Author Archives: athena61

About athena61

Athena is a solar ambassador and entrepreneur bent on saving the world one solar panel and LED at a time. She models and inspires others to adopt the triple bottom-line principle of People, Planet, and Profit in decision-making. With degrees in environmental and civil engineering and a professional science masters delving into the science of the very small (nano-scale), she understands the limits of our planet to support humanity. But let's not forget how to make a living, so she meshes her knowledge with an entrepreneurial bent,

Current Event Links



Doing The Math On Climate Change With Bill McKibben Adds Up To “We Are So Screwed”
Let's start calling fossil fuel "The Beast" . Fossil fuel company CEOs are like kings without kingdoms. "It comes up from the bottomless pits" -( mines, wells, fracking). It burns in its own destruction - combustion. It is a "red" beast now because it used to be green, but now the green (algae) is gone leaving us to see red. "It was' (algae), 'is not' (no longer algae), "yet is" (fossil fuels)....all described in Revelation, New King James version, chap 17,18


The Brain Beanie
March for science wear!


Global Temperature change
This GIF says it all. Stay in the shade!


Tucson Electric signs solar + storage PPA for 'less than 4.5¢/kWh'
Quite exciting! But Four Corners area should consider Concentrating Solar Power in its portfolio as it is also dispatchable, but can be designed for peak periods or baseline power as well!


The Fixer
OMG! So funny and appropriate to call it Funny or Die! AND even more applicable as electricity is a clean power if made by clean renewable energy like wind, sun, geothermal, and hydro.


Solar Cooker
My kind of stovetop!


Clean Energy Collective for Community Solar
Moving technology forward for clean energy. Mostly billing logistics and collaboration techniques.


A Sustainable Community
Most of New Mexico qualifies as rural. Though federal funds helped get the ball rolling, the strength of the community will keep it going. Albuquerque needs some touting of its small, but mighty successes.


Arcadia Power launches a solar energy service for renters across the U.S.
Countrywide community solar here we come! Consumer finally has a voice in a monopolistic sector.


Jill Cliburn
Jill has some ideas for us here in New Mexico. Are we open?


Bad news for Latinos! No surprise there.
NIMBY all over again for corporations this time. Keep the beast in the ground!


Scientists Take Aim at Four Corners Methane Mystery
The gas and oil companies have claimed from the hotspot's first notice that they were not the cause. Classic "hand in the cookie jar" denial and typical from companies without a conSCIENCE.


What's Your Clean Power Impact? Find out Here!
I love this company! They have been polite and friendly. Millenials need to sign up their parents. Teach that generation because just like Smartphones and Twitter they need guidance finding their way.


Men are ruining the planet because they think green products are
Oh me oh my! Get over it guys or there won't be anything there to be macho about!


NM Solar industry Rocking and Rolling in 2016
I just love it! Disruptive in a great way.


Farmington-based LOGOS Resources is betting on San Juan Basin - Albuquerque Business First
Maybe it's time to educate and recruit oil and gas people to "see the light!"


Sandia National Laboratories increasing research in microgrid technology
Albuquerque Business First - microgrids to more easily connect and disconnect to a larger grid and circulate power. That's particularly important for solar and wind resources, which often don't have anywhere to deliver energy if there is a larger grid issue. That can lead to safety risks.


PNM loses support in rate case
I was there June 29, behind those heavy wooden doors and experienced all the excitement!


Growing Resistance: Drought, Oil & Climate Change
The short version pf a 25 minute film. Sure to spark discussion in any place where fracking is happening.


Isn't She Beautiful?
I'll pull a picture from somewhere, but I want to hold onto and share this link with you! The picture is of my solar oven I made out of a black pot and covering the inside of its box with aluminum. It was 86F outside but after one hour the pot got to 250F. Sun Power!


“Community Storage” Is a New Way to Think About Reducing Grid Costs
Wow! We need to get ALL the utility companies looking at this article! We had a utility scale storage project in New Mexico (Prosperity project) with valuable lessons and yet our provider PNM just wants to add a gas peaking plant! Keep the beast in the ground.


Renewable energy giant Duke Energy has a $3 billion plan that includes its first solar farm in NM - Albuquerque Business First
So cool! Hooray! It's only 25MW and it serves an electric co-op, but it is a good beginning.


The Solutions Project - 100% Renewable Energy
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DIY Build an Earthship Home
Michael Reynolds in Biotecture. Power production, water, and sewage treatment must be done in-house.


Growing Resistance in California’s Climate Crisis
Currently you may view only the 8min version. Find a full version in your area by contacting 350.org


Letters to the editor- Albuquerque
These letters are well written and cover the three bases (people, planet, and profit) to bring in a home run! Keep saying it loud and long enough and even the hard of hearing and non believers might get it.


Best Solar Power Countries-2016
Good news, the U.S. is at least in the top ten! Bad news, eight of the top ten countries are smaller than the U.S. and China is beating us!


NM - report EIA
All the pertinent facts, collected in one place

Solar Credits

Or Renewable Energy Credits (REC) in NM

One of my favorite parts of talking up solar is the financial freedom I now have from the electric utility company. I am actually getting paid for helping the company add solar. At 13¢ per kWh I am more than covering what’s left of the electricity the company provides. It works like this: Continue reading

Introductions, First and Foremost

I understand everything solar..you know..everything under the sun.

Or at least I like to think I do. After all, being named Athena, implies I have my namesake’s wise and strategic abilities. Some might take offense to my claim, but having three technical degrees, being a voracious reader,  and a peruser of the mighty internet give me at least some basis for credibility.

In any case, I do know much about the solar world, and have decided to share my knowledge, and hence my passion. So, since I am doing introductions, I’d like to introduce you to some solar friends:

  1. Photovoltaics or PV for short

  2. Thermal Solar – (Active and Passive) – in the planning stages

 My PV

My PV @20 degree tilt

 

Now that that’s done, I wish you a sunny day!