Green - Issuu

from Aug. 15, 2013

Letters

PHOTO/D. Brian Burg H ar T

Greg Atchley takes a shipment at Sunworld USA. Whether it’s raining in June or dry in December, Truckee Meadows Water Authority always values responsible water use. That’s why we encourage

Weather-Wise Watering.

Power ranger

A Reno company, SunWorld USA, sends solar products all over the world

“If you want to be accurate, you’ll want to call those modules, not panels,” says Greg Atchley, owner of SunWorld USA, as I peruse the big black rectby angular things in his showroom on Airway Drive. “People who don’t D. Brian Burghart know any better call them panels, but it’s modules over panels.” brianb@ Good to know. I don’t know a damned thing about photo-voltaic newsreview.com solar modules. These I know weigh about 44 pounds each, measure 65 by 39 inches, and are rated up to 245 watt peak power, but that’s just M from the literature. In fact, I’ve been incorrectly calling the big black rectangular things on my roof at home that heat my water tank “passive solar” for more than 11 years now. What I do know is I want to generate more of my family’s electricity from the sun, so I’ve been shopping around, trying to learn some stuff. Turns out, the 1985 Reno High grad arrived at his knowledge in much the same way. He was a general contractor who specialized in building high end homes. “About 10-12 years ago, I made a conscientious decision to stop building new homes.” That use of the word “conscientious” is interesting. Typically, people say they make “conscious” decisions, but I could tell he meant it the way he said it. “Yes, I wanted to be a better steward of the environment,” he said. “And I was interested in ‘environmentally friendly’ anything.” Now, Atchley seems like a mellow, steady guy, and in fact, I think my slightly hyper demeanor put him off a little bit, but man, after that sentence, we went from LED lights to LVD (low voltage discharge), to magnetic induction lighting and back to solar modules before the ink even started running smoothly out of my pen. The long and the short of it is that his current partner Shumin Zhang, who owned Western Stone at the time, brought back some modules from China, basically not understanding what would be required to actually sell the things. Atchley spent “three years working with Shumin and different factories to get these guys certified over here in the United States. And what we ended up with was SunWorld becoming our parent company, so we’re the only representative in the United States for SunWorld,” shipping all over the world. There is information about everything from LED lights to figuring “Solar use for home and business is a great option. And as power rates go up, and they’re going to keep going up and up, it’s going to be solar system size at more affordable to put solar on your house or business.” http://sunworldusa. Last March, a lawsuit was settled that ended up putting a 200 com. percent tariff on modules that use cells made in China. That was fortunate for Atchley because while the modules are assembled in China, most of the parts are not made there, which, if nothing else, helps keep costs down. “Kind of like GM, right?” “One of the keys to this business and the lighting business and anything else in renewables is that we’re selling energy efficiency,” he said. “You can say we’re selling modules or energy efficient lighting, environmentally friendly lighting, but it’s energy efficiency.” Ω

C Y CM MY CY CMY K Assigned-Day Watering only applies to your sprinklers. Run your sprinklers when it’s cool and not windy, usually early in the morning. Turn them off when it’s raining.

Water Weather-Wisely on your assigned days.

Also, give your sprinklers a rest on Mondays, as it is TMWA’s day to replenish and maintain our water system.

For more on your assigned days and other conservation tools, visit www.tmwa.com www.tmwa.com

This message is brought to you by the water lovers at

It’ s happening in

EVENTS

BEST IN THE WEST NUGGET RIB COOK-OFF

The nation’s top rib cookers compete for the coveted firstplace trophy, cash prizes and the People’s Choice award at the 25th annual end-of-summer barbecue bash. W, 8/28, 11AM-9PM, Th, 8/29, 11AM-9PM, F, 8/30, 11AM-9PM, Sa, 8/31, 11AM-9PM, Su, 9/1, 11AM-9PM and M, 9/2, 11AM5PM. Free. Victorian Square, 1555 Victorian Ave.

LUCAS OIL OFF-ROAD RACING SERIES

The nationally televised off road racing series pits action sports celebrities against motocross champions and racing legends. F, 8/23, 9am, Sa, 8/24, 9AM and Su, 8/25, 9AM, $11-$33; free for kids age 12 and younger. Wild West Motorsports Park, 12005 East Interstate 80 (775) 323-2977

SHIRLEY’S FARMERS’ MARKET

The 21st annual farmer’s market features fresh produce from Nevada and Northern California farmers, children’s activities and live entertainment. Th, 3-8PM through 8/22. Free. Victorian Square Plaza, Victorian Ave.

ACTIVITIES

STOP THE CAR, DAD!

A photographic journey through Nevada. This series of photographs by artist Erik Lauritzen is complimented by a collection of more than 40 vintage cameras. Tu-Sa through 9/3, $5 adults; free for children under age 12 and museum members. Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-1144

JERRY FENWICH: THE BEAUTY AROUND US

Co-author of the popular Reno Now and Then coffee table

Follow me to Sparks - where it’s happening now!

book and famous local photographer Jerry Fenwick gives us tips on capturing beautiful photographs. Th, 8/15, 7PM, $5 adult; free for children under age 12, museum members. Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Ave. (775) 3551144

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group as we join the Reno Running & Fitness Tuesday night group runs. Tu, 6:30PM through 11/26. Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

SCHEELS BIKING CLUB

Join Scheels cyclists to do some road biking around the city of Sparks. Moderate to strong riders are encouraged to participate. Th, 5:45PM through 9/26. Free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC

ERIKA PAUL SINGS AT THE JAZZ KITCHEN

Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 8/15, 6PM and Th, 8/29, 6PM. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 / (775) 657-8659

FIJI

Enjoy an evening with great food and lively music at Trader Dick’s restaurant in the John Ascuaga’s Nugget. F, 8/16, 6PM, Sa, 8/17, 6PM and Su, 8/18, 6PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

TONY EXUM, JR.

Spend a well deserved evening out and relax with live jazz each week in the beautiful atmosphere of the Orozko Lounge. No cover. W, 8/21, 6PM. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

TYLER STAFFORD

Spend a well deserved evening out and relax in the beautiful atmosphere of the Orozko Lounge. There is no cover charge and parking is free. Th, 8/22, 5:30PM, F, 8/23, 6PM and Sa, 8/24, 6PM. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

MILTON MERLOS

KYLE WILLIAMS

Enjoy an evening with great food and lively music at Trader Dick’s restaurant in the John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Their new menu includes many fresh and. F, 8/23, 6PM, Sa, 8/24, 6PM and Su, 8/25, 6PM,no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open Mic Night every Mon night at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM through 9/30, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

COUNTRY AT THE CABARET

The Casino Cabaret comes alive with the best in country music and dancing for “Country at the Cabaret” featuring DJ Jamie G. W, 7PM and Sa, 9PM, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave.(775) 356-3300

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659

LADIES 80S WITH DJ LARRY WILLIAMS

Ladies ’ with DJ Larry Williams, every Thursday! Th, 7PM through 10/4, no cover. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

COLORLESS BLUE

Colorless Blue performs live jazz for your dining pleasure. Su, 1PM through 12/2, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659