Spring 2008 Newsletter
LSES Becomes Official
On January 23, 2008, the Louisiana Solar Energy Society was recorded as incorporated. LSES was also
inducted/recognized as an official chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.(ASES)
Homeowners Workshop Recap
A raving success! On Feb. 16, 2008 LSES held a homeowners workshop. The workshop was about “How to
Install Your Own System”. Twenty participants filled the Gulf South Solar training center and received
hands on experience from qualified installers who taught mounting, stringing, inverter mounting and more.
Sarah Harris, an LSES intern, gave a brief introduction and the history of LSES. She then gave an
explanation on energy efficiency, and ways to make the solar more effective in your home. Justin Runnels of
Gulf South Solar then reviewed different products on the market and gave a market calculated summary of
the best performing and most efficient products on the market. He then went over the different kinds of
systems and how to tell if you have a good site for solar, followed by a quick Q&A. This was followed by
“sizing your system”, where the homeowners brought copies of their energy bill and what they would need to
make their home solar. After a lunch break, Jeff Shaw the founder and Director of LSES reviewed code and
permit requirements, and the basics of PV installation, module & inverter mounting and wiring, grounding
and lighting protection and emergency load wiring. Jeff then followed his review with a Q&A with the
homeowners. The homeowners then participated in hands on wiring and mounting demonstration. For more
pictures, go to www.lses.org.
Jeff Shaw and Justin Runnels
Earth Day 2008
LSES will be celebrating Earth Day. This will be the 8th Earth Day for LSES! Come out and visit us. Baton
Rouge Earth Day for 2008 will be held Sunday, April 20, and the Louisiana Solar Energy Society will be
there. Come by and meet us and show your support for solar power. It will be located on North Blvd.,
downtown Baton Rouge. Like always, we will have our spot right in front of the Entergy building. Of
course, we won't be using their electricity because our booth will be equipped with a solar power water
fountain and laptop. Also, LSU Earth Day will be held on Friday, April 18 on the Parade Grounds on
campus. LSES will be there as well. At this time, you can also pay your membership dues which are $20 for
a Basic Membership. Student Membership is $15.
Meridith Buckner at previous Earth Day
Emergency Rules!!!!
Ok. Remember those state tax credit law emergency rules that went into effect October 1, 2007? Well they
are no longer in effect starting April 1, 2008. On April 1 the “new” emergency rules will go into effect until
the final rules are enacted. We at LSES will post the final rules as soon as they are available on our website.
If you plan to install solar in your home after April 1, 2008, please go to our website www.lses.org and view
the emergency rules.
Gulf South Solar Bringing Solar to New Orleans
Gulf South Solar of Baton Rouge, LA was recently selected by the Solar Electric Light Fund to work with
Brad Pitt’s “Make It Right” group to install 45kW of solar in the lower 9th Ward. Gulf South Solar organized
a team of 34 volunteers from around Louisiana to solar power the pink village that brightens the devastated
area. All of the equipment has been removed for now, but it is in storage waitng to go on the newly built
homes. Eightyone of the hundred and fifty homes have been sponsored already. Soon Gulf South Solar will
trod into the little pink village and solarize it.
Jeff Shaw and Bradd Pitt in the 9th ward
New LSES Intern
LSES warmly welcomes its newest intern, Jennifer Thompson. LSES thinks she will be an excellent addition
to the team.
USDA Rural Development Renewable Energy Systems and Energy
Efficiency Improvements Program
By Kevin Boone
Farmers and rural small business owners have a great opportunity to receive financial assistance for
purchasing renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency improvements due to a program created
by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill). Since inception, the Renewable Energy
Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program has funded approximately $23 million in grants and
guaranteed loans each year.
The goal of the program is to bring the economic benefits of clean energy production to rural areas of
Louisiana. Eligible renewable energy projects include systems that generate energy from solar, wind,
biomass, or geothermal source or that produce hydrogen derived from biomass or water using a renewable
energy source. Renewable energy projects can include the generation of electricity, heat, fuels, or hydrogen.
Energy efficiency projects typically involve installing or upgrading equipment that results in significant
reduction of energy use from current operations.
The grant program can fund up to 25 percent of eligible costs. The maximum grant amount cannot exceed
$500,000 for a renewable energy system or $250,000 for an energy efficiency improvement project. The
maximum guaranteed loan is $10,000,000, not to exceed 50 percent of renewable energy project costs.
Additional information can be obtained at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill/index.html
In addition, there will be an upcoming conference in Monroe, LA entitled "Connecting Agriculture and
Renewable Energy Opportunities” on February 25-27, 2008. See the Website for more info:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/AgOutlook/
Or you can contact:
Kevin W. Boone
Renewable Energy Coordinator
USDA Rural Development
905 Jefferson St., Suite 320
Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
(337) 262-6601 ext. 133
kevin.boone@la.usda.gov
Join LSES
www.lses.org
For only $15 a year you can be a part of the ever growing
Louisiana solar Energy society. You will receive
newsletters and inside information on solar activities in
our state. Dues are easier to pay now through Paypal.
Join ASES
www.ases.org
ASES has instituted dual individual membership tracks
keeping in tact the core membership group of professionals,
scientists and academics (Professional Membership, $89),
and adding a level specifically designed for the end user
and advocate (Basic Membership, $39).
Join ASE
www.ase.org
it’s free! And you will receive periodic updates
from the alliance to save energy.
Louisiana Solar Energy Society
5261 Highland Rd. #217, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
e-mail: info@lses.org web: www.lses.org
Director – Jeff Shaw
Newsletter – Sarah Harris