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			| GREETINGS FROM OUR SOLAR POWERED OFFICE! 
			Spring hours starting April - October!
			8am - 4:30pm MST 
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				NEWS LETTER INDEX:
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			| 
			20KW SOLAR ARRAY AT THE BUTTE BREWING 
			COMPANY! Stop in for a cold, PV-powered beer! 
			 The Butte 
				Brewing Company is located at 465 East Galena Street, Butte, MT 
				(uptown Butte). It is the dream-child of Tony Olsen, who started 
				this project in 2012. The solar array consists of eighty 250W 
				REC Peak Energy Series (REC250PE) solar modules; the silicon 
				ingots are made in Butte, MT and the modules themselves are 
				manufactured in Singapore. The grid-tied inverters are Fronius 
				IG Plus 10.0, ten kilowatt inverters suitable for commercial or 
				larger residential systems. 
				Tony 
				became infatuated with the idea of a brewery back in 2005; he 
				and a buddy (from the Montana National Guard) visited another 
				brewery in Helena, and he was smitten with the big tanks, 
				equipment and great beer, so he decided that a brewery in a 
				‘green’ building was his goal. Tony Olsen likes being 
				self-reliant as much as possible, so it was only natural to put 
				a photovoltaic system on his new building—which also includes 
				super-insulated concrete forms and an in-floor radiant heating 
				system. His brewery building also has office space above as well 
				as a large 2500 sq. ft. conference room that is available for 
				rent. The actual building project got underway in 2012, and 
				Tony’s been brewing beer since last fall. The taproom will open 
				officially by June 1st, 2015. Tony 
				Olsen was able to get Northwestern Energy and REAP grants, and 
				of course the federal tax credit for this project. He says he 
				did get smacked with a significant state tax hit upon 
				completion, but other than that, he’s been extremely happy with 
				his project—and is still thrilled when he sees his electrical 
				meter spinning backwards. 
				Two years ago the building was still under construction, but as 
				soon as the roof was finished, Oasis Montana installed the solar 
				array.
  Butte 
				Brewing Company’s goal is to have 20 brews on tap; right now 
				they are brewing the following: honey cream ale, sweet stout, 
				pale ale (with Nelson Sauvin hops), porter, IPA, red ale and 
				hefeweizen. They’ll be officially pouring on or before June 1st!
 
				
				   
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			| 
				
				
				 
					
					The solar 
					tax credit is scheduled to end at the end of 2016 for 
					residential and commercial properties…. This is a 30% 
					federal investment tax credit for solar energy systems. It’s 
					a tax policy that has played a vital role in creating good, 
					American jobs, lowering energy bills for consumers, 
					increasing U.S. global competitiveness, energy security, and 
					reducing pollution from fossil-fuel based energy sources. 
					The company or person that installs, develops or pays for 
					the power project uses the credit (a homeowner applies it to 
					his/her income taxes). This Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has 
					been one of the most important federal programs to support 
					the development of solar power in the U.S.; it has driven an 
					amazing job growth sector, with over 20% growth per annum — 
					the fastest employment growth of any industry in our 
					country! The solar industry now employs more than either the 
					steel or coal industries in the U.S.
 So if you are considering the purchase of a solar power system, 
					get your equipment together before the end of next year.  It 
					would be helpful to also ask your legislators to extend the ITC 
					further, and continue the growth of the solar industries; as 
					time goes on, component efficiencies have increased and costs 
					for consumers continue to go down.  Unfortunately, there is no 
					clear consensus among legislators that the expiration date should 
					be extended.
 
 We at Oasis Montana feel that our fledgling solar industry will 
					survive the expiration of the tax credit, if that comes about — 
					but we also feel it is unfair to continue to massively subsidize 
					other energy sectors at the same time!  A gradual reduction of the 
					solar tax credit would be a good idea —  but only AFTER we cut the 
					more than $4B/year in fossil fuel tax incentives. One would think 
					after 100 years of production the fossil fuel industry would be 
					mature enough and could exist without the tax incentives...especially 
					considering they are the most profitable corporations in the world.
 
 To see what incentives you may qualify for, visit 
					
					www.dsireusa.org; 
					incentives vary from state to state, and some utilities may offer grants 
					in your particular area.
   
				
					| 
				      
							
							
							SOLAR MODULE PRICING—Call for availability, freight costs, and quantities 
			(# of modules) on pallets for the best deal. You can’t get less than 
			a pallet quantity to get the pallet ‘deal.’ For larger modules, 
			pallet quantity generally runs between 20 and 56 modules, and often 
			there are significant additional charges for less (or more) than 
			even pallet quantities. Some suppliers charge re-boxing fees too.
							Single/ Pallet 
								Made 
			in Japan or Mexico. Kyocera has a re-boxing fee for odd-numbered 
			module shipments.(Some Kyocera 
			modules may have a 2-3 month lead time)
									
									LG280 
			Neon 280W, 9.07A, 
			31.4V (64.57” X 39.37”)                 $439   $407 
									(27 
									per pallet) 
									Made 
			in South Korea 
									PHONOSOLAR, 
									
									PS260M, .93A, 240VAC (64.6” x 39.1”)           $529   $489 (18 per pallet) 
									Made 
			in China, monocrystalline AC module with Enphase Microinverters 
									TRINA
									
									TSM-PD14/305, 
			305W, 8.25A, 33.3V (77” x 39.05”)       $349   $323 
									(24 
									per pallet) 
									
									Made 
			in China; multicrystalline 
									SILFAB
									
									SLA-270, 270W, 
			31.2V, 8.56A (38.97” x 64.96”)          $359   $334 
									(35 
									per pallet) 
									ARRA 
			Compliant 
									SOLARWORLD SW280, 280W, 7.25A, 28.4V (39.4” x 65.94”)  $420   $389
									(30 
									
									per pallet)  Made in the USA or 
			Germany; monocrystalline 
									CANADIAN SOLAR, 255W, 30.1V, 8.4A (64.5” x 38.7”)            $329   $315 (24 
									
									per pallet) 
									Made 
			in China; polycrystalline 
									PHONOSOLAR 
									
									PS260M 
			260W, 30.8V, 8.46A (64.6” x 39”)       $369   $339 
									(24 
									per pallet) 
									
									Made 
			in China; monocrystalline 
									PHONOSOLAR 
									
									PS290P, 
			290W, 8.03A, 36.1V (65” x 39.1”)       $409   $399 
									(22 
									per pallet) 
									
									Made 
			in Taiwan & eastern Europe; polycrystalline 
									SUNIVA 270W, 31.2V, 8.6A (38.66” x 65.07”)                            $389   $352 (25 
									per pallet) 
									
									Buy 
			American Compliant—cells made in the U.S., assembled in China 
									KYOCERA 245GX, 
			245W, 8.23A, 29.8V (64.5” x 39”)                $379   $359 
									(20 
									per pallet) 
									KYOCERA 140GX, 
			140W, 7.91A, 17.7V (59.1” x 26.3”)             $319   $299 
									(20 
									per pallet) 
									 
									KYOCERA 
					KS20, 20W, 
			16.9V, 1.20 A (20.47” X 13.85”)            $169   $158 
									(40+ 
									
									per pallet) 
									KYOCERA 
					KS10, 10W, 
			16.9V, 0.60A (11.96” X 13.85”)             $113   $110 
									(40+ 
									
									per pallet) 
									KYOCERA 
					KS5, 5W, 
			16.9V, 0.29A (8.07” X 13.85”)                   $84     $74 
									(40+ 
									
									per pallet)  Other modules 
			generally available too—prices subject to change with little notice. 
			Call for 
			your
							module pricing and availability. 
			Container pricing available for better dollar-per-watt cost. There 
			have been some price increases this year, so costs may change 
			without notice. 
							
 
							WHO WE ARE and ORDERING INFORMATION: 
							
							Chris 
						Daum, owner and manager of Oasis Montana, has been in 
						the renewable energy field since 1989, and our system 
						designer, Larry Keogh, will help plan a power or pumping 
						system for your needs. Our staff offers experience, 
						personalized service, tech support, quality components 
						and good pricing . We are happy to work with your 
						installer, electrician, or contractor, and locally we 
						can install your power system (in western MT and Idaho). 
						We provide detailed wiring diagrams with the systems we 
						sell. 
							TO PLACE AN ORDER: 
							E-mail or call us for your freight costs; 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 
						summer hours (April through October) are 8:00 am to 4:30 
						pm Mountain Time, Mon. – Thurs, 8 to 4 on Fridays. 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, freight costs and general 
						inquiries. 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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					| 
					 
					 Arctic grayling struggle on the Big Hole River in Montana: 
			“Montana grayling have been lost from the vast majority of the 
			rivers and streams where they once swam, and they desperately need 
			the protections of the Endangered Species Act to survive,” said Noah 
			Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological 
			Diversity. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife's most recent decision to 
			deny the grayling protection is dirty politics that doesn't follow 
			the science. Twenty years is too long to wait for protection.” The 
			Service first determined the grayling warranted endangered status in 
			1994 and reaffirmed that conclusion in 2010, but reversed course in 
			August 2014 withholding protection from the rare and beautiful 
			relative of trout and salmon. In denying the grayling protection, 
			the agency argued that voluntary efforts by private landowners and 
			the state of Montana, guided by a conservation agreement in place 
			since 2006, have alleviated threats to the fish's survival. Although 
			many individual projects to improve habitat have been completed 
			under the agreement, the grayling continues to face numerous 
			threats, including excessive water withdrawals for irrigation, 
			non-native trout and ongoing habitat degradation. A member of the 
			salmon family, the Arctic grayling is a beautiful fish with a 
			prominent dorsal fin. The species thrives in cold freshwater streams 
			and rivers across Canada and Alaska. Historically, fluvial 
			populations of Arctic grayling existed in only two places in the 
			lower 48 states: Michigan and the upper Missouri River of Montana. 
			Populations in Michigan went extinct by the 1930s, and populations 
			in Montana were restricted to the Big Hole River and a few lakes by 
			the end of the 1970s. Studies demonstrate that Montana grayling are 
			genetically distinct from populations in Canada and Alaska, and have 
			been experiencing severe declines in response to the near drying-up 
			of the Big Hole River on an annual basis caused by increased 
			irrigation use and greater extremes of drought. The following is a 
			story of how ranchers, a solar pumping system, our local FWP and 
			other agencies are trying to protect the last of this unique fish’s 
			Montana habitat. Click here for more information: 
					http://www.pvsolarpumps.com/pumpaeration.htm |  
					| 
						
						
						
						 
						
						 Whether you need water moved for your creek, your 
				pool, your off-grid home, for irrigation, pond aeration or for 
				your livestock, we can help provide your water pumping solution. 
				Visit us now online at 
						
						www.PVsolarpumps.com 
						 — fill out the 
				questionnaire and we’ll propose a system for your project. And 
				while we offer several different kinds of pumps, you can view a 
				neat video from one of our suppliers at 
						
						
						https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HTn0hINh98 
 
						  WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT….how can I 
				keep my water pump operating in an emergency situation? We’ve 
				been hearing this question on a regular basis. As utility 
				infrastructure ages, and severe weather becomes the new norm, 
				people are concerned about having water available if the power 
				fails. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always easy or cheap. If 
				your power is pretty dependable and your outages short, your 
				best bet may be a fuel generator; you can have your electrician 
				wire the individual pump circuit or get the properly sized 
				generator to power your entire home, and install a transfer 
				switch. If you are interested in a solar-powered system, it will 
				be considerably more expensive but will feed back power. Most 
				people’s well pumps are AC, which means you need an inverter 
				system that’ll handle the starting surge of that motor, as well 
				as operate the pump for as long as you need water. While many 
				people in the world are very happy to have 5 to 7 gallons per 
				day, the average American uses 50 to 75 gallons per day — and 
				some use much more. Even if your water usage is modest, you will 
				still need to be able to power that pump. For a 3/4HP system: 
							
							
							 1 - 
					Outback Flexpower Dual GVFX3648 Inverter system, which 
					includes two inverters, FM80 charge controllers, system 
					monitor and integration equipment, surge protect- tor, 
					battery and PV breakers 
							16 - 
					Surrette S-480 6V Deep Cycle batteries 
							24 - 
					Q-Cell 255W 60 cell Solar Modules 
							2 - 
					12X Top of Pole Mounting Racks for solar modules 
							1 - 
					Battery Box vent fan PLUS the balance of system 
					components including battery cables, hardware, disconnects, 
					combiner enclosures, panel output cables, grounding 
					fittings, surge protectors (but not including installation, 
					shipping or battery box) 
 Well, folks, we are looking right around $30,000 for just 
					the equipment for a system to be able to run your 3/4 HP 
					water pump. Now in addition to being able to power this 
					pump, when not being used in an emergency situation, this 
					system will feed power back to your utility. Your 
					electricity provider needs to have a net metering plan in 
					place before you can even consider having a system like this 
					(the GVFX inverters are designed to feed power back once the 
					batteries are full in the morning). So you will be able to 
					reduce (or, if you are efficient, negate) your utility bill 
					with this grid-tie system.
 
 Here at the Oasis Montana home/office, we have a system 
					very similar to this, only we are utilizing an Outback 
					Radian inverter and 27 Sanyo solar modules — and yes folks, 
					it did cost upwards of $30K. But, you would still be able to 
					take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit, plus whatever 
					state incentives are available where you live.
  
   
								
								We are looking 
								at different 'soft start' technologies that can 
								use a smaller (and hence cheaper) inverter 
								set-up to be able to run a water pump in the 
								absence of AC power. Call or e-mail us for more 
								options. 
							  
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					| 
						
						
						 
 
						Hey DIYers — do you know how to handle a solar 
						module? While solar modules are usually made from 
						tempered or hardened glass, and can generally tolerate 
						the same conditions as your car windshield, it’s 
						possible that rough handling can cause ‘micro-fractures’ 
						which can cause degradation of the solar cells many 
						years before its time (solar cell substrates are 
						delicate). If you think about hauling a (basically) 
						framed piece of glass onto a mount structure or a roof, 
						there is evidence to indicate that resting it on your 
						shoulder when you climb a ladder, or leaning heavily on 
						it when you are attaching it to the mounting racks can 
						indeed have a long-term effect on its longevity and 
						performance. So whether you are a solar professional or 
						a do-it-yourselfer installing your own solar modules for 
						your home or business, get another person on the other end of 
						the frame, and handle it with care. Make sure your 
						mounting structures are rated for and give adequate 
						support in high winds or under extreme snow loads — 
						which can also cause micro-fractures. Ultimately, too, 
						not all solar modules are created equal. Some of the 
						cheap deals can have thinner glass & frames, or be of 
						poorer construction which can contribute to a shorter 
						electrical lifespan. 
 
 
 If a solar panel has been dropped or stepped on, it may 
						appear to be fine and still operate at full output. But 
						it has likely suffered from micro-fractures which will 
						ultimately result in reduced output. We rate the useful 
						lifespan of a solar module at 30 to 40 years (and most 
						we sell have a 20 to 25 year output warranty). Still, 
						they should be installed carefully to get the most bang 
						for your bucks—and good longevity. Here’s a video about 
						micro-fractures, and how NOT to clean your solar 
						modules:
 
 http://www.purepowerengineering.com/how-not-to-clean-pv-modules/ (beware: eye-candy alert!)
 
 
						
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			| 
			
			
			
				Something new is blowing 
				in the wind….our popular 200W CHINOOK Wind Turbines were 
				discontinued a while back, but a redesigned model is in the 
				works, and we are hoping it will be available by the beginning 
				of next year (2016). The new beast will be a 500W model, and 
				will be available as a 12, 24 or 48V battery charging unit—or 
				for a grid-tie system with no batteries. The Chinook folks are 
				in corroboration with Midnite Solar, so the new wind genny will 
				undoubtedly come with its own controller (if as a battery 
				charging model) or a grid-tie inverter will be specified if you 
				don’t want to mess with batteries. 
 Another wind turbine from Midnite is in the works, the ARMY WIND 
				generator; it’s a one kilowatt model (1000 watts top end); it’ll 
				be tough as nails and will also be available for 12, 24, 48V 
				battery charging or as a grid-tie unit. We really don’t have 
				much information for these at this point; they are in the 
				testing phase. As soon as these become available we will be 
				offering them. Stay tuned for more information!
 
 
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			|   
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			| New 
			Consolidated Appliance Website 
				If you are interested in 
				efficient or gas appliances, we’ve listened to you and have 
				developed a new site with oodles of information: 
				
				
				http://www.eco-fridge.com/allappliances/Index.html We 
				offer several Energy Star rated refrigerators with European 
				styling, gas fridges and stoves for your remote cabin and even 
				DC models to efficiently run off your battery bank. Visit our 
				site today! 
 Note: Appliances are not 
				stocked locally and ship from our suppliers back east. |  
			|   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   |  
			| 
 
				
					
					
					Crystal Ball Gazing 
					
					We get calls asking 
					about trends in our industry. Based on our “insider” 
					knowledge and sources, 
					we would like to share some of the trends we see as having 
					an impact plus some of the, at present, “pie in the sky” 
					notions you may have heard of or are wondering about. 
					
					Energy Storage (batteries):
					 
					All 
					batteries are a form of storing energy and the primary focus 
					of late has been on enhancing “energy density”. FLA (Flooded 
					lead acid), AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) and Gel cell batteries 
					are the most commonly used batteries for storing energy 
					generated by alternative energies and represent the best 
					investment today. A major 
					focus of the renewable energy industry now is energy 
					storage; here are a few of the leading 
					contenders for alternative energy storage devices. 
					
					LiOn (Lithium Ion) batteries are becoming more main stream with 
					the advent of Electric Vehicles. Though progress has been 
					made in creating a safer (less prone to melt down) battery, 
					there remains room for improvement. These have proven very 
					reliable and are an effective means of storing energy for 
					use in our phone and tablet devices, but their charging perimeters for power 
					systems are very specific and there are still bugs to be 
					worked out for integration into RE power systems. 
					
					Li-air (Lithium Air) 
					much of the current 
					research is focused on four different chemical designs. The
					aprotic design is 
					see the most focus at present. The other three design 
					technologies; aqueous,
					mixed aqueous/aprotic 
					and solid state all 
					face distinct advantages and significant technical 
					challenges.  
					
					There has been a lot 
					of money invested in coming up with an innovative energy 
					storage device and we suspect there will be more in the near 
					future. Our “Crystal Ball” gazing reveals that the next 
					evolution will come from tinkerers working from a garage 
					somewhere. They typically will have as a goal some personal 
					desire to improve an aspect of their
					own lives and a new 
					application of existing technology will likely create the 
					next major boost in development. 
					
					KAir (Potassium Air) 
					in Oct 2014 Ohio State 
					University announced the introduction of a potassium air 
					battery that achieves 98% energy efficiency. We’ll have to 
					wait and see if this product comes to market. 
					 
					
					NiFe (Nickel-iron) 
					nickel-iron batteries are 
					also known as “Edison Battery” and have an extended life 
					extending well beyond the rated 20 year life. The slow 
					charge rate coupled with slow discharge rate make them an 
					undesirable solution for all but a limited number of 
					applications for renewable energies.  |  
			|   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   |  
			| KEEP YOUR COOL WITH THESE HIGH 
			QUALITY ATTIC FANS 
				
					 Unlike AC fans, these 
					well-made Solaro Aire™ units won’t use a penny of your 
					electricity. During summer months, your attic can get up to 
					160°F, making your home miserably hot. Solaro Aire™ fans 
					extract the heat from your attic, keeping temperatures and 
					air conditioning bills down. These fans run ‘array direct’; 
					when the sun shines, they are running, and during the 
					hottest part of the day is when they are moving the most 
					air. These are a terrific replacement for noisy turbine-type 
					vents. 
					 The SA-20WT-LPE, left, has a 20W 
					solar module and moves up to 950 CFM., with an polymer fan 
					blade and brushless motor; its cost before shipping is $820. The model, right, 
					SA-20WB-LPE  is a 
					low profile style fan, great for composite and shingle roofs 
					($743 before shipping). At lower left is the SA-20WR-LPE, which offers a model where the solar module 
					can be mounted remotely (if the sun access in the desired 
					fan location is in the shade). This model is $799 
					before shipping; you can also get a larger solar module if 
					needed, in case you have shading issues where the fan is 
					placed. Higher profile fans are available where additional 
					    clearances 
					(SA-20WT-LPE, above) 
					are needed; gable mounted fans for 
					ventilation are also available. Factory installed 
					thermostats are available ($59), so the fans will only 
					operate when the temperature  is 
					above  (SA-20WB-LPE, 
					above) 85°F. These fans can also be used in 
					winter months to remove mold and mildew-causing moisture.
  We can send you installation links 
					for these fans, something your contractor or handyperson can 
					do. And these also qualify for the 30% solar tax credit 
					through 2020 (cost 
					of the fan plus installation). These come with a limited 
					lifetime warranty from the manufacturer; and built with 
					aircraft aluminum specs, they are meant to last a lifetime, 
					with weather resistant powder coated housing providing a 
					durable finish. If you are interested in these fine fans, 
					send us an e-mail today and we will send additional 
					information. 
					
					info@oasismontana.com
    
					   (SA-20WR-LPE, above) |  
		|   
			~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   |  
			| You can become an energy detective with 
			your Killawatt™ Meter! 
 If you are trying to keep a lid on your electric bill, it’s most 
			helpful to determine what your electrical loads are on certain 
			devices. Is your refrigerator really an energy hog? How much more 
			juice does your PC use than your laptop? This device is a simple way 
			to determine your electrical usage. You plug it into a wall socket 
			(or perhaps onto an extension cord, to make it easier to read) and 
			plug your appliance or device into it. It will give you 
			instantaneous readings on voltage, watts, amps, and frequency 
			(hertz) numbers. It also gives you cumulative data—so you can see 
			how much power your ‘fridge pulls in a week. If you plug your 
			refrigerator into it, it should cycle and give a higher figure from 
			time to time—that means your compressor is running then. These are 
			still a great deal at $25 plus shipping!
 
			 
 
			~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
		
			
			RENEWABLE ENERGY NEWS BITES: 
			States That Produce Renewable 
			Energy Have Cheaper Electricity: 
			
			http://www.onearth.org/earthwire/renewable-energy-prices A study released by the 
			venture capitalist firm DBL Investors shows that states boasting 
			robust green energy programs have the nation’s cheapest electricity. 
			The trend lines suggest it’s only going to get better for their 
			consumers. In 2001, electricity cost more in the 10 top renewable 
			energy states than it did in the 10 states with the lowest 
			proportion of green energy production. By 2013, the situation had 
			turned upside down: States with the most green energy now offer 
			cheap electricity, while the dirty power states are the most 
			expensive. The 10 states with cheap green energy are Maine, Iowa, 
			South Dakota, California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, 
			and Oklahoma, plus Washington, DC. The 10 laggard states in the DBL 
			study were Florida, Connecticut, Delaware, South Carolina, West 
			Virginia, Rhode Island, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
 Cow poop makes more than a mess in the NE: http://www.greenmountainpower.com/innovative/cow/how-it-works/ Good bio-digester info. New Tesla Battery Will Power a Home and Maybe the Electric Grid Too: 
			http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/12/this-new-tesla-battery-will-power-your-home-and-maybe-the-electric-grid-too. 
			Tesla is working on a battery that can power a home and even help large-scale utilities store energy more efficiently, according to company 
			chief executive Elon Musk. If Tesla's stationary battery takes off, it could change the way electricity is priced and traded on a market scale. 
			Musk said the designs for a home or business battery are already complete and will likely be unveiled to the public "in the next month or two." 
			Production could be as little as six months away, he added. "We are trying to figure out what would be a cool stationary (battery) pack," 
			Musk said. "Some will be like the Model S pack: something flat, 5 inches off the wall, wall-mounted, with a beautiful cover, an integrated 
			bi-directional inverter, and plug and play." There's no word yet on price.  Solar PV Will Be Cheapest Form of Power Within a Decade: http://cleantechnica.com/2015/02/25/solar-pv-will-cheapest-form-power-within-decade/? 
			A major new study from a leading German think tank and renewable energy specialist says the cost reduction potential of large scale solar 
			is still misunderstood, and predicts that solar PV will be the cheapest form of power within a decade, and cost less than $0.02/kWh by 2050. 
			The study by the Berlin-based Agora Energiewende says that the end to cost reductions from solar plants is “not in sight”, even after falling 
			more than 70 per cent in recent years. The balance of systems costs are expected to fall by up to 2/3 in coming decades, and combined with a 
			fall in the cost of finance, could cut the cost of solar technology in areas such as the U.S., Australia, and parts of Europe. Clean Coal and our future: http://exp.grist.org/clean-coal Take a few moments and check out 
			this informative article about one of our least clean fossil fuels, its cost, consequences, corporate interests and benefits. The real future threat: peak water. 
			http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/jul/06/water-supplies-shrinking-threat-to-food 
			With burgeoning population and more water going to extract gas and petroleum, just how much water do we have to lose? Will solar plunge off the tax credit cliff? 
			
			http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/02/will-solar-plunge-off-the-tax-credit-cliff?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-February25-2015 
			The solar tax credit will expire at the end of 2016. Will we preserve this job-creator? 
				
					
					States should fuel 
					community solar growth:
					
					http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/03/three-steps-states-can-take-to-fuel-community-solar-growth?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-March17-2015
				
				 
						Making light on remote 
						reservations: 
						
						http://www.upworthy.com/shes-going-door-to-door-with-light-and-older-navajos-have-never-seen-anything-like-it?c=upw1 
					
						A 
						very cool 'small hydro' idea increases efficiency and 
						makes power:
						
						http://www.businessenergy.net/DE/Blogs/2191.aspx 
			
					
					
					
					
					
						
						There is solar, and there is solar:
						
						http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/01/there-is-solar-and-there-is-solar?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-January28-2015
					
					
					
					
					
						
						A day in the life of a 
						wind farm operator:
						
						http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/01/photoessay-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-wind-farm-operator?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-January28-2015 
						
					
						15 
						ancient house designs you can build for cheap: 
						http://offgridquest.com/973 
						
						
						Turning fecal sludge to black gold: 
						
						http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2015/02/how-the-chinese-are-turning-fecal-sludge-into-black-gold?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-February4-2015
					 
										
					
						Solar powered water wheel cleans 25 tons of trash a day..... 
						
						http://billmoyers.com/2014/07/22/solar-powered-water-wheel-can-clean-50000-pounds-of-baltimore%E2%80%99s-trash-per-day/   
			~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
			Quotable quotes: 
 “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others 
			build windmills.” —Chinese proverb
 
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 "When all the world appears to be in a tumult, and nature itself is 
			feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons retain their 
			essential rhythm. Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter, but 
			then, winter, will be forced to 
			relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer 
			light, and the sweet air of spring." — Madeleine M. Kunin
 
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 "Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly 
			received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results 
			of their love!" ——Sitting Bull
 
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 “"One of the great dreams of man must be to find some place between 
			the extremes of nature and civilization where it is possible to live 
			without regret." --Barry Lope
 
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 “What a strange thing! to be alive beneath cherry blossoms.” -- 
			Kobayashi Issa
 
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 “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the 
			two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James
 
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 “The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top 
			of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when 
			it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a 
			climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill 
			of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It 
			is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, 
			and sunsets smeared with too much color.” ― Natalie Babbett
 
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 “Wood burns faster when you have to cut and chop it yourself.” 
			—Harrison Ford
 
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 “Lawyers believe a person is innocent until proven broke.” —Robin 
			Hall
 
 
 
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			in the subject line.
 
 
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