Sustainable Tompkins » solar power http://sustainabletompkins.org Social, economic and environmental sustainability in Tompkins County Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:05:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Copyright © Sustainable Tompkins 2011 playwithyourmind@gmail.com (Alex Colket) playwithyourmind@gmail.com (Alex Colket) 1440 http://sustainabletompkins.org/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg Sustainable Tompkins » solar power http://sustainabletompkins.org 144 144 http://sustainabletompkins.org/feed/?cat=podcasts Interviews and discussions with Ithaca\'s leaders in sustainability Social, economic and environmental sustainability in Tompkins County Alex Colket Alex Colket playwithyourmind@gmail.com no no ST and Finger Lakes Bioneers cosponsor Empowered screening on December 7 http://sustainabletompkins.org/st-events/st-and-finger-lakes-bioneers-cosponsor-empowered-screening-on-december-7/ http://sustainabletompkins.org/st-events/st-and-finger-lakes-bioneers-cosponsor-empowered-screening-on-december-7/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:29:22 +0000 admin http://sustainabletompkins.org/?p=3455 Cinemapolis will be screening the latest version of the new film EMPOWERED on Wednesday, December 7th at 7pm followed by a panel discussion. EMPOWERED is an independent, locally-produced feature-length documentary that showcases the many ways in which Tompkins County residents are embracing renewable energy. This event is co-presented by Finger Lakes Bioneers, Ithaca Green Building Alliance (IGBA), Sierra Club Finger Lakes Group and Sustainable Tompkins. Tickets are $10 or $8 for members of Sustainable Tompkins and IGBA.

Director Shira Golding Evergreen (Frac Attack) and Producer Suzanne McMannis have collaborated to illustrate vividly in EMPOWERED that it is our friends and neighbors who are pioneering alternative energy. Right here in Tompkins County, so many have already taken the leap to a sustainable future, and in EMPOWERED they enjoy the opportunity to tell their stories to the public: what inspired them; what first steps they took; how things are working. Viewers will get the stories behind numerous residential and public installations that utilize solar, wind, geothermal and even veggie oil. They’ll also get a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit that is driving new community wind, biodiesel and solar cooking projects.

The film was shot entirely on location in Ithaca and the surrounding area and features original animations by Ari Evergreen.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the director and some of the film’s stars. Audience members will be invited to join the conversation on how we can increase our energy independence while protecting our environment. Representatives from local nonprofits and installers will be tabling in the lobby to help audience members take steps towards embracing renewable energy. This screening kicks off a NY state tour co-sponsored by Finger Lakes Bioneers and Sierra Club Finger Lakes Group.

“We’ve been working on this film for over a year and can’t wait to share it with the community,” says director Shira Golding. “We’re hoping people will watch the movie and then start thinking of concrete ways they can integrate these strategies into their own lives. It’s going to take a grassroots movement to push this country towards a renewable energy future and Tompkins County is at the forefront.”

Over 130 people turned out for a rough cut screening of the film at the end of September and the filmmakers are grateful to Cinemapolis for continuing to provide a platform for local filmmaking about important social and environmental issues.

For high-res images and more information about EMPOWERED, contact Shira Golding Evergreen at 607-821-0654 or shira@shirari.com.

www.empoweredthemovie.com

]]> http://sustainabletompkins.org/st-events/st-and-finger-lakes-bioneers-cosponsor-empowered-screening-on-december-7/feed/ 0 Ithaca is Sunny http://sustainabletompkins.org/signs-of-sustainability/local-sustainability-signs/ithaca-is-sunny/ http://sustainabletompkins.org/signs-of-sustainability/local-sustainability-signs/ithaca-is-sunny/#comments Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:42:47 +0000 admin http://sustainabletompkins.org/new/?p=67 New information released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority this fall further confirms that Tompkins County is indeed a Solar Capital, in terms of installed photovoltaics (PV) per capita. In the last 5 years, 310 PV systems have been installed statewide using NYSERDA incentives. Tompkins County leads NY both in kilowatts of photovoltaics installed, at 287, and in total number of systems, at 36. This represents over $2 million in investments, and does not include the many existing off-grid systems. New information released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority this fall further confirms that Tompkins County is indeed a Solar Capital, in terms of installed photovoltaics (PV) per capita. In the last 5 years, 310 PV systems have been installed statewide using NYSERDA incentives. Tompkins County leads NY both in kilowatts of photovoltaics installed, at 287, and in total number of systems, at 36. This represents over $2 million in investments, and does not include the many existing off-grid systems.
The 147 kilowatt PV arrray on the roof of the County library was, at the time of installation in 2000, the largest on the east coast. It now ranks in the top 300 in the world.
This October, the National Tour of Solar homes featured 13 places in Tompkins County, and each had at least 70 visitors, totaling over 300 people. This is a national tour, with thousands of homes involved, yet there are many states that do not have 13 homes participating, much less small counties.( Tompkins County population is 105,000) In New England, no other county comes close to Tompkins in the number of homes, or the number of visitors. We even had 4 van loads of paying tourers.
New York, with the available $4-a-watt rebate, enjoys the third best PV incentive in the nation, behind California and New Jersey.
There are now 4 renewable energy companies working in this area, and the system installation waiting list is long and growing fast. Statewide, there are only 38 NYSERDA qualified installers.
While New York has 40% less annual solar insolation than the sunny cities of Las Vegas and San Diego, it does have 25% more than Germany, the worldwide leader in installed photovoltaic capacity.
World wide, on a per-capita basis, Luxembourg leads with 58 watts per inhabitant, with Germany at 10, Japan at 8.7, the Netherlands at 3 and Austria at 2 Watts per person.
In the US, Tompkins County is now at 2.9 watts, behind only Palo Alto, CA which has 4 watts.
If we were a country, Tompkins County would possibly rank 6 th in the world on a per capita basis, and certainly in the top ten!

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