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sethrh's comments:

on The Switch: Solar Power

How long does a solar photovoltaic array last? Will they continue providing the same amount of electricity over 20 or 30 years? What are the costs of maintenance (I know that the cells need to have dust and whatnot cleaned off periodically)? 

Aside from cost, I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't want to be generating your own energy -- especially solar water heaters.

I would also expect that landlords could offer solar electric systems in their rental houses as an additional benefit for renters. 

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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on Rethinking Schools

Before you innovate, you need to equally and adequately fund existing schools. 

I was told three years ago by a district manager in Portland that one particular outer NE school received slightly more federal funding than a particular inner SE school. However, the NE school suffers from overcrowding, and has poorer test scores, and visibly worse facilities. 

The quality of education that my child receives should not depend on the neighborhood or city in which I live. I shouldn't have to send my kid to a "charter" or "focus option" school that's 60 minutes across town in order for my child's educational needs to be met. 

Bottom line - If you want good schools, you need great staff, parent involvement, and quality education for students at all educational levels. All that requires Money.

Let's divert 800 billion dollars to education and see what happens. 

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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