Organic Food Depot - Green Power 2011

Since Jan. 2009, when the program started, we've used 100% Renewable Power to run our lights, freezers and refrigerators through the  Dominion Green Power Program (Learn More Here)  Our Report Card Through Winter 2011/2012 is
We supported 543,331 KWHrof Renewable Energy	Which is the same as NOT DRIVING a typical car 860,860 miles	Or the same as PLANTING9825 Trees

Winter 2011/2012 figures for the Dominion Green Power program are out and once again, Organic Food Depot helps lead the way (see above from the OFD website: https://www.organicfooddepot.com/

Dominion claims that "All renewable facilities supported by the Dominion Green Power program feed green electricity into the same power grid that powers the homes and offices of Virginians, helping to offset the need for traditional energy sources over time."

According to Dominion, there are now:

13,679 Residential participants
186 Commercial participants

for a total of 207,639,406 KWHr, which is the same as

Removing 27,532 cars off the road for a year or
planting 3,671,051 trees

And the top performing city in VA:  Arlington

Dominion's Renewable Facilities

In case you've ever wondered, here's where Dominion's renewable resources are (as of January, 2012) according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.


See http://www.mwcog.org/uploads/committee-documents/mF1eXF5f20120125080602.pdf  for the whole report.

Dominion to Eliminate Net Metering

Okay maybe I am just overly concerned here and it is really nothing, but I came across the following SCC filing and request for comments today. The SCC post was from 29 Mar 2012 (so recent)

PUE-2011-00117 - Application of Dominion Virginia Power for approval of a Community Solar Power Program and for certification of proposed distributed solar generation facilities


http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case/e-notice/ne110117.pdf

To quote the specific text that worries me...

"In its application, Dominion Virginia Power proposed a

Program that consists of two separate components . First, the
Company anticipates that within the first six months of 2012, it
will file a tariff with the Commission for approval of the purchase
of up to 3 megawatts ("MW") of energy output from
customer-owned distributed solar generation installations as an
alternative to net energy metering. Before making this filing with
the Commission, the Company will evaluate several tariff options
and share those options with customers and stakeholders in
meetings."

I would note that 3 MW is about how much residential solar is in existence in Virginia.

I am figuring Dominion will evaluate their tariff options and come up with less then $0.03 per kWh as the tariff amount or something equivalent. Given that Dominion keeps claiming that is how much electricity costs them when talking about Solar power. Ignoring of course that they can pay over $0.21 kWh during peak times, which is when solar produces the most power.

The rest of their SCC filing was about them buying roof top leases, so the Net Metering thing is buried in the text, where I am sure the SCC will miss it.

I am not sure how to fight this, but I just know we are going to get ******* by Dominion.

Ray and Suzanne Dezern - Photovoltaic System

The 40 panel ground mount photovoltaic solar system is located in a field 210 feet from their rural residence in Middlesex County, Virginia, about 12 miles from Gloucester Courthouse.  It consists of 40 (four, 10 panel circuits) Sharp NU-Q235F2 watt solar panels installed with Enphase M215 240V micro-inverters, connected to their electrical service panel via #4 wire and two 50 amp circuit breakers. Their installation was completed in December, 2011. The installation included an Enphase “Envoy” communications gateway (power production reporting & recording system). 


Their contractor was Royer Technical Services, Inc. located in Hampton, VA (“Royer”).  Royer designed and fabricated in-house an impressive, strong ground mount system consisting of 3” and 2” stainless steel pipe and bolts anchoring the array.  A seasonal shading issue was identified following installation, but Royer has agreed to rectify that situation and has proposed a couple of different solutions. They have been pleased with the contractor. Dominion Virginia Power installed an Itron bidirectional net meter on January 12, 2012. They were fortunate to receive a rebate from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (“DMME”) funded pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed by Congress to stimulate the U.S. economy.

Following their installation, the DMME notified them that they qualified for additional rebate money. They were prepared to install either a solar hot water system or an additional 20 PV panels on a separately metered building, but they elected not to proceed because of the “Envoy”  reporting problems they were experiencing at the time. Their problems with the “Envoy” have been electronic, not electrical. They have been very satisfied with the performance of the PV panels and the micro-inverters. 


On most days they have had to resort to counting the pulse readout/display on Dominion’s Itron electrical service meter to ascertain their power production (i.e. 10 pulses/minute = 600 watts [120 pulses/minute or 12 x 600 watts = 7,200 watts]). Their peak power production on clear days has been in the7800 to 8700+ watt range. The “Envoy” has reported similar power levels, albeit sporadically.  The problem persists, notwithstanding the fact that almost all of the suggestions or protocols offered by Enphase customer service and materials on their website, have been tried.  They hope to have the problem resolved shortly.

Direct Current Technology Gets Another Look

In the old argument between Edison and Tesla, direct current technology is getting another look...DC grids used to carry wind power, and some data centers using DC to reduce waste heat.

Good article at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/business/energy-environment/direct-current-technology-gets-another-look.html?_r=2

Free Green Building Expo, Wed. 4/18/12

Green products and services for residential, industrial and commercial facility owners, design professionals and sustainable contractors.

Speakers: Alex Wilson, Founder of BuildingGreen.com
               and Executive Editor of Environmental
               Building News and Green Spec
               "Greener Insulation Options for
               Commercial Buildings"

               Jay Hall, Jay Hall and Associates
               Acting Director, LEED for Homes Program
               "What is the Market Value of a Green
               Home?" 

When:  April 18, 2012
           9 am to 5 pm

Where: Virginia Beach Convention Center

This event is open to the public and free of charge for all attendees.

Click here for attendee registration.

Click here for exhibitor/sponsor registration.

Click here for details for exhibitors and attendees.

Contact Donna Wilgus at admin@hrgbc.org with  questions.

MARCH to End Dominion's Power MADNESS

MARCH to End Dominion's Power MADNESS

When: Saturday, 24 March 2012, 12 pm to 3 pm
Where: Kanawha Plaza, Canal St & 8th St, Richmond VA

Why: The clock's running out on our shot at stopping climate change. Renewable energy could be a slam dunk for cleaning up Virginia's energy while creating much-needed jobs. But Dominion Virginia Power is doing everything it can to keep Virginia out of the game.

It's time for a full court press against Dominion's dirty power madness!

On March 24th, join us for a rally and march around Dominion's headquarters in Richmond. We'll tell the company's executives loud and clear that customers want them to stop blocking our shot at developing renewable energy in Virginia and we're willing to fight for it!

Dominion customers want to see the company develop in-state renewable energy projects. Erecting wind farms and installing solar panels across the commonwealth would curb emissions and create jobs in a new homegrown industry.

But power-crazed Dominion doesn't like that idea. While lawmakers in many states require their utilities to get a certain portion of their electricity from renewable sources, Dominion has used its influence to keep that from happening here. The company has such a stranglehold on Virginia politics that it convinced legislators to create voluntary renewable energy goals and hand out a rate bonus for meeting them. And to top it off, the goals are so weak that Dominion is getting its $76 million prize from ratepayers without actually developing any new renewable energy projects in Virginia.

Plus Dominion is actively blocking competitors from building solar power projects and stalling the process on offshore wind power.

Our message is simple: Dominion, stop blocking our shot at real renewables.