PV modules dropped below $1 per watt. Everywhere, other than in Ontario

According to latest PV module pricing report by IMS Research, the average cost of Chinese Tier-2 crystalline PV modules dropped to US$0.96 per watt in January. The report cites reduced incentive levels in the major PV markets at the end of last year as having the biggest effect on the prices.
So far, the fierce competition with Chinese manufacturers brought almost all major US PV manufacturers on the verge of bankruptcy.
Meanwhile here, in Ontario, we have a different story. Manufacturers are isolated from global competition by local content rules and can charge ridiculous prices, but the whole industry was put on hold since last May. First, consumer waited election results, then, the provincial government decided to halt a program and review rules.
So far, 2011-2012 are disastrous for the industry...

Decreasing the energy consumption: Virtualization and Clouds

While we can decrease the dirty energy generation by using renewable energy sources (e.g. solar) we shall also keep working on decreasing the energy consumption. The good example how we can do it- virtualization and cloud solutions. This approach can dramatically increase utilization of hardware. No more idling. The good news - more and more businesses think this way.

My Home Solar Installation Completed

Great news! A Solar PV Installation on my house has been completed! It took me almost two years, but we did it. Now I have extra reasons to want good weather and bright sun!