#ShellNo Continues a National Conversation as Shell Receives Final Green Light for Arctic Drilling
In spite of tremendous national outcry from environmental groups, citizens and many political figures—and our own local efforts from paddling to dangling—Shell today received its final permit (albeit with some new restrictions) to begin drilling for oil in the Chukchi...
How To Choose A Solar Contractor
So you have decided to join the renewable energy revolution and go solar for your home or business (or maybe you are just thinking about it). Excellent! This can reduce your electricity bills, earn you money in production incentives and tax credits, and offer the...
Federal Investment Tax Credit for Solar could be extended past 2016; contact your senators!
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CHANCE TO KEEP SOLAR GROWING! We recently called on you to contact legislators in Washington state asking them to include a new productive incentive program in the recently-passed state budget. (We reported the results on our blog a few days ago.)...
New solar program did not pass in recent budget session, current program stands; we’ll try again in 2016
We thank all of our Artisan Electric community of solar enthusiasts and supporters who reached out to their representatives in support of SHB 1912 in the last few weeks. Because we kept you updated on the progress this bill was making through the legislative process...
Encourage Washington legislators to support solar program before special budget session ends
Late breaking addition Friday, June 12: HB1912 passed out of committee this morning! Now your reps *statewide* need to hear that this bill will keep solar momentum going for jobs, the economy, and the environment—and it matters to you. Starting now, our contact is NOT...
Artisan Electric and Puget Sound Solar Donate Solar Installation to West Seattle Nonprofit
Huge solar success in West Seattle leads to free PV system for Highland Park Improvement Club Artisan Electric teamed up with Puget Sound Solar to donate and install a 4kW solar PV system at the Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC) on May 27th. The all-volunteer-run...
Artisan joins activists in saying “sHell No!”—and gives platform a solar boost
Artisan-built solar barge headed “Mosquito fleet” of “Kayaktivists” in protesting Shell’s presence and plans Shell Oil is docking its drilling fleet in the Port of Seattle on the way to the Arctic—which has unleashed the outrage of many Puget Sound residents and...
New Solar Rules Delayed Until 2016
Washington State is delaying the adoption of three stringent 2014 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) requirements for new Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems until July 1, 2016. The three requirements are 690.11 Arc-Fault Circuit Protection (Direct Current), 690.12 Rapid...
WASHINGTON SOLAR AND TESLA POWERWALL
Late last week, Tesla founder and SolarCity Chairman Elon Musk announced Tesla’s new battery based offering, the Powerwall. Since then, customers have been calling and writing us expressing a huge amount of interest in the Powerwall. We couldn’t be happier to see...
Burton Auto Turns 30 and Goes Solar
BURTON AUTO TURNS 30 AND GOES SOLAR Ann Starr dreamed about getting solar for Burton Auto, her family-owned Vashon business, for decades. It wasn’t until she attended a solar workshop at the Vashon Land Trust last fall, however, that she realized the timing was right...