Last summer the Arizona Solar Center initiated this blog as a way to shine a light on all aspects of solar energy in Arizona. One of the objectives is to provide a voice for solar end-users that might not otherwise be heard. Since its inception, the blog has been dominated by policy issues and how those policies impact the end-user.
As the calendar turns to spring it is time to do a little “Spring Cleaning” and “shine the light” on a few of the recent emails we have received.
From the In-box: Our friend and author, John Perlin, wrote to tell us of his new book “Let It Shine: The 6000-Year History of Solar Energy.” Perlin’s first book, “A Golden Thread,” was used for many years by the late Jeff Cook in his architecture classes at ASU. Another Perlin book, “From Space to Earth,” was part of a documentary project (Sunrise) that Solar Center blogger Jim Arwood produced in 2004.
Perlin’s new book tells the step-by-step development of all solar technologies from architecture to the generation of electricity. His blog for National Geographic, “The Seven Greatest Solar Stories Over the Millennia” highlights some of the stories from his new book.
Both the blog and the book are great reads.
From the Mailbox: Andy Gerl wrote us to promote the upcoming Great Solar Cookout in Tempe on April 12th. The setting is the recreation field by the Student Rec Center on the ASU campus. This is the 5th Annual Great Solar Cookout and is being co-sponsored with ASU Global Institute of Sustainability. The Great Solar Cookout has a website (www.greatsolarcookout.org) and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/greatsolarcookout) for those wanting more information.
But, any mention of solar cooking would not be complete without giving a shout-out to the Grand-Daddy of all solar cooking expos -- the Tucson Solar Potluck. This year, Citizens for Solar is holding their 30th Annual solar potluck on April 26 at Catalina State Park (5.2 miles north of Ina and Oracle Road). The event runs from 9 am until dark. Even though the event is billed as a solar potluck, it has evolved into more than a display of solar ovens and great food, any solar invention is welcomed as part of event.
If you are not already a solar chef, and don’t have a solar cooking device, either of these events is a great place to learn how simple it can be.
From the Mailbox: Jim Stack of the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Phoenix is a regular contributor to the comment section of The Sun Day Blog. Jim has sent us several messages of late urging us to shine the light on a new policy adopted by the Minnesota Public Utility Commission. Minnesota is the first state in the nation to come up with a methodology for calculating the value of solar power generated by consumers that takes into consideration the worth to society and the environment as a whole – not just the value to the utility and its customers. [See comment section under "AZ Solar Center Launches Interactive Legislative Tracker."]
Good stuff, Jim.
With that said, this seems like the perfect segue to remind people about an upcoming Arizona Corporation Commission Workshop on the Value and Cost of Distributed Generation (Docket No. E-00000J-14-0023). The workshop is being held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 beginning at 10 am in Hearing Room One at the ACC in Phoenix.
Keep those cards and emails coming . . .
Jim Arwood
Communications Director
Arizona Solar Center
Question: Do you know of a solar factoid or event that needs a little attention? Give a shout-out to a person, project or policy that you believe could benefit from “shining the light” on it. Comments are always welcome. Let the sun shine. . .
