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Solar energy a hot topic Terry G. Housholder thousholder@kpcmedia.com President/Publisher
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Michele Trowbridge Jenny Ernsberger Cindy Miller Christy Cummings Machele Waid Go Green is a special supplement to the The Herald Republican, The News Sun and The Star which are a publications of KPC Media Group Inc. ©2017 All rights reserved
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HAMILTON — Solar energy is becoming a hot commodity, and a hot topic, in the Hoosier state. In Hamilton, SUN Distribution nationally markets Equinox solar thermal systems. The systems can be designed for home or commercial use, and while they are an initial investment, they pay themselves off over time. This month, Fremont Community Schools Board approved a solar field on 6 acres near Fremont Middle School. The $4.2 million project is expected to create a $6.2 million savings in energy costs over 25 years. Changes adopted this year by the Indiana legislature will make it less advantageous to privately produce solar energy, but there is a groundswell of businesses and private individuals investing in the renewable resource. “From the Clean Air Act of the 1970s and its amendments to the Kyoto Protocol, and the hundreds of acts in between from around the world, there have been attempts made to create a sustainable future for our planet and its citizens,” said SUN Distribution founder Thomas Blake. Formerly Solar Usage Now, the company started investing in alternative energy in the 1970s with wood stoves and thermal solar hot water items. “In 1996, I re-established myself in the solar thermal market. We are the sole importer of the Rotex storage tanks from Germany. We are a national distributor for Apricus and Kingspan thermal solar products and the manufacturer of the SUN Equinox Heating System,” said Blake. “We have provided hot water solutions for military bases, universities, hotels, hospitals, as well as residential applications.” The history of photovoltaic energy — solar cells — started in 1876. William Grylls Adams discovered that when selenium was exposed to light, it produced electricity. The selenium cells were not efficient, but it was proved that light, without heat or moving parts, could be See SOLAR ENERGY page 11
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How does solar electricity work? METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
PATRICK REDMOND
In this April 6 file photo, solar panels are shown at Wible Lumber in South Milford. Wible put its installation in last fall with the intent of lowering its energy costs over the life of the solar equipment. Officials have been watching with mixed emotions legislation moving through the Legislature that at one time threatened the anticipated savings from the project.
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Solar panels are seen more and more on roofs of residential homes and even some businesses. Due in part to more aggressive marketing by solar energy companies, as well as greater awareness by customers, solar energy has become increasingly popular in recent years. The Solar Energy Industries Association reports that solar energy in the United States is booming. The association offers that, since the passage of The Solar Investment Tax Credit in 2006, solar has experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent. While many might assume that environmental preservation is the driving force behind the growing popularity of solar energy, it’s actually the financial benefits of solar energy that are leading the way. One Block Off the Grid polled nearly 200 solar homeowners to learn more about their motivations for going solar. Roughly 75 percent would not have gone solar if there was no economic benefit to doing so. A number of people who have switched to solar say they are getting a high rate of return on the investment. The average electricity bill a person saw prior to solar energy hovered around $177 a month. After the conversion, bills were now as low as $55. Those who are still pondering the decision to go solar may want to know more about how it works. Although the guidelines vary depending on location and the energy company issuing the bill, here are some of the basics.
Generating solar electricity Solar electricity is generated through a process known as the photovoltaic affect. Sunlight shines on solar panels, which are mounted on the roof of the home or in another prominent location. Each panel
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typically has between 60 to 72 solar cells strung together. These photovoltaic cells use the irradiation in sunlight to stimulate the flow of electrons in the semiconductor material, which creates direct current, or DC, electricity. Systems that directly convert the DC to alternating current, or AC, the type of power voltage used in a house, do so by way of an inverter. The inverter feeds power to the circuit board.
Demand and excess When the demand from a home or business is equal to the amount of solar power being generated, the system is working optimally. When solar power falls a bit short, grid power will make up the deficit. There’s also the possibility that excess electricity will be produced. In a grid connect system, certain areas may operate with a 1:1 net metering policy, states Solar Reviews, which offers consumer reviews of solar products. This means that the utility company will credit a homeowner 1 to 1 for every kilowatt hour produced in excess because the excess energy goes back into the grid system. This is called “back-feeding” the grid. It’s handy for powering homes at night with standard electricity at no additional cost. If the production of kwhs exceeds what is purchased from the utility each year, some utility companies will continue to credit for the excess. Indiana law currently is changing on how net metering will apply based on when solar systems are installed. Check with your utility company for details. Solar electricity systems are changing the way people think about energy. With the financial motivation to do so, consumers who embrace solar energy are helping the environment while also saving money.
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Daylilies will be sold at the Arbor Day Tree Sale in Auburn. These flowers are perennial and can survive both cold and heat once planted. The event has been held annually since 1995, according to the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department.
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The royal purple spokebush is one new plant variety the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department purchased this year. Plants were selected based on zones and hardiness.
Northeast Indiana will host a multitude of green events BY EMELINE RODENAS erodenas@kpcmedia.com
April of 1884.
AUBURN — Northeast Indiana will host various events in the next two weeks to honor Earth Day and Arbor Day. Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970 and is meant to be a day of action to change human behavior and provoke policy changes regarding the environment. Arbor Day was created by the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit conservation and education organization based in Nebraska, which seeks to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees all over the country. Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Indiana began celebrating Arbor Day in
Angola Adopt-A-Tree Festival The ACRES Land Trust 28th annual Adopt-A-Tree Festival will be held at Wing Haven Nature Preserve, 180 W. C.R. 400N, on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities during this much-loved community celebration are for all ages include building a birdhouse, a free tree give away, dulcimer music and more. Memorial Tree Dedication Angola will hold its Memorial Tree Dedication on Friday, April 28, at 1 p.m. at the Selman Timber Frame Pavilion in Commons Park, 299 S. John St. Memorial trees are planted to remember the passing of a loved one for a minimum donation of $75. All
memorial trees will be hardwood varieties and planted on park property. A bronze leaf will be engraved with the memorialized person’s name and placed on a bronze tree plaque in the original Tree Memorial Area in Commons Park. The deadline to purchase a tree for this year has passed. For information about the program, which started in 2001, call 665-1588.
Auburn Arbor Day Tree Sale The Auburn Parks and Recreation Department will hold a tree sale on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 at Rieke Park Lodge. Many varieties will be available for purchase including lilac, rose of Sharon, and Norway spruce. “New varieties this year are the Japanese maple, the River Birch,
the Royal Purple Spokebush and the Crimson Sunset Maple. They were all selected based on zones and hardiness. The Royal Purple Spokebush is deer resistant and the river birch seeds attract songbirds,” said Andrew Brandon, recreation coordinator with the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. Friday hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Price range will be $10 and up. People can call 925-2997 for more information. Earth Day Concert Eckhart Public Library will celebrate Earth Day with a concert by internationally acclaimed musician Lauren Pelon. She will present “Earth Tones,” on Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m. “Earth Tones” will feature songs See GREEN EVENTS page 10
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Planting and nurturing the trees BY ASHLEE HOOS ahoos@kpcmedia.com
There is more to going green than just planting a few flowers in the landscape around your home. Try planting trees. Planting trees will not only help your property, but will help the environment for years to come. Trees play a part in our environment not only by producing oxygen we breathe, but by reducing erosion, removing carbon dioxide and storing carbon in their tissues. They also offer a habitat for a number of small animals and insects. Purdue Extension Services offers a number of publications on the importance of trees in the community as well as how to plant and nurture them so they thrive in your location. There are different styles of trees that can be purchased from a nursery. Bare-root trees are dug up by workers while dormant. Machine-balled are packed
in sphagnum moss or wood shavings, then wrapped in plastic. Balled and burlapped are dug up with a protective and undisturbed ball of soil then wrapped in burlap and pinned together with nails. Balled and burlapped are also sometimes placed in a wire basket to keep the shape of the root ball. Containerized plants are the last type, and these trees are sold in pots and may have been in the pot for a year or more. Choosing a tree also means knowing your soil and knowing where you want to plant the tree. It is important to know what type of soil you have when choosing a plant to make sure it survives without a lot of heavy maintenance. It is also important to know where your utility lines are buried before you dig a hole for your tree to avoid hitting them. By calling the utility company, you can have these lines marked to ensure safe planting. Trees can increase your property value,
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cut heating and cooling bills and make your outdoor surroundings enjoyable to be in. Crystal VanPelt, Steuben County Extension Agriculture educator, said the most difficult part of planting trees for most people is planting them too deep. “Depth can be a tricky part of planting a new tree because the root flare is not always defined in a young tree,” she said. The root flare in a tree is the area at the base just before the roots where the tree is typically widening out. Root flares need to be level with the soil surface in order for the tree to have the best chances to survive and thrive. You may have to remove some soil from around the flare to keep it level with the hole. Newly planted trees need a considerable amount of water, especially in the first year, in order to survive. One to two inches of water, including rain, are
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recommended every seven to ten days to grow a thriving tree. Contrary to popular belief, not every tree will need stakes once it’s planted. Trees that were bare-root when purchased should be staked off when more than 6-feet tall, while balled and burlapped trees larger than 10-feet tall should be staked. Trees smaller than this don’t usually need the support. VanPelt also said that “volcano mulching” is a common mistake made by people planting new trees. Letting mulch cover the root flare and trunk of the tree can cause it to be too moist, which is as dangerous to a tree as being under-watered. Mulch can be used, but should be kept a few inches away from the trunk of the tree. Once your tree is planted, monitor its health and growth. With proper care your tree can add appeal to your property for generations.
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Arbor Day celebration Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe and other city officials join members of the Kendallville Tree Commission and the public to plant a tree in Bixler Lake Park during the annual Arbor Day celebration in Kendallville in April 2016. This year’s celebration is Friday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran School, 301 S. Oak St. Kendallville has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
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Fuel efficient cars, trucks and SUVs METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
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Fuel-efficient vehicles help to reduce the negative impact cars typically have on the environment.
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Automobiles impact the environment in various ways. According to National Geographic, cars consume a lot of energy even before they make long road trips, with perhaps 80 to 90 percent of their environmental impact stemming from fuel consumption and emissions. These factors can increase air pollution levels and create greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. With this in mind, eco-friendly motorists are increasingly purchasing vehicles with smaller carbon footprints. These include makes and models that have stricter emissions control and vehicles that are more fuel-efficient. Hybrid or electric cars can often drive further before fueling or recharging than less efficient models. When shopping for new or preowned vehicles, individuals can research cars and trucks that have earned high marks for fuel economy. Various organizations, including the U.S. Department of Energy, Consumer Reports and Kelly Blue Book, routinely rank vehicles based on gas mileage figures and emissions ratings. Eco-friendly cars are beneficial for the environment, and such cars also help drivers’ bottom lines. In 2016, Consumer Reports looked past U.S. Environmental Protection Agency figures and the claims offered by manufacturers with regard to vehicles noted for their fuel efficiency. Consumer Reports measured precise fuel-flow with a device spliced directly into the fuel line. Testing occurred on both a public
highway at 65 mph, as well in a simulated urban/suburban track. Consumer Reports has identified these vehicles as their top picks for energy consumption. • Mitsubishi Mirage: In the subcompact division, this vehicle features a fuel economy of 37 mpg. With its very low sticker price, it can be a smart choice for eco- and budget-conscious buyers. • Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid: This car marries both a battery-powered electric motor and a traditional seven-speed manual transmission. The hybrid earns an overall 37 mpg rating. It’s a little bigger than many compact sedans, creating a very comfortable ride. • Ford Fusion Hybrid: With an upscale look, the Ford Fusion Hybrid boasts an overall 39 mpg and comfortable seats to go with a quiet cabin. • Lexus NX 300h and RX 450h: Lexus earns top marks for fuel economy for both its compact and midsized SUVs. Both deliver an overall mpg of 29. When ranking their picks for vehicles with high fuel economy, FuelEconomy. gov, the official U.S. government resource for fuel economy information, lists the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, BMW 13 BEV and Tesla Model S AWD- 60D as the most efficient cars. Those who prefer a truck or SUV will find the Chevrolet Colorado 2WD, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid and the Nissan Rogue Hybrid FWD as top contenders. Fuel-efficient cars and trucks continue to pave the way for more eco-friendly living.
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Families can team up to go green together METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Interest in eco-friendly lifestyles has long since spread beyond environmentalists and activists and has become a goal for people from all walks of life. Going green can even be done as a family. Families have multiple incentives to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. Going green can protect the planet for younger members of the family who will have to confront the consequences of today’s decisions for decades to come. Going green also can save families money the moment they decide to change their lifestyles, providing a more immediate incentive. Families interested in making their efforts to be more eco-friendly a team effort can embrace the following strategies. • Wash clothes in cold water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, heating water accounts for roughly 90 percent of the energy washing machines require to clean clothes. By washing clothes exclusively in cold water, families can drastically reduce the energy their washing machines consume, and clothes will still be clean at the end of each wash cycle. • Wash only in full loads. Whether washing
clothes or washing dishes, families who want to go green together can resolve to only run their washing machines or dishwashers when both are full. The EPA notes that only doing full loads of laundry can save more than 3,400 gallons of water each year. When washing dishes, do only full loads but avoid overcrowding the dishwasher. Overcrowding might mean some dishes are not thoroughly cleaned, which may require running another load or washing them by hand, both of which can be wasteful. • Turn off the faucets when brushing teeth. Another way families can pitch in to conserve energy and save money together is by turning off the faucets when they brush their teeth. Parents of young children can brush their teeth with their youngsters in the morning and at night, explaining to them how brushing without the faucet running can save untold gallons of water every year. This will conserve water and lower the monthly water bill. • Hang energy saving curtains. Energysaving curtains reduce the amount of heat that passes through windows when the weather outside is cold, keeping more warm air inside and reducing the need to hike up the thermostat. In the summertime, heat from
METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Teaching youngsters to brush their teeth without the faucet running is one way parents can encourage their kids to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle.
the outside may pass through window glass easily, but it’s far more difficult for heat to pass through fabric. By hanging energy-saving curtains together with their children, parents can explain how the curtains are more than just decorative; they are also a helpful ally in
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protecting the planet. Going green together as a family can help parents save money and provide a valuable teaching opportunity that can benefit youngsters and the planet for years to come.
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GREEN EVENTS From page 5
from around the world and Pelon’s own compositions. The music and narrative reflect human engagement with nature; concerns about rivers, lakes, soil, plant life; and the great personal and social issues humans face in creating a sustainable life for the Earth and its creatures, including humans.
Fort Wayne Earth Day Fort Wayne at Eagle Marsh The event will be on Sunday, April 30 from 1-5 p.m. by the Little River Wetlands Project and will include conservation-oriented learning activities and presentations. There will be a farmer’s market as well as a wetland education station. Participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with local business, nature groups and conservation activities. Eagle Marsh is at 6801 Engle Road in Fort Wayne.
Fremont Earth Fest 2017 Hosted by Briali Vineyards and Winery and Trine SPEAK for the Earth, this event will be Saturday, April 22
from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is free to the public. There will be workshops, children’s activities, booths from environment organizations and more. Food vendors will be present. Presentations will include the Indiana Forest Alliance at 2:30 p.m., along with a native plant presentation at 3:30 p.m. from Riverview Nursery in Spencerville. Subjects such as climate change, the Dakota Access Pipeline and invasive species will be discussed. People can see facebook.com/events/189120518207841/ for the entire presentation schedule.
Kendallville This year’s Arbor Day celebration is Friday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran School, 301 S. Oak St. Kendallville has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Goshen Maple City Fest This free family festival will include a variety of events, entertainment and music. Children will have the opportunity to make interactive crafts and see hands-on demonstrations. There will be a children’s choir performance. Awards such as the Good Tree Steward Award
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and the Tree City USA award will be given out . Activities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday April 28, and last until 7 p.m. The event will take place both indoors and outdoors at Rieth Interpretive Center in Goshen. If inclement weather should occur, the event will take place indoors at Schrock Pavillion in Shanklin Park.
Elkhart 29th Annual Arbor Day Celebration The City of Elkhart will host its 29th Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be at the Elkhart Environmental Center. Activities will include a tree planting demonstration by NIPSCO Forestry Operations, woodworking demonstrations with ElkhartWood, a community-supported urban forest outreach and education program as well as a spring plant exchange at noon. Free trees will be given away at the Adopt-a-Tree station, while supplies last. There will be a variety of trees available, including tall shade trees and smaller ornamental trees. People can call Ericka Popovich with the Elkhart Environmental Center at 574-293-5070 or email cricka.popovich@coci.org for more information.
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Lauren Pelon will perform at Eckhart Public Library on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Pelon is known for her voice and versatility with over 25 instruments.
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SOLAR ENERGY From page 3
converted into electricity. In 1953, Calvin Fuller, Gerald Pearson and Daryl Chapin discovered the silicon solar cell. This cell produced enough electricity and was efficient enough to run small electrical devices. This discovery was the beginning of a new era, leading eventually to the realization of harnessing the almost limitless energy of the sun. “In the 1970s when you mentioned solar, you thought of thermal solar only. Solar photovoltaic was used by NASA, the military and in remote areas because the cost of using the sun to create electricity was very costly,” said Blake. In the 1960s, photovoltaic (PV)
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modules would have cost over $300 per watt. By the 1970s, the cost began to drop as new ways to manufacture the product were developed. “Today, when someone mentions solar energy you no longer think of the production of hot water, but mostly of PV and the production of electricity,” said Blake. “The price for PV has dropped to a point that solar PV has become an outstanding investment.” Information about United States energy incentives are at www.dsireusa.org. SUN is a wholesaler of PV modules and recently formed a company called En-Trust that will build and finance commercial solar fields for qualified nonprofits. “In the very near future SUN will add wind generation to its line of top-tier
products. We are also in the final stages of working with the Steuben County Innovation Center to frame and test off-grid solar panels,” said Blake. Last month, the Indiana Senate passed a bill many say will benefit large utility companies to the deficit of home solar users. On March 28, proponents of solar energy rallied against Senate Bill 309, which sharply curtails incentives for solar adopters. It would do away with the process of net metering, which pays solar users a retail rate for excess energy produced. The day after the rally, a House panel approved the bill. Last week, the Indiana House voted 56-43 to approve the bill. It will reverse legislation passed in 2011 that allowed all types of Indiana customers — homes, small businesses,
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schools, factories — to take advantage of net metering with systems up to 1 Megawatt in size. At this time, 43 states, including Indiana, have net metering. SB 309 does away with net metering in Indiana in 15 years. “This is a disappointing action that illustrates the influence of Indiana’s monopoly utilities on the members of the legislature. House members who voted for Senate Bill 309 voted with monopoly utilities, not with everyday Hoosiers,” said Richard Hill, chair of the Hoosier Chapter of the Sierra Club, on April 4. “They voted against energy freedom and choice. Indiana’s entrepreneurial solar businesses will suffer as a result, along with Hoosiers who want to go solar as prices are becoming more affordable for all.”
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#15 Jenny as/mj/mj
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