I am quite glad that the current administration has re-upped and improved the tax rebates for the next 8 years. I am amazed that the thermal credit did not receive the same attention that the PV draws and this is my point that I would like to bring to discussion.
The gas and oil industry has their lobby and they are quite effective. Why are we as an industry [Solar, I hate the word alternative as it should be main stream] divided? Why do we not have one focal point representing us? Why do we not have one focused lobby effort? Instead we have the wind lobby, the thermal lobby, the PV lobby all pushing for their own small portion, and what we are ending up with is small portions. Now I do acknowledge that I have a hard time getting qualified installers even with where the market is now. But If we are going to take this to the next level and be the main stream and not the side stream we have to look at this differently and join forces. We now have the equipment and the interest thanks to the fluctuations in the energy market. Is everyone ready for the next batch of $4 and up fuel prices? We are diluting our long term goal [energy independence, main stream instead of alternative acceptance] for short term business success measured in the next extension of the tax credits, or state and local rebates. I know that I am not the one to do this but I would like to challenge the groups that exist out there; SIEA, all the local state SEIAs, NABCEP, the American Wind Energy Association, whomever promotes Thermal? Does anyone promote Thermal solar; To set aside all the state by state efforts and to join together for a focused push, lobby, & promotion of the Solar industry. Lets break out of the micro management and move to the macro - the big picture in energy, to where we are not the alternative , but where we are the only publicly accepted intelligent choice for the main harvest of energy. I know all the arguments about how established the fossil fuel industry is. I am suggesting that we look at the big picture. If someone is already doing this please let me know. I think our time has come. I invite your discussion and comments. Thanks all for all your input and dedication - Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc www.solarwork.com E - [EMAIL PROTECTED] V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: [email protected] Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
