Solarides

Riding toward a bright future via solar, electric bikes, biofuels, etc.

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Homework is wrecking our kids: The research is clear, let’s ban elementary homework

Homework does have an impact on young students — but it’s not a good one

I worry about this for my little ones in K and 4th grade, and remember so many of my peers burned out on homework by the time it’s important in high school.

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I forgot Karinn tested my crazy double trailer idea, before I rode with our son Liom to Truckee and camping gear like this with Optibike R11 that summer 2013. Still fine tuning, and will have to share more of our great experiences riding electric. Karinn rode to work and home today for example on older OB1. Getting ready for more adventures soon!

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I have to believe that one day in the future children will ride #solar powered chairlifts and #Hyperloop to better tomorrow. Ella first ride to top of #SkyTavern yesterday. Last weekend, visited Nevada state museum, which has great exhibits, including Black Rock Desert extinct animals like mammoth, (from not so long ago). #Love #Family #gratitude

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Dad wasn't teasing when he said on a clear day he could see the mountains from home in Sacramento. Just get out in the fields at end of Watt (at Baseline). Pretty low fog this morning, in fields of cousin Betty's neighbors who have horses and solar power.

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Early rain at second day training @solarcity Roseville, w/4 chargers and 6 #EV parked yesterday. @BobTregilus (at SolarCity)

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Second Email to Legislators

Sent via http://www.nosolartax.org/ to Don Gustavson and Jill Dickman

As a supporter of solar and your constituent, I ask that you support a special session of the Nevada legislature to pass new legislation repealing the unfair rules passed by the PUC in December. Nevada must allow consumer choice and bring back the thousands of jobs we've lost as a result of this decision. 

As someone with experience helping dozens of people with their solar systems, and a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I have made 3 public comments to the PUCN and continue to be confused why they refuse to look at independent analysis and common sense. Collecting free sunshine with private investment dollars does not fundamentally shift significant costs to others (in fact just the opposite at small scale); while instead believing crazy numbers from very interested utility they are supposed to be checking and regulating carefully. As a ratepayer with 2 houses in Nevada, I am concerned about contributing to pay for ads to mislead the public, plus 11 paid lobbyists to mislead legislators, the Governor, and PUC to now discriminate against a minority of homeowners who invested themselves. New rules now only favor very counter-productive behavior such as running all loads possible at mid-day peak times, which just increase peaks and thus justify more large scale infrastructure investments by the public at large.

I will be watching for your leadership on this critical issue. Thank you.

[solarides]

My Email to Public Officials

As your constituent, I am asking you to take action to follow state law NRS 704.775 which very clearly defines Net Metering, and protect me from the Nevada Public Utilities Commission’s attack on solar customers.

The anti-solar ruling issued by Governor Sandoval's Public Utilities Commission sabotages my investment in solar, and the investments many of my friends and your constituents have made, after the state has promoted solar and incentivized Nevadans to install solar (because the economics of distributed solar are actually good for all ratepayers - contrary to backward utility PR). This decision undermines my household budget and long time real estate investment from 1996, while eliminating thousands of excellent jobs in our state (mine included).

Please act quickly to help our state find a solution to fix this disastrous decision and stand up for your constituents over NV Energy's dangerous monopoly.

Sent via http://www.nvsolarstories.com/get-educated

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Dear Governor Sandoval: Are you confused why people are upset about solar? We never dreamed a judge like you or PUCN would think they have authority to change a dictionary definition. Here was "Net Metering" on NVE website as of Jan 10th before they took it down. I didn't have a chance to give the paper to PUCN since Mr. David Noble interrupted my only 3 minutes to comment about wrong numbers breaking things. Please see Attachment 4 in Sierra compliance filing, with anyone who knows how NEM bills actually work(ed) for years.

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News 4 Covers PUC Nonsense

Even though I mumbled and wish I used the word propaganda instead of PR, still glad to see Terri (this reporter) was willing to tell the truth and link to facts; maybe on the way to breaking big story! https://lnkd.in/ezz9Jz2

Many sleepless nights including Christmas Eve lead up to this little clip and good coverage instead of what we’ve seen recently. Thanks to amazing support from friends and coworkers who gave me the confidence to speak with reporters and explain in such a way they could see that a story needs to be told to inform the public what happened to distributed solar here in Nevada.

Jason Geddes who commented for WCSD and has one of the earliest small grid-tied solar systems on his home for example replied to my email as my team drove through a snowstorm toward Roseville in search of other jobs with SolarCity; on Tuesday before noon. Very encouraging to know people can see the truth, even against big budget and months of persistent PR against solar.

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New office view from Midtown Reno, www.CUBEatMidtown.com

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Congrats to Ginnie, with one of 5 solar systems I started up and connected to the grid this week. New main service panel needed, and no extra charge to upgrade. Happy Holidays to share clean power from 11 panels with neighbors! 2.86kW ~ 4.3MWh/yr. https://mysolarcity.com/Share/97251B2B-204D-4060-8907-8B23A511942F

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That's a whole block, three solar houses in a row, thanks to the Waechters, Taylor, and Moore families! Philip Moore kicked this off last year, and we've been working together off and on for over a decade on sustainability.

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Thankful: Our old house got solar power installed on Saturday. Rented to young professionals now who finished college there like I did. $0 major improvement including new main service panel.

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Thankful: After waiting for solar some weeks, months and years really, Malcolm texted Monday, “Zoom in to see the reelection of my happy face” [sic]