Posted on 02/21/2010 8:57:43 PM PST by Lorianne
Congressional lawmakers earlier this month introduced legislation designed to get photovoltaic solar panels installed on 10 million rooftops across the United States over the next 10 years. The bill, offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), also would increase the capacity of solar hot water by an estimated 10 million gallons over the same period.
The 10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Hot Water bill would provide rebates to various property owners to install photovoltaic (PV) and solar hot water heating systems. The maximum rebate for PV systems would begin at $1.75 per watt and decline to $0.50 per watt in 2018. The maximum solar thermal rebate would total $1 per watt.
Eligible recipients include homeowners, businesses, nonprofit entities, and state and local governments. The properties on which the solar systems would be installed would have to be located within the U.S. and meet energy-efficiency criteria designated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Solar systems could not exceed two megawatts. The total rebate could not surpass 50 percent of the net installed system cost after factoring in other rebates, tax credits, and incentives.
These proposed rebates are designed help overcome initial cost barriers that have slowed widespread solar adoption despite 92 percent of the American public agreeing that it is important for the nation to develop and use solar energy.
"Passing this bill would create the world's largest market for solar energy here in the U.S. and bring with it tens of thousands of manufacturing and installation jobs in all 50 states," Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said. "The solar industry is ready now to step up to meet the challenge that Sen. Sanders and Rep. Cohen have laid out for our country."
Americans need to focus on the real issue and that is “Bernie’s a Socialist” and is the reason we want all of them defeated. Dem’s and Rino’s, all Socialist, just in varying degrees with the same goal.
Then of course you need a big bank of batteries to store the power and and inverter to convert from 12VDC to 115VAC. I know a good 3000 watt inverter costs around $2,300. I have a 200 amp/hr service box....thats 24,000 watts. Lets say I run at an average of 40%, that's 9600 watts or !0K worth of inverters.
Is Obama gonna cover the battery and inverter costs. And my standby power when Seattle skies are not sunny?
This is cash for clunkers on steroids - where we paid something like $3,000 for every mile/per gallon gain.
Even if my sloppy quick numbers are off by 50%, the proposal is Idiocy.
A fellow Freeper yesterday educated me on some new research happening at the university of arlington whereby they are able to convert lignite coal into crude oil. According to them, they can bring the price of oil back down to around $30/barrel with their new process. What’s more, they suggest that they may also be able to convert the shale and tar sands which are uber plentiful into crude oil which can then be refined into typical petroleums. here’s a link to an article about it: http://www.uta.edu/ucomm/researchmagazine/2009/departments/bytes/energy.php I have my fingers crossed.
Because it’s just so doggone economical right!?
we’ll stick it to a lot of people that have it coming if it pans out. they’ll, of course, do anything to stop us from pursuing this technology too.
Regardless of the economics? These congress critters are crazy, unless you consider they may have friends in the business......
“You are misinformed. PV is a highly inefficient way to generate electricity. “
It’s not super efficient, but it is getting better over time. Also, efficiency is not quite as important if the energy input is free (sunshine).
“PV provides no baseload power.”
I live in a region where it gets Very Hot during the summer. Every summer, we break 110’ F. Most summers, we hit 114’... Sometimes, we’ll go a few weeks in July with all days hitting 100+, and nighttime temps never dropping below 70’ F.
Now, Grid-connected home Solar electric in these regions makes A Lot of Sense.
During the hottest part of the day, the solar panels get the most intense light, and offset the amount of utility power required to run the A/C.
In these regions, solar electric may not add to baseload power, but it does reduce the amount of baseload power required on the grid.
Still, agree with others that it should never be forced... I still can’t afford it, even with the tax credit.
= 10 million gallons
Excuse me, you lost me there.
Yeah, the whole star trek thing iirc the guy wanted to call co-eds on a phone in his car.
Disagree DnTn, if there is one thing Marketers can rely on it is that Americans A) love gadgets B) want to be first to have those gadgets.
Toss in “no more power bills” and the easier the access to solar, the more the sales imho.
The investment makes no sense even in your climate unless you artificially inflate grid power. PV solar receives incredible subsidies. Even with the subsidies, it is only marginally useful. Why should we provide subsidies worth up to 75% of the investment cost? The free energy idea is misleading. If you identify the payback or ROI, you will see that PV is a loser.
In most areas, PV does not match peak generation periods. Peak generation is usually about 5PM in the summer but PV output declines substantially by 5PM. In my area, we typically get clouds in the late afternoon, reducing output substantially.
Solar ping!
The left has a solution to this obvious problem. They have forced your utility to provide the battery system for you. Many states force utilities to offset your electricity generation. If you generate more than you need during peak hours, the utility is forced to provide an offset to your overall electricity usage. Why purchase an expensive battery system when the left has forced utilities to provide the equivalent capability at no cost?
You should also know that the utility is guaranteed a rate of return on its solar investment. If the utility provides a $15,000 subsidy for your PV system, the utility can recapture this amount plus a rate of return.
Overall, solar PV is a boondoggle. It is an immoral scheme to make lefties feel good at the expense of the average rate payer.
I could see where small scale solar systems might be good for lighting and powering small gadgets while the main electric grids power the big stuff like heaters, fridges and that sort of thing. The most useful thing is to have lights and perhaps enough juice to run a router and laptops when the main grids are down. You don’t need huge banks of batteries and solar panels to operate a lighting system and small tools. Led lighting is rapidly maturing and they take miniscule amounts of power. I don’t see solar as being a cure all but it could an important adjunct and good source of emergency power, especially if NG was not available to power off grid home generators.
Sanders is an avowed Socialist.......using ‘I’ was the way he brought a legitimacy to his positions.
“You are misinformed. PV is a highly inefficient way to generate electricity.”
You are absolutely right. My brother built an ‘energy efficient’ log home and was horrible. While he relied heavily on wind as well as panels, there was only enough electricity to run bare essentials. This is another intrusion that the government has no right to.
Hmmm; should I call ACORN, and have them do an "energy assessment", fill out my paperwork, help me find a construction loan, and recommend a contractor?
Or, should I just contact Al Gore & Mr. Imelt directly?
Decisions, decisions, decis....
I don’t recall the word “solar” anything in the Constitution.
What the hell is going on with these Politicians? Are they there to Govern or Rule?
I guess we can only blame the Ignorant Voters who give these idiots jobs.
It is simple as that.
If PV was economical, it wouldn't need massive subsidies to get people to purchase them. When your neighbor puts in solar panels, you're paying for it whether you want to or not.
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