Hello Fellow Technophiles,
For all of our faithful readers I have some bittersweet news to share: This will be my last issue of Tech Tails. I have accepted an IT position at SunCommon, a Vermont-based company providing solar power to homes and businesses. Like Small Dog Electronics, this company is committed to the triple bottom line which means that a commitment to people and the planet are equally as important as making a profit. They are friends of the company and Mac users, so I expect that I will feel right at home there.
My experience with SunCommon started when I called to try to get solar panels for my house. Unfortunately, my skylights meant that there wasn’t enough south-facing roof to install a cost-effective solar system. The good news was that they also offer community solar arrays. These are ground-based solar panel arrays that one can buy into to offset your electric bill. This has allowed me to put my money where my mouth is and try to minimize my environmental impact.
If you are looking to add solar power to your mix, take a look at Goal Zero. This product line allows you to take mini solar panels on the go to power your portable electronic devices. Please don’t forget to look up from your phone and enjoy nature if you do take these on your next outdoor adventure!