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The Solar Report

Announcing our new intern

Tony Pappas

Thu, Jun 10

Category:

The Solar Report

The Solar Initiative is pleased to announce that our intern for the summer of 2021 is Ian Murphy. Ian has a long history of connection with Block Island, coming out quite frequently in his teen years when his grandparents, the Devlins, owned a home on the island. Since entering college, Ian has...
Three reasons to put solar panels on your roof

Fri, May 28

Category:

The Solar Report

First, it could save you money. Recently I was speaking with a homeowner who had photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on his roof last year. He expected to receive a $40 credit this month from the Block Island Power Company by providing that much more electricity than his house used. Factoring in his...
Solar cell basics

Tony Pappas

Fri, May 21

Category:

The Solar Report

Isn’t it shocking how a little chunk of silicon can produce electricity? When I asked the U.S. Government, Department of Energy, how this worked, this is what they told me: “When light shines on a photovoltaic (PV) cell – also called a solar cell – that light may be reflected, absorbed, or pass...
Bigbellies are here

Tony Pappas

Fri, May 7

Category:

The Solar Report

Bigbellies are here...but you don’t need to hide...they won’t eat you, just your trash. Bigbellies are the brand name of state of the art trash receptacles that have now been placed strategically around Old Harbor. Bigbellies feature two bins, one for recyclables and one for regular trash. They...
Can you do one thing to restore the earth?

Tony Pappas

Fri, Apr 16

Category:

The Solar Report

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22, this year. (Actually, it is always April 22, in commemoration of the first Earth Day celebration on that date in 1970.) This year’s theme is “Restore the Earth.” So, we at the Solar Initiative are challenging you to do one thing toward the goal of restoring the...
Good news for heliophiles and taxophobes

Tony Pappas

Fri, Apr 9

Category:

The Solar Report

Back in 2005, the US Congress passed a bill giving federal tax credits for the installation of renewable energy sources. The bill has been extended multiple times since then and the terms have changed multiple times, also. The good news: The tax credit was scheduled to decline to 22 percent in 2021...
The Solar Initiative offers revised subsidy programs for April 1 to June 30, 2021

Tony Pappas

Thu, Mar 25

Category:

The Solar Report

It is the mission of the Solar Initiative on Block Island to reduce fossil fuel emissions by offering incentives to energy consumers to move to renewable sources of energy. Our primary means of making progress toward this goal is education (e.g. columns such as this series) and subsidies to make...
“The sun also rises”

Tony Pappas

Thu, Mar 11

Category:

The Solar Report

With apologies to Hemingway, the sun is rising on solar generated power (and other renewables). Consider the following data: • In 2019, 72 percent of power plant additions utilized renewables. • The European Union now generates more power from renewables (38 percent) than from fossil fuels (37...
Every 38 years

Tony Pappas

Thu, Feb 25

Category:

The Solar Report

The year is 1983. The committee has organized its annual House and Garden Tour. This year’s theme is “Solar Energy,” featuring four residences, a business, and the Southeast Lighthouse was thrown in as a bonus! (Tickets were $5 but $4.50 if purchased in advance – and net proceeds of $1,300 were...
Everything you always wanted to know about heat pumps but were afraid to ask

Tony Pappas

Thu, Feb 11

Category:

The Solar Report

The Solar Initiative’s (tSI) heat pump subsidy program has proved to be very popular. Over 40 island families have signed up or are ready to learn more. tSI is offering up to $6,000 to offset the cost of a home heat pump installation. That sounds great, but what is a heat pump and how does it work...
Why your next car should be an EV

Tony Pappas

Thu, Jan 28

Category:

The Solar Report, Features

There are many reasons to replace your current gas guzzler with an electric vehicle. Let me count the ways: 1. You can save money on operation. Green Energy Consumer Advocates did an analysis using the Block Island Power Company’s rates and determined that using an EV on Block Island in the winter...
The EV Revolution is Here!

Tony Pappas

Thu, Jan 14

Category:

The Solar Report

Well, at least an uprising. In the fall of 2020, the Solar Initiative offered subsidies towards the purchase of electric vehicles. From 14 applications, eight subsidies were awarded. And now the first six have arrived on the island. Look at these smiling faces (behind their masks). Pictured above...
Good news and bad news

Tony Pappas

Thu, Dec 31

Category:

The Solar Report

Well, I have good news and bad news for anyone hoping to go more solar in the immediate future. The bad news is that the Solar Initiative will be unable to accomplish installations at the present time. This is due to a couple of unfortunate factors. Firstly, the winter season makes roof work...
The Solar Initiative subsidy programs are extended through March 31, 2021.

Thu, Dec 17

Category:

The Solar Report

Yes, Block Island homeowners can get a discount of $800 per KW on our rooftop mounted solar systems (up to 15KWs). This coupled with the Federal Tax credit for 2021 makes for a good deal through the first quarter of 2021. And up to $6,000 discounted off heat pump installations. Contact Tony...
B.I. Resident purchases Chevy Bolt through the Solar Initiative grant

Thu, Dec 17

Category:

The Solar Report

“We are so grateful to the Solar Initiative grant for making the purchase of a fully electric vehicle possible for us. We are thrilled with our new Chevy Bolt. We charge it at our house each night so it’s always full and is very fun to drive and ideal for the island. It has lots of instant torque,...
This should rate your interest!

Tony Pappas

Thu, Dec 3

Category:

The Solar Report

The first major initiative of The Solar Initiative was to put solar panels on the roofs of the Block Island Power Company facility. The intent was to reduce the need for local diesel generation and/or decrease electricity purchase from mainland non-renewable suppliers. This has been accomplished to...
Eight smiling islanders

Tony Pappas

Thu, Nov 19

Category:

The Solar Report

More solar-sourced energy; less fossil fuel emissions. That is the goal of Block Island’s Solar Initiative. Towards that end, the Solar Initiative (tSi) has recently awarded eight subsidies toward the purchase of an electrically-powered vehicle to island families. The subsidies run over three years...
Let’s have some fun in the sun

Tony Pappas

Thu, Nov 5

Category:

The Solar Report

We at the Solar Initiative hope that this series of columns has convinced you to at least consider installing a solar system at your home. It is a big step with financial and ecological ramifications, heavy stuff. So while you are deliberating, take a moment to look at the light side. Fun facts...
Meet David Reidy

Tony Pappas

Fri, Oct 23

Category:

The Solar Report

Why should I meet David Reidy? Who is he anyway? David is the installation contractor for the solar systems sponsored by the Solar Initiative. David can save you money while you help save the planet! He is the President of Cool Energy — but let’s begin at the beginning: David is a native Rhode...