Jeff Owens wrote:
> I just finished reading several posts saying solar
> electricity isn't practical. In every case the main
> argument was cost. This seems to be the opinion of most
As far as my own viewpoint, cost is but one of many reasons not to
pursue solar electric.
>
> people and is easy to understand. The components are
> definitely expensive and appear confusing.
>
> The exact opposite viewpoint can be found around here and in
> the pages of HomePower magazine. I find utility power is way
> too costly and small scale solar power much less confusing.
> It all depends upon what criteria one uses to determine cost
> and complexity.
>
> >From an ecology standpoint the harvesting of local energy is
> much better than building massive power lines and generating
> plants. The fossil fuels impact on our environment is now
I don't lump everything into simply "fossil fuels". While no fossil
fuels are sustainable of course, lumping coal (no pun intended!) and oil
together is bogus, IMO. There's a huge difference of where this country,
and planet, stands with oil and coal, in terms of supply, regional
availability, affect on air quality, etc.
In addition lets not forget that solar cells don't grow on trees, we all
know. I see several have already followed up on the sticky issue of
embodied energy to required to manufacture solar technology.
>
> accepted by all but a few. It is clear that we are in the
> process of global climate change and the cost impacts could
> be huge.
Yep, this scares me, alot. Of course while it is problematic to *prove*
that recent climate changes are directly due to human activity, we sure
can't just keep ignorning the fact that month after month, year after
year the planet's climate is setting records in terms of temperature.
And this is due to mere natural fluctuations, as popular media outlets
would have us believe. I think I read recently that this past October
and November of 99 were the warmest back to back months ever recorded...
Yikes!
>
> The complexity of local electricity systems is probably less
> than the car most people drive around. In fact a car has
> many of the same components. The big issues with solar
> electricity is that it is unfamiliar and is not packaged
> conveniently like a car. The array of options is large and one
Absolutely true. If you could buy shrink wrapped solar of the shelf at
Kmart it would go along way to turn it into a more mainstream public
endeavor. That and giving purchasers 0% interest 5 year loans so they
might afford a large up front investment to reap the long term energy
savings and thus $$$.
>
> can mix utility power with solar power.
>
> For the vast majority of people it is possible to combine
> solar with utility power and add in a little conservation of
> energy. The net result can be a cost savings. So.. the
> only issues i see are: convenience, utility barriers, and
> awareness of ecological costs.
One more.
How about those who choose not to even bother with solar until we can
first collectively and individually get off our addiction to oil. And
help solving the problem of burning petroleum as a basis for virtually
the entire industrialized world economy? In other words, let us focus on
solving the most important problem first... And clearly oil is *the*
most important sustainability problem - economically as well as
ecologically - again IMO.
>
>
> The utilities are making it difficult to combine solar and
> grid power in most areas. The technology is available and so
> simple any child can install it. All we have to do is put up
> the panels and plug them into the wall socket. That's it.
>
> The conservation issue is even simpler. Our appliances
> waste vast amounts of energy. Switching to efficient
> lighting, refrigerators, motors, and low tech tools could cut
> the average electricity bill in half. How can we complain
> about the cost of solar electricity and not consider
> conservation? Simple, the issue here isn't cost, it is much
> more complicated and is cultural.
Who is "not considering conservation" ?!?!?!?!
FWIW, the thread you are referencing (from the homestead list) continued
to discuss energy efficient appliances, and creative ways they can be
financed, but cost again is a major roadblock. Merely "switching" to
efficient appliances, is not that easy or economically feasible for all
but a very few of society. I disagree that forking over $2800 for a
super efficient refrigerator is anything but "even simpler", as you
suggest.
Yep, the issue is more complicated than cost Jeff, and thus I was urged
to respond to what I felt was your incomplete, and often times
condescending summary of the discussion. I'm sorry if my rebuttal comes
off too strong, but I will say you hit a nerve!
While I often enjoy reading your thoughts and posts here and on the
homestead list, I respectfully suggest you aren't doing justice to this
discussion by ignoring several key aspects of the original thread, as
well as assuming that people (like me and many others) who do not choose
to pursue solar electric are somehow ignorant of the ecological problems
and costs of fossil fuel use.
Greg
>
>
> jeff
