In 2009, Italy became the second fastest growing solar market in the world. With SunEdison’s completion of the 70 MW Rovigo solar plant, Italy is now home to the largest single PV power plant in Europe. Supportive policies and (more recently) efforts to improve the authorization process are contributing to this growth.
Recently Joel Rutsky of our Conservation Department was awarded a scholarship from SEPA
and participated in a Fact Finding Mission Italy with the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). The purpose of the trip to Italy was to learn more and promote Solar Electric Power here in the United States. The group visited two solar power plants. One was a 70 megawatt outside of Venice and the other was an 84 megawatt outside of Rome. They also saw the 221 KW solar array that is in the Vatican City.The SEPA team also met with the Italian Trade Commission and Enel which is the company that manages the majority of the Italian electric grid. They were very helpful in giving them the facts of these solar projects and how they were integrated into their system. What they learned:
This was an invaluable learning experience and an unparalleled opportunity to network. They met with key utility players as well as representatives from the Italian government and the solar industry as well as other solar stakeholders to visit several solar power plants.
Joel says that he will use everything he learned in Italy to advance solar energy in Lake Worth. He invites all of you to the second annual Conservation Expo, set for 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. this Wednesday at the Cultural Plaza just east of the city library. Come on down and learn how to conserve and save money. He says, "Please try to stop by and say hi. There will be some Solar contractors there as well as The Great American Bathroom Tour which is a truck that tours the country to promote water conservation. It is a walk through display. Hope to see you there."
6 comments:
Way to go Joel baby and LW Utilities.
I remember him. He did an audit at my house. Nice guy. I think I'm saving some money to boot.
One of the ONLY things the anarchist did FOR Lake Worth legal residents was the push to conserve. If we can keep up the idea to offer "FEED IN TARIFFS", we might just be able to lure business (I know, it's a bad word) to Lake Worth.
Lots of new businesses are moving to Lake Worth. Where have you been beside running your mouth and complaing about everything?
Joel is one of our best in the conservation department. He was also a great code enforcement officer. Great story on Joel.
Lyn,
Excellent story on Joel. Just an added tidbit to the article Lyn. The City finally has listened to my pleas over the last two years about the exorbitant permit fee of 3% for solar installation. Well now there is up to a $1,500.00 permit fee credit given to all Lake Worth residents submitting permit requests for photo voltaic installs! Hooray for Lake Worth Energy Conservation's Joel Rutsky for being an advocate for this incentive. Joel is a valuable asset to our city. We are lucky to have him and his quality team that work hard to make this program what it is today.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Parrilla
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