Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, July 2016.

Unfortunately, the subject matter of these newspaper articles doesn’t appear out of thin air. This month, while considering ideas, I tapped into the most available resources present at the moment; my two teenage children. My daughter’s response was immediate and specific: “Talk about the basics, you’re always t ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, May 2016.

Memorial Day is a special day for our nation. It is also an especially meaningful day for veterans who have personally experienced the loss of fellow combatants or service members who have died during non-combat training missions. As an international relations major, green business owner, retired Marine Co ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, February 2016. El Niño is officially here, sometimes resulting in torrential rain. Torrential rain is not forgiving on any type of roof that is not flashed or installed properly, or has reached the end of its service life. A roof is one of the most important parts of any dwelling. Water intrusion is the number o ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, January 2016. The fourth quarter of 2015 was a record-breaking quarter for installation of solar PV systems in the State of California. In November, there were 5,942 solar PV projects completed and approved for interconnection to the grid in PGE territory alone. In last months article, I discussed the factors that are driving ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, December 2015. Due to the current rate of market adoption of solar PV, solar panel manufacturers are reaching production capacity. Predictions are that at some point the industry will not be able to supply the market demand for solar panels. Ultimately, some solar projects will have to wait for supply to catch up to demand. S ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, November 2015. November 11th marks Veteran’s Day. Throughout history, those who were drafted or volunteered answered the call of a nation in need, perhaps to fight a war they may not have personally agreed with. Veterans’ from all segments of our society served with distinction, many died serving our nation. Our military foll ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, October 2015. In mid-September, on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, a diverse group of people and industry released a documentary called The Burden which tells the story about America’s dependence on fossil fuels and the implications of that dependence. The United States Military is taking the initiative to lead our nation away ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, August 2015. California Investor Owned Utilities such as PG&E are at it again. They have begun their push to try to reduce the economic value of FUTURE solar energy systems installed in the latter half of 2017 and beyond. State law requires that “net metering” solar rules change so as to better provide for long-term solar ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, August 2015.

Lately I've been answering inquiries about the electric rate changes that were recently approved by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). Predictions are that the rate changes, when they go into effect in 2019, will ultimately impact more than 75% of California electricit ...Read more

Article written by Mark Becker for Danville/Alamo/Lafayette Today, July 2015. Almost 14 years after 9/11, it’s probably universally agreed that the greatest foreign policy challenge America faces centers on terrorism and the potential manifestation of large-scale terror attacks again onto our shores. There is no doubt that American energy policy is currently influenced by our reliance on foreig ...Read more