Our SunRun Solar 1st Anniversary!

OK, it's kind of weird to be talking about solar power during a snow storm, but here we go!

It's been a year since we "threw the switch" and started generating electricity by solar power at our house.

I guess the best phrase that describes the whole experience is "Exceeds Expectations." Frankly, when the representative from SunRun came to our house I expected a high pressure sales pitch. But about half an hour into the presentation, we were asking "Where do we sign?" It just made sense from the get-go.

There are as many options as to where you want to install your system as there are ways to pay for it. The key part is it's affordable and it works.

Every part of the process from permitting, HOA approval, structural checks and getting an additional meter installed that runs both ways (more on that in a moment) by Xcel Energy took a very short time. Our system has 24 panels on the part of our roof that has about a 98% southern exposure. Our location was prime for solar. But the folks at SunRun can facilitate just about any roof design for great production. The actual installation took about 3 days. Every step of the way, the folks at SunRun were very helpful and professional.

So how did we do?

• We've generated over 8500 kWh of power.
• We've consumed about 7700 kWh. We produced more than we used, so at the end of the year we'll get a credit back from Xcel. We sold power BACK to the power company. A neat feeling! Our Xcel meter goes both ways, nice to see not what you're using, but how much you're selling back to the utility!

We certainly used a lot of power this past summer, with a record number of 90+ degree days. But it was good to have the AC running and not worry about sticker shock when the electric bill came. The best days to generate power obviously are sunny days. But even on cloudy days you still generate power. Where's there's light in the sky, those solar panels are doing their job. 

How did we do helping the environment? Here are the numbers:

• We saved over 13 thousand pounds of CO2 Emissions. That's over 6 tons. Just one house.
• Installing the system was like NOT driving over 13,600 miles in a car.
• It's also equal to planting 153 trees. (And you don't have to rake the leaves!)

There are several options to monitor your system. We have the meters at the back of our house, there is a small electrical box installed in the basement and of course you can login to your account online.

I recently testified to the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission in support of the oil and gas industry. A bit of an oxymoron in a way but my point to them is we folks on Main Street are finding alternatives that in the long run will make us energy dependent and earth friendly. (I also drive a hybrid) But it's going to take a generation or even two before the impact of alternative energy will be felt.

Government, in my opinion, is full of pie in the sky ideas of massive solar and wind farms. Thousand of acres in size. Yeah, right. This is the same government that designed our tax code and has us over $16 Trillion in debt.

The solution lies on Main Street USA. We're going to need a thriving oil and gas industry for years to come, a well-regulated industry but one we'll need to depend on, at least in the short-term. But solar is real, it's here and you can start using at your house in no time.

Look at what we generated at our house, and the positive environmental impact it had. All from just one house. Go Green, Save Green. Some day when we put our house up for sale, we can advertise "Free electricity!" How's that for curb appeal?

Clean energy dependence starts at home. One house, one street, one community at a time.

It works.

Brian Olson

Owner/Consultant-Conversation Starters Public Relations

"We start the conversation about you!"

Fiscal Cliff: Cutting Through The Crap with Social Media

 This past Friday we were talking Social Media Strategies at a Meetup group we sponsor. Social Media has absolutely changed the way we communicate and listen, to interact and be empowered as consumers.

What's too often lost in all the Social Media Jargon (and there's far too much) is content. Telling a story, making it impactful. You know, meaningful on Main Street. Passing the "So what?" test.

We're being bombarded right now with terms like "Fiscal Cliff" and "Kick the can down the road" to the point of not giving a darn anymore. It's just so much noise. The same noise. Over and over and over.

The huge deficit hanging over our heads is going to most impact the so-called "Millennial Generation." These are the younger folks entering the work place, looking to live the good life like their parents did. The above mentioned "noise" isn't getting their attention.

So here's a perfect example of using Social Media to grab them by the shoulders, shake them hard and tell them to wake up before it's too late. I'm not surprised it features my old friend, veteran straight talker and now Gangnam dude, Senator Alan K. Simpson.

Watch:



Now that's the power of creativity, messaging for successful communication in today's digital world! It all starts with stepping away from the traditional and being anything but.

Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"

Canless Air System offers Solution to Canned Air Pollution

 A Clean, Green Solution to Canned Air Pollution

First, a disclaimer. I'm blogging (and bragging) about a client's product, the 02 Hurricane Canless Air System.

Why am I blogging about it? The next time IT comes by your desk to clean your computer with so-called canned "air," read the label on the can. The next time you reach for canned "air" on a shelf at home, read the label on the can.

Then you'll understand.

The stuff is marketed under product names like Dust-Off, Dust-Pro, Innovera and many others. The Consumer Specialty Association estimates over 30 million cans of the stuff is produced each year. They all have one thing in common: They're DANGEROUS!

For years I thought canned air was just that, air compressed in a can. Turns out, like a lot of folks I was fooled. Canned air is actually compressed, explosive and deadly gasses. The EPA classifies the used cans as hazardous waste. That's because they still contain residual and very dangerous liquids and gasses.

Another danger is something called inhalant abuse of "Huffing." An alarming number of people, sadly many of them kids, actually inhale the gasses from canned air for a scary and often deadly high. Just do a News.Google search with the search word "Huffing" and read the sad stories.

The 02 Hurricane is an alternative to all the dangerous canned stuff. It cleans and dusts with hurricane-like force. But there's a big difference. Actually several.

1. The 02 Hurricane uses the air we breathe. It draws it in, then blasts it out at 200 mph. It doesn't have a warning label because there's nothing to warn about.

2. It's rechargeable up to 500 times. Use it over and over. No hazardous waste because you don't throw it away.

3. Buying just one 02 Hurricane is equal to buying a thousand canned air dusters. You do the math.

The 02 Hurricane was designed for use like cleaning computers, delicate electronics and cameras. What's been great fun is hearing from customers and how they're finding different uses. It's great for dusting plants and collectables. How about blowing up a pool toy? Yep! Having a tough time getting the fire going in the fire place? Give it a blast of pure air. Something NOT recommended for the canned stuff, you'd likely blow up your house! It's also great for cleaning various filters and the nooks and crannies inside your car.

It's refreshing in this age where everyone is talking about green and sustainability when a product actually lives up to, in fact exceeds those expectations. Oh yeah, it's assembled right here in the USA.

A great product that's getting rave reviews just in case you don't want to take my word for it! Here's our most recent review on GeekBeatTV!



Green up your workplace or home and save green doing it. Win-Win.

Brian Olson
Owner/Consultant
Conversation Starters Public Relations
"We start the conversation about you!"