Featured Manufacturer: Roots Organics by Aurora Innovations

Featured Manufacturer: FoxFarm Fertilizer Company

FoxFarm is a small, family-run business dedicated to producing the finest quality garden products available anywhere. Because organic ingredients play such a large role in our company, all formulas are handcrafted in small batches to ensure superior consistency and quality control. We offer custom blended soil mixes, natural and organic fertilizers as well as organic-based products that Combine the Best of Technology with the Goodness of Nature^TM.

We are known as the Microbrewery of Premium Plant Foods and Soil Mixes. Our fertilizers are built around the use of earthworm castings, nature’s finest soil amendment. Not only the end product, but the complete process of caring for the earthworm cultures is under our direct supervision. FoxFarm has been a “hands-on” Bioneer for over 17 years in developing and producing superior organic plant foods and extra-strength soil mixes.

FoxFarm is a group of dedicated gardeners who are making a difference in how we treat the Earth and each other. Using FoxFarm in your own backyard helps to make a conscious choice to improve the environmental well-being on the garden, your family, and generations to come.

We are proud of our earned reputation for uncompromising quality and supreme customer service. Caring detail is found in every single FoxFarm item with no exceptions. That is the bottom line! FoxFarm fertilizers are specially formulated to replenish the soil, lift the human spirit, and beautify the Earth, naturally. Bring Your Plants to Life!^TM

NAVY Goes Solar!

U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Federal Energy Management Program

 

News and Events:
FEMP Focus – March/April 2003

 

Navy Uses Super ESPC to Make Photovoltaic Energy Pay

Already a national leader in energy conservation, the Navy Region Southwest (NRSW) has recently become the proud owner of one of the largest Federal photovoltaic (PV) systems in the nation, demonstrating its commitment to using renewable energy technologies. The 750-kilowatt PV system installed at Naval Base Coronado makes the Navy one of the largest public-sector generators of clean renewable energy in California. The project is also a landmark for DOE’s Super Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) Program, as one of the largest renewable energy projects (other than geothermal heat pumps) financed to date under a Super ESPC.

With two contiguous solar arrays consisting of more than 3,000 solar panels and covering approximately 80,000 square feet, the “carport” PV system not only generates power for the base but also provides shade and protection for more than 400 vehicles stored in long-term parking for Navy personnel aboard deployed ships. “Using clean generation is very consistent with our base’s mission of leveraging superior operational expertise and technologies,” said Commander Pat Rios, Naval Base Coronado Public Works Officer.

The Naval Base Coronado PV energy project was developed by the NRSW Energy Team, which includes representatives of Navy Public Works Center, San Diego; Southwest Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NFESC); Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center; Engineering Field Division Southwest; and Tetra Tech EM Inc. The project was awarded to NORESCO, through FEMP’s Western Regional Super ESPC. The PV system was designed and installed by PowerLight Corporation, a leading manufacturer of grid-connected solar electric systems.

Utility- and state-incentive funds and the Department of Defense’s commitment to green power together resulted in a simple payback of only 5.8 years for the bundle of energy conservation measures for the base (including rebates and pre-performance payments) and a financed contract term of 10 years for the project. Another important factor in the project’s success was the teamwork of NRSW, NFESC, and NORESCO and their mutual determination to deliver technically sound projects with good economics. For example, two large compressor projects brought excellent savings to the bundle of energy conservation measures. The Navy’s investment of $15.5 million for the PV project and five other measures will yield life-cycle cost savings of $11.7 million after reimbursing the contractor’s investment. The project’s energy savings will total about 17 billion Btu per year. The PV project on its own had a capital cost of $7.7 million, with the Navy’s capital contribution totaling $2.2 million and third-party rebates totaling $3.6 million. $1.8 million of the cost was part of a larger special appropriation supporting the President’s demand reduction program in the West. “Solar power proved to be the ideal energy solution for Naval Base Coronado,” noted Lieutenant Commander Wade Wilhelm, Navy Region Southwest Utilities Program Manager.

The solar electric system will provide 3 percent of Naval Base Coronado’s peak summer electricity load and will save more than $228,000 in annual operating costs beginning the first year. The system will also cut expensive electricity purchases from the utility grid during peak energy demand periods and provide the base with reliable, high-quality power with minimal environmental impact. Reducing peak load also helps the utility system avoid system overload and rolling blackouts. Producing enough electricity during the day to power more than 935 homes, the system’s peak DC capacity is 924 kilowatts with 750 kilowatts of expected average AC output. Total projected system electrical output is 1,244,000 kilowatthours per year.

By replacing fossil-fuel-generated electricity with solar power, Naval Base Coronado will spare the environment from thousands of tons of harmful emissions annually. Over the 25-year lifetime of the PV system, the solar-generated electricity will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 11,660 pounds, sulfur dioxide by 10,480 pounds, and carbon dioxide by 7,430 tons–emissions reductions equivalent to removing 1,480 cars from California’s roadways.

For more information, please contact Mike Holda, FEMP Project Facilitator, at 209-835-8150 or maholda@lbl.gov; Michael Beccaria of NORESCO at 203-335-0266 or mbeccaria@noresco.com; or Wade Wilhelm, Navy Project Manager, at 619-556-7013 or wilhelmwb@pwcsd.navy.mil.

Featured Company: Humboldt Nutrients

Humboldt Nutrients is our featured company for January

Humboldt Nutrients, LLC is committed to providing the best quality products for hydroponic and organic growers. None of our products are imported from foreign countries, making Humboldt Nutrients a more affordable line of products. Tested in Humboldt County, CA, we assure that Humboldt Nutrients’ complete nutritional programs will increase the yield and quality of your favorite plants.

Humboldt County is located in the great State of California. For many years, California has been one of the largest agricultural States in the world. Vast crop production can be seen and unseen from the Northern to Southern end of California. Our farms, gardens, and greenhouses are responsible for the cultivation of a variety of plants that help feed the stomachs and minds of people all over the world.

Accompanying this variety of crop production is the extensive research in plant science, soil biology, chemistry, and many other fields related to crop production. Humboldt Nutrients has harnessed the best of our home-grown scientists. We employ leading experts in the fields of chemistry, mycology, and agronomy to assist in the formulation of Humboldt Nutrients products.

Nutrient lines imported from foreign countries are more expensive than Humboldt Nutrients due to import taxes and tariffs included in their pricing structure. The quality of Humboldt Nutrients far exceeds these lines without exceeding their prices.

CAP NextGen Digital Ballast 1000W

The new 1000W CAP NextGen Digital Ballast is the BEST digital ballast on the market today.

NEW issue of Urban Garden Magazine Dec/Jan 2009

The newest issue of “Urban Garden Magazine” is now available.

This is only the second issue of “Urban Garden” available in North America. Previously only available in the UK and Europe, Urban Garden Magazine has now released its North American version.

Urban Garden’s Core Aims and Values

• To broaden and diversify the appeal of greenhouse and controlled environment indoor gardening.
• To challenge preconceptions about the scope and applications of water culture and soiless gardening techniques.
• To be a reliable source of practical information on all different forms of domestic horticulture.
• To act as a bridge between manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and customers for effective two-way commercial communication.
• To educate on environmental issues and actively promote sustainable living and associated techniques and technologies.
• To promote awareness on food consumer issues.
• To demonstrate that growing is not only a fun pastime, but also an important life skill.
• To get the world growing again – young, old, rich, poor and everyone inbetween needs to reconnect with Mother Nature!

 

We only have a few issues left. Hurry, once they’re gone… they are gone!

Call (619) 749 – 6777 or stop by Grow A Lot  for your copy today.

Grow A Lot News and Musings

Hello kind readers,

The Grow A Lot “News and Musings” section is intended to be the area that we bring you information about the recent developments in the hydroponics world.

It is our hope that we will get to post up some product reviews and news of upcoming product developments in the industry.

We also hope to bring you newsworthy changes that impact our environment and how one can help.

When we can, we also want to add an “ask the plant Dokter” section to help those of you that need a little troubleshooting.

… and we have many other ideas in the works. So, please, bear with us while we try to figure all this out. To me… it’s all “php” this, and XHTML that… another language, or ten, as far as I’m concerned.

Readers, if you have any suggestions/requests, or would like to submit any of your content, please let us know.

All the best to you,

GROW A LOT

www.GROWaLOT.com
Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego, CA

Hello world! Welcome to Grow A Lot Hydroponics

 

Hello there,

Grow A Lot Hydroponics San Diego started as a commercial agriculture production consulting company in 1997. The business focussed on the deisgn and implementation of large-scale hydroponics food production. Over time, more and more customers have requested smaller, “Hobby-sized” or personal hydroponic systems that are scaled for the home user, rather than a 2,500 square foot hydroponics greenhouse facility.

It was due to such requests that we began offering some hydroponics-related products online on our own shopping cart, and then eventually, on eBay in our eBay store: Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego eBay store 

It wasn’t long before enough of our online clientele wanted to “pick it up, kick it, play with it, see it in action”, as our owner says. This lead to us opening our first retail, brick and mortar store, open to the walk-in public in El Cajon, CA – just outside of San Diego – in the fall of 2008.

We secured a fantastic corner location in the fall of 2007 and began a year’s worth of extensive repair and rennovation on the building to increase its energy-efficiency and to allow for the future edition of the Grow A Lot Bee’z Cafe and Coffee shop.

Since opening, we have experienced an average sales growth of 27% per month and have our products in use by our customers on six of the seven continents (If you’re a researcher on Antarctica, give me a call). Not bad in a declining economy. Please stay tuned for information about our Grand Opening party that is tentatively scheduled for March/April of 2009.

We at Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego wish you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of Holidays!

Take care of each other,

GROW A LOT
www.GROWaLOT.com

Hydroponics, Organics, and Garden Supply