Water our Biggest "Green Project" in Florida

I constantly talk about recycling and ways to save energy as well as ways to generate energy but I have not mentioned much about using water resources more conservatively.

As you all know the Florida watershed works it way all the way down from the Eastern Continental Divide down through Alabama, and Georgia to reach us here in the Tampa Bay area. Every day there are news stories that should concern you about our ability to get clean water. Here are a few examples:

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/13/na-court-declines-water-wars-motion/

http://www.abcactionnews.com/content/weather/story/Another-drought-likely-for-Tampa-Bay-area/QUArMQjo-UahBmlqxfdB0A.cspx

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2008/08/reservoir-could.html


http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/22/na-swiftmud-to-start-pumping-sinkhole/

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/27/cooler-pacific-ocean-likely-worsen-floridas-drough/

Maybe we should look at ways to recycle water? If you are building a home, consider a gray water system installation where your sink & shower water is filtered and used to clean your close and flush your toilets.

If you live in Tampa, you can get a FREE rain barrel by attending a workshop http://www.tampagov.net/dept_Water/information_resources/Saving_water/free_rain_barrels.asp

There are many ways you can re-use your rain water. Also if you are considering re-landscaping your yard, look for low water landscaping options like Zoyzia grass or Florida Native plants that are used to our drought conditions and very wet seasons.

Encouraging afternoon

I had a great weekend checking out what is around Florida in the "Green building space" Definitely learned that "Green" is a broad term that many people are trying to jump on board. I also had a great time spending time in the car with a group of "Like Minded" new century environmentalists....(Shout out to Tony and Stephanie....thanks for driving)

At the same time, I was very encouraged by some incredible products designed to help preserve our resources and environment. As a Certifying Agent for the Florida Green Building Coalition, it is very important that we all keep up with things that are out there as well as investigate new ways to do things.

The star of the weekend is Indigo in Gainesville. This store offers green building products and some great ideas. Definitely worth a check out if in the area.

Solar behind the scenes

I had the opportunity to do SMA-America inverter training on the Sunny Boy inverters this week. As usually, I love this stuff and am very impressed with SMA and their technology. Many people think the magic of solar is easy and that all you have to do is put panels on the house.......this is part true, but the real magic is in the inverter which converts DC power from the panel to AC power and coordinates power transfers back into the grid. Sounds simple.....not so quickly--this box is a technical marvel and does some very cool things.

Did you know that solar panels with an inverter connected to the grid, shuts down when the power grid goes down? Unless you integrate a battery bank and technologies like the Sunny Island into the set up your "solar power hurricane solution" is worthless.