Solar stunner: U.S. exports almost $2 billion of solar products

Cross-posted from Climate Progress.

With all the stories about China dominating the solar photovoltaics (PV) manufacturing sector, you might not think that America is a net exporter of solar products. But it is -- to the tune of $1.8 billion. That's a $1 billion increase over net exports documented in the solar sector last year.

In fact, a report released this morning from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) found that the U.S. has a $247 million trade surplus with China.

U.S. imports in 2010 were estimated at $1.4 billion, while exports were estimated to be between $1.7 billion [and] $2.0 billion based on the availability of data for capital equipment sales. This made the U.S. a net exporter of solar goods to China by $247 million to $539 million. Imports came predominantly from modules ($1.2 billion), while exports were driven by capital equipment ($708 million to $1 billion) and polysilicon ($873 million).

Solar isn't just about the module. When looking at polysilicon production, equipment for manufacturing lines, power electronics, solar hot water tanks, and any number of other domestically produced products, the U.S. actually offers a good-sized contribution to the global market.

The 2011 Solar Energy Trade Assessment is a follow up from last year's report, which found U.S. net exports in 2009 were worth $723 million.

The $1 billion surge in net exports came during a year when the U.S. solar market grew by over 100 percent. Due to the successful Treasury Grant Program and Loan Guarantee Program that made it easier for developers and manufacturers to finance facilities, the solar sector grew faster than ever before.

And all that solar -- particularly solar PV -- brings immense value to the domestic economy.

According to the trade assessment report, around 73 percent of the value of an installed solar system (equipment, labor, site management) is created domestically. When looking at the total solar-sector contribution to the economy, solar PV represents about 82 percent of the domestic value, with concentrating solar power and solar heating and cooling representing about 9 percent a piece.

And these calculations don't even consider the potential value to the electricity system. A report [PDF] released in June by three solar researchers found that solar PV offers 15 to 40 cents per kilowatt-hour in added "value" due to its ability to match peak demand, reduce the need to build expensive transmission lines, and provide local environmental benefits.

But whether or not policymakers will recognize these tangible benefits is very uncertain. With basic support mechanisms like the Treasury Grant and Loan Guarantee programs set to expire, and the House set to slash funding for various energy programs, America's solar trade surplus could close quickly.

The findings of today's GTM Research/SEIA report may surprise a lot of people, especially those who have focused on the Evergreen Solar bankruptcy story or the uncertain fate of thin-film manufacturer Solyndra as reasons not to invest in solar. In reality, solar is a very diverse sector -- the $5.6 billion in equipment exports from the U.S. is an important reminder of that diversity and economic potential.

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Best Online Driving Course - Reviews of Websites and Products

I have put together a snapshot of some of the best online driving courses we have reviewed to give you an appreciation of some of the excellent educational driving resources that are available via the Internet. Below I will give a quick explanation of the benefits each website or product can provide.

Defensive driving course and traffic school: - Format: 100% online.

I Drive Safely.com: What I love about this online driving course is that it's very professional, state specific and contains innovative features like course memory and interactive animation. Since traffic laws change all the time the course is regularly updated, which is very important. You can study from the comfort of your own home, there are no downloads or extra software to purchase and you don't really have to know much about computers. The course has a fixed price cost with no hidden fees and comes with a 100% money-back guarantee, they also provide US based 24/7-customer support team and live chat.

Driving road test video training guide: - Format: Download.

Get Ready to Pass.com: Interactive video program for cars and motorcycles specifically designed to teach you best practices while driving, to do all the tricky things drivers and riders encounter daily. Hosted by Jim Kenzie an automotive journalist for over 20 years with the help of a few guests, Jim walks you through precisely what the road test will cover with studio discussion and narrated HD video presentations.

Teen Driver Education Course: - Format: 100% online.

Teen I Drive Safely.com: Avoid classrooms, books and taking notes and be trained from animations with easy-to-follow text lessons, teaching you the road rules and providing useful tips and methods for safe driving. Study when you are able and do as little or as much at each sitting, it's your choice!

Overcoming the fear of driving program: - Format: Download.

Driving Fear.com: One of the most respected and trusted recovery programs for the fear of driving and test anxiety anywhere, used by professionals and hundreds of individuals worldwide. Developed by Rich Presta who overcame the fear of driving himself and provides an extensive program specifically targeted to the fear experienced while driving. It comes with a 100%, 8-week money back guarantee and provides phone support.

Practice DMV written test program: - Format: 100% online.

Practice Test I Drive Safely.com: This program uses several interactive training methods to practice for your DMV written exam. All the questions are carefully selected using some of the DMV's hardest questions and are specific to your states laws.

Study and review: Focus on questions you have trouble with, then refresh your memory just before the official DMV exam.

Create mock exams: By using state-specific DMV test questions, randomly produce realistic exams which display the answers you missed and which ones you got right.

Apply both methods: Go back and forth from mock exam mode to the review mode any time you feel like. Study and review, generate a mock test or combine them both.

Traffic ticket dismissal course: - Format: Online, workbook, DVD.

Go To Traffic School.com: Very affordable online driving course and suited for those who have got a traffic ticket and would like to remove points from their driving record or would like to reduce their insurance premiums and those required to sit a driver safety course for their employment. Courses are offered online, by streaming video, DVD video workbook and e-workbook.

Mature driver improvement course: - Format: Online, Audio.

Mature I Drive Safely.com: Professional online driving course, providing discounts on your vehicle insurance premium and can be to 15%. Great features like large size text option for easy reading and an audio upgrade that allows you to sit back and relax as the text is read out on your computer. Convenient and easy to do and you can work at your own leisure and place of your choice.

Texas defensive driving course: - Format: Online, DVD.

Get Defensive.com: A convenient and affordable ticket dismissal course in Texas, you may also qualify for an insurance reduction by finishing the driver safety course. The course contains streaming videos and animations that will make the defensive driving process, educational and entertaining.

Teen driver education course: - Format: Online, workbook.

Teen Driving Course.com: This is a fun and funky site intended at teaching teens - under 18, the fundamentals of driving safely and contains pictures, animations and movies all designed to make your driver training a lot more enjoyable.

The author Dave Treadstone writes for best driving course online, where you can read the full I Drive Safely review and other online driving courses and training guides that cover all the tasks required to get your motorcycle or car drivers license. Discover loads of information for insurance reduction, defensive driving and dismissing traffic tickets via online traffic school and much more.

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Lemon Laws For Motor Vehicles And Products Used By Disable Persons

As the term lemon law may be defined variedly. These lemon laws are The United States state laws that provide remedies to consumers for automobiles that are poorly manufactured requiring repetitive repairs, as well as, the deceptive practices of some vehicle sellers and fail to meet certain standards of quality and performance. Such defected vehicles are called lemons. The federal lemon law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) protects citizens of all states against such experiences.

These lemon laws were structured since the 1980's in order to protect the buyers of new and used motor vehicles. Lemon law can be obligatory on any type of vehicle including a car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, boat or computer, motorized wheelchairs, scooters and other assistive devices used by disabled persons etc. In case any of these consumer durables or property is found to be flawed then the consumer is entitled for either money back, replacement or a cash settlement. The best source to consult with is a Lemon law attorney as lemon laws of every state varies. These laws have matured over the years and are now finally being adapted.

As discovered the motor vehicle has defects in it that impairs the vehicles usage, the consumer should make the vehicle available to the dealer or the manufacturer. The manufacturer should have made three reasonable attempts for the certain repair before the petition is made by the consumer. The consumer must bear in mind the number of repairs attempts and the acknowledgement to the manufacturer prior to the lemon law suit. There are certain conditions that are observed before pursuing a lemon law suit. If those conditions are satisfied, the defect is covered by manufactures warranty.

ACCENT polled 55 Attorney Generals (from all U.S. states and 5 territories) to determine which states other than motor vehicles have specific lemon laws regarding motorized wheelchairs, scooters or other products used by persons with disabilities. Each representative was asked to respond to one of the following statements:

o A respective state has enacted this or other similar legislation.

o A respective state is in the process of enacting this or other similar legislation.

o A respective state has not enacted and does not expect to pursue this or other similar legislation.

The poll responded in 32 replies (58%) to the made query, many of which were accompanied by copies of laws and/or brochures corresponding to the answers. Where applicable, the proper contact agency was also noted on the response.

The general results of the poll, based on responses, were:

o Three states, California, Florida and Wisconsin, have enacted specific lemon laws or have included wording specific to assistive devices/products for use by persons with disabilities in their consumer protection laws;

o Kansas, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and Wyoming felt that the items that were referenced were covered in their existing consumer protection laws;

o Illinois, Nevada and Washington have more specific legislation in process at the current time;

o Three states, Hawaii, Oregon and Minnesota, requested that they are let know what other states are doing so they can follow-up in their jurisdictions.

Based on the information received, California and Wisconsin have the most comprehensive laws protecting the disabled consumer.

Wisconsin's "Wheelchair Lemon Law," enacted in 1992. This law covers these items for a period of one year. If the motorized wheelchair or scooter has a defect which has been unsuccessfully repaired at least four times or has been out of service due to the defect for 30 days (not necessarily consecutive), it is considered a "lemon" and therefore covered under this law. The defect must "significantly impair the use, value or safety of that chair or scooter." Remedies under the Wisconsin law include the choice of either obtaining a comparable new replacement or a refund from the manufacturer.

The state of California has taken a different approach to protecting the disabled consumer. Instead of enacting a specific lemon law, the act known as Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act contains very explicit wording to cover "assistive devices...used, or intended to be used, to assist a physically disabled person..." The California law covers new or used devices and contains very clear language pertinent to the warranties that must be provided by the retailer.

Finally, some very important tips and suggestions that I think are important and will have significant benefits are:

o Some states only cover the purchase of new equipment, some cover both new and used items. In either case, your purchase might be covered by both an implied and express (written) warranty.

o To determine if your motor vehicle or precisely wheelchair, scooter or other purchase might be a lemon, do this easy 3-step test:

1. Does the defect substantially impair the use of the device? If YES, go to test 2.

2. Is the defect the result of abuse or negligence? If NO, go to the last test.

3. Is the wheelchair, scooter or other device still within its normal expected 'useful life' and has not simply worn out? If YES, you might have a 'lemon'.

o Keep detailed documentation of all repairs, including copies of repair work orders with the date and description of repairs.

o Many laws cover your purchase for a set period of time (for instance, one year). A written complaint to the seller can, in some states, have the effect of 'freezing' this warranty time, thus extending the warranty period until the problem has been corrected.

o Be informed of your rights as a consumer. Your purchase has been a costly one and is very important to you in many ways.

For more information about the laws in your state, contact your state's attorney general for common motor vehicles or Governor's Council on Persons with Disabilities (both at your state capital) or simply visit at http://www.4lemonlaws.com

Ismail Ahmed is a Legal Advisor and SEO based Content Publisher of http://www.4lemonlaws.com and http://www.aboutdivorce.org

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