Go Solar Palm Beach & Broward- Abundant Energy

Solar Grants available in FL for qualified commercial businesses

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:42:48 -0500

Exciting NEWS for small businesses in FL - This is a limited funded program so get your questions and soon and see if you qualify. Great time to lower your electric bills!!

CLICK Here to learn more about SUNCATCHER PROGRAM for FL

Through a grant from the Governor's Energy Office, FlaSEREF's SunCatcher Program provides its qualified partners with grants for solar water heaters, solar electric systems and solar pool heaters. While funding lasts, solar water heater installation grants are $50/1,000 BTU of production, $60/1,000 watts for PV, (solar electric systems) and $2,500 per solar pool heater installation. Qualified partners are hotels, restaurants and condominium associations....(all HOA's)

Due to the limited funding available for this program, all grant applications require pre-approval prior to the installation of the solar energy system. Failure to request prior approval will result in a denial of the application. Click on links below for additional information and grant application.

• SunCatcher Pre-Approval Grant Application
• SunCatcher Grant Reimbursement Application

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

Largest Solar Array in Southeast Powers Up in Orlando

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Thu, 14 May 2009 21:04:55 -0500

Well next week is a big day for Sunny Florida :-) Congrats to Orange County Convention Center on GOING SOLAR!!

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Largest Solar Array in Southeast Powers Up in Orlando May 20th

Central Florida Mayors, Senator Constantine, Others Kick Off Green Cities Florida With Historic Unveiling

05.14.2009 – ORLANDO, FL – Florida will solidify its position as a front-runner in sustainability next Wednesday morning with the unveiling of the Orange County Convention Center’s new one-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) system, the largest rooftop solar installation in the Southeast. Solar panels will span the length of five and a half football fields, generating 1,300 megawatt-hours of electricity per year - greatly reducing the center’s carbon footprint and electricity costs.

The new PV system was made possible by a $2,500,000 grant provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Renewable Technologies Grant. Additional support for the project was provided by the OUC, EDC and US Dept of Energy bringing the total amount of funding to $8.8 Million.

SEE VIDEO HERE of Project here from FOX News

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

South Florida set to get $48M in green energy incentives

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:50:06 -0500

Article below from South FL Business Journals provides more details about how the stimulus plan will create many more renewable energy projects here in FL and across the states ... Very Good News!

South Florida set to get $48M in green energy incentives

South Florida Business Journal - by Paul Brinkmann

John Cal, Nicholas J.DiCiacco and Daniel Townsend at Florida International University, which submitted a list of 17 energy-saving projects costing an estimated $14.6 million.

When it comes to green energy, it’s difficult to find someone in South Florida who can’t potentially take advantage of the federal stimulus package. Utilities, municipalities, universities, homeowners and small businesses all stand to gain from stimulus incentives for renewable energy and energy conservation.

The energy provisions are still evolving, but there are some certain impacts to local business:

South Florida cities, counties and tribes are receiving $48 million of $168 million in energy efficiency block grants through the stimulus package. Miami-Dade County alone is receiving $12.5 million. That money is expected to reach local businesses through purchases and contracts or otherwise made available.
An additional $126 million is coming through the state energy program to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy for households, businesses and schools. Final decisions have not been made on how to distribute it. But, the state is preparing a major infusion of cash into incentives like the Solar Rebate Program, which awards grants for homes and businesses installing solar panels.
Juno Beach-based FPL Group, the nation’s leading provider of wind power, is set to benefit from tax credits and cash grant equivalents for renewable energy.

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

Biggest rate increase ever by a FL utility company.

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:49:58 -0500

''Wow,'' said Charlie Beck of the Office of Public Counsel, which represents utility customers, when he heard the numbers. ``Wow. This is the biggest rate increase I have ever seen requested by a utility in Florida. This is really something.''

Customers of Florida Power & Light will pay a base rate of $12.40 a month more next year if the state approves the company's rate-hike request.

FPL's base rate is currently $39.31. If the request is granted, the base rate next year will be $51.71. That's a 31 percent increase.

SAVINGS IN FUEL

In a press release, FPL estimated that customers will save about $5 a month overall starting Jan. 1, but that change included anticipated declines in fuel charges. The bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would drop on Jan. 1 from $109.55 to $104.63, according to that estimate.

In a follow-up e-mail, Villafaña wrote that those numbers include an estimate from February that 2010 fuel prices will allow a bill reduction of $17.83 a month. ``Actual 2010 fuel costs could vary from this projection.''

Looks like it might be a good time to look into solar energy as an alternative to these never ending rate increases by FPL.

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

Solar Hot Water for homes saves thousands $$$ over the years!

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:27:23 -0500

More Realtors are now recommending home owners to invest in a Solar Hot Water System (SHW), especially here in Sunny Florida.

A house with SHW separates the listings in the neighborhood because the agent can proudly say "This House has FREE hot water"

Separate yourself from the other Realtors that say "Well you need to paint the walls and get new carpet and upgrade some appliances" YES they are all good generic suggestions but BE Different, BE Unique. BE the Realtor that says to potential buyers : "THIS House here has FREE HOT WATER" by recommending a Solar Hot Water System.

Electric bills are forever increasing and an issue/concern for many homeowners... Now you can show them a solution NOT just talk about the problem.

Recommend that they part ways from that "ENERGY HOG" called the "Electric" Hot Water tank and move over to a Solar Hot Water system... The new owner will save $70-$90 per month immediately ($80 avg. x 12 months = $960 x 5 years is almost $5000 SAVINGS and that doesn't factor in any Electric Utilities increases, so it's actually way over $5000 and probably closer to a $6000 Savings :-)

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So whether you clients are selling or just moved into a new home make this simple recommendation to them:

When you invest in a Solar Hot Water System it puts you on the road to FREE Hot Water with a payback of 2 - 3 years and we all know how fast the years go bye....bye :-(

The Benefits to you:

Reduce your energy bills by 30%

Environmentally friendly

Make a difference by helping to reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing your dependency on your electric or gas water heater

Add Value to your home and if you sell your home, It's Nice to say "THIS HOUSE has FREE Hot Water". A way better upgrade then new carpet & fresh paint, even though that helps as well.

Avg $10 INCREASED Market Value per dollar saved is the Value added according to the HUD appraisal journal

Extends the expected life of your residential hot water tank.

Qualifies for the 30% Federal Tax Credits

A Solar Hot Water System from Abundant Energy, Inc. is a great way you can offset the never ending increases. An average savings with Solar Hot Water per month is $70-$90, your payback is 2-3 years.

After that you can say “I have FREE Hot water”

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For more info. about Solar Hot Water contact Bob Gentile 561.732.5181 from Abundant Energy, Inc. Find out if Solar makes sense for your home or not

Solar Energy Farm I stumbled across :-) Very Nice Crops!!

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:52:24 -0500

Here are some pics of a Solar Farm I came across when I was up in NJ last week.... It is to offset a local Municipality by 30% ... YEAH!!! Can't wait to get a few of these projects here in FL :-)

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

Speechless Sunday~ umm is that close enough kid?

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:19:57 -0500

I took this shot at my Nephews (Twins) B-Day party yesterday ...this was one of their friends who wanted to get a closer shot--haha

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Abundant Energy Inc. is Florida's leader in Solar Energy, celebrating 23 Years of Service.

**Solar Electric ( photovoltaic ) PV
Spin your FPL meter backwards.

**Solar Hot Water
Puts you on the road to FREE hot water forever.

**Solar Pool Heating
You can now have a warm swimming pool all year round.

Small biz to play major role in GREEN Jobs

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:27:54 -0500

Our company is getting ready and it's nice that the Executive Director in DC Byron Kennard says the Stimulus Package will result in many more green jobs and credit should start coming around faster for these types of renewable energy projects. (ok I have not been holding my breath and relying on all this to meet my goals but it will help when all this starts to hit the market....and help them goals faster and increase them :-)

"We're calling on small businesses to lead the recovery and do it with green jobs and clean energy innovation," says Byron Kennard, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Small Business and the Environment. "Targeting the recovery with green businesses is the most practical way to get the economy going."

Solar and wind energy have a great deal going for them. They produce electricity without any pollution, and we already have all the technology we need to build them on a large scale. Additionally, money invested in solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels and energy efficiency could create millions of jobs in the years ahead.

MSNBC.com

Stimulus Package Has Green for Clean Energy

Massive bill earmarks $80 billion for renewables. Small biz to play major role.

By Glenn Croston

Entrepreneur.com March. 13, 2009

The government is pulling out all the stops to get the economy's heart beating again, including a large clean energy investment that's part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009--the stimulus package. It provides about $80 billion altogether for renewable energy, energy efficiency, mass transit, updating the electrical grid and research. The hope is that investing in solar power and other forms of renewable energy will create jobs, help businesses grow, make our economy more productive, and create a cleaner world for the future.

Click here for the rest of the article

Building a better grid - We can improve security and reduce uncertainty

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:48:28 -0500

Mr. James Woosley met with the Florida House Energy and Utility Committee in Tallahassee yesterday to talk about Building a better grid... This person gets it, now we hope he can sell it :-) (more details in a few days on his presentation)

Please click here to read the entire article, very informative!!

R. James Woolsey -My View

"And where will all this new power come from?"

A smarter electric grid with time-of-day billing can help us avoid having transportation electrification create a need for new power plants. And happily we can at the same time improve grid resilience and encourage locally generated renewable electricity.

The key to this movement toward electricity from renewable, widely distributed sources is a program of renewable energy dividends (sometimes called "feed-in" programs), such as that recently adopted by Gainesville. At peak periods, our current electricity grid is overburdened and fragile and relies on a small number of gigantic (often highly polluting) power plants. With programs like Gainsville's, the grid can steadily evolve into something far more secure, resilient and sustainable than it is now.

Renewable energy dividends don't discriminate in favor of large central power plants the way some other renewable incentive programs can, because they allow small-scale producers to gain automatic access to the grid by selling whatever power they produce to the local utility at cost plus a reasonable investment of return (usually less than the allowed profit by utilities) for a 20-year period.

This encourages homeowners, businesses, farms, schools and churches to sell electricity back to the grid from rooftop solar generators, small wind turbines or biogas waste.

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Bob Gentile
Solar Energy Consultant
Abundant Energy, Inc. Palm Beach & Broward County Area

Direct Line: 561.732.5181
Email: solarnow@bellsouth.net
www.Solar-FL.com

Removed 180,000 cars from the road- Nice :-)

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:46:30 -0500

Above is one of the World’s 13 Biggest Solar Energy Plants, Photovoltaic fields located in Nevada.

Looking at how fast solar energy plants are growing and how large they’re becoming year by year is reveals that the future for solar is shining bright.

Source located here:

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Bob Gentile Solar Energy Consultant with Abundant Energy Inc. www.Solar-FL.com 561.732.5181

Jobs — from construction to engineering to marketing

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:50:26 -0500

Estimates that 85,500 will be created in Sunny FL.

The San Francisco-based The Vote Solar Initiative, focused on advancing solar energy development in the U.S., estimates that 85,500 jobs could be created if Florida adopts a proposed requirement that 20 percent of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.

Also Vote Solar placed a job listing in the Classifieds section of newspapers around the state, including The Palm Beach Post, stating: "HELP WANTED: 85,000 electricians, engineers, sales to staff the new solar energy economy. Apply at Legislature. Ask for strong solar energy policies."

SEE rest of Article here:

By May, the Florida Legislature is expected to consider the 20 percent renewable standard recommended by the Florida Public Service Commission. Now, about 2 percent of the state's energy comes from renewable sources.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that this gets passed!

Speechless Sunday~ a Blimp U-Turn

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 09:08:34 -0500

While sitting in slow moving traffic on Thursday in Pompano Beach FL last week after an appointment., I was entertained by a Blimp doing a slow U Turn. A rare time when traffic was good-lol

I was lucky enough to have my camera with me to take a few shots... Enjoy!

First ever "triple-certified" green residence

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:26:36 -0600

A mere 15,000 sq. feet and only $29 million dollars. Three times larger than the next certified green home. It is the first home to be built and certified to the rigorous “green” standards as defined and mandated by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Florida Green Building Council and Energy Star for Homes.

The Real Estate Developer Frank McKinney had to meet tough green standards from the 147 page mandate called "Green Police" labeled by Frank jokingly to earn points to qualify.

The link below is a VIDEO clip that does a fantastic walk through of this amazing home. Enjoy!!

Click HERE for an informative and entertaining feature on Acqua Liana produced by WXEL Public Television:

Some of the green features include:

Solar panels generating enough energy to run the entire home on certain days (generating enough electricity to run 2 average sized homes). When combining the home’s solar use, energy efficient appliances and air-conditioning, insulative characteristics and overall architectural design, the home’s automated bio-feedback system will display its energy efficiency in real time.

Environmentally conscious lighting that cuts down on fixture consumption by 70%.

Enough pools, reflecting ponds, water gardens, misters, waterfalls, strategic landscaping, etc. to drop the site temperature by 2-3 degrees over neighboring properties, thus reducing cooling costs.

A water system that collects enough runoff water from the entire cedar roof to fill an average swimming pool every 14 days. The water is then used to fill the water garden and irrigate the landscape.

Use of enough reclaimed and renewable wood to save over 10.5 acres of rain forest.

During construction over 340,000 pounds of debris and trash was recycled. Over 85% of all debris was diverted, and will never reach a landfill.

Source

First ever "triple-certified" green residence

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 20:41:57 -0600

The Real Estate Developer Frank McKinney had to meet tough green standards from the 147 page mandate called "Green Police" labeled by Frank jokingly to earn points to qualify.

The link below is a VIDEO clip that does a fantastic walk through of this amazing home. Enjoy!!

Click HERE for an informative and entertaining feature on Acqua Liana produced by WXEL Public Television:

Some of the green features include:

Environmentally conscious lighting that cuts down on fixture consumption by 70%.

Enough pools, reflecting ponds, water gardens, misters, waterfalls, strategic landscaping, etc. to drop the site temperature by 2-3 degrees over neighboring properties, thus reducing cooling costs.

A water system that collects enough runoff water from the entire cedar roof to fill an average swimming pool every 14 days. The water is then used to fill the water garden and irrigate the landscape.

Use of enough reclaimed and renewable wood to save over 10.5 acres of rain forest.

During construction over 340,000 pounds of debris and trash was recycled. Over 85% of all debris was diverted, and will never reach a landfill.

Source

Your income is determined by? the economy! ...Wrong Answer

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:47:06 -0600

Your income will always be determined by your Philosophy ...Yes, you may lose your job, find yourself stuck in failing economy or have to make a career change but as you recover from whatever issue or circumstance that was thrown your way, It's your philosophy that will get you back on track.

"The key factor that will determine your financial future is NOT the economy; the key factor is your philosophy." -- Jim Rohn

How is yours lately? are you all set in your ways or are you still growing? ... Are you one of those that knows it all and have seen it all OR are you the one that understands how little we actually know...

phi·los·o·phy

n. pl. phi·los·o·phies

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.

2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.

4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.

5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.

6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.

8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

World's largest laundromat' goes solar

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:25:28 -0600

As Realtors your responsibility is to KEEP on bringing VALUE to your clients, long after the sale. This keeps your happy homeowner thinking about you for possible referrals & talking about how thier agent always shares great ideas with them. Now I know it's easier said than done but with technology it does get a bit easier & affordable by sending out monthly newsletters/emails or local market news alerts.

The Stimulus Bill has a lot of grant money for commericial solar projects set aside for each state. This will make solar energy very affordable, thus a quicker ROI and many years of reduced ultility bills to follow for that business owner that applies for the grant money before the funds run out. (and yes they will, most likely within the first year)

Some of your clients, own businesses that can take advantage of these grants and lower their business expenses and who knows maybe even move into a bigger home or one closer to the ocean :-)

I will have more specific details and ideas for you to share with your clients about the Stimulus Bill in the near future but here is an article below of a business owner that took advantage of state grants that were availabe a few years ago.

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From Article below: His heating bills were climbing as high as $13,000 -- the equivalent of 25 percent of his total monthly revenue.

"There was just no way I could survive if that continued," he said. "I was looking at a very dire situation."

At a meeting where laundry owners vented about energy prices, someone mentioned solar. Illinois was offering grants to pay 50 percent of the cost of solar systems; Benson applied, got the grant and had a system up within months.

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MSNBC.com

'World's largest laundromat' goes solar

High energy costs spur owner to convert from natural gas

The Associated Press

updated 11:23 a.m. ET, Mon., July. 31, 2006

BERWYN, Ill. - One of Tom Benson's claims to fame, proclaimed in five-foot-high letters across his storefront, is that he owns the "WORLD'S LARGEST LAUNDROMAT" -- complete with 153 washers, 148 dryers and 15 flat-screen TVs.

But that's not the claim that excites advocates of renewable energy. It's that, perched atop the hangar-sized facility in this working class Chicago suburb, is one of the largest, most cost-effective solar systems in the country.

Scaling a ladder to the scorching roof one recent morning, the 61-year-old beamed with pride as he showed off the 36 10-by-4-foot panels that supply his 24-hour laundry with hot water.

Benson's boast about having the largest coin-operated laundry on Earth might be open to debate. At least one laundry in Denver claims to have a few more washers and dryers -- though Benson hastens to add that it seems to have less floor space than his.

What's not in doubt is that his $150,000 hot water system has become a darling of environmentalists and officials smitten with the promise of solar, heralded as a prime example of how sun energy is practical, simple and cost-wise.

"The World's Largest Laundromat has served as a role model," said Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, a vocal solar advocate. "It's shown that solar can work in the Midwest climate, in the heartland."

Click here to read the full article

I'm a Realtor and I have normal air in my tires...Why?

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:46:58 -0600

Make the switch Realtors to NITROGEN, you have enough things to do and checking the air pressure in your tires should not be one of them.

About three years ago I read an article on Nitrogen for your tires, and since I was one that never checked my tire pressure (If you are one of the 85% of Americans who doesn't regularly check tire pressure, you need nitrogen) and hated to go fill up my low tires (always fearing they would explode if I put toooo much air in them) I switched to NITROGEN the same day after reading the article.

What a great move! You can tell the difference when you drive, smoother and I hardly ever refill the tires ...maybe once a year, maybe. and YES it's OK to put regular air into a Nitrogen Tire if you have too.

This is a very LOW but wise investment in your time and peace of mind on the roads. Avg. price to fill up all four tires with Nitrogen is $24.99- 29.99... I have seen special offers as low as $19.95.

and you get cool GREEN caps

SEE BELOW for more information you will ever need to make an informed decision to switch to Nitrogen.

PS: How many of you have already made the switch?

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If you are one of the 85% of Americans who doesn't regularly check tire pressure, you need nitrogen.

We take in nitrogen with every breath. Air is composed of:

1% Water Vapor and Other Gases – Escapes up to 250 times faster than Nitrogen

21% Oxygen – Escapes 3-4 times faster than Nitrogen

78% Nitrogen – The largest molecule in
air, dry, non-flammable.

Because of their large size, nitrogen molecules are the least permeable and stay in your tire longer.

It's not about the nitrogen. It's about reducing oxygen, water vapor and other gases.

By reducing the percentage of oxygen, water vapor and other gases in your tires from 22% to 7% or lower, your tires will maintain proper pressure longer than if you use “plain old air.” For example, with 95% nitrogen in your tires, they retain optimal pressure three to four times longer.

Proper tire pressure is a big deal. Maintain it with nitrogen, and you'll see these three primary benefits:

Increased Fuel Efficiency – Correct tire pressure keeps the manufacturer's recommended “contact patch” on the road. This lessens the rolling resistance and maximizes fuel efficiency. Read On...

Longer Tire Life – When it comes in contact with other materials, oxygen causes oxidation. Oxidation can make rubber brittle and cause it to lose tensile strength. In addition, at high temperatures and pressures, oxygen reacts and damages inner tire liners and belt packages; nitrogen does not. Read On...

Increased Safety – Under-inflated tires cause 90% of blowouts. Nitrogen provides more reliable pressure for reduced blowout potential. Read On...

Other benefits:

Improved TPMS Performance – If you have a new car, you likely are plagued by a flashing light telling you your tire pressure is low. For example, one woman's light was going off every four to five weeks. After inflating with nitrogen, her light didn't reappear for 53 weeks!

More Predictable Pressure Fluctuation – NASCAR teams use nitrogen so they can more accurately predict tire pressure fluctuation. Regular compressed air can fluctuate considerably when water vapor is present.Read On...

Longer Rim Life – Rim rust caused by condensation from water vapor and other gases can get caught in valves and create slow leaks in tires. Nitrogen is completely dry, so it eliminates the potential for condensation.

Why not eliminate all oxygen and water vapor?
What's right for me – 95% or 98%?

Numerous studies have proven that nitrogen in tires reduces the volume of gases that escape more quickly and cause damaging oxidation. However, research also has shown that nitrogen purity beyond a certain point does not provide additional benefits. In fact, with a nitrogen purity above 93.4%? in passenger tires, oxygen actually begins to migrate back into the tire. You can get all the benefits of nitrogen with a purity level between 93-98%.

Bridgestone/Firestone researchers say that 93-95% nitrogen is all you need. Read On...

According to Ford Motor Co., there is no difference between 96% and 99% nitrogen purity. Read On...

Who Else Is Using Nitrogen?

NASCAR - NASCAR teams use nitrogen because it allows them to more accurately predict tire pressure fluctuation. Nitrogen fluctuates with temperature change, but it does so less than when water vapor is present. Read On... In addition, higher nitrogen levels eliminate the explosive properties of oxygen (oxygen loses its explosive properties at around 9% or less) Read On... NASCAR uses bottled nitrogen for portability. The bottles are delivered to the track by Praxair. Read On...

Commercial Airlines – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires nitrogen in all commercial aircraft tires to eliminate the potential for water vapor (inherent in normal compressed air) from freezing at high altitudes. In addition, aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing use nitrogen membranes in their On-Board Inert Gas Generation Systems (OBIGGS) to "top" fuel tanks with nitrogen - an inert gas that does not support combustion.

U.S. Government – NASA and the U.S. military use nitrogen for many of the same reasons it used in commercial aircraft.

Food Processors and Packagers – Oxygen hastens both the chemical breakdown and microbial spoilage of many foods. Think meat, potato chips, cookies, etc. To help preserve foods longer, processors and packagers often use modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmosphere packaging (CAP) that replaces some or all of the oxygen in the air inside the
package with nitrogen.

How is nitrogen separated from other gases in air?

Membranes are the heart of any nitrogen system. Just like a tire, the membranes are permeable. When thousands of these permeable tubes are filled with air at high pressures, smaller molecules leak out while the larger nitrogen molecules travel through the tubes into a holding tank to fill your tires or
for other uses.

Article Source:

Home Owners Associations cannot stop Florida Solar Installations…

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:46:33 -0600

According to the The Florida Solar Rights Act

The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the collectors face within 45 degrees of due south.

In other words try and keep the panels out of the front view. Which for the most part panels can be installed on the side or on the back of the homes.

The Florida Solar Rights Act

Florida law forbids any entity—including homeowner associations—from prohibiting the installation of solar or other renewable energy devices on Florida buildings. An association may require approval of a system installation, and may establish restrictions for installations. However, any such restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and applied in a uniform manner for all association members. Also, any restrictions must not have the effect of impairing the performance, or increasing the cost, of a solar system.

In particular, a homeowner association may not prevent the installation of solar collectors on the roof of a home. The association may determine where on the roof the collectors may be installed, so long as the collectors face within 45 degrees of due south.

Finally, any requirement(s) that a system be screened from view by trees, fences, ground mounting racks, or a remote roof location that is hidden from the street, will generally violate the statute. The full text of the statute appears below (we’ve added the bold text for emphasis).

CHAPTER 163
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS
Florida Statutes

163.04 Energy devices based on renewable resources.–

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.

(2) No deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions, covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices based on renewable resources by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings not exceeding three stories in height. For purposes of this subsection, such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45 degrees east or west of due south provided that such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors.

(3) In any litigation arising under the provisions of this section, the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.

(4) The legislative intent in enacting these provisions is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the development and use of renewable resources in order to conserve and protect the value of land, buildings, and resources by preventing the adoption of measures which will have the ultimate effect, however unintended, of driving the costs of owning and operating commercial or residential property beyond the capacity of private owners to maintain. This section shall not apply to patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or apartments.

History.–s. 8, ch. 80-163; s. 1, ch. 92-89; s. 14, ch. 93-249.

Bus. Owner will earn an annual profit of $14K by selling his solar energy back to electric co.

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:13:33 -0600

Here is a great way for a SMALL BUSINESS OWNER to help combat a crumbling economy and still keep his doors open.

Thanks to a wealth of roof space at Mike Roach's Gainesville warehouse (owns a small mailing business with five employees), Roach will soon install nearly 100 solar panels and earn an annual profit of $14,000 by selling his solar energy back to the electric company.

The program is being hailed as a pioneering step in U.S. energy policy, one that would transfer power production from massive plants relying on coal, gas and nuclear power to individual homes and businesses using sustainable and pollution-free sunshine.

This form of distributed electricity (*Feed-In-Tariff) gives business owners an opportunity to now profit on making electricity and selling it back to Gainesville Regional Utilities. (see below on system works)

But this model has set limits on how much it will produce in the form of Solar for the utility company, not a bad thing because in order for this to work long term it needs to set production limits.

A crawl before you walk business plan per say, and looks like the crawling has almost stopped for 09' already. (Lot's of interest in participating)

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) has announced that it has already reached its first year solar PV reservation target with this groundbreaking Feed-In-Tariff program. (first city in USA to use the Feed-In-Tariff model adopted from Germany*) The Florida municipal utility will continue accepting reservations for an additional 4 megawatts (MW) in 2010 on a first come first serve basis.

Gainesville's program went live on March 1. The 2009 solar PV tariff of $0.32/kWh for twenty years will remain in effect for 2010 reservations. Avg.normal rates people pay are around $0.11-13 cents/kwh)

*Germany, which pioneered feed-in tariffs 10 years ago and is now a world leader in solar and other renewable energies. The program has created approximately 250,000 jobs while electricity prices have only increased by about $2.50 a month for the average customer, according to the German government.

Here is how the system works: Anyone wanting to sell energy would receive two separate electric meters – one for the energy coming in and another for the energy going out. The solar energy would not be used on-site, but transferred to the grid where it mixes with the larger supply. As incentive, solar providers would be paid far more for supplying energy than the utility is allowed to sell it for.

Advocates say the benefits are threefold: More jobs, a cleaner environment and energy security.

Good news is this program has initiated conversations to roll this program out across the state of FL and beyond. Other states like MI has just rolled out a smaller type Feed-In-Program to test the model.

awwww

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:56:50 -0600

During these tough times it's nice to appreciate a good hug & kiss, even if it's from a LION -lol

Being in sales and marketing for 20 years now, it's important to always keep it real but keep pushing forward. I hear about a lot of people struggling in the profession of sales nowadays but they don't want to work harder or change, so they get what they get. Be creative, work harder and YES even get a hug from a LION if necessary :-)

Watch & Pucker Up!!

Should Nuclear be considered Renewable?

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:41:04 -0600

Environmentalists disagree. "It's so wrong on many levels," said Jerry Karnas of the Environmental Defense Fund. "It's distasteful. . . . I'm shocked we're even debating it."

George Cavros of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said: "No. 1: nuclear is not a renewable resource. No. 2: The Legislature mandated that nuclear power not be a renewable resource. And thirdly, the nuclear industry already has so many incentives that to ask for additional support is unconscionable."

More details here from article.

There is a big argument that has been developing here in Florida last year and across the United States about if Nuclear is renewable. Nuclear does not give off carbon greenhouse gasses. It does however leave toxic waste behind that takes millions of years to degrade virtually making any where the waste is stored useless for a long, long time. The current "plan" for eliminating toxic waste is to bury it in a mountain in Utah… It is the opinion of Abundant Energy that Nuclear power is neither renewable nor clean.

Dreaming is a "GIFT" & I open it daily :-) Do you?

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:42:38 -0600

Talk about passion, The KING was one of the best ever... sad that a drug addiction took away an amazing soulful artist (that's a whole nother story-GRRRR) but this post is about DREAMING!

I am a DREAMER and YES I may be naive a lot of the times and many of my dreams may be more fantasy-lol but nonetheless I DREAM, & I DREAM BIG!!

SOLAR PANELS ON SOME ALL THE HOMES IN FLORIDA -- NOW That's my BIG DREAM :-)

This is a picture from a town in Italy

( I know most of you who are reading this blog from AR are Dreamers as well, that's why you will get this, well I hope so :-)

Dreaming is a "GIFT" and YOU are the ONLY one who can unwrap this gift or keep it wrapped forever!

This post is about "DREAMING Big" for You, Your family, Your Business and Your Future!!

I LOVE these words in this Elvis Song, this one part of the song speaks so loudly especially in these crazy times. Can we agree times are changing? NO Doubt they are

but can we also agree YOU can change your times?

LISTEN to this song & Dream BIG and never stop Dreaming!! PUT Down on PAPER what you want!!

We're lost in a cloud
With too much rain
We're trapped in a world
That's troubled with pain
But as long as a man
Has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly

OK Bob, your point!

My point is DON'T YOU Settle!!! WAY too many people are Settlin' these days & their dreams are being replaced by excuses!

Will it be hard to change & dream again YUPPER but "It's Possible" and what's great is YOU have that GIFT inside you to DREAM & I suggest you DREAM Big, just like you did when you were a kid!

Now we can't just DREAM all day, we do have to APPLY Action but dreaming does start the process of positive changes in your life!

Elvis- If I Can Dream

There must be lights burning brighter somewhere
Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue
If I can dream of a better land
Where all my brothers walk hand in hand
Tell me why, oh why, oh why can't my dream come true
Oh why

There must be peace and understanding sometime
Strong winds of promise that will blow away
All the doubt and fear
If I can dream of a warmer sun
Where hope keeps shining for everyone
Tell me why, oh why, oh why won't that sun appear

We're lost in a cloud
With too much rain
We're trapped in a world
That's troubled with pain
But as long as a man
Has the strength to dream
He can redeem his soul and fly

Deep in my heart there's a tremblin' question
Still I am sure that the answer, answer's gonna come somehow
Out there in the dark, there's a beckoning candle
And while I can think, while I can talk
While I can stand, while I can walk
While I can dream, please let my dream
Come true......right now

Step UP & Forward...and DREAM Big!!

Bob

What is the FIRST state to Require Solar Hot Water Systems in all Single Family Homes?

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:08 -0600

Fellow AR members, I am going to do my best to post nuggets of GREEN/ Renewable Energy/ mostly Solar information to help educate you and for you to pass on to your clients/prospects.

Remember You keep bringing value to your clients they will not forget you & it doesn't always have to relate to your profession.

(See below a valuable workbook I highly recommend)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Answer: HAWAII The Bill was signed into law last year in May by Republican Governor Linda Lingle, prohibits issuing building permits for single-family homes that do not have solar water heaters.

All new homes will be required to have the energy-saving systems installed starting in 2010. Exceptions will be made for houses in heavily forested areas. But the move to force solar heating is a big step for a state that relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for 90% of its supply.

"We owe to our children and grandchildren the promise of a clean and renewable energy future," said Rep. Hermina Morita, chairwoman of the House Energy Committee. "A solar water heater mandate in new home construction ... will result in greater public benefits to everyone at large."

Solar water heaters reduce residents' electricity costs between 30 percent and 35 percent — up to $150 per month for a family of four on Kauai, said Morita, D-Hanalei-Kapaa. With those kind of savings, their initial expense is usually paid off in three to four-and-a-half years.

Speechless Sunday - USA’s fourth largest solar power farm

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:30:20 -0600

Governor of Pennsylvania Edward G. Rendell has broken ground for USA’s fourth largest solar power farm. The facility likely to be completed by September or October this year will meet energy requirement of approximately 400 homes in the Bucks County of Pennsylvania.

The $20 million project owned by EPURON – the Exelon-EPURON Solar Center with 16,500 solar panels will help in reducing emission of greenhouse gases that is equivalent to planting 33 acres of trees every year or eliminating 440 cars from the annual traffic. Pennsylvania has committed to reaching a solar capacity of more than 860 megawatts by 2021.

Source:

More Solar Panels are coming to a home your clients sell or buy... Get informed

Bob Gentile (GO Solar in Palm Beach County, Florida - Abundant Energy Inc) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 09:23:59 -0600

EDITED Update:

Your responsibility as an agent is not to be an expert in solar but to be aware and connect them with the experts in your area :-) and when you truly learn the solar benefits, increased re-sell value and lower electric bills you will be more than happy to "say this house has Solar or you should look into going solar to offset your bills"

43 billion dollars from the Stimulus Bill is going to renewable energy and creation of green jobs so many more home owners and businesses will be asking about solar energy.

Below is a good nugget of information you can pass on to your clients.

* * * * * * STIMULUS BILL News alert for Solar Energy Systems in Florida -- For next TWO Years 2009' 2010', Grants (rebates) are now available in lieu of Federal 30% Tax Credits.

Limited funds available per state, so call ASAP to see how much grant money business is entitled to, to help make your solar system much more affordable & profitable * * * * * *

Homeowners get 30% Federal Tax Credits.

Here is a short video on how the Photovoltaic Solar Panels work from the US Dept of Energy. It will give you a little insight on how these panels work...