EcoMetro

By Aaron Richey, Seattle Market Director If you're like me, you've probably thought about solar for your house and "kinda" looked into it. You browsed a couple websites and read a few list-servs. You probably came out of it thinking you were pretty well versed in the basics, and that...

When Washington lawmakers approved a set of incentives in 2005 for producing electricity from the solar power, they hoped to encourage residents to install solar panels and recruit businesses to build them in the Evergreen State. Four years later, we are seeing slow, but steady and growing progress....

I just returned to Seattle from the Mediterranean, where I was pursuing the conservation of some personal energy. Besides catching up on some rest, relaxation and the relics of the ancient world, I was impressed to see the extensive use of solar energy that is taking place in southern Europe and Egypt...

Google is investing in clean energy again. This time, instead of buying solar panels to power their operations, or working to make their data centers more energy efficient, they're plowing millions of dollars into the development of clean energy. The goal is to create 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity...

Ever wondered where your power company gets its power? Or maybe you've driven past a large industrial "park" on your way to work every day for years and wondered what exactly it's been spewing in those great globs of smoke and steam. I've just found a terrific tool that can help...

Go solar for your home — everywhere. Use solar thermal for your hot water and radiant floor heating, and install solar photovoltaic for your home energy. Take a trip to see 750 solar panels mounted on the Phillips Eco-Enterprise Center , then start soaking up the sun. Share your Ecomania below!

We may be farther North than warmer states, but our solar potential is nearly the same as states like Texas and Florida. There are solar options for just about every home, and rebates to make it easier than ever. Still need convincing? If you still haven’t visited carboncounter.org to see how much CO2...

If you’re not ready to install your own green power system, you can purchase green power through your utility company. The more people invest in green power, the cheaper it will become. Xcel Energy customers can purchase wind power for less than $4 per month through their Green-e certified program. Great...

Maybe you’ve got an alternative fuel car, but what about a biodiesel home heating system? If you have an oil-fired furnace or boiler, you may be able to swap your oil for biodiesel (or a biodiesel blend) with just a few changes. Call your oil provider and ask, or see Portland Green Heat , and SeQuential...

It may feel like we don’t see the sun much in the Pacific NW, but Oregon is a surprisingly good zone for solar power. Solar electric panels or solar water heaters are both viable options with state and federal incentives. If you still haven’t visited carboncounter.org to see how much CO2your energy usage...