours on the river, we packed up and headed out to take some other landscape photos throughout the day, including a couple of tough climbs up to the peak of some of the Karsts to get a better view of this amazing area. Finally just after sunset it was time to leave, and after a bit of a delay and a small panic I made it back to Shanghai in time to catch my flight to the US. An extremely tiring but incredibly rewarding experience. That feeling of total immersion in a moment of time was truly priceless and is my favorite thing about this hobby.
I would very much like to go back to Guilin and spend much more time appreciating this spectacular location. Hit up my album for China if you're interested in seeing other pics from Guilin.
Entrance - 3 May 2020 - Flickr
Entrance to a nice orchard.
[Explored, May 3, 2020]:
www.flickr.com/explore/2020/05/03
" N° 1 sur Explore " Mésange charbonnière ( Parus major - Great Tit ) - 2 May 2020 - Flickr
** Photo d'archives ( 2017 ) **
Presque aussi grande qu'un moineau domestique, c'est la plus grande des mésanges d'Europe. On la reconnaît essentiellement à sa tête noire contrastant avec des joues blanches et à son ventre jaune orné d'une raie médiane noire. Chez les mâles, cette raie se prolonge jusqu'à la queue. Chez la femelle, cette raie est plus terne et plus fine et s'arrête sur l'abdomen. Sachant cela, vous constaterez qu'il y a plus de mâles sur les mangeoires. Le dessus est vert olive, tirant vers le bleu sur les ailes et la queue et une petite barre blanche sur les ailes. Les petits donnent l'impression d'être plus ramassés, avec des joues jaunes.
Image prise depuis la tente affût et dans un milieu naturel .
*******************************************************************
** Archive photo (2017) **
Almost as big as a house sparrow, it is the largest of the chickadees in Europe. It is mainly recognized by its black head contrasting with white cheeks and its yellow belly decorated with a black median stripe. In males, this line extends to the tail. In the female, this line is duller and finer and stops on the abdomen. Knowing this, you will find that there are more males on the feeders. The upper side is olive green, turning blue on the wings and tail and a small white bar on the wings. The little ones give the impression of being more collected, with yellow cheeks.
Image taken from the lookout tent and in a natural environment.
Kirkjufell - 27 Apr 2020 - Flickr
An icelandic classic and probably one of the most photographed and impressive scenes in Iceland. Nevertheless - the scene with its iconic waterfall and mountain - is very tempting. I think I waited for a couple of hours until the light was right and I could capture the scene as I wanted.
Now that I have photographed this scene, I can focus on my next visit more on exploring this magic landscape, wich is probably full of other photographic opportunities.
Breathless - 26 Apr 2020 - Flickr
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
It literally took my breath away when I stepped on the ledge and saw this mind blowing landscape expand in front of me. I felt like I was on a different planet, something you only see in your dreams. The magnificent mountain ranges of Yoho National Park in the Canadian Rockies cradle three turquoise blue lakes illuminated in intensely colorful light as the setting sun colors low lying clouds.
Upcoming Photography Workshops and Adventures!:
1) Best of the Canadian Rockies
September 14- 18, 2020
September 20-24, 2020 - 2 Spots remaining
2) Algonquin Autumn Splendour
September 29 - October 2, 2020 - 2 Spots remaining
3) Patagonia - Wilderness Untamed!
Early Bird Specials Until July 1, 2020!
March 31 - April 10, 2021
April 19-30, 2021 - Patagonia on a Budget: One of the most affordable workshops in Patagonia!
4) Surreal Namibia
May 24 - June 8, 2021 - 3 Spots remaining
June 22 - July 7, 2021 - 2 Spots remaining
Tuscany panorama from a past summertime... - 25 Apr 2020 - Flickr
Instagram: www.instagram.com/aesrth/
Endings and Beginnings
Even before I knew how to name it (or identify it) one of the core principles of my life was always to follow my energy....
Garden Upgrades 2019, Part 2
Let me start by saying that I have had mixed feelings about my veggie garden, pretty much since I put the first beds in six...
The Greenhouse Returns
This thing… I’m not sure if I’ve had a single project on the farm that has brought me such varying levels of joy, frustration, and...
Garden Upgrades 2019, Part 1
Last year I used the word “manageable” to describe spring on the farm, and, I mean… that’s hilarious. I didn’t know that was even an...
Lake House: Winter Work and Spring Plans
Remember how I was on a cabinet building kick a few months ago? My energy level–and that magical ability to knock together a cabinet on...
Victory Lap: Year Seven
Can I just start by saying, holy shit… year seven? I mean, what the hell have I been doing for the last seven years? (Besides...
A Girl and her Tent
Well, technically, it’s really a girl, her tent, and another 30 lbs of gear strapped to her back (while she hikes up a mountain) but...
The Big List: 2019
2018 was a weird year for a lot of reasons, one of which was THERE WAS NO LIST. … I know, right? This farm has...
2018: The Year of Getting Stronger
Here’s the thing. While I like being strong, I don’t think I’ve ever walked into a day (or month, or year) and said, “You know...
Wherein I Built Some Motherf*cking Cabinets
The only appropriate way to follow that title is this: Hell. Yes. The last weeks of 2018 were nothing short of a gift. An incredible...
Virginia Warms Up to Solar
Virginia Warms Up to Solar aconstanza Fri, 05/08/2020 - 11:43
Virginia Warms Up to Solar
Renewables are gaining ground in places where fossil fuels have been the backbone of the economy. Now, even in Virginia, coal is not the only game in town.
Last month, Salt Lake City-based sPower, a renewable energy Independent Power Producer, announced that it closed on a multi-million tax equity commitment for a major photovoltaic development project in Spotsylvania County, Va. The company describes it as “the largest solar project east of the Rockies.”
The Spotsylvania Solar Energy Center is a 620-megawatt DC solar project located in the western part of the county. The project site consists of three noncontiguous boundaries that encompass approximately 6,350 acres. Of those acres, approximately 3,500 acres will be developed into the solar project, and at least 2,000 acres will be preserved as undeveloped, conserved land.
The company boasts that, in addition to the greenhouse gas emissions it will eliminate, the project will generate an estimated 700 new jobs during the construction phase and approximately 20–25 full-time positions during operations.
The project is currently under construction, with phases coming online this year and through project completion, which is expected in the summer of 2021.
The solar center got a major boost in April when sPower closed on a $350 million tax equity commitment from Wells Fargo’s Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance group. The commitment allows Wells Fargo to benefit from the solar tax incentives in exchange for its investment in the project.
The timing is also fortuitous. The announcement comes on the heels of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signing the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which puts the state on a path to 100% green energy over the next thirty years.
Executive Order Has Major Ramifications for Utilities
Executive Order Has Major Ramifications for Utilities aconstanza Wed, 05/06/2020 - 15:08
Executive Order Has Major Ramifications for Utilities
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on May 1 has sweeping implications for electric utilities across the nation. Namely placing restrictions on the foreign-supplied components installed on the nation’s electric grid in the name of national security.
The report states, “The bulk power system is a target of those seeking to commit malicious acts against the United States and its people, including malicious cyber activities, because a successful attack on our bulk power system would present significant risks to our economy, human health and safety, and would render the United States less capable of acting in defense of itself and its allies.”
The first section of the executive order is designed to limit the use of foreign-supplied components installed on the nation’s electric grid in the future, declaring that not creating these limits would pose an “extraordinary threat to national security.”
The concern is purchasing and installing components from certain countries that are considered adversaries of the United States, including those that have made attempts in the past to hack into the nation’s electric grid, could put the nation’s grid at risk. For example, one fear is that foreign governments could embed certain pieces of technology in the components they sold to U.S. utilities that would adversely impact the grid or provide private information back to these adversarial nations.
The second section of the executive order, among other things, lays out a plan for potentially requiring utilities to replace these foreign-supplied components with components deemed safer. Specifically, the order directs the U.S. Secretary of Energy to “develop recommendations on ways to identify, isolate, monitor, or replace such items as soon as practicable, taking into consideration overall risk to the bulk-power system.”
The third section of the executive order establishes a task force on Federal Energy Infrastructure Procurement Policies Related to National Security, which will be expected to “develop a recommended consistent set of energy infrastructure procurement policies and procedures for agencies, to the extent consistent with law, to ensure that national security considerations are fully integrated across the Federal Government and submit such recommendations to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council.”
The task force will also have authorization to evaluate the methods and criteria used to incorporate national security considerations into physical security and cybersecurity policymaking.
Paycheck Protection Program Helping Contractors
Paycheck Protection Program Helping Contractors aconstanza Mon, 05/04/2020 - 12:47
Paycheck Protection Program Helping Contractors
According to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program is allowing construction firms to add and retain employees, despite declining demand for work.
“A large share of construction firms promptly received loans funds under the Paycheck Protection Program, enabling many of them to hire or retain employees despite a surge in project cancellations,” according to the report.
AGC noted that the job-saving measure appeared to be working, but it cautioned that longer term recovery measures, such as new infrastructure funding and establishing a recovery fund, are needed.
“Most contractors report they have applied for the new federal loans, which are intended to enable small businesses to keep employees on their payrolls,” said Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “This program has already delivered funds to nearly half of the survey respondents, and many of them have already brought back furloughed workers or added employees, even though more clients are halting and canceling projects.”
Simonson noted specifically that 44% of the 849 firms responding to the survey reported having already received funds, which began on April 3. Another 15% said their applications had been approved, but they had not yet received funding. Another 8% were awaiting a reply to their applications, and 7% had applied, but were told that no more funds were available.
Partly because of the loans, 13% of respondents said they had added workers.
“Although the loan program has helped, it will cover only a limited part of company expenses and is not enough to offset the huge drop in projects,” Simonson said.
He noted that half of the respondents reported clients have ordered halts to projects that were already underway, and more than 25% reported that clients have canceled projects that had been expected to start as far out as June, or even later.
Is a Fire Alarm System Too Loud?
Is a Fire Alarm System Too Loud? aconstanza Mon, 05/04/2020 - 12:29
Is a Fire Alarm System Too Loud?
Is the fire alarm too loud? If you’ve ever been asked this question, you may have wondered whether the questioner had a point or not.
First I reviewed the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed horn available on the market today. Currently, the standard commercial horn sounds at a measured decibel output (by UL) in the ranges of 87 dBA to 95 dBA measured at 10 feet from the sound source in the UL anechoic chamber (no reverberation). All of these appliances sound at a frequency of approximately 3,000 Hertz (Hz).
Based on research over the last 10 years, the very young and the very old have difficulty hearing that frequency level. That research also showed that hearing a fire alarm signal at 520 Hz was equally heard by the very young, the very old and those who needed awakening at night. Based on that research, the code changed the requirements for audible alarm appliances in all sleeping rooms to be at that frequency.
Keep in mind the requirement for audibility in these areas remains at 75 dBA measured at the pillow level in the bedroom. To awaken occupants the audible appliances must produce a low frequency alarm signal that complies with the 520 Hz requirement. The Annex A information also provides guidance for areas “intended for sleeping and in areas that might reasonably be used for sleeping. For example, this section requires a low frequency audible signal in a bedroom of an apartment and also in the living room area of an apartment as it might have sleeping occupants.”
The annex does advise us that it is not required to use the low frequency signal in the hallways, lobby and other tenantless spaces. For example, in hotels, the guestrooms would require use of the low-frequency signals, but other spaces that might require audible signals could use any listed audible appliances regardless of the frequency content of the signal.
The code requires a minimum of 15 dBA above the ambient sound levels present in the space. The bottom line is the audible signals are not too loud but must be loud enough to move the occupants to take action.
Still you may come across customers who are concerned that the volume of an alarm could negatively affect their hearing. For example, I have been asked by a principal of a K-12 school what her response should be to parents who are worried the alarm signal is so loud it will injure children’s hearing.
To answer the principal’s questions, first I turned to the information provided in the annex of NFPA 72-2019, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Annex A for Section 18.4.1.2 discusses the maximum sound pressure level of 110 decibels (dBA) permitted in a space. In the 2007 edition, this was reduced from 120 dBA in previous editions.
According to NFPA 72, “the change from 120 dBA to 110 dBA was made to coordinate with other laws, codes, and standards. In addition to the danger of exposure to a high sound level, long-term exposure to lower levels could also be a problem.”
For example, when occupants must traverse long egress paths to exit or technicians test large systems over extended time, the exposure to loud alarm signals could cause damage to their hearing.
The issue is the code is silent on how long a person can or should be exposed to an audible notification system. The limit of 110 dBA has been set as a reasonable upper limit by the code for the optimal performance of a system.
The annex goes on to say, “For workers who could be exposed to high sound levels over the course of a 40-year employment history, OSHA has established a maximum permitted dose before a hearing conservation program must be implemented. A worker exposed to 120 dBA for 7.5 minutes a day for 40 years might be in danger of suffering a hearing impairment. The OSHA regulation includes a formula to calculate a dose for situations where a person is exposed to different sound levels for different periods of time. The maximum permitted by the regulation is an 8-hour equivalent dose of 90 dBA. It is possible to calculate the dose a person experiences when traversing an egress path where the sound pressure level varies as he/she passes close to, then away from, audible appliances. Table A.18.4.1.2 depicts OSHA permissible noise exposures.”
I used the above information to assure the principal that the short duration of the students’ exposure to the alarm signal was not going to cause hearing damage. In addition, the sound pressure levels in the hallways of her school did not come close the maximum of 110 dBA allowed by the code.
All in all, you can tell your customers that alarm systems are loud by design. The uncomfortable volume during egress should be short-lived and well worth it to help as many occupants as possible be spared more serious injury or harm.
Philadelphia Offers Discounted Solar to Residents and Businesses
Philadelphia Offers Discounted Solar to Residents and Businesses aconstanza Fri, 05/01/2020 - 16:46
Philadelphia Offers Discounted Solar to Residents and Businesses
Public support for solar power is strong and growing, but it’s not always strong enough to overcome the high upfront costs of installation. To help home and business owners make that initial investment towards utilizing solar power, Philadelphia re-opened its popular Solarize Philly program.
In April, Solarize Philly began accepting to new applications. The last phase closed in November 2019 after 2,068 signups. The program has helped 6,200 customers since its launch in 2017.
Program participants benefit from group-buying discounts and consumer protections. Installers are kicking off the new phase by providing free remote solar assessments.
The program is run by the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), an independent municipal authority chartered by the city in 2010 to provide targeted expertise and focus to city efforts to reduce energy consumption and expense.
The authority offers other financial incentives that are available to Solarize Philly participants. The Philadelphia Solar Rebate offers a one-time rebate incentive of 10 cents/watt to commercial and 20 cents/watt to residential projects. The rebate comes to about $1,000 for homeowners.
Fees generated by Solarize Philly also support the PEA's Solar Savings Grant Program, which provides grants plus financing to low- and moderate-income households to go solar at no upfront cost. Grants cover up to half the cost of the project, and utility bill savings start in the first year.
To participate in Solarize Philly, homeowners complete a sign-up form and are then connected to one of the city's approved installers. An installer will provide a free project proposal tailored to the home’s specific needs, based on roof space, electricity usage and other factors.
After the owner approves and signs a contract, the installer handles all permitting and engineering requirements and works with the local utility, PECO, to manage the interconnection process before the installation.
The city says Solarize Philly is also helping create jobs. Darell Clarke, city council president, said “of all energy projects, rooftop solar creates the most jobs per dollar invested.”
The PEA references a study conducted for the authority by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, which found that 15 living wage jobs are created for every 100 solar installations. PEA also leads Bright Solar Futures, a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia to establish Pennsylvania’s first vocational solar program for high school students.