The E4S Network Solar Challenge

A Collaboration of E4S and Green Energy Ohio (GEO)

Inspired by Richard Stuebi, the BP Fellow for Energy and Environmental Advancement at The Cleveland Foundation

The Challenge:

• Add 1 megawatt of PV installations
• Remove 1 megawatt off the grid with passive solar or solar thermal installations
• What is 1 MW? Click here to download this great pdf.

Goals:

• Attract PV Manufacturer to NEO
• Create new solare installations to showcase at national solar conference (ASES) to be held in Cleveland on July 7-12, 2007.
• Catalyze the solar industry in the region

Timing: July 1, 2006 - July 1, 2007

Challenge Region:

Northeast Ohio - The Northeast Ohio Region encompasses a 13 counties: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne.

Project Tracking:

E4S and GEO need your help tracking Solar Projects. We want to track projects in three phases: 1. Under investigation, 2. Committed, 3. Installed.

You can enter your project toward the goals listed above by visiting the E4S on-line forum or emailing gina@e4s.org with the following information.

Project information requested:

1. Project type: pv, passive solar, solar thermal.
2. Potential energy supplied or taken from the grid: kwatt’s or btu’s
3. Application type: home, commercial/industrial, government, institutional
4. Location: County, City
5. Project phase: 1) under investigation, 2) committed (equipment order placed) 3) installed and collecting rays
6. Project contact information: Name, phone and email.
   

Workshops and Roundtables to Learn More:

Past Challenge Events:

• E4S Third Tuesday Solar Challenge Network Event, Co-host GEO (click through to download speaker presentations) - June 20, 2006
  
• Solar Challenge Workshop - August 24, 2006
  
• Workshop in the News
  
• E4S Roundtable brainstorming session: Where can we find 1 Megawatt of opportunities in NEO - September 6, 2006
• GEO Solar Tour - October 7 & 8
• Solar Thermal Hot Water Heating Workshop - January 31, 2007
  

Volunteers and Funding needed:

We would like to track the triple bottom line benefits of each solar project but currently do not have the capacity to do so. Specifically a volunteer or intern would be helpful for marketing/PR and projects tracking. We are seeking $5000 in support to fund such a position and $5000 for marketing expenses. If you are interested in volunteering or funding this project please contact stephanie@e4s.org.

Solar Installers:

For GEO`s list of Ohio Renewable Energy installers click here.

Press:

Crain`s Cleveland Solar Challenge Article.