Did you know that the amount of solar energy Earth receives every hour is enough to light up the whole Earth for a year? Further considering that the world is constantly challenged by harmful effects of non-renewable energy residues and such a large source of sustainable energy around, it is only wise for the world to think seriously about solar power – like the US and especially Arizona about solar power.
In the United States, Arizona is one of the leading states that receive unmatched magnitude of solar energy. In fact, Arizona has literally become a hub of America’s solar power dominance, with more companies joining the club every day. Arizona solar power sector has evolved substantially over the years, catering to both commercial and residential sectors states wide with its photovoltaic solar solutions.
Arizona solar power sector got its first boost after the 2007 ruling. It cleared regulatory hurdles for people and institutions opting for alternative energy projects. It has also made mandatory for customers of all public electricity providers in Arizona to secure 15% of their power from renewable energy resources. Moreover, with increasing renewable energy awareness, there has been an increasing demand for clean energy across the States.
Arizona State Bill SB 1254 has been another ground breaking development in solar power field that gives every home owner in the State the right to plant solar panels on their property. More people are turning towards solar solutions. As a result, Arizona solar power sector has grown even more competitive and economical.
Tribute to a Solar Hero
ReplyDeleteSEI is deeply saddened by the loss of Walt Ratterman, who perished in the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Walt was an instructor, alumni, supporter and friend of SEI. He was also an incredibly dedicated one-of-a-kind individual who touched thousands of people’s lives around the world. Walt was in Haiti working on solar projects for health clinics with the organization that he cofounded, SunEnergy Power International (SunEPI). SunEPI works around the world to improve people’s quality of life with renewable energy technologies in remote, rural areas.
Some of Walt’s work can be seen in Adrian Belic’s award winning film “Beyond the Call” which documents Knightsbridge International, a humanitarian and medical aid organization to which Walt belonged that worked in some of the most dangerous places in the world.
Walt and his Knightsbridge buddies were described as a cross between Indiana Jones and Mother Theresa, and there is no better way to describe Walt. Fear was not a word in his vocabulary, and he had a heart of gold. And that is probably an understatement on both accounts. Whether it was crossing the border into Burma in the middle of the night with solar equipment to train Burmese medical technicians, or wearing a burqa in Afghanistan under the Taliban to see what it was like to be a woman in that country, Walt’s quest for knowledge and his desire to help those in need was extraordinary. If there were people in need, and Walt could help, it didn’t matter their geographic, political or religious affiliation, he would be there. To Walt, humanitarian aid knew no boundaries.
Walt brought solar training and humanitarian aid to Rwanda, Uganda, Afghanistan, Benin, Burundi, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Palestine, the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Tibet, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Haiti, and the list goes on. And the list of NGO’s he worked with is almost as long as the countries he worked in. The Solar Electric Light Fund, Green Empowerment, the Border Green Energy Team, Solar Energy International, Engineers without Borders, Light Up the World, and many others all benefited from Walt’s incredible knowledge and dedication.
SEI feels privileged to have known and worked with Walt over the years. Although he is now gone from this Earth, his spirit lives on, in the many thousands of lives around the world that he has touched, and the remarkable work that people he has inspired will keep on doing.
He was truly a solar hero.