Sungevity currently operates in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. This just in: Homeowners interested in installing solar power can now get a quick quote at their nearest Lowe’s home improvement store. Residential solar company Sungevity signed an agreement to offer its iQuote program in Lowe’s locations in eight states beginning this summer. Additionally, Lowe’s invested an undisclosed amount in Sungevity. The companies are heralding the agreement as a significant step in the mainstream adoption of residential solar. MORE >>

The other states include California, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Grab your computer and check the status of your employees. Back in 2007, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced an online system that performs employment authorization “check ups.&# That system is known as E-Verify , and its use began picking up steam in 2009, when federal contractors were forced to use the system to verify the employment status of their workers. MORE >>

Massachusetts-based power generation technology company Tecogen announced that its newly developed, ultra-low emissions technology will now be available across its full product line of natural gas engine-driven heating and cooling systems. Two thousand companies, representing 30 countries, and 50,000 visitors descended on the International Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Expo (AHR) in Chicago this week to hawk, ogle, and pitch their wares. The AHR Expo is billed as the largest and most comprehensive HVAC&R event in the world. Ecobee Unveils ‘Smart Si’ Wi-Fi Thermostat. MORE >>

As I was looking through my Google Reader feeds at the end of last week, I ran across a great post by my friend Andrea Goldman (@ andreagoldman ) at her Massachusetts Builders Blog.  Her blog is a great resource for Massachusetts home builders and their attorneys.  Image via Wikipedia. In her post, she points out something that contractors (whether primarily commercial construction or residential construction) should not forget: it is up to you, the construction professional, to set expectations and to educate the owner as to how the project will run. license. MORE >>

The third item involves a post script/development in the Destiny USA project in Massachusetts.  As pointed out by my friend Shari Shapiro (@ sharishapiro ) at her Green Building Law Blog , this allows the state of Massachusetts to avoid any controversy or debate over the effect of the sustainability promises (both private and public). This past week, the blogosphere (if that’s even the word these days) has been abuzz about green building and the value that green can add to a project.  Three items in particular (among many) got my attention. Why mention this new system?  MORE >>