Industry Trends

 
Retrofits the Key to Green Building Growth
December 2011
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There is more to clean energy than electric cars and solar panels. The need to reduce emissions from buildings, for example, has been well established. What is not so certain is how to accomplish this. One organization has the answer.

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Sylvania’s 4th Annual ‘Socket Survey’ Finds Americans Aware of Incandescent Phase-Out
December 2011
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With the federal phase out of inefficient lamps set to commence on Jan.

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The End for 3 Percent Withholding
December 2011
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At a time when it seems lawmakers couldn’t agree on the weather, never mind what it would take to fix the ailing economy, there is at least one important issue they can rally around.

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Editors' Pick
Tricky Business: Rare-earth Materials Shortage
December 2011
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If the nation’s rising unemployment, flagging construction, and global debt crisis didn’t give electrical contractors enough cause for concern, they have recently been grappling with another business woe—significant price increases on some of the market’s most popular energy-efficient fluorescent la

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Americans Have the Will but Need Experts to Show the Way to Energy Efficiency
by
Timothy Johnson
| December 2011
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Certain aspects of an energy-efficient future hinge on facility owners’ compliance and proactivity with their habits and devices, such as smart meters.

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Automakers Agree to Standardized EV Charging Systems
by
Rick Laezman
| December 2011
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It’s not every day multinational corporations agree on something, especially not when it involves their competition. On the other hand, manufacturers know that standardization is vital to the adoption of new technology, and electric vehicles (EVs) are no exception.

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DOE Consortium Publishes Guidelines for Converting to LED Roadway Lighting
December 2011
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium published guidelines for converting to LED roadway lighting.

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Hello Broadband, Goodbye Landline
by
Rick Laezman
| December 2011
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If federal subsidies are any indication of national trends, a recent announcement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) signals what may be the end of an era.

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Sonnhalter Releases Alternative-Energy Market Overview
December 2011
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Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, released a market overview for the alternative-energy industry. The overview takes a quick snapshot of the industry, its players and trends.

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Demand for Smart Meter Management Software on the Rise
by
Rick Laezman
| December 2011
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It could be argued that the potential for success of a particular innovation can be measured by its effect on the existing technology operating around it. If that’s the case, then smart meters are here to stay.

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Solar Costs Declining
by
Rick Laezman
| November 2011
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As solar power becomes more popular, it also is becoming more affordable, and that is good news for an industry whose greatest handicap has always been its steep upfront installation costs.

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Walmart Greets the Sun
by
Rick Laezman
| November 2011
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A retail chain known for its friendly greeters and low prices has taken a bold step to reduce the cost of powering its famously large stores. Retail giant Walmart has announced that 130 of its stores in California will be powered by the sun by the year 2013.

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Editors' Pick
Get Ready to Get Charging
by
Chuck Ross
| November 2011
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James Strange III, vice president of Louisville, Ky.-based Advanced Electrical Systems Inc., first began thinking about adding electric vehicle (EV) chargers to his company’s installation services at last year’s NECA Show.

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Tool Trends 2011
by
Jeff Griffin
| November 2011
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The evolution of Basic tool types occurs slowly (think screwdrivers and measuring tapes). Then there are times when a new tool technology (or the advancement of an old approach) rapidly changes a market segment (e.g., lithium-ion batteries for professional hand tools).

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The Next Big Thing
by
Edward Brown
| November 2011
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The market for home automation is poised for terrific growth. Integrated systems are increasingly becoming a part of the electrical contractor’s business.

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World Energy Consumption Set to Surge
by
Rick Laezman
| November 2011
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Despite the worldwide effort to wean itself off of fossil fuels and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, a daunting challenge remains. Global demand for energy is on the rise.

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DOE Invests in Next Generation of Efficiency Experts
by
Rick Laezman
| November 2011
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As efficiency emerges as the next frontier of energy transformation, the need for a well-trained, specialized labor force to sustain and encourage industry growth becomes a priority.

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Economic Outlook Survey Reports Most Optimistic Market Conditions in Several Years
November 2011
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GlobalSpec, a provider of online marketing programs for companies targeting the engineering, technical and manufacturing communities, announced the availability of its newest research report, “2011 Economic Outlook Survey: Improving Conditions Present Market Opportunity for Suppliers.” The survey r

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Innovation and Conservation Are Key at 2011 Solar Decathlon
November 2011
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted its 2011 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C., at the end of September. For the energy industry, the Solar Decathlon means more than developing solar energy.

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USGBC Certifies 10,000th LEED Building
November 2011
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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has certified the 10,000th LEED commercial project. Created in 2000, the LEED green building program has become a mainstay in sustainable building certification.

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