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Great idea Jean, just one flaw that I see.  The Pacific Northwest has a very good solar index to produce solar energy.  Actually it is much higher than most of Germany.  We produce excellent Pinot here as well due to the good sun index and cool evenings.  We are trying to fix the stereotypes that are attached to our state.  I was at a Career fair with my tiny solar array trainer that was producing 3 amps of current with many clouds in the sky and mist in the air.  The High School students who came over didn't believe that Oregon could produce any solar energy at all and I blew their minds with our demonstration.  It doesn't always rain in Oregon and it isn't always sunny either.  But we do have the capacity to produce our own solar power.

Thanks

dbaker

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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I have watched as we have struggled with the idea of solar power since the late '70's.  The argument about what is cheaper is a waste of time.  Yes, it's true gas, coal and oil are much cheaper sources of electricity.  The reason is that those delivery systems are already in place and the price of kilowatt/hour doesn't take into consideration the start up cost of refinement and delivery.  I can imagine that the people who sold matches and candles were mad as hell when electricity was being wired into homes for lighting and heating.

We as a nation must change our attitudes and lower our demand for electrical power.  By weatherizing our homes, replacing our old appliances and upgrading to the new technologies we can slowly move away from the polluting sources of electrical energy.

People will spend $20,000 to add on to their house, remodel their kitchen or redocorate their living spaces.  They spend this money because it adds value to their investment.  This enhancement that made them money just sits there collecting dust.  Imagine by installing a solar panel array, you add value to your property and you produce electricity that slowly pays back that initial investment for it's entire lifespan.

I am constantly talking to people who are excited about renewable technologies from 8th graders to retirees.  They want to reduce their demand for foreign oil and reduce the emissions for electrical production.  We have to drown out the negative comments from individuals who don't believe any new technology will work and will constantly find, or make up, holes in those theories.  Keep educating the young minds (and those that are young at heart) about the renewable energy market that will create good paying jobs to design, build and install these systems.  Always keep a good stock of matches and candles for the others as well.  Peace.

dbaker 

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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