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  • 1.  Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 01-27-2025 11:38 AM

    Focusing on survivalism and resilience, this issue highlights technologies of home prepper lifestyles, constructive responses to heat waves, solar cooking research, and renewable energy resilience projects.

    Attention ASES Members: Please log into your ASES account for digital access to the Winter 2024/2025 issue.

    Table of Contents

    Here's a glimpse of what's inside:

    From the Editor: Solar Power Prevents Adversity | Kat Friedrich, former editor in chief of Solar Today and professional member of ASES

    Letter to the Editor | Larry Schuler, PhD, Owner of Sun Frost

    Harnessing Heatwaves: Solar's Crucial Role in Climate Solutions | By Scott Hancock, Senior Program Manager at Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) 

    Powering Through the Storm: Enhancing Disaster Resilience with Solar PV Solutions | By Eliza Hotchkiss, Senior Analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

    Targeting Emergency Survival with Solar Energy: By Kat Friedrich, former editor in chief of Solar Today and professional member of ASES

     Philadelphia School Shows How Schools Can Use Solar Creatively: By Aaron Nichols, Marketing and Advocacy Specialist at Exact Solar

    Solar Living Sour Vista del Oro: A High-Elevation Off-Grid Solar Residence: By David S. Renne and Paulette B. Middleton, current ASES Life Members 

    Solar Living: 42 Questions to Ask an Installer | By the New York Solar Energy Society, an ASES State Chapter

    United States Solar Data Tables | By Emmanuel Iddio, ASES Intern and Student Member

    A 70-Year History of ASES | By Carly Rixham, ASES Executive Director and ASES Life Member

    Get Involved in Solar Today

    If you are interested in pitching an op-ed explainer for a future issue, please send two paragraphs to editor@ases.org about the story along with a one-paragraph bio showing each author's relevant professional experience.

    We are currently seeking pitches for our "Solar Living" column, our "Policy Watch" column, and our "Education Perspective" column.

    You can support Solar Today's empowering, thought-provoking media work by making a charitable donation through our website. Our publication is both community-supported and community-driven by clean energy enthusiasts and professionals.

    Login to Read the Latest Issue

    Donate to the Solar Today Fund



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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  • 2.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 01-27-2025 07:26 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 01-29-2025 08:06 AM

    Hi Ella,

    Thanks for posting this as been very cold this week so inside alot.  We starting reading Solar Today.

    Just finished- 

     Solar: A Prepper's Dream. 

    Wow ! Some of those scenarios are quite intense and very expensive to set up just in case our world goes haywire. 

    Lets hope and pray that never happens as Going Solar is much more fun in a peaceful world. 

    This section caught my eye- 

    " Solar thermal can be used for hot water and cooking. Solar thermal technologyhas been around longer than other solar technologies. Pedal-powered  stationary bikes that make electricity. Non-electric power can include candle technology where fat rendering can make soap and candles, which people relied on in the 1800s and earlier.Generators can be powered by biodiesel, diesel, alcohol, methane and hydrogen. Water and Air Purification Water Purification is always going to be a concern. Digging a deep well to a water table that is unlikely to be polluted is recommended. Other options include recycling water, like they do on the space station. " 

    Sunlight, water, and fresh air is tops always, then good organic fertilizers, compost, seeds, a greenhouse and seasonal raised vegetable beds...etc. These type  backup systems are fun projects as we have experimented with most through the years as  are good ideas regardless.  Anything one can do that is self reliant with local materials, and supplies for essentials is just good common sense . We have never really seen ourselves as preppers,  but more practitioners of solar, exploring the science and the adventure as lifestyles. Sometimes bringing back some of the old technologies that our great, great, grand parents relied on, yet mixed with the high tech solar creates a dynamo across all ages from ancient to modern.

    We really appreciate what you do at ASES  Ella,   

    Keep up the good works  Thanks *

    If the world does not go totally nuts one can always turn that bunker into a storm shelter/ root cellar as these folks did. 

    Off Grid Root Cellar Tour and Electricity



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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
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  • 3.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-18-2025 11:33 AM

    Thanks so much for your kind words, Timothy, and for sharing these video links! We appreciate your dedication to a sustainable future for al!

    All the best,

    Ella



    ------------------------------
    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-21-2025 08:43 AM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 02-21-2025 12:14 PM

    Right ON ! 

    We are experiencing below freezing temperatures all this week, with overcast skies.  Not very good for solar energy capture, but our wind chargers are doing okay, and other backup systems such as our wood furnace that heats hot water as well. The solar batteries, and our backup LP generator are helping power lights and appliances like the frig and freezers. Our experiments with the hybrid  solar direct  PV/DC heat pump coupled with direct PV assisted thermosiphon flat plate solar collector is going well, and hopefully we will have enough data to produce a paper soon.  We are looking forward to the ASES conference this year at Colorado and plan to attend virtually again.  Looking forward to seeing all of you there.  Thanks Again   * Godspeed Ms Nielsen on all your endeavours.

    May all our Solar Dreams come true!  

    Solera R & D Alabama



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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-21-2025 10:31 AM

    Oh wow! I hope you stay warm!

    I'm glad you're looking forward to SOLAR 2025 this year! This year, we're excited to return to a fully in-person format as we bring together thought leaders, researchers, industry professionals, advocates, and enthusiasts in a collaborative space to drive forward the renewable energy transition. I hope you consider joining us in person this year! Registration is opening shortly on ases.org/conference!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-21-2025 01:08 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 02-21-2025 05:10 PM

    Humm !

    Up front and personal now that changes the tabulator.  What happened to the Virtual aspect to these conferences?  To save, ENERGY one would think that the virtual venue would be expanding towards,  " Avatars "  Well guess there is a good reason the virtual has been dropped.  Nevertheless we would like  to use this opportunity to invite the, American Solar Energy Society further down south somewhere like maybe Birmingham Alabama, or Orlando Florida. Trains, Planes,  and Automobiles ? 

    ASES Conference Location History

    1991 ASES/ISES Solar World Congress Denver Co

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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-21-2025 01:15 PM

    Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts. For the past four years, we've worked hard to provide both in-person and virtual participation options, but after careful consideration, we've decided to make SOLAR 2025 a fully in-person event. This aligns with other renewable energy conferences and helps us manage costs while focusing on creating the best possible experience for attendees.

    We understand that a virtual option made the conference more accessible for some, and we truly appreciate your engagement with ASES. While this year will be in person, we're always looking for ways to expand participation in future events, and we welcome any suggestions you might have.

    Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help you stay connected with the discussions and outcomes of the conference! We'll definitely keep in mind potentially hosting the conference in the south like AL or FL! I appreciate your patience and understanding with us!



    ------------------------------
    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Director
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Solar: A Prepper's Dream-Read the Latest Solar Today Issue

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 02-21-2025 04:11 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 02-23-2025 03:53 AM

    Staying Cozy, Indoors alot.  Thanks *   On a side note while researching Solar Powered, Avatars we came across this information about the latest Avatar movie. 

    The Avatar movie sequels were powered by solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint. 


    How was solar energy used?- A 960-kilowatt solar array was installed on the roof of three buildings at the Manhattan Beach studio. 
    The array was designed to power the studios' offices and sound stages. 
    The solar array was expected to offset over 1,034 metric tons of carbon dioxide. 

    Who was behind the solar energy use? - The solar energy use was part of a commitment by director James Cameron to use only solar energy for the sequels.  Cameron is an environmentalist who has also worked on developing retractable solar panels for emergency situations. 


    Other sustainability efforts-  The Avatar: The Way of Water set was powered by solar power. 
    The set also used plant-based food, low-flow faucets and toilets, and water filling stations. 
    Cameron has also worked to eliminate the need for helicopters in aerial shots by using drones instead. 

    What is kinda ironic we just started watching,  Avatar The Way of Water  for the first time this week. About half way thru. 

    The director of Avatar just designed a clever alternative to ugly solar panels


    While it's highly likely that Earth will transition to a largely solar-powered civilization in the near future, achieving a completely solar-powered society within the next few decades is considered unlikely due to challenges like energy storage and inconsistent sunlight across different regions, though advancements in technology could potentially accelerate this shift significantly; experts predict solar energy could become the dominant source of electricity by mid-century. 
    Key points to consider:
    Rapid solar growth:
    The cost of solar panels has been dropping steadily, making solar power increasingly accessible and attractive globally. 
    Storage limitations:
    Storing large amounts of solar energy for consistent power supply during cloudy periods remains a major challenge. 
    Space-based solar power potential:
    Some experts believe that future advancements in space-based solar power stations could provide a more reliable and consistent source of solar energy. 
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    Timothy Mcbride
    CEOOwner
    Sol-Era R & D
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    Original Message