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SOLAR PANEL PRICING
Call for availability, freight costs, and quantity
pricing.
Mitsubishi PV-UD175MF5, 175W, 7.32A, 23.9V (65.3”
X 32.8”) $999
Sharp NT-175UI, 175W, 4.95A, 35.4V (62.01” x
32.52”) $1040
ND-L3E1U, 123W, 7.16A, 17.2V (59.06” x 26.08”) $715
ND-80EJE 80W, 4.67A, 17.1V (47.28” x 20.88”) $529
(expect price increases by mid-to-late winter on Sharp
products)
NEW FROM KYOCERA: KD Series (3-6 month lead
time—pallet quantities only)
KD205GX-LP, 205W, 7.71A, 26.6V (59.1” x 39”) $1095
KD180GX-LP, 180W, 7.63A, 23.6V (52.8” x 39”) $981
KD135GX-LP, 135W, 7.63A, 17.7V (59.1” x 26.3”) $720
KC85T 85W, 4.75A, 17.9V (39.6” x 25.7”) $499
STILL AVAILABLE: KC130TM, 130W, 7.2A, 17.4V (56.1” x
25.7”) $649
(these 130s are the modules with the junction boxes - -
in stock at this writing!)
Suntech STP170, 175W, 4.83A, 35.2V (62.2” x
31.8”) $999 ea; per skid of 26, $945 ea.
Uni-Solar US-64 64W, 3.88A, 16.5V (53.78” x
29.18”) $389 (currently discontinued)
Evergreen ESA-195-RL, 195W, 7.16A, 26.7V (37.5” x
61.8”) $1060
(in pallet quantities of 30, $995 each)
BP SX-30U, 30W, 1.78A, 16.8V (23.4” x 19.8”) $312
BP SX-20U, 20W, 1.19A, 16.8V (16.7” x 19.7”) $226
SOL-1012, 10W, .58A, 17.2V (14.49” x 12.2”) Nice little
modules! $109
Dura-Series modules, nearly identical to the old ‘MSX
Lite’ series, same 5 yr. warranty
BSP-1012LSS, 10W, 17.3V, .58A, 17.5” x 10.5” $129
BSP-3012LSS, 30W, 18.8V, 1.66A, 26.5” x 20” $299
Other modules offered when available (Yingli,
Sunwize, Kaneka, Sanyo, Alpine, Solar World, etc.). Call
for your availability and freight.
Regarding MOUNT STRUCTURES for solar modules--
We offer a variety of styles to suit your project,
including A-frame roof or ground mounts, top and side of
pole mounts, flush mounts, tilt mounts, RV racks, as
well as Zomeworks or Wattsun Trackers. Call for your
cost, avail-ability and freight. At this writing, some
racks may have a 6 week lead time.
CONTROLLERS & REGULATORS
are essential for complete battery charging while
preventing overcharging. Sizing a charge controller is
based on the input amperage and voltage of the solar
array.
- Sungard 4 (4.5A by Morningstar) $32
- Sunsaver 6 (handles up to 6.5A) $48 (with low
voltage disconnect option $59)
- Sunsaver 10 (handles up to 10A) $55 (with LVD
option, $70) also available in 24V
- NEW Sunsaver Duo 12V 25A (charges two
batteries,w/ display & LCD) $188 --great for RVs!
- Prostar PS15 $112; PS15M (with meter) $179; PS
30 $152; PS 30M $219
- Tristar Charge Controller, 60A, 12 to 48V,
multiple settings & screens, $218; 45A, $169
- Tristar Digital Meter for their 45A or 60A
charge controller $99 5 yr. warranty on Morningstar
products
- Xantrex C-40 (handles up to 40A) for 12, 24 or
48V systems $159 (formerly
Xantrex CM (digital volt meter for C-40 and C-60)
$99 known as Xantrex C-60 (handles up to 60A @ 12 or
24V) $199 Trace)
Two year warranty on all Xantrex controllers.
- Outback Power 60A Controller (MPPT, 60A with
varying voltage input) $619
We can provide most brands of solar charge
controllers, from Blue Sky Energy (formerly RV Power
Products) to Specialty Concepts. Call or email us for
availability and your pricing.
 Morningstar's
New SunSaver MPPT solar controller with TrakStar
Technology™ is an advanced
maximum power point tracking (MPPT) battery charger for
off-grid PV systems. Now people with smaller systems can
get the benefits of MPPT charging that have only been
available to folks with larger systems. The SunSaver
MPPT is well suited for both professional and consumer
PV applications. Its charging process has been optimized
for long battery life and improved system performance,
featuring a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the
energy harvest. This product also provides load control
to prevent over-discharge of the battery. The controller
(15 amps at 12/24 volts) enables the use of high voltage
and also thin film modules for off-grid PV battery
charging, providing a means to use up to a 36V array to
charge a 24V or 12V battery. The SunSaver MPPT is epoxy
encapsulated for environmental protection, and is fully
adjustable via on-board switches or PC connection. This
controller is less expensive than other MPPT controllers
and is affordable in smaller PV systems up to 400Wp (w/
24V input). With a peak efficiency of over 97% and
almost no power losses, smaller systems now have a way
to get maximum power!
For more information about this new charge controller,
visit the manufacturer’s web site at
www.morningstarcorp.com.
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Outback Power Components
Pricing
Sealed inverters: FX2012T, 2524T, 3048T $2099
Vented inverters: VFX2812, 3524, 3648 $2279
Grid-tie, mobile, marine and export versions available
on most of these sine wave inverters.
MATE system display & controller $270
PSX240 Transformer $498
Communications Manager HUB-4, $185; HUB-10 $350
FLEXmax60 MPPT 60A Charge Controller $658
FLEXmax80 MPPT 80A Controller $699
There are way more Outback Power products than we have
room to list….call or e-mail for more information.
info@oasismontana.com
or visit their web page at
www.outbackpower.com They’ve
got a nice product catalog there you can download too,
at
http://www.outbackpower.com/catalog.htm.
GAS
APPLIANCES:
Propane refrigerators, freezers, ranges, cooktops -
www.LPappliances.com for information.
Servel propane refrigerator, 8 cu.ft. capacity $1275
Crystal Cold 12 cu.ft. capacity propane ’fridge $1749
Crystal Cold 15 cu.ft. capacity $1999
Crystal Cold 18 cu.ft. capacity $2199
Stainless 18 cu.ft. capacity (w/ black textured sides)
$2349
NEW 21 cu.ft. capacity White Crystal Cold ‘Fridge $2399
(it’s the biggest propane refrigerator manufactured!
Also available as a special order is a 19 cu.ft. black
model for $2299)
Blizzard 10 cu.ft. capacity LP chest freezer $2150
Blizzard 15 cu.ft. capacity upright freezer $2399
Blizzard 18 cu.ft. capacity upright freezer $2599
Blizzard 22 cu.ft. capacity upright freezer NEW $2849
The Servel propane refrigerator can be converted to use
natural gas for $200 (includes re-crating). The Crystal
Cold refrigerators and Blizzard 10 cu.ft. chest freezers
can be converted to natural gas for $50; the Blizzard 15
,18 and 22 cu.ft. freezers can be converted to natural
gas for $100 (more costly as these have two gas
absorption units on them).
Peerless Premier gas
ranges are available in 20”, 24”, 30” and 36” widths,
with model colors ranging from white, bisque, black and
stainless. Even the electronic ignition models will work
without power (you can light the burners and oven with a
match) -- there’s no glow bar in the ovens on these
mechanically simple, American-made stoves. All ranges
are set up for natural gas but LP conversion kits are
included for every model at no extra cost (and you don’t
have to be Mr. Wizard to figure it out). No power is no
problem with these gas ‘fridges, freezers and stoves!
We also offer propane & natural gas cooktops,
Italian-made by Verona; these professional cooking
appliances are available in a wide variety of finishes
(stainless, black, bisque and white or black glass),
with two, four and five burner models.
www.LPappliances.com for pictures and specifications.
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Grundfos Solar
Pumping Systems
If you are looking for a reliable, low-maintenance solar
well pump that will fit in a 3” diameter well casing or
larger, look no further that the Grundfos SQFlex line of
submersible pumps. These German engineered
stainless steel pumps come in seven different models
that cover a large range of flows and lifts. The
SQFlex motor lives up to its name by allowing operation
with DC voltages from 30 to 300. This means that
the design is flexible, and the ability to increase
water output by adding a solar module later is very
simple and cost-effective. Also, with the addition
of the IO101 controller you can have the added security
of powering the pump from a generator or grid power
source. Like all our pump systems, these can be
matched up with a Zomeworks passive single-axis or
Wattsun active dual-axis tracker to increase summer
outputs by up to 35 - 40%. If you have a well you
need to develop, or are trying to keep your cattle out
of riparian areas, go to
www.PVsolarpumps.com and
complete the online questionnaire today and we will work
up a proposal for you.
1 Grundfos CU200 controller @ $332
1 Grundfos 11SQF2 submersible pump @ $1969
1 Tank float switch @ $28
3 Kyocera KC 130 12v 130w modules @ $649 ea = $1947
1 DP top of pole mount TPM3-KC130 @ $365
2 33” 10-2 interconnects ᤑ.00 each = $34
1 10' 10-2 module output connect @ $41
3-wire splice kit @ $9
Equipment Total = $4725
Equipment total does not include freight, pump wire,
pipe, concrete, sonotubes, conduit, labor, or any other
site specific items necessary for the installation.
On average the system will produce (in sunny Reno, NV) ~
3830gpd in July and ~2160gpd in December while pushing
against 80' of head, based on 6.8 hours of full sun in
July and 3.9 hours in December. Of course, output will
vary as to location and sun conditions at your site.
Call for your personalized quote with freight,
877-627-4778 toll-free.
We also offer the Lorentz line of solar water pumps
and controllers.
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Fronius
Batteryless Grid-tie System
Are you looking for a way to lower those ever-growing
power bills or even get rid of them? You may want
to consider a solar electric grid-tied system.
These relatively simple systems take the power that you
produce from your solar modules and use them to power
your home. If there is power left over, it will be
diverted back to your power company—effectively slowing
your meter or spinning it backwards. If you need more
power than you are producing, the power will be taken
back from the power company and your meter will spin
forward. The goal is that at the end of your
contract period (annual or monthly) you will have a
decreased utility bill. In many areas you may even
get a credit, if you are making more power than you use.
Plus, there are no expensive batteries to maintain.
Besides the solar modules, the other main component
necessary is the grid-tied inverter. This unit
will take your high voltage DC from the solar array and
invert it to 240V AC that can be used in your home
and/or sold back to the utility company. While
there are several good grid-tie inverter models, this
system (below) will feature the cost-effective and
reliable Fronius IG inverter. These inverters come in
sizes ranging from 2,000 to 12,000 watts. The
smaller of those inverters use a High Frequency
Technology that enables them to have a conversion
efficiency of 92.5%. The larger of these (4000 &
5100watt) use their MIX concept, which utilizes two
power stages--yielding increased efficiency during
partial load situations. These units are also known for
their ease of installation; they weigh in as the
lightest of all the grid-tie inverters—at 26 to 42
pounds. Add a Communication Card and a Datalogger
and you can keep an eye on the power you are producing
via computer and web. Soon there’ll be the larger IG
Plus inverter (up to 12,000 watts) to be released soon!
Below is an example system. Give us a call and
we can design one for you!
1 Fronius IG2000 watt inverter $2103.00
12 - Evergreen ES-A 200W solar modules @ $1193 each
$14316.00
1 - Unirac Solarmount with grounding hardware $946.00
1 - Square D AC Disconnect Nema 3 $95.00
1 - Square D DC Disconnect Nema 3 $164.00
1 - Readywatt Pass-Through Combiner Box $140.00
1 - Surge Protector (silicon oxide varistor) $41.00
1 - 50 ft. #10/2 MC-2 module output cable $58.00
Total: $17863.00
 Costs
do not include freight, installation, home-run wiring,
grounding wire and rods, wiring between disconnects and
inverter, conduit, wire nuts or any site specific items
needed for the installation. In Phoenix, AZ, this system
will produce an average of 10.9kW per day or roughly
3986kW per year, with array oriented due south on a 4/12
pitch roof. In Sheridan, WY., in July with an average of
five full sun hours per day, this system will produce
8.4kW/day.
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You cannot help
the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot
strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by
discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the
wage earner up by pulling the wage payer
down. You cannot further the brotherhood of
man by inciting class hatred. You cannot
build character and courage by taking away
people's initiative and independence. You
cannot help people permanently by doing for
them, what they could and should do for
themselves. — Abraham Lincoln |
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Kill A Watt Meter:
The Electricity Detector and Monitor can educate you
about your monthly electric bill and help you save a lot
of money. You can now be a ’detective’ and ascertain
what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in.
Simply plug in the Kill A Watt meter, connect your
appliances to it and Kill a Watt will assess how
efficient it really is, showing you the instantaneous
power used, and also cumulative energy or kilowatt-hours
used.
Kill a Watt, with large LCD display, will count
consumption by the kilowatt-hour, same as your local
utility. With the help of Kill a Watt you can figure out
your electrical expenses by the day, week, month or year
on a given device. Kill a Watt can check the quality of
your power by monitoring Voltage, Line Frequency, and
Power Factor. Still just $29. Now you'll
know if it is time to install a power strip on your
entertainment center instead of feeding those ghosts
loads while you are sleeping or away from home. Or, How
much money will you be saving by using a laptop instead
of a desk top PC?
Operating Voltage: 115VAC Max Voltage: 125VAC
Max Current: 15A Max Power: 1875W
Dimensions: 5 1/8” x 1 5/8” x 2 3/8”
When small
is all you need. . .
Dorm Sized Energy Star Listed Refrigerator
These dorm-sized, under the counter, Energy Star rated
refrigerators (290Kwh/ Yr) are perfect for dorms, RV's,
boats, or even as a beer refrigerator for your garage or
recreation room. And, even better, these are made in
North America. The dual evaporator design allows
independent cooling of the freezer and refrigerator
compartments for better efficiency. In fact, this model
is 31% more efficient than federal standards. There is a
fruit and vegetable crisper and plenty of room in the
door to store bottles of all sizes. The fridge
compartment is frostfree, but you do need to
occasionally manually defrost the 0 degree freezer
section. This 115VAC/60 hz model is U.L. approved and is
100% CFC free. With 2.9 cubic feet of space and a
reversible door swing you can fit this fine unit
anywhere. It comes in 2 colors - white and black. This
model weighs 80 pounds. Model options include: Model
CP-35B: Black (pictured) - price $440 Model CP-35: White
- price $435 Model CP-35LL White with 2 side locks -
price $582 (specify left or right hinged) Model CP-35BLL
Black with 2 side locks - price $587 (specify left or
right hinged). Thermostat is adjustable,
refrigerator is frost-free but freezer is not. Features
include interior light, vegetable crisper; dimensions
are 18 3/4”W x 20”D x 33.25”H; electrical usage is
approximately 290 kwh per year.
NEW DC50 Refrigerator or Freezer by
Sundanzer!
Save on costs with the new Sundanzer 50 liter DC
refrigerator or freezer. This new 1.8 cu.ft. ultra
efficient unit has very low energy consumption requiring
smaller, less expensive power systems and lower
operating expense. Exterior dimensions are 26.5”W x 23”D
x 30.5”H, interior dimensions are 17.5” x 12.5” x 12.5”,
and cost is $699 plus freight. High quality
construction provides excellent reliability and long
life. A zero maintenance, brushless, thermostatically
controlled DC compressor
operates on 12 to 24VDC; the chest-style refrigerator or
freezer is easy to clean using the drain hole at the
bottom of the unit. Applications include:
Remote homes * Cabins * Eco-resorts * Remote stores
* Markets * Disaster Preparedness * Farms * Boats & RVs
* Churches & Schools *Traveling Vendors * Villages *
Missionaries * Remote Medical or Veterinary Vaccine
Storage
Features:
- Refrigerators runs on a single 50W module (and
its batteries) in most climates!
- 12 or 24VDC with low voltage disconnect for
battery protection
- Environmentally friendly CFC-free refrigerant
(R-134a)
- Rugged scratch resistant galvanized steel
exterior
- Easy to clean aluminum interior
- Automatic control with adjustable thermostat
Average energy use:
-
As a refrigerator, 114
watt-hours/day at 32C (90F), 9.6Ah/day@ 12V
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As a freezer, 280 watt-hours/day at
32C (90F), 24.5Ah/day@ 12V
Shipping dimensions are 27.5”W x 24.5”D
x 36.5”H, weight is 75 lbs.
These ship by truck carriers. $699 plus freight!
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The importance of
keeping your S**** together! (that’s stuff,
by the way).
Those of us who own renewable energy power systems
generally know how crucial it may be to have your
technical information on hand—and pronto! If you are
having any problems, you will need to know what your
major components are, your inverter brand and model, the
kind of photovoltaic modules you have, size and capacity
of battery bank, service records, etc. If you sell your
place with its RE system, you will want to hand off a
stack of manuals, as well as dates and invoicing
information, to its new owner. Your installer or RE
salesperson should have provided you with detailed
technical drawings of your system. And of late, there’s
been a rather insidious rash of thefts of solar modules
and related equipment throughout the country. This is an
expensive technology, and bad people are learning how to
lift a solar array swiftly in the dark of the night.
First thing’s first: like any other important thing you
own (car, home, etc.) your goods should be insured. A
solar power system is no longer so esoteric that your
insurance carriers cannot cost effectively provide
coverage for it. Next, keep a list of serial numbers of
all your equipment. All PV modules come with a sticker
on the back that has its electrical information on it,
as well as manufacturer and serial number. Your inverter
and other components offers similar information.
Pictures of your system may come in handy for
documentation. While no one’s giving it away, you can
generally get security mounting hardware (for your
modules) that will help prevent theft. It may not deter
a serious thief, but it will make stealing more
difficult. And a metal engraver may not be a bad idea to
personalize your goods in a discrete fashion.
As to our latest
home/office system upgrade….
We just replaced our system’s batteries here
at Oasis Montana. Our 16 old ones were nine years old,
and we replaced them with slightly higher capacity
batteries (Rolls/Surrette S-530s). Except for the
occasional equalizing and topping off with distilled
water, our system has operated flawlessly, and with no
other maintenance during those nine years. Of course, I
have gone out and
dutifully checked the connections annually; initially I
tightened the lugs on the batteries a time or two. But I
did coat the batteries with an anti-corrosive gel, and I
have been amazed at how little maintenance this system
has needed. We did also upgrade our little wind
generator too (which has been working great for about ~2
years). By the way, if you are in need of some insomnia
curing information on batteries, check out our page at
www.oasismontana.com/batteries.html. ZZzzzzzzz……..
The ‘new’
guy and the ‘old’ guy….
Mark Dickson (left) has been working
for Oasis Montana since November of ‘07. Mark lives
off-grid with a hydro system, in the forests on the west
side of our picturesque Bitterroot Valley. The new guy,
learning the ropes (Brad Stevens, right), lives
off-grid in a straw bale home of his own construction,
near the mouth of beautiful Blodgett Canyon. Both of
these fellows are happy to help you with your water
pumping, grid-tie, RV, marine or remote power system.
Since we at Oasis Montana are trying to do as many
things as we can in a ‘smart’ way (meaning telecommuting
and using a lot less gas, whenever possible), the phone
and internet lines for keeping our office connections
with our (occasionally) remote salespeople can be a bit
of a challenge—especially here in the mountains where
cell phone and internet connections may be rather
tenuous. When he can, Mark works out of his home while
the phone and wireless connection is good. But,
generally speaking, you can always reach our tech
support and system design staff during the day at our
toll-free number, 877-627-4778 or at 406-777-4321.
Mark Dickson below, engaging in one of
his many forms of transportation…..
With an educational background in
hydrology and a professional background in education,
Mark has the right skills to educate our clients on the
systems he designs. Prior to living in Montana, Mark
lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, serving as the
operations manager to an ecology retreat center and
sailing on a professional sailing team. Mark has his own
renewable energy installation business, Simple Power
LLC, which works in partnership with Oasis to install
the systems we offer. Mark is proud to live and work
from his off-grid home, relying solely on hydropower. On
his days off, Mark can usually be found climbing, flying
or snowboarding around the Bitterroot Mountains in his
backyard. On the all too rare occasion he makes a brake
for the west coast with surfboard in hand.
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Renewable Energy
Incentives—the good news and the bad.
The bad news is that the comprehensive energy bill
passed by Congress was attached to the rich guy bail-out
bill— which frankly we were not happy about. Whatever
happened to fiscal responsibility? If I make bad
business decisions, I don’t expect anyone to bail ME
out! But, be as it may, there are some good improvements
in tax credits for renewables, so hopefully it will make
for a more level playing field (based on what incentives
that have been available to fossil fuel and nuclear
industries for decades). What started out as a true
effort to advance renewable technologies ended up
largely co-opted by petroleum interests; in addition to
much needed assistance for the nation’s young renewable
energy industry (and assistance to related homeowners
and businesses), the bill included millions of dollars
for oil shale, tar sands and coal...not exactly a grand
commitment to clean, green power, to be sure. But, this
bill is now law, and the incentives (after Jan. 1st,
2009) include: 30% tax credit for all solar power
systems, which will remain in place until 2016. For
wind, 30% tax credit of the cost of a system, up to
$4000, limited to systems generating no more than 100kW.
Also, for electric vehicles, there’s a new tax credit
worth up to $7500 for the purchase of plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles (PHEVs — which should be available as
soon as 2010). For information on the different aspects
of this bill, visit
www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm,
or www.seia.org,
www.awea.org/legislative/,
or
www.solarelectricpower.org and for incentives particular
to your state, also visit
www.dsireusa.org The time
is now to make the commitment to renewable energy!
No one has ever
become poor by giving. —Anne Frank
New
Enphase Inverters make an "AC" solar module???
Enphase Inverters are the first
commercially available Micro-Inverter System for
residential and commercial PV applications. Instead of
the centralized inverter approach for a batteryless PV
system, (that converts power from strings of modules),
microinverters convert DC power from each module in a
distributed approach.
The main key elements of an Enphase
Micro-Inverter System:
-
The Enphase Micro-Inverter (shown at
the right)
-
The EnergyManagement Unit
-
The Enlighten web-based analytics
and visualization.
All three elements are integrated to
provide a comprehensive energy production and management
system. The Enphase Micro-Inverter itself has a 15 year
warranty, and the modules that work with them have a 20
to 25 year output warranty.
Features include:
-
Every module has maximum power point
tracking (MPPT), increasing energy production for
the entire system
-
No string calculations or combiner
needed
-
No single point of system failure
-
Simplifies designing for roofs with
multiple angles and orientations
-
The system includes 24/7 monitoring
and management for each module.
These are available with 240V or 208V AC
voltage output; the inverter itself is available for
$225 (240VAC) or $180 (208VAC). One of the advantages of
this ‘PV module/inverter’ is that purchasing a system
can be spread out over time; at present we can offer an
SGT-160 system, a single 160W module with this inverter
built on to it, for $1599 plus freight. The SGT-160
comes with everything you need to start generating your
own solar power; all you need is a 240VAC power line to
run through a disconnect, then to the location to where
the panels are to be installed; after that everything
gets plugged in. The SGT-160 comes with its panel, flush
mounting system, and inverter built-in on the back. You
can install just one, then as your finances dictate, you
can add up to 15 more; once the first one is up, the
rest just plug in. Here are the SGT-160 kit
specifications: 64”L x 32”W x 4.5”D, weight 40 lbs.; the
solar module has a max power output of 160W, nominal
voltage is 24VDC. The inverter has a maximum output of
175W, with maximum voltage input of 54VDC, and AC
voltage output of 240VAC, with peak inverter efficiency
of 95%; UL 1741/IEEE1547 compliant. If you thought you
couldn’t afford a solar electric PV system, it may be
time to look at the Enphase Inverter System!
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"This is not
your grandfather's energy crisis" - Thomas
L. Freidman
Renewable Energy and Alternative News
Bites:
Comparing Denmark to the U.S. is
not exactly apples and apples; Denmark is about the size
of Illinois. But, there’s some food for thought in this
article about how the Danes have attained their energy
independence, using wind, biogas, co-gen facilities, and
landfill technology innovations:
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/opinion/10friedman1.html?_r=2&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
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MIT has developed a way to bank solar energy at
home; a U.S. scientist has developed a way of powering
fuel cells that may make it practical for home owners to
store solar energy to run their electrical loads at
night. It’s a new catalyst that produces the oxygen and
hydrogen that fuel cells use to generate electricity,
while using a lot less energy that methods currently
used. For more information visit
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/37841
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Biofuels are the major reason for a world-wide rise
in food prices, according to this article by a World
Bank economist; large increases in the U.S. and Europe
in production of biofuels have reduced grain inventories
and speculative trading. The story’s at
www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49574/story.htm
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Ocean currents can save the world, says
scientists. A new device that can harness energy from
slow moving (i.e., less than one knot) ocean or river
currents could provide enough power to run the world.
The unit consists of a system of cylinders and springs
that produces vortices, which in turn pull the cylinder
up and down and create electricity.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/renewableenergy/3535012/Ocean-currents-can-power-the-world-say-scientists.html
for the article.
-----
Thirty reasons why organizations must get off
petroleum now: an interesting article from an
alternative fuel management consultant about peak oil
and future possibilities; the blog is as good as the
article! View it all at
www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/reinsider/story?id=53247
-----
I like this idea over more nuclear power plants:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/03/alternativeenergy.renewableenergy
for some far-seeing ideas of turning a desert into as
oasis, with self-generating water and related
sustainable crops.
-----
Seventh grader and solar researcher, twelve year
old William Yuan has come up with an innovative solar
cell that absorbs both visible and UV light, and he’s
received a $25,000 scholarship from the Davison
Institute. Read the story at
www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=122109656865633500
-----
Interest is surging for California cow power;
pipelines will be built to connect major dairies, to
make methane which will be transported to Pacific Gas &
Electric Co. to be used to heat homes and generate
power: read the article at
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BUBE147B02.DTL.
-----
Think you know something about energy and related
policies? Take this quick and fun test to find out!
http://quiz.wecansolveit.org/
—--
Wind turbine towers are appearing on the U.S.
landscape at about the rate of ten per day; the need
for qualified people to maintain and repair these is
getting critical. Several community colleges in North
Dakota and other states are jumping at the chance to
help fill that need and develop a niche for themselves
at the same time through their wind tech programs. Read
the article at
www.helenair.com/articles/2008/07/27/weekly_features/business/top/50bz_080727_wind.txt
——
Solar powered streetlights are illuminating parts
of Baghdad; their price tag is around $2,000 apiece, but
for an additional $4,200, they can even be bulletproof!
Check out the article at
www.treehugger.com/files/2008/07/solar-powered-street-lights-baghdad.php
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An energy hungry world needs to either make other
arrangements for powering industrial economies, or
contest for control of the remaining oil reserves.—James
Howard Kunstler
QUOTABLE QUOTES:
"The way of the wind is a strange, wild
way.” --Ingram Crockett
-----
“If people concentrated on the really important things
in life, there would be a shortage of fishing poles.” --Doug
Larsen
-----
“I had a rose named after me, and I was very flattered.
But I was not pleased to read the description in a
catalog: No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.” --Eleanor
Roosevelt
-----
“Socialism collapsed because it did not allow prices to
tell the economic truth. Capitalism may collapse because
it does not allow prices to tell the ecological truth.”
--Oystein Dahle
-----
Human history has become more and more a race between
education and catastrophe.”
--H.G. Wells
-----
“People who complain about taxes are divided into two
classes: men & women.” (unknown)
-----
“My best customers start with nothing and are thrilled
with solar. The worst want everything for nothing. The
third world will leave us to drown in our own pollution
within 50 years if we don’t get to work. Either this
country takes up its role as leader or we hand over the
torch.”
--Ray Walters, solar tech/installer
-----
“Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the
national debt.” --Herbert Hoover
----
“The future will be better tomorrow.” --Dan Quayle
-----
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as
though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though
everything is a miracle.” -- Albert Einstein
-----
“Never cut a tree down in wintertime. Never make a
negative decision in the low time. Never make your
worst decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait.
Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.”
--Robert H. Schuller
-----
“Ethics cannot be based upon our obligations towards
people, but they are complete and natural only when we
feel this reverence for life and the desire to have
compassion for and to help all creatures insofar as it
is in our power. I think this ethic will become more and
more recognized because of its great naturalness and
because it is the foundation of humanism toward which we
must strive if our culture is to become truly ethical.”
--Albert Schweitzer
-----
“How far you go in life depends on you being tender with
the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with
the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong.
Because someday in life you will have been all of
these.” --George Washington Carver
-----
And now from our former vice president and
president....
"Conservation may be a sign of personal
virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound,
comprehensive energy policy." former Vice
President Cheney
---
"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption"
-- former President George W. Bush on the
environment, 9/23/2002
From our Current President's
inaugural speech....
"We will restore science to its rightful
place, ... We will harness the sun and the winds"
--- President Obama during inaugural speech
1/20/09
WHO WE ARE and
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Chris Daum, owner and manager of
Oasis Montana, has been in the renewable energy field
for 20 years, and Mark Dickson, our technical sales
fellow, has been in the field of hydrology and RE
systems for 7 years. Our new sales tech, Brad Stevens,
lives off-grid in his self-built straw bale home. And
our new enthusiastic administrative helper is Laura
Pettengill. Our staff offers experience,
personalized service, quality components and good
pricing . We are happy to work with your installer,
electrician, or contractor. We provide detailed wiring
diagrams with the systems we sell. TO PLACE AN ORDER:
E-mail or call us for your freight ; if you have any
questions about your system or product, please contact
us. E-mail is easiest and fastest (but we know that you
aren’t all on line). We accept Visa/Mastercard (personal
and business checks are fine). For our international
customers, we accept bank transfers—e-mail or call us
for our banking information. Our hours are 8:30 am to
4:00 pm Mountain Daylight Savings Time, Mon. – Fri. If
we‘re on another line when you call, please leave us a
message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can,
but you may have to leave a message if we’re with a
customer or on one of the other lines. 406-777-4321 or
4309 or e-mail us at
info@oasismontana.com — for tech
support on renewable energy systems, e-mail
mark@oasismontana.com
or brad@oasismontana.com. We’d be very happy to help you
with your power project — send an e-mail or give us a
call!
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