...we just have to finally stop dreaming and demand that our government make it a reality.
I hope you and others have a pocket full of cash because about the only thing you'll be getting is to support big business interests and the wealthy. And unless you can pass your elected representatives more money than the lobbyists you'll not get a damn thing.
That said, by the time you're ready to replace your roof, thin cell technology will have taken a quantum leap. The last two issues of Mother Earth News had some projects you might be interested in. My current fave is the peel and stick solar film that is used on standing seam metal roofing. Stick it to the roof, all the connections run along the roof peak. Plug it in to your inverter. My next place will be a Morton building covered in those things.
What is so interesting is that energy prices are high enough and ROI from solar great enough so that you can add solar to a new home mortgage and expect the energy savings to contribute a substantial amount to your payments in the future.
Posted by phidipides at August 2, 2008 09:23 AMParadox, you're confused. Confusing state and national concerns. You have a state goal of 20%, set by whom? The statehouse, Democrats in the Legislature came up with this 20%? Any insinuation that it's the governor doesn't fly, your governor would sign anything eco-related. The legislation has to be there, meaning those Democrats you work so hard to keep there, dropped the ball. That's a problem with your gerrymandering in California. No competition means legislators get lazy, they don't reach for the stars. The goal setting or low bar came from their lack of foresight.
I loved your third paragraph. Abrogating Democrats leadership to the Republicans again. Why don't you just allow them to win to provide proper leadership in the state. Can't do that can we. California has the fifth or eighth largest economy in the the world. We hear that often, it's thrown in the rest of the Union's faces so often. Budget shortages, can't get state health care done, energy management, fires all the time. LA being one of the leaders in air pollution despite having one of the harshest standards for emissions. And in education, man has your Democratic leadership sold the students down the river. What was once a top five rated system now ranks alongside Mississippi in the bottom ten. You've been there to witness this Paradox. You must have seen this stuff happening and still given your vote to Democrats. When have they earned your vote? Seems to me they've taken your vote for granted.
It's nice to see you lead by example. Must have cost you a pretty penny. Not every American can afford what you've done. I'd dare say the majority. Different priorities, different realities, different lifestyles, just pick one. If you've done these things described, congratulations! You've ahead of the game. You certainly have my admiration for your investment. You've probably sacrificed some or a lot to get your investment to this level? Pat yourself on the back for making the sacrifices you've made. I would if we were together. Tip a glass of wine or beer for me on this topic.
Your confusion is taking state goals and mixing them with national goals. Two different animals, two different systems and you know it. A Navy is necessary. A military is necessary. California grew to it's high ranking in the world on the backs of the military industrial complex. California has lead in the developing of systems to help place our military in the top five internationally. Without California's investment, one wonders if where we'd be?
I've seen that 51% of Californians now want offshore drilling to help drive gas prices down according to your nearby paper in SF. Do you want to follow the will of the people? When was that last spill off the coast of California? When was the last spill off the coast of Florida? When was that last spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Floridians favor drilling by an even larger margin. Seems the poll numbers on this are in the very same levels as the antiwar levels of a year ago. Approaching those of the "wrong way direction" of our country. Is your leadership in Congress ready to follow the will of the people? All Nancy could do is turn off the lights. While the Senate has the "Gang of 10" that have come up with leadership in this area. Something that even Senator Obama now is willing to vote for after saying that this is the wrong direction to go all summer.
Roofs are always a problem. Community standards, HOA's, zonings get in the way. Politics are local, HOA's are hard to get around. Anyway, Paradox congrats on your achievement, your investment in your home. I bet you're one proud guy in your neighborhood. And you should be. You have set a great example for your community to follow.
Posted by peter at August 2, 2008 09:32 AMParadox,
You are 100% correct in identifying the problem. Corporate interests can see no value in citizens generating their own energy. They hate one-time capital investments. Much better is Bill Gates' wet dream, RENTAL/LEASING of software, hardware, resources, whatever you need. A steady income stream is SO much more rewarding! Buying LESS energy is ANATHEMA! How dare you suggest we might use less energy and still enjoy the American dream!
The major problem with 100 million homes generating energy and "selling" it back to the grid is the structure of the current infrastructure. Any plans to distribute energy production require an entirely new infrastructure, capable of two-way transmission. What we have now is simply a DISTRIBUTIVE system. The utilities PRODUCE and the the "people" BUY the energy. This guarantees massive "economies of scale" power plants, lossy distribution and dependent customers who can be charged as much as the next ENRON wishes.
We need a revolution in our energy model. That old box is very constricting for some of us; and very comfortable for others.
Posted by DeminNewJ at August 2, 2008 10:54 AMMaybe this article from Pop Mech's has the answer?
h/t instapundit.com
Posted by peter at August 2, 2008 10:59 AMgee pants pissing petie maybe a better answer is to get rid of fascist puke party "leaders" like your chimporer, and while you're at it asshole apologists like yourself.....
Posted by headxray at August 2, 2008 02:43 PM