Volume 24 No. 4 Winter 2001/2002Carolina Sun

Published by North Carolina Solar Energy Association

NCSEA Spreading the Word:Solar Home Tour—Annual Meeting—Renewable Energy FairLet the Sunshine in!

It was a very busy fall for the NCSolar Energy Association. The NCSEA’snew and expanded Solar Home Tourtook place on October 12-13, 2001 inWake County. The tour was launchedon Friday by an evening session where

over 150 solar fans, supporters and themerely curious gathered around horsd’œuvres and beverages. During thehour-long presentation, speakers suchas Richard Harkrader of NCSEA, LarryShirley of NC State Energy Office, JoeSedlak and Dona Stankus from the NC

Solar Center and Phil Bisesi of Ad-vanced Energy addressed the audienceon solar news and issues.

Continued on page 3

Inside:Letter from the Chair 2Outgoing Board Members,New Board Members, etc. 2Letter from the E.D. 3Its time to kick the carbon habit! 4In Memorium 5Annual Report 2000-2001 6NCSEA T-shirt and Hat 9Enroll or Renew as a Member 9Annual Appeal! 10Thanks to our Sponsors/Donors: 11Solar Center News 12Of Note 16

NCSEA has a new name —

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association!In its last meeting of 2001, the

NCSEA Board approved changing thename of our Association to the NorthCarolina Sustainable Energy Association.This was not a hasty decision, but onethat grew out of a process started in thefall of 1997, when the Board formed avision committee to plan for the future.At the 1997 annual meeting, the Boardproposed and the membership approvedthe changing of our bylaws to includeall renewable technologies and energyefficiency. This fall, all 320 current

members received a postcard poll askingabout changing the name of the Associa-tion, partnering with other environmentalgroups and what should be the primarywork of the Association. 143 membersreplied to the poll (45%) and they wereoverwhelmingly in favor of changingthe name to North Carolina SustainableEnergy Association (88%), to reach outand form partnership and coalitions withother groups (90%) and concentrate oneducation and advocacy (77%).

Now the hard work begins to capital-ize on our new name with a big public-ity campaign in the spring includingpress releases, our new web site and theexpanded publication we are planning.Our goal, of course, is to attract manynew members to the organization andto achieve more successes in our advo-cacy. It’s an exciting time to be workingon clean energy, many good things arepossible, and NCSEA can make themhappen. N

Phil Bisesi discusses geothermal heat pumps with attendees.

Pasc

ale

Rose

main

NORTH CAROLINA SOLARENERGY ASSOCIATIONPO Box 6465Raleigh, NC 27628-6465Tel. (919) 832-7601E-Mail: ncsea@mindspring.comhttp://www.ncsolar.org

2001 Board of Directors

Chair: Richard HarkraderNew Morning Solar Realty

Vice Chair: Dona Stankus, AIANC Solar Center

Secretary: Lisa WilsonDesign Collaboration

Treasurer: Robert SmithThe Leaflight Commons Business Program

Past Chair: Hank WallWood Wise Design & Remodeling

Phil BisesiAdvanced Energy

Bob LekerState Energy Office

Pascale RosemainInnovative Design

Joe SedlakNC Solar Center

Ghasem ShahbaziNC A&T State University

Michael ShoreEnvironmental Defense

Tom WillsSolar Consultants

Executive Director: Cindi Courter

CAROLINA SUNis a publication of the NCSolar Energy Association (NCSEA), a privatenonprofit organization founded in 1978 tocommunicate with solar enthusiasts and solarbuilding professionals in North Carolina.NCSEA carries out many of its activities incooperation with the NC Solar Center, andencourages the public to contact the SolarCenter (1-800-33-NC SUN) for solar infor-mation.

Managing Editor: Cindi CourterEditorial Board: Richard Harkrader,Pascale Rosemain, Dona Stankus and Tom WillsDesktop composition: Klaus Holder

CAROLINA SUN accepts unsolicitedmanuscripts, artwork, and photographs.All materials are subject to editing.

Letter from the ChairNCSEA in 2001

This is my final report to you asChair of NCSEA. I have served 3 termsas Chair and during these three years,I have dedicated half my working hoursto the causes and administration of theAssociation. It has been a pleasure towork with the Board, the membershipand the Executive Director to carry onthe “good fight”. We all owe a big thankyou to departing Board members and of-ficers and especially Cindi Courter ourED. Our work on changing North Caro-lina energy production, use and policyhas only begun. There are more opportu-nities for us to achieve a clean, sustain-able energy future than ever before.

This past year the Executive Director,the Treasurer and I have concentratedmuch of our efforts to bringing profes-sional management practices to the ad-ministration of NCSEA and making itrun like a business. We will be starting2002 with a fully functioning, flexibledata base, an accurate accounting system

run by a part time bookkeeper, a payrollservice, a totally redesigned web site,on time publication of our quarterlypublication, an annual report, stream-lined membership categories and a newoffice in Raleigh staffed by a new officemanager. This work prepared the wayfor all our 2001 accomplishments thatare reported later in this issue and laysthe groundwork for future successes.It has been a difficult process for somebecause “this is not the way we used todo things”. In the past we relied on ourvolunteer board and officers to run theorganization and it was hit or miss.Now with the administration in profes-sional hands, we will be better able touse the skills and energy of our Boardand membership to reach out with ourmessage. You can also be assured thatyour donation we are asking you tomake in this issue will be used effi-ciently. N

Richard Harkrader

Outgoing Board Members,New Board Members, Officers, etc.NCSEA is saying good-bye to:

• Hank Wall,Past Chair

• Robert Smith,Treasurer

• Tom Wills

• Bob Leker

All have spent countless hours in chairingcommittees, leading educational initiatives,fundraising initiatives and overseeing the fis-cal health of the organization. The organiza-tion and its membership heartily thank thesededicated individuals for their commitmentin furthering the mission of NCSEA and re-newable energy initiatives.

New Board members starting in January2002 are:

• Matthew Mears,Treasurer(ABB)

• Andrea Gabriel,Secretary(State Energy Office)

• Ned Doyle (Event Coordinator for SEE theFuture)

• Tom Henkel (Duke Solar)

• Jonathan Powell, Architect (MHA Architects)

• Chris Wachholz (Divers Alert Network)

The new Board of Directors join:

• Dona Stankus, Architect,Chair(NC Solar Center)

• Ghasem Shabazi,Rising Chair(NC A&T State University)

• Richard Harkrader, Architect,Past Chair,(New Morning Solar Realty)

• Joe Sedlak (NC Solar Center)

• Phil Bisesi (Advanced Energy)

• Pascale Rosemain (Innovative Design)

• Michael Shore (Environmental Defense)

• Lisa Wilson (Design Collaboration)

NCSEA and its Board of Directors are look-ing forward to a healthy and successful yearfor the association and wish its membershipand partners the same for 2002.N

2 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

Letter fromthe E.D.

This was a year ofbuilding partnershipsand forging new andimproved relation-ships with old andnew partnering or-ganizations. The ma-

jority of the goals and priorities setforth in the Annual Retreat in Januarywere met, even though these were3-5 year goals. This was a year of“spreading the word and work ofNCSEA” and building the member-ship. Paying memberships have in-creased by 30% over last year and newmemberships have increased over58% in comparison to the previousyear. Fiscally, NCSEA is healthy andon track for growth of programs,membership and advocacy work.The organization is poised for leader-ship in the renewable energy arena.

I will be leaving my position asExecutive Director the end of Januaryto pursue a more sustainable lifestylein the Blue Ridge Mountains of southcentral Virginia. This year has quali-fied, for me, the dream to live on our12 acres along the Smith River. I thankall of you for the opportunity yougave me to serve as your ExecutiveDirector these past twelve months. Ihave accepted the joint position ofGrantwriter for the county-wideschool system and local agencies.I am leaving with good thoughts andbest wishes for the continued successof the association in the future.

NCSEA has hired Mark Ginsbergto fill the position of Office Managerfor the association. The associationhas made huge leaps this year and isin the process of transitioning to anew office. We will have more newsin the next issue, and/or visit ourwebsite. N

Best Wishes for Peace and Prosper-ity in the New Year.

Yours in Sustainable Energy,Cindi Courter, Executive Director

Spreading the WordContinued from page 1

Following the presentations were aseries of 20-minute round-table discus-sions where professionals discussedsolar technologies, design, concept andapplications with the audience. Thethemes selected this year were “PassiveSolar Design”, “Solar Hot Water”, “TheNew Expanded Renewable Energy TaxCredits”, “Off-Grid Homes”, “Geother-mal Heat Pumps”, “Energy Efficiency/Energy Star” and “High Efficiency Fire-places, Stoves and Masonry Heaters”.

On Saturday, six houses—the WilsonResidence, the Dunlap/Leis Residence,the Hillman Residence/Offices, theNicklas/Luster Residence, the EnertiaHome and the NC Solar House— wereopen for visits. These residences fea-

tured a large variety of passive solardesigns, active solar technologies andenergy-efficient strategies. Some of thehouses had more than 100 visitors.

Continued on page 15

Seven 20-minute round-table discussions followed the Solar Home Tour Friday night presentations.

Lynn Carter, Solar Village Institute, shares infor-mation with members at booth at the Friday eve-ning presentations of the Solar Home Tour.

Shawn Fitzpatrick discusses PV at one of the Friday night round table discussions.

Pasc

ale

Rose

main

Robert

Sm

ithR

obert

Sm

ith

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 3

Its time to kick the carbon habit!by Richard Harkrader

No more excuses. We all know thebad news—North Carolina is sufferingfrom smog, acid rain, mercury andnutrification of our coastal waters. Thecanaries are not singing, but yelling forus to stop, take stock of what we aredoing and change our habits, especiallyour energy habits.

Being an avid fisherman, the laststraw for me was the warnings not toeat large fish especially large mouthbass and king mackerel from easternNorth Carolina waters. For severalyears I had avoided the other warningsall around me. Having visited MountMitchell when we hosted the ‘96 Na-tional Solar Conference in Asheville,I knew that there were serious problemsin our mountains at high elevations.But I could kid myself that this was anisolated problem in a rare, non-nativeecosystem. Then, Harvard Ayers, whoheads Appalachian Voices and is aleader in the North Carolina Clean AirCoalition, pointed out that large areasof North Carolina native trees—oaks,sycamores and poplars, are dying atlower elevations in our mountains. Hethen adds emphasis to this with aerialphotos from West Virginia of the incred-ible destruction of “mountain top re-moval” which supplies us with the coalto burn for our electricity.

From this bad news comes my passionfor renewable energy. But, I am continu-ally reminded that despite the interestof everyone I talk to, NCSEA has onlya small impact. Take our issue of install-ing solar technologies and getting themin the main stream. Despite many yearsof NCSEA promotion, our hard working,dedicated renewable energy companies,many of whom are major supporters,are struggling to survive. Solar hotwater, which provides an outstanding10% to 15% tax-free return on your in-vestment and each one avoids 2 tons ofcarbon releases each year, languishes!PV, the sexy darling of the solar world,is found at only a few North Carolinalocations, while hundreds of dieselstandby generators are installed eachyear. What do we need to do?

First, each of us, individually, needsto lead by example. The first step iseasy, wear your NCSEA T’s and hatseverywhere and when someone asksabout solar energy get them to joinNCSEA. Second, if you don’t have asolar water heater install one THISYEAR in a prominent location for allto see. Call NCSEA for a referral if youneed the name of a member contractorin your area. Third, become familiarwith and support our advocacy work.To get you started, a two-part articleentitled, “NC Energy Policy Primer”was printed in the Summer and Fall2001 issues. With California electricutility deregulation, Bush advocating“burning” our way out of current en-ergy problems and NC about to cleanup our 14 coal fired power plants in thenews; we need to be informed and heard.

Lastly, together we need to find waysto grow and fund a greatly expandedNCSEA. We have been a small playerfor too long. We have an opportunitythat only comes every 20 years, it’s a door die situation. Your Board, ExecutiveDirector and I are exploring ways topartner with other organizations andeffectively reach out to represent otherrenewable technologies and energyefficiency. We need everyone’s help tobring in new people who want to con-tribute to our mission by joining orworking with us. The months aheadwill tell if we will succeed and calmthe canaries.N

Improving homes…Improving lives.

833-3389

woodwisedesign.com

• Sunrooms • Porches• Kitchens • Bathrooms

• Home Offices• Whole House Renovations

Providing turn-keyrenovations, from firstdesigns to final trim.

Residential

Passive Solar Design

Green Architecture

Daylighting

❂

Alicia Ravetto, aia

Architect

❂

400 West Weaver Street

Carrboro, NC 27510

Tel. 919-933-0999

Fax. 919-933-1988

ravetto@mindspring.com

Earth Shareof North Carolina

Support

Help keep North Carolina healthy and green.Look for us in your workplace campaign.

ESNC, PO Box 196, Durham, NC 27702919-687-4840, 800-200-6311

NCSEA is a charter member of ESNC.

(formerly Environmental Federation of North Carolina)

4 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

850 West Morgan St.Raleigh, NC 27603Phone: 919 832 6303

ENERGY EFFICIENT &ENVIRONMENTALLYSENSITIVE DESIGN

Solar Web SitesNorth Carolina Solar Energy Association: www.ncsolar.orgNorth Carolina Solar Center: www.ncsc.ncsu.eduAmerican Solar Energy Society: www.ases.org/solarSolar Energy Industries Association: www.seia.orgUS Department of Energy: www.doe.govMillion Solar Roofs: www.eren.doe.gov/millionroofsNational Renewable Energy Laboratory: www.nrel.govDOE’s Energy Information Agency: www.eia.doe.gov/Worldwatch Institute: www.worldwatch.orgUnion of Concerned Scientists: www.ucsusa.org/energySearchable energy databases: www.internets.com/senergy.htm

In MemoriumNCSEA and the Solar Community Mournthe Loss of Bob Flora

In September, the solar communitylost a huge advocate of solar energy.Bob Flora was a long-time memberof the Association and served as amember of NCSEA’s Board of Di-rectors.

As a general contractor and greenbuilder, Bob constantly hoped to makea difference in the beautiful moun-tains of western North Carolina as tothe kinds of construction his clientschose to do. He promoted the use ofsolar energy whenever and whereverappropriate. Bob was a member ofthe Appalachian State University So-

lar Club and chairman of the ARISEcommittee, a group of peopleeducat-ing the public concerning solar en-ergy and its use through workshops,a library exhibit, and a brochure con-cerning the Million Solar Roofs In-itiative.

Bob was also involved in furnish-ing solar information to youththrough active science curriculumprograms, as well as an after-schoolprogram for thirty students who werevery eager to be involved. Bob will begreatly missed by his family, friendsand the entire solar community.N

RECYCLEDPAPER

BECAUSE WHAT YOUPRINT ON

IS AS IMPORTANTAS WHAT YOU SAY

Grass Roots Press, Inc.401 1/2 W. Peace Street

Raleigh, North Carolina 27603(919) 828-2364

Offset Printing

WE NOW HAVE 100%POST CONSUMER WASTE

RECYCLED PAPER!

Brown & Jones,ArchitectsCharles Brown, AIAWayne Jones, AIA

- dedicated to conscientiousclient service and environmentallyresponsible design and construction

Solar Home Designs

Daylighting

Passive and Active Solar DesignAdditions/Renovations

Renewable Energy Systems

14 North Boylan AvenueRaleigh,NC 27603(919) 831-2625e-mail: wayne@brownandjones.com

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 5

Annual Report 2000-2001Through a tremendous amount of hard

work, initiative, questioning and goingoutside the box, NC Solar Energy Associa-tion met the majority of its goals set forthat the Annual Retreat in January 2001.

The following is an overview ofactivities and accomplishments fromthe various committees:

Policy• Green Power—NCSEA is a leading

player in creating a successful greenenergy program. Board membersMichael Shore and Richard Harkraderhave been working very hard on thisproject all year. We hope that allNorth Carolina electric consumerswill have the option of purchasingrenewable generated electricity bythe middle of 2002.

• Net-metering—Net-metering is stillin play, both in the NC Legislatureand at the NC Utilities Commission.Our net-metering bill did not pass inApril, but we hope that with helpfrom the Solar Center and allies inthe environmental community tohave a rule or bill in place in 2002.

• Powering the South Report—Richard Harkrader, NCSEA Chair,assisted in the report “Powering theSouth,” a study focusing on renewableand energy efficiency resources andopportunities in North Carolina andthe Southeast. The report will beavailable in January 2002.

• Public Benefit Fund—Throughoutthe year, NCSEA’s Policy Committeemembers have lead the advocacy workfor creating a $20 - $100 million Pub-lic Benefit Fund for energy efficiency,renewables and low- income needs.Numerous meetings and a large publicforum were held with legislators,regulators and our environmental,energy efficiency and low-incomeallies in 2001. The 2002 short sessionof the Legislature will be the criticaltime for passage of legislation.

• NCSEA became a stakeholder in theU.S. Department of Energy’s CleanCities Program.

• Clean Smokestacks Legislation—NCSEA and other members of theNC Clean Air Coalition, workedvery hard in the 2001 session of theLegislature to address air qualityproblems through the Clean Smoke-stacks initiative. If passed, thelegislation would clean up NC’s 14coal-fired power plants. The CleanSmokestacks bill passed in the NCSenate in April 2001, but stalled inthe House due to industrial oppositionto the cost.(Michael Shore, NCSEABoard Member and the air specialistat Environmental Defense is theprimary author of the Clean Smoke-stacks report and legislation.)

Membership• This year, one of NCSEA’s primary

goals was to increase membership.Paying memberships increased by

30% over the previous year. Directmail methodology, tracking and useof an incentive were utilized. Allperformed within budget.

• New memberships increased by over58% in comparison to the previousyear. By increasing membershipinvolvement, a greater awarenessand demand for statewide renewableenergy industries and technologieswill be created.

• The membership committee alsodeveloped a comprehensive, broad-based survey with input from manysources that will be mailed out soon.A test pilot of the membership surveywas completed by distributing it tocurrent Board members, past Boardchairs and a small, random samplingof members who attended the RaleighSolar Home Tour. The survey willgive the association the necessaryinformation in order to determinewhether and how to expand member-ship benefits, along with other criticalinformation.

• Reviewed new membership levelsproposed by the ED and made sug-gestions concerning minor changes.

• The broadcast email policy wasadopted.

• Supported ED in her efforts to removethe free membership from the SolarHome Tour because of cost implica-tions and non-renewal of this type ofmembership.

Continued on page 7

ShelterEcology

Environmentally Focused -Consultation • Design • Product Sales

& Architectural Collaborationfor Building and Interiors

email: sheltereco@aol.comwebsite: www.ioa.com/~shelterecology

43 Pineridge Dr. • Asheville, NC 28804

C M PINDY EEHAN- ATTON

828-251-5888Allied Member, A.S.I.D.

DesignDesignCollaborationCollaboration

www.designcol laborat ion.com

Sustainable Residential Design&

Facilitation of Participatory Workshops forCommunity Development

Telephone: 919 557 0870Fax: 919 567 8121

P.O. Box 55Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526-9352

6 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

Annual Report 2000-2001Continued from page 6

Communications• NCSEA improved and maintained our

website throughout the year. With thecollaboration of Richard Harkrader,Tom Wills and webmaster, PabloTorres, a new, greatly expanded web-site will be launched in early 2002.

• NCSEA produced four handsomeand artistic issues of theCarolinaSunduring 2001. Formatting wasimproved and costs tracked.

• In addition, thousands ofCarolinaSunswere distributed state-wide toeducate policymakers, the community,potential members, universities, andbusinesses and to build increasedawareness of the organization, itsmission and the issues surroundingrenewable energy technologies.

• This was a year of building partner-ships with all parts of the renewableand efficiency industry, includingthe State Energy Office, AdvancedEnergy, ABB, NC Solar Center,Western North Carolina Alliance,Save Our State, and EnvironmentalDefense. NCSEA received new andrenewed support and financial con-tributions from these groups in 2001.

• An historical archive was createdfor NCSEA.

• An historical timeline coveringtwenty-three years of NCSEA’s majormilestones was created, showing thedepth and breadth of the organiza-tion for future funding sources.

Education• Conducted work on mobile class-

room initiative with a group ofarchitects, Wake County Schools,State Office of Energy and otheragencies and organizations.

• Board members and Executiveworked with Solar Center, schoolsystems, universities and educationalorganizations to further developK-12 initiatives on renewable energy.

• Workshops, seminars, forums andmeetings were conducted throughoutthe state, including, but not limited to:Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Research Trian-gle Park, Asheville and Greensboro.

• Two meetings, including round-tablediscussions, were held on the even-ing of October 12th before the SolarHome Tour, and on November 3rd atthe Annual Meeting, engaging over150 and 80 people respectively.

• NCSEA was a major sponsor of thefirst renewable energy fair of its kindin North Carolina (“SEE the Future”October 19-21, 2001 in Asheville.)Through numerous presentations ontax credits, use of fossil fuel energyand air quality, green building, andsolar hot water heating, NCSEAbrought its message to the 4500attendees at the three-day event.

• Provided community education onrenewable energy issues and tech-nologies at various Earth Day eventsin April 2001.

• Provided instructional workshops inschool classrooms to educate studentson renewable energy issues andbuild environmental awareness.

Solar Home Tour• The Solar Home Tour was conducted

in conjunction with the NC SolarCenter October 12-13, 2001.

• Major sponsors were State EnergyOffice, NC Solar Center, Z. SmithReynolds Foundation, Fred Stanbackand the Salisbury Community Foun-dation, Advanced Energy, InnovativeDesign, Duke Solar, Brown & JonesArchitects, Enertia Building Systems,Inc. and New Morning Solar Realty.

• The number of sponsors totaled 25.

• The event had a 50% increase inattendance of the Friday night eventover the previous year.

• Overall, the event had an increasedattendance of 26.4% over theprevious year.

• The event generated nearly $5,000 ofmuch needed income to fund our asso-ciation and future education projects.

• NCSEA coordinated with, marketedand publicized other solar hometours throughout the state includingthe areas of Boone, WrightsvilleBeach and Asheville.

• Additional information regardingthe Solar Home Tour can be readon page 1.

Continued on page 8

of Chatham County, Inc.

New Homes / AdditionsIn a Variety of Housing Styles,and Prices

1459 Redbud RoadPittsboro, N.C. 27312

919-542-5361

Paul Konove

Solar Design / Construction / Consulting / Training

Promoting Solar and Environmentally Attuned Construction

Carolina Country Builders

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 7

Finance/Development• Accounting, financial controls, credit

card processing, accounts receivableand payable all ended the year inexcellent shape. The Treasurer, EDand Chair all worked hard to ensurethat NCSEA operates as a well-runbusiness.

• Retained earnings are sufficient forthe first four months of 2002 activitiesand provide for a contingency fundof 15% of the operating budget.Expenses have been reduced pendingincreased fundraising in 2002.

• NCSEA program needs, based onlong-range planning goals and ex-pressed desires of the membership,are three times our current funding.Fundraising for maintaining currentprograms—such as our publicationand the solar home tour along withbeginning new programs, such as thelaunch of green power in NC andestablishing a Public Benefit Fund—will be a top priority in 2001-2002.

Information Technology• NCSEA contracted with web designer,

Pablo Torres, to fix and enhance avery “user unfriendly” database.The organization now has a fullyintegrated and functional database.

• Ongoing system update and main-tenance through ongoing membershipactivity, including, but not limited to

new membership, renewing mem-bership and donor activity.

• New system is easily queried forinformation output and analysis, thusgiving the organization the necessarytools to make informed decisions.

• NCSEA creates new, expandedwebsite to educate North Caroliniansabout renewable energy.

Future Vision• NCSEA will be a leader and advocate

for green power, increased renewableenergy technology usage, and a cleanand sustainable environment statewide.

• NCSEA and all renewable energystakeholders must build an infra-structure that will bring renewableenergy manufacturers and businessesto North Carolina.

• North Carolina and the entire countrywill build 100+ developments ofsolar homes and homes using otherrenewable energy technologies.

• On an Association level, the Member-ship Committee’s vision is as follows:

• Compile results of the pilot member-ship survey and adjust the overallsurvey as needed.

• Complete mailing of the final mem-bership survey to all members.

• Compile and analyze results of thefinal membership survey, and dis-

seminate the information to the Boardand membership via theCarolina Sun.

• Implement at least one initiative in2002 identified in the survey thatappears viable to the organization.

• Brainstorm with new office managerto formulate and implement a plan toincrease membership by 25% whileretaining current membership.

ConclusionNCSEA had a very positive and pro-

ductive year in 2001. We have workedlong hours, greatly improved our Asso-ciation’s operations, and increased mem-bership and income. In order to realizegrowth and potential, many times “theenvelope” must be pushed. This past year,our Executive Director, Cindi Courter,and the Board of Directors questionedmany of the long-standing practices andoperations of the Association. In addition,the Board and Officers are more adept innonprofit management practices thanthey were in the past.

This translates into an associationable to advocate and fulfill its missionfor promoting renewable energy morefully with its stakeholders and constitu-ents. In May, the NCSEA Board ofDirectors began a strategic planninginitiative to create a five-year plan andto continue improving the functioningand effectiveness of the Association.We look forward to a successful andpositive 2002. N

TotalIncome$103,590

Education$6,200.00

Communications$9,488.04

General Administration/Member Services$37,783.87

Earth Day$16,691.68

Solar Home Tour$10,029.00

Policy$20,900.00

FY 2000-2001 NCSEA’s Total Income

TotalExpense$78,961

Policy$6,533.58

Solar Home Tour$11,722.50

Earth Day$1,764.00

General Administration/Member Services$33,263.87

Communications$19,339.02

Education$5,856.75

FY 2000-2001 NCSEA’s Total Expenses

Note: EarthDay 2000 and its associated expenses were in the previous fiscal year, while income was received during the 2000-2001 accounting period, over-stating actual 2000-2001 income.

8 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

NCSEA T-shirt and Hat Order FormName: ___________________________________________________________________________

Company: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (__________) __________________________________________________________

E-Mail: __________________________________________________________________________

$15 each includes postage and handlingT-shirts available in M, L, and XL, light blue, light green, athletic gray, or organic cotton natural.Hats available in purple, forest green, or khaki with forest green bill.

Qty. T-shirt Hat Color Size Total Amount

Check / Money orderCharge my credit card

Visa/MC _______ _______ _______ _______ Exp. Date _______ Total $ ___________

Signature ______________________________ Date ___________

Enroll or Renew as a NCSEA Member Today!The North Carolina Solar EnergyAssociation and the AmericanSolar Energy Society (its parentorganization) rely on people likeyou for support of solar activities.Join now! Sign up a businessassociate, a client, or a friend.

NCSEA Membership CategoriesNew MemberRenewing Member

Individual: $30Professional: $50Corporate: $95Sustaining: $250Student: $15ASES: $55(Special Rate for NCSEAmembers; includesSolar Todaymagazine)

Referred by: _________________________________________________________

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Company: ___________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: _______________________________________________________

Telephone: (__________) ______________________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________

Check / Money orderCharge my credit card

Visa/MC ________ ________ ________ ________ Exp. Date _________

Date __________ Total $ _________ Signature ___________________

Yes, I would liketo become aNCSEA LifeMember! bypaying $1000.Payment Choice:

My full payment of $1000 is enclosed.4 quarterly payments of $250 (we will process firstcredit card payment within 30 days of receipt).My check is enclosed.Please charge my credit card.Life Members receive a free t-shirt: (Please choose size and color:med., lrg, xl / light blue, light green, athletic gray or organic cotton natural).

Please accept my contribution to helpNCSEA fulfill its mission of supportingand promoting renewable energy practicesthroughout North Carolina.

My gift of $___________ is enclosed.

N

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 9

Annual Appeal—Your Gift is Needed and Appreciated!December 2001

The year 2002 marks the 24th anni-versary of the North Carolina SolarEnergy Association. With the supportof its membership and generous donors,NCSEA has established many land-marks in statewide renewable energyinitiatives and consumer educationand outreach.

In the last two years, NCSEA organ-ized and sponsored Capital Earth Day2000 in downtown Raleigh; NCSEApushed a renewable energy manufactur-ers’ tax credit for NC businesses throughthe state legislature; thousands of NorthCarolinians learned about solar homes,geothermal technology, and green build-ing through multiple Solar Home Toursand activities throughout the state; mul-tiple statewide workshops have beenconducted in the promotion of renew-able energy in utility restructuring; andNCSEA has successfully educated hun-dreds of industry professionals and thecommunity in the benefits of using re-newable energy technologies over fossilfuel sources.

This year, NCSEA focused on netmetering, the public benefits fund, agreen pricing program, and the CleanSmokestacks initiative. NCSEA becamea stakeholder in the US Department ofEnergy’s Clean Cities Program andpositioned itself for further expansionand statewide presence. NCSEA was amajor sponsor of “SEE The Future—The Southern Energy & EnvironmentalExposition,” the first renewable energyfair held in NC. Through this venue,NCSEA reached and educated nearly4,500 people from NC, TN, SC, GA andas far as Mississippi with our mission.

I am writing to good friends like youto see if you can help us again. Or, ifyou have never made a gift to NCSEA,won’t you please consider one today?

No other organization inthe state solely sharesNCSEA’s mission. WithoutNCSEA, many importantquestions about renewableenergy would not onlyremain unchallenged,but unanswered.

Twenty-five years ago, no one inNorth Carolina ever dreamed that theywould have to deal with the standard ofair quality we are dealing with today.The fact that our children, on somedays, cannot play outdoors because it isa “Red Ozone Alert Day” is a frighten-ing situation.

In a recent study, three ofNorth Carolina’s majorpopulation centers:Charlotte, the Triangle,and Greensboro now ranknationally as 8th—11th—and 25th respectively, in airquality, pollution and smog.

One of the major causes of our airquality problem is the way North Caro-lina produces it energy. Coal firedpower plants emit harmful chemicalsinto our air causing poor air quality.This is compounded by the increasein the number of cars on the roads.

What can you do about this problem?You can help us to educate the people

of this state and others about energy ef-ficiency and to promote the benefits ofusing renewable energy techniques. Ingenerating electricity by the means ofsolar, wind, micro-hydro and biomass—clean sources of energy—our airquality would significantly improve.

Your gift will help NCSEA,through committees,conferences, the SolarHome Tour, workshops,and community outreachprograms to schools,colleges and universities,to increase publicawareness and take action.

Your generous gift, no matter howgreat or small, will help NCSEA fulfillits mission in the coming year. Remem-ber, NCSEA is the only not for profitorganization in North Carolina dedi-cated exclusively to the advancement ofa sustainable energy future through thepromotion of renewable energy tech-nologies including solar, wind, micro-hydro, geothermal, biofuels and energyefficiency. N

Yours in Sustainable Energy,

Cindi Courter, M.A., Executive Director

Remember, North Carolina Solar EnergyAssociation (NCSEA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exemptorganization. All contributions to NCSEA areconsidered charitable donations and tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.NCSEA also accepts donations from corporatematching gift programs and gifts of stocks andsecurities. Please check with your company tosee if it has a matching gift program.

Have a laptop computer to donate?Your gift will greatly help NCSEA with our new office!

Please call Mark at (919) 832-7601.

10 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

NCSEA Pledge Card

Name

Address City

Fax

Exp.

Company

State

E-Mail

ZIP

Telephone

Visa/MC #

Signature

Date

I would like to make monthly contributions of

Check attached or

in 2002.$I would like to make one contribution now of

Charge my credit card

$

Please mail check or credit card info and this signed form to:

North Carolina Solar Energy AssociationPO Box 6465Raleigh, NC 27628-6465

NThank youfor yourgenerousdonation!

Become a Friend of NCSEA Today!

Thanks to our Sponsors/Donors:Benefactors $25,000 and aboveZ. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Renewable Energy Guardians$5,000 - $24,999Fred Stanback and the Salisbury

Community FoundationMary Norris Preyer FundNorth Carolina Solar CenterState Energy Office

Ambassador Circle $1000 - $4,999Catherine W. ElkinsDesign CollaborationDuke SolarInnovative DesignNew Morning Solar RealtyWood Wise Design & Remodeling

Circle of the Sun $500 - $999Advanced EnergyBrown & Jones ArchitectsEnertia Building Systems, Inc.

Friends $100 - $499Al PlattAlicia Ravetto, AIA - ArchitectAndy RiddleBeaver BrothersBizios ArchitectsBuckhorn RidgeCapitol Homes, Inc.Carolina Country Builders of

Chatham CountyChris LarsenDesign HarmonyDona StankusFarrell ThomasFireplace EditionsFrank Cole Building CompanyFredric and Lanier BlumGiles Blunden ArchitectHeartwood RealtyHicks WaterstovesJim Smith

Kristen and Stephen DeskevichLou GericsMichael StallingsPhil MayrandRedstone RealtyRestoration WoodworksSally Beth and Michael ShoreSolar ConsultantsSolar Village InstituteSundog BuildersTom Wills

Life MembersRichard HarkraderRobert LeePeter and Ona PickensJames and Mary SereneLarry ShirleyBrad StanbackFred Stanback, Jr.

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 11

Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center

NORTH CAROLINA

SOLAR CENTER

Solar Center NewsNorth Carolina State University • Box 7401 • Raleigh, NC 27695-7401 • (919) 515-3480 or 800-33-NC SUN

Industrial Extension ServiceCOLLEGE of ENGINEERINGNorth Carolina State University

Solar Center News Winter 2001/2002Upcoming Events at theSolar Center

Several events sponsored by the SolarCenter are coming to you this Winter/Early Spring. Call us at 919-515-3480or 1-800-33-NC-SUN for additional in-formation. Phone tip for the auto atten-dance system: if you press 0, you havea higher chance of getting a live personon your first call!

• Green Power in NC CertificationWorkshop January 14

• PV for Electricians Workshop inDurham March 15 and 16

• Green Building education andhands-on design Workshop inGreensboro(may be broadcast inBoone, Charlotte, Greenville andRaleigh) March 22

• Sustainable Design Competition,location to be announced April 26and 27

Solar Home Tour inAsheville, NC

The Solar Center sponsored a SolarHome Bus Tour in Asheville in conjunc-tion with the SEE the Future EnergyExposition in October. Eric Soderbergcoordinated the event, which included4 outstanding examples of solar houses.Beach Barrett of Thermacraft, Inc. nearAsheville made the arrangements for

the homes that were showcased. He andGreg Olsen of UNC-Asheville were thetour guides and did a great job. About65 people participated in the tour, with50 on the bus and another 15 followingin private cars. A slight mishap occurredat the first house when the passengerbus could not make it up the 1.5 milemountain dirt road and proceeded to getstuck as it backed down the road. Fortu-nately, the people in cars following thebus were able to ferry bus passengersto the house while waiting for the towtruck to arrive and the tour continuedforward. Eric’s new question is ‘does itat least have gravel?’

20th Anniversary/SolarUpdate bring out theStars in Renewables

On Nov. 2, the Solar Center hosteda reception to celebrate twenty yearsof demonstration at the NCSU SolarHouse. Joe Sedlak and Carole Coblecoordinated the event that was also usedto introduce the many new faces at theCenter to the existing Community. HerbEckerlin was presented a plaque for hisinvaluable contributions over the yearsas well as his tenacity in getting thehouse built in the beginning. Among themany renewable luminaries speaking atthe event moderated by Teri Helmlingerof the Industrial Extension Service wereDave Garman, assistant secretary of re-newable energy for US Department of

Energy (DOE), Larry Shirley, directorof the State Energy Office, and DougCulbreth of US DOE-Atlanta.

The following day, many of the sameluminaries spoke on the topic of what ishappening in renewable energy at theSolar Update including David Garman,Larry Shirley, Brad Collins of theAmerican Solar Energy Society andGlenn Hammer of the Solar EnergyIndustries Association.

Energy-10 workshop inCharlotte

The Solar Center held a very success-ful hands-on computer workshop intro-ducing the energy analysis softwarepackage Energy-10 at UNC-Charlotte inNovember. Funded by the State EnergyOffice, Dona Stankus coordinated theworkshop and assisted Alicia Ravettowho taught a mixture of architectural,engineering and other building profes-sionals as well as several university/community college professors/instructorsresponsible for building programs inNorth Carolina’s higher education sys-tem.

Continued on page 8

The NC Solar Center is sponsored by the StateEnergy Office, NC Department ofAdministration, in cooperation with NorthCarolina State University. However, anyopinions, findings, conclusions, orrecommendations expressed herein are those ofthe author(s) and do not necessarily reflect theviews of the State Energy Office, NC

North CarolinaDepartment of Administration

State Energy Office

12 CAROLINA SUN Winter 2001/2002

Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center • Solar Center

Mike Beaver

807 Corporate CircleSalisbury, NC 28147(704) 637-9595 Phone(704) 636-3764 Fax

“Since 1919”Heating • Air ConditioningSolar Energy

B e a v e r B r o t h e r s , I n c . Not only Solar — but Sustainable

Not only Solar — but Geothermal

Not only Solar — but Economical

98% Renewable/Recycled Materials in our Kits

For Summer cooling as well as Winter heating

Precut Numbered Kits - Free Delivery in NC

Visit our Website at: http://enertia.comP.O. Box 58442, Raleigh, NC 27658Tel. (919) 556-0177

ENERTIA BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC.

Continued from page 7

Sustainable BuilderIncentive Program TaskForce

The Solar Center is forming a short-term task force to look at the needs ofNorth Carolina building professionalsin the implementation of a statewidesustainable builder program similar tomore than 28 city-based builder pro-grams across the US. Representativesfrom the residential building industrywho are encouraged to participate in-clude the following: appraisers, archi-tects, builders, contractors, developers,engineers, financiers, home-energy rat-ers, inspectors, material and installationsub-contractors and realtors. If inter-ested, please contact Dona Stankus at919-513-0307 for additional informa-tion.

Crawlspace ResearchShawn Fitzpatrick and CC Maurer are

working under sub contract to AdvancedEnergy Corporation to investigate“Energy and Moisture PerformanceCharacteristics of Ventilated vs. SealedCrawlspaces in the South”. Weatherdata, indoor data and crawlspace dataare being logged and monitored for 12newly constructed Habitat for Humanityhomes in Princeville. The monitoring isbeing used to compare the performanceof sealed (experimental) and ventilated(control) crawlspaces. The initial phaseof the study will be completed near theend of February 2002, and may run for

two more years pending a favorable re-view for funding by the US DOE.

DSIRE: New Website!In October, Sue Gouchoe and Valerie

Everette rolled out the re-designedDSIRE website funded by the InterstateRenewable Energy Council (IREC).The website has new graphics, reorgan-ized information and an interactive mapof the US. Valerie presented the newwebsite to the many users in Californiaat the Utility Photovoltaic ExperienceConference held in San Jose. Staff con-tinues to update the website on a daily

basis (downloaded weekly) and youconnect with Database of State Incen-tives for Renewable Energy atwww.dsireusa.org.

Policy Workshop onGreen Pricing

Steve Kalland, resident policy guru,coordinated a Green Power Workshopin October funded by the State EnergyOffice, the National Renewable EnergyLaboratory, ABB and Advanced Energywith approximately 50 attendees. Thepurpose of the workshop was to iden-tify and educate participants on the keyissues in a successful green electricityprogram. The event provided a forumfor technical questions to assist theGreen Pricing Advisory Committee increating the best possible program forNorth Carolina. A second workshop isplanned for January 2002 (see upcom-ing events) and a Southeast Regionalworkshop on this issue is expected tobe conducted in mid-May, 2002.N

Dona

Sta

nku

s

Shawn and Rob crawl out of the depths of heattransfer/moisture research, outfitted for workerprotection.

Go Solar!• • • • • • •

Take Advantageof

North Carolina’sIncome

Tax Credit

Go Solar!• • • • • • •

Take Advantageof

North Carolina’sIncome

Tax Credit

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 13

Giles Blunden Architect

Custom Home DesignRemodeling and Additions

Solar DesignCohousing Development

919-967-8505

Giles Blunden Architect

Custom Home DesignRemodeling and Additions

Specializing In

Solar DesignCohousing Development

919-967-8505

GoSolar!

GoSolar!

David Hillman

Windows, Doors & Millwork

8101 Brownleigh Drive • Raleigh, NC 27612Office Ph. 919-783-5386 • Office Fax 919-783-9003

raleighspecialty

products INC

No matter how talented a builder is, every projecthinges on the products he uses. That’s why the bestuse Andersen Windows. No other window complements a builder’swork so well. Or delivers satisfaction for so long. Looking for abuilder? Remember this: Great builders and great window go together.

®

Spreading the WordContinued from page 3

This year’s Solar Home Tour was ahuge success with a total of 254 attendeesfor both events—26% increase from lastyear and 50% more attendance to the Fri-day evening session. The 26 sponsors pro-vided nearly $17,000 in monetary and in-kind gifts. The tour registrations, productsales and memberships generated over$3,700 in income for the association. Theevent raised nearly $5,000 for NCSEA.

Many thanks to all the volunteers, oursponsors, homeowners and visitors whohelped make this event exciting and in-teresting. We are looking forward tokeeping up with the effort for the 2002Solar Home Tour. If you know of any re-sidences that could possibly be includedin the tour next year, of if you have anysuggestion on how to improve the Fridaynight session, please share them with us.

Renewable Energy FairLess than one week later, found sev-

eral of us at the first Renewable EnergyFair in North Carolina, SEE the Future, inAsheville. Modeled after the renewableenergy fair held in June in Wisconsin,this one had 4500 attendees over thethree days, setting a new record for firsttime renewable energy fairs. NCSEAwas a major sponsor of the event and

immensely enjoyed having the opportu-nity to speak with so many interestedpeople and make numerous presentationson renewable energy subjects.

Annual MeetingThe McKimmon Center at NC State

University in Raleigh was the site for the

Annual Meeting and Solar Update onNovember 3rd. Approximately 80 peopleattended and enjoyed presentations bythe Department of Energy, Atlanta Re-gional Energy Office and local/state per-sonalities, along with lunch, round tablediscussions and displays.N

First Renewable Energy Fair in North Carolina, SEE the Future, in Asheville.

Tom Wills educates potential members in NCSEAbooth at SEE the Future.

John Delafield speaks with attendee at NCSEAbooth at SEE the Future.

Ne

dD

oyle

Cin

diC

ourt

er

Cin

diC

ourt

er

Winter 2001/2002 CAROLINA SUN 15

North Carolina Solar Energy AssociationPO Box 6465Raleigh, NC 27628-6465

Non-profit Org.US. Postage Paid

Raleigh, NCPermit No. 1183

Thanks toour Advertisers:

Alicia Ravetto, AIABeaver Brothers

Brown and Jones, ArchitectsCarolina Country Builders

Design CollaborationEnertia Building Systems

Earth Share of North CarolinaGiles Blunden Architect

Grass Roots PressHutton Power SystemsInnovative Design, Inc.

Raleigh Specialty ProductsSelf-Help Credit Union

Shelter EcologySolar Village InstituteWood Wise Design &

Remodeling

Prin

ted

onRe

cycl

edPa

per

Of Note…

■ In November, Advanced Energy,Cardinal Energy, along with otherrenewable energy providers in thestate of North Carolina wereinterviewed for UNC TV’s PBSProgram,NOW.The feature, titled“Alternative Energy,” explained theproposed Green Power fund thatwill allow North Carolina citizensto purchase Green renewable energy.On a monthly basis, UNCNOWPublic Television will also air otherrenewable energy features coveringemerging energy topics from theState Energy Office. Please checkyour television viewing schedulesfor current dates and times.

■ Energy blackouts and clean air re-gulations have thrust on-site powergeneration into the home buildinglimelight. Read this favorable articleabout using solar energy in the homebuilding industry athttp://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/1007402989_991422979.htmlFrom Jane Pulaski,Going Solar Newsletter,IREC

■ In recent months, some of the biggestbuilders in the country—U.S. Home,Morrison Homes, Shea, Beazer, D.R.Horton, Pardee, and others—havesuddenly, unexpectedly, become sunworshippers. Read a recent, favorablearticle about using solar in the homebuilding industry.http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/1007402989_991422979.htmlFrom Jane Pulaski,Going Solar Newsletter,IREC

■ Powering the South study will beup on the Renewable Energy PolicyProject’s web sitehttp://www.repp.orgin Mid January.

■ The Union of Concerned Scientistsreport on 20% renewables by 2020is on their web sitehttp://www.ucs.org.

■ Earth Day, Saturday, April 20, 2002.Schiele Museum of Natural History,Gastonia, NC. 9th Annual Environ-mental Education Event. For furtherinformation contact: Tony Pasour at(704) 866-6919.

Visit ourweb site!www.ncsolar.org

Looking for an Energy Efficient Home?2400 square foot home in desirable WestDurham neighborhood. Completely reno-vated and updated in last 7 years; newappliances, new heat pump, low energybills, 3 sola-tubes and 8 ceiling fans. 4bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, LR, formal DR,eat-in kitchen, family room with fireplaceinsert w/blower, 2-wired workshops,

screened-in porch, large deck, tree house,play area, beautifully landscaped/naturalarea and very private on .67 acres. Neigh-borhood pool and playground. Asking$279,000.Call (919) 493-7443!

Sellers will donate 2% of the sales priceto NCSEA, if buyers originate fromthis ad. (No agents, please!)

N