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Those of you who read my Nov. 18 blog on “Introduction to Solar Electricity” may have been aghast to hear me dub renewable energy expert Dan Chiras the “99% guru.”

The implication being, of course, that something was missing. (Although 99% for a human could be construed as a huge compliment.) In my view and that of many classmates, Chiras’ comment in Intro to Solar Electricity -- “Don’t think about payback – that’s the worst measure possible” -- didn't pass the sniff test.

Well, Chiras shed fu… Continue

So, how many people do you know who can lecture for 8 hours and remain cogent?

I don’t know many, but local solar evangelist Dan Chiras certainly handled his duties in last Saturday’s Intro to Solar Electricity class at C.U. (He may be “local,” but he’s all over the country as a bona fide expert.)

Chiras, author of a score of books on sustainable building designs and renewable-energy practices, is the “99% guru” – there’s just one piece missing. More on that in a moment.

Chiras told his Intro… Continue

Thought you'd be interested in some recent market forecasts that hold optimism and note the complexities for the future of renewables.

Two reports by Boulder-based Pike Research capture the shape of the wind turbine and micro-grid markets, thanks to founder and principal Clint Wheelock. We’ll feature a chat with Wheelock in a future blog.

Wheelock has been research director at a number of high-powered market analysis firms over the past decade and has a team of analysts looking at renewable en… Continue

Looking forward to my Intro to Solar Electricity class coming up Nov. 14-15, through the Sustainable Practices program. If you’re signed up and want to share some thoughts, give me a shout here on Ning. Or we’ll see you there.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a 52-year-old journalist (hold the laughter, please!) recently liberated from a job in the wireless telecom field. This has given me the opportunity to take the plunge in a more promising direction with renewable energy and other sustainable… Continue