SEM’s solar team is busy this time of year! We recently flipped the switch on a nearly 200-kW PV system for IDEAL Fastener just up the road in Oxford, North Carolina. They’ve got facilities in more than 20 countries world-wide, and are already considering adding another solar array to the same factory here or one of their plants overseas. Read the rest of this entry »
Second Biggest Zipper Company In The World Goes Solar
January 19th, 2012Washington and Lee Solar Array: Largest In Virginia
January 17th, 2012SEM recently finished up work for a project at Lewis Hall, Washington and Lee’s school of law. The system includes more than 1,000 SunPower modules, making it the largest in Virginia. This is the second time we’ve partnered with Secure Futures to help install a system for universities in Virginia, and we think this can be a great model for other schools wanting to do something similar.
Solar Farm At Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant Energized
December 30th, 2011Over the last few years, SEM has been working hard with the City of Raleigh, NxGen and Progress Energy to bring a really cool solar project to fruition. In late December, we were able to flip the switch on the 1.3-megawatt solar farm at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project is a testament to the complexities of a major solar project — and proof positive that dedicated partners can make it work!
I’d Rather Prevent A Solar PV Fire Than Put One Out
December 16th, 2011
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are some of the safest types of ways to generate electricity. Once installed, there are few (if any) moving parts, no need for extracting fossil fuels from the earth, no danger of meltdowns or spills…the array just sits there soaking up the sun. As with any type of electrical system, though, there is always the danger of dealing with high voltage going somewhere it wasn’t intended.
The biggest risk for PV is a ground fault, which under certain circumstances could potentially start a fire. It is, however, extremely rare. A 2010 study by the National Fire Prevention Association found only a handful of incidents over more than 30 years Read the rest of this entry »
Thirteen Henderson County School Buildings Earn ENERGY STAR Label
December 13th, 2011This has been a busy semester for more than a dozen schools in Henderson County. They have put a priority on building performance — by having 13 different buildings qualify for the Energy Star label. It’s always seems to mean a little more for the SEM team when we get to do work like this. Meghan McDermott, the building science engineer who did most of the work for us, said it well: “We’re not just teaching students the importance of sustainability, we’re showing them how to achieve it.” Read the rest of this entry »
PV Protectionism: CASM’s Dangerous Strategy
November 29th, 2011
Over the last few weeks, a lot of attention in the solar world has been on CASM (aka the Coalition of American Solar Manufacturers). This group, led by SolarWorld and six other anonymous companies, is employing a dangerous strategy by using a lawsuit to slow down the amount solar being imported from China. We at Southern Energy Management do not support this action. In fact, SEM has joined a growing list of more than 100 industry leaders as part of the newly-formed Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE), whose sole purpose is Read the rest of this entry »
An Intro To The ECO Home
November 17th, 2011
Whether you think about it much or not, everybody seems to at least have a vague idea that their home could be more energy efficient. You probably think about it most often around the time your energy bills show up each month or when you hear about energy prices continuing to rise. Figuring out what to do to improve efficiency can be complicated, so it’s often just put off until later. As a company that specializes in energy efficiency we can help! Read the rest of this entry »
Westgate Chrysler Jeep Partners With Southern Energy Management For Large Solar Project
October 12th, 2011We’ve teamed up with Westgate Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram this fall, putting a 98.7 kilowatt PV system on the roof of their service bay. It’s the first time a car dealership has ever taken advantage of Progress Energy’s SunSense Commercial Solar PV Program, which is pretty cool. My favorite part of this project, though, is the visibility! Westgate CJDR is located off the northern end of the runway at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and they have dozens of planes buzzing their property every day. Next time you fly out of RDU, make sure you look for this system! Read the rest of this entry »
Ray Family Farms: Moving Closer To Net Zero With Solar
September 13th, 2011
This is a guest blog entry from Chad Ray, Vice President of Olde Heritage Builders, co-owner of Ray Family Farms and longtime friend of Southern Energy Management. As a sustainable entrepreneur he agreed to discuss his efforts using solar power and green building practices to help get his farm closer to being a net-zero property. Enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
Solar Double Cropping at Piedmont Biofuels
September 12th, 2011
We’re busy right now in Pittsboro, working on one of the cooler concept projects that I’ve come across in a while: “solar double cropping.” The basic idea is that we install the modules high enough off the ground so that farmers can harvest crops that thrive in partial shade.
There is a great group of people & companies involved in this project, including Miraverse Power and Light, Piedmont Biofuels and Piedmont Biofarm. Read the rest of this entry »
