EUEC David Hill – Solar Energy Policy 2010 – Part One
One of the best roles you can assume today in creating a better world for tomorrow is that of a “Solar Power Myth Buster.” I can see it now, you masked crusader you. Before you grab your cape and head out the door, though, let’s arm you with a few facts about solar power myths:
· Solar power is too expensive. Before you allow anyone to cling tenaciously to that belief, ask them if you can schedule an appointment for a solar power installation appraisal for them. Tell them you would never try to dissuade them from believing what they choose, but if they’re willing to allow an open discussion, you’d like them to be assured that their belief is right before they share it with others…or worse yet…possibly keep them from having clean, free power because they attached too strongly to an old, rigid belief system. Tell them the appraiser will help them assess:
o What is the cost of a traditional heating, air conditioning system and hot water heater -today compared to a solar installation?
o What is the current cost per watt for electricity in their area, or comparative cost per unit for other fossil fuel used?
o Since 1970, coal, gas and oil utility costs have gone up, on average, 5.5 percent per year. At that rate, what will their per unit cost be in 5 years, 10 years, 15 and 20 years? On a solar off-the-grid system…it will be…free.
o What’s their current home power equipment guarantee? Solar components are guaranteed to last between 25 to 30 years. Most of today’s standard furnace, air conditioning systems…and hot water heaters…are guaranteed to last for 10 years.
o What tax credits, incentives and rebates are available for standard installation of fossil-fuel burning systems versus the tax credits, incentives and rebates for solar installation?
· I’ll still have to have a traditional system, anyway, because solar systems only work where there’s a lot of sunshine. OK, there’s a possibility you’ll need a back-up system. But…it’s not a big possibility. Japan and Germany have less sunlight than a majority of the United States but have a much larger reliance of solar energy. If you live along the northern tier of the United States you may need more panels to produce the same amount of electricity as your Southwest counterparts, but you can still power your home or business with solar energy.
With the advances in solar technology that have been made, nearly all systems can function with back-up battery power that’s been created by your solar energy system. In some areas, or if you’re just not certain you’re comfortable with no back-up, there are options that can be a part of your solar system design that provide you with back-up…like a wood insert in a passive-solar stone fireplace design…or better yet…a wind turbine, also a renewable energy.
· I’ll have to reduce my energy consumption. Let’s admit it…this is not a bad idea. We all could manage just as well with a little less…energy consumption that is. There are a few things you could do right now that could start you on the right path…turn off lights that aren’t being used, turn off your computer when it’s not being used, and switch to CFL light bulbs…to name a few. However, if you really want to keep on…keepin’ on…using the same amount of electricity you already are…you can.
It will, however, cost you more up front. Let’s face it…it takes a bigger system to produce more watts of power…more batteries…more inverters. So your initial costs if you install today will be a little more. But once the system’s paid for…whether you’ve got a large system, or a small one…as long as that sun keeps on shining, your utility bill is…have I said this before?…still zero. As it your carbon footprint. Amazing, isn’t it?
· The solar panels on my roof will destroy the aesthetics and reduce my home value. First, let’s talk for a minute about the different systems. Yes, solar hot water systems that sit on a roof can be unappealing for a certain percentage of the population. However, solar electric panels typically use much less space and are much more attractive…in fact there are now solar panels shaped like roof tiles making them nearly unnoticeable. And…forget about reducing your home value. Solar electricity raises the value of your home. You can sell your home faster…and for more money.
· Solar power is popular now…only because of the government incentives, and will die out with those incentives. Au contraire. Solar power is here to stay. While it has, indeed, had a long, laborious battle to come into the limelight…or should I say sunlight…there is no question it’s time is right. With global warming as an energy-change warning, world citizens are taking up their swords to fight for what’s right…bright…and clean. So now that you have the facts, my Solar Myth Buster, go forth and do great things!
Timothy Peters is a renewable energy enthusiast and author. He lives in Spokane, WA and enjoys teaching others how to save money on their utility bill and help the planet through home solar power. You can learn more solar energy facts and other solar energy topics at his website. You can also check out his new ebook Home Solar Power Explained, where he confronts common miss-perceptions about home solar power and shows how anyone can easily benefit from solar energy.
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How would u solve this environmental problem?
Hi guys! last day, i saw the penn and teller show about environmental activists and well i want to know how many people knows about environmental issues, so i will post questions about environmnt, and here is the first case:
Much of the water that supplies Quito, Ecuador’s largest city, originates in Andean highlands that are home to a tremendous variety of endemic plants and animals, including the spectacular Andean condor. Downstream, many areas around the city do not have enough water to meet their needs, and most of the city’s monitored watersheds have undrinkable water. Poor farming and logging practices in the vicinity of the condor reserve and farm animals grazing too close to stream and river channels are the culprits.
What would you do to solve this problem??
I know this requires a little bit of investgation, but this is all the info i can give you… i actually felt better solving it… so thanks everyone for your time in this question… for a better world!
I do not know what type and size of any Ecuadorian Environmental groups you have but this problem has an ideal solution. The more people who agree with your problem and solution the easier it is to get the job done. If you combine the problems into one solution you may get widespread support. A large condor sanctuary that would include adequate watershed to provide clean water for farming and the city would seem to be the perfect solution. People in the cities will strongly support something that will provide them with clean water without adverse effects. The loggers that may lose suitable land make up a very small segment of the population. The farmers can also benefit from clean water.
This would be a big project. I do not know who owns all this land but as a watershed and condor preserve it will always be there if some other need becomes more important. So an organization that is big enough to handle all the work that will be needed and the many years it is likely to take to make this a reality. I worked in the California condor sanctuary, it was well worth the land that was set aside.
MagentaTV – Christopher Lamarca
The environmental issues in India become more serious every day and she is turning into a bit of a mess on this front but with over 1 Billion people most of which in dire poverty, it’s hardly surprising. The recent boom in its industries, little or no environmental education, infrastructure at bursting point not to mention the huge deforestation that’s going on.
India appears to be digging its own grave deeper and quicker than the rest of us, nearly 30% of India’s gross agricultural output is lost every year due to soil degradation, poor land management and counter productive irrigation. 7516 km of coastline have also come under attack from this environmental sabotage, overfishing remains a huge problem due to lack of legislation enforcement. Raw sewage from an awful lot of people is pumped endlessly into the ocean along with other industrial waste and chemicals.
India’s incredibly vulnerable water supply has also come under attack from every angle resulting in very dramatic drop in the national water tables. Air pollution remains a huge problem in India with the diesel used containing up to 200 times the amount of sulfur than our European diesel.
The quite rapid story if India’s deforestation is rather depressing. It is predicted that almost 5.3 Million hectares of forest have been destroyed since the independence. The government has been slow to recognise this problem and the solutions it has come up with involve unenforceable legislation mixed with wide spread corruption and a million poeple buring desire to survive
Land degradation, disease and a huge litter problem are some of the other problems which plague this great nation. It is however, not all lost…
Follow the link below for a complete view of the Environmental issues in India. http://www.all-about-india.com/Environmental-issues-in-India.html
Another Expert article from the web’s most comprehensive India resource.
Written by Oliver Wakefield of All-about-India.com
2009: Read All About It!